The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

April 4, 2010

Manchin looks at energy diversity

By Bill Archer For The Register-Herald

BLUEFIELD — Gov. Joe Manchin defended the state’s ongoing commitment to water and wind energy and admitted the entire country can do better in the development of greater energy generation diversity, but he issued the reminder it was coal that fueled the industrial revolution, and that while opponents may say something different, “there is still a world demand for coal.”

“I think all people need to understand that in West Virginia we have worked to create a cleaner environment,” he said during a meeting with the Bluefield Daily Telegraph editorial board.

“We do a lot of resource extraction here, but we’ve done a great deal of reclamation, too. Last year we passed a land use bill that tells coal operators that it’s not enough just to come in and mine the coal. They have to demonstrate that they have a plan in place for the land after the coal is gone. They can at least make it an agricultural site and put in some switch grass and saw grass.

“We’re being blamed for a lot of things that we don’t deserve to be blamed for,” he said. “People who are anti-coal are in a denial mode. You’re enjoying a lot better quality of life because of coal and, at least in part, that is because of the work of West Virginia coal miners. They’ll find a new fuel in the future, but without domestic coal, you won’t have the energy to find it. China’s been ready, and they’re finding ways to burn coal more efficiently.”

Earlier this year, Manchin had a face-to-face meeting with President Obama, and he said he got a chance to advance the state’s position on coal. “I told him: ‘Mr. President, where you and I disagree is that China has not cannibalized its baseload of coal like we have in this country.”

Manchin expressed extreme disappointment with the Environmental Protection Agency and its delay of issuing surface mining permits. Manchin said he spoke with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson after the agency decided to review its permitting process and veto a permit at the Spruce Mine in Logan County. Two days later, Arch Coal filed a civil suit against EPA.

Manchin said that “sooner or later” the EPA will have to decide on the criteria for the permitting process. He emphasized the need to seek balance in terms of the present needs of the U.S. economy, the domestic need for affordable and reliable energy, as well as the need to protect and preserve the environment. “I’m very fearful you’ll get it all out of balance,” he said.

Manchin said that the state must remain patient and frugal and give the national economy time to rebound. He also mentioned the notion of continued two-state unity with Virginia and West Virginia and suggested he would be open to a future meeting with him and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Manchin emphasized the state does not intend to give Tamarack away, and added he remains committed to keeping it as a center for artisans in the state.

— Bill Archer is a member of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph editorial board.

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