2/3/2010
“I want to thank the president and vice president and the environmental officials for their time today. We had a very open dialogue unlike anything I’ve participated in at this level. I had the opportunity to ask everything and say everything that is on my mind with regard to our energy future. I shared with them that in West Virginia, we care about the environment, but also the security of our nation, energy independence and the economy and the jobs that go with that.
“The discussion from all the governors present was very frank, and I think the president took it in and I think the administration has a better idea of where we are coming from.
“From West Virginia’s standpoint, I don’t think the administration realized the efforts we’ve undertaken to diversify our energy portfolio and use our natural resources in more environmentally friendly ways, as we make the transition to the energy fuels of the future. Those programs include our alternative and renewable energy portfolio act and our post-mine land use bill.
“I am encouraged about our discussion of more investment in technology that will allow us to use our coal in more environmentally friendly ways and I support the president’s establishment of an Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage that I hope will speed the development and use of clean coal technologies.
“Overall, I’m very pleased with the candid discussion we had today and I think through continued dialogue like this, we will have a better understanding and be able to accomplish many of the shared goals with regard to our state’s and our nation’s energy future.”
- Gov. Joe Manchin
Contact Information
Jama Jarrett or Melvin Smith
304-558-2000