Separate measures crafted by members of West Virginia’s delegation provide guaranteed loans and extend tax credits to develop coal-to-liquids technology, viewed as a critical component in making American energy independent.
Inserted into the new farm bill by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., was a three-year extension of the alternative fuel tax credit.
Developers must show they are capable of capturing 50 percent of the carbon emissions from a CTL facility in the next two years, and the figure must climb to 75 percent by 2010.
“There is no single alternative fuel source that will address our growing energy needs and lessen our dependence on foreign energy,” Rockefeller said.
“The responsible use of clean coal to meet our electricity and transportation needs must be in the mix. The overwhelming support of the Senate (a 79-14 vote) sends a clear message — coal conversion
is a technology worth investing in.”
As he described it earlier in a meeting with The Register-Herald editorial board, the senator called for a major federal investment paralleling the Manhattan Project to find a workable solution to sequestering carbon.
In the House, Rep. Nick Rahall, also D-W.Va., applauded approval of the omnibus spending bill that included $8 billion in loan guarantees for coal-based power generation and industrial gasification activities employing technologies to capture and isolate carbon emissions.
“The loan guarantee program is intended to help companies leverage investment needed to open new frontiers in coal-based energy research and development, building on advances achieved through the federal clean coal initiative, which I have long supported,” said Rahall, who anchored a special coal-to-liquid seminar last August at Glade Springs Resort.
“Among the future benefits could be new ventures into liquid fuels from coal, which are necessary to ease oil’s stranglehold on our nation.”
A far-reaching measure, the farm bill also entails tax breaks for other alternative research, including ethanol and other biofuels, natural gas and wind power.
— E-mail:
mannix@register-herald.com
Local News
Coal-to-liquids technology gets appropriations boost
- Local News
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Mount Hope man sentenced on firearms charge
A Mount Hope man was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Charleston to more than five years in federal prison. Evan Darnell Wagner, 25, will serve 63 months for his October guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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Green pleads for fund-raising ban during session
Insisting his motives are both pure and sincere, Sen. Mike Green pleaded with his Senate colleagues Tuesday to ban fundraising by lawmakers while in a 60-day session.
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Senators want to build veterans nursing home in Beckley
America has a shabby history of tending to the needs of its returning war veterans, but some West Virginia senators want to start making amends.
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Commissioners urge public to look into free prescription drug card
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Raleigh County Commission, County Administrator John Humphrey expressed concern that there are not more uninsured county citizens taking advantage of a free prescription drug card through the National Association of Counties.
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Body reportedly removed from Guyandotte River
Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department removed a body from the Guyandotte River at Brier Creek bridge Tuesday, according to Chief Deputy C.S. Parker.
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Ronceverte merchant shares concerns with City Council
When Mary Glover and her son Chris opened a floral specialty shop in the River City four years ago, their Edgar Avenue location seemed ideal. But Mary Glover is now frustrated over what she perceives as a lack of community support for the small business.
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Three men found dead in Rainelle home
Three men, a father and his two sons, were found dead inside their Rainelle home Tuesday, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
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Glen Daniel bank robbery suspect nabbed quickly
A bank in Glen Daniel was targeted by an armed robber Tuesday afternoon who got away with an undisclosed amount of cash, but was apprehended moments later because of the actions of one brave deputy.
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Fayette board member voices disapproval of energy program
At Monday’s Fayette County Board of Education meeting, board member David Arritt registered his disapproval of the county’s energy management program, which he compared to a “chain letter.”
- Calendar — Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012
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