West Virginia’s Future Is Still in the Coal Mines

Jun 10, 2023

Before West Virginia was a state, the impact of coal formed the makeup of America. Coal has a long, rich history of spurring economic growth and energy production–and that shouldn't change anytime soon.

Washington Democrats have had little respect for the deep roots coal has in West Virginia's communities, workers, and economy. Due the trend of "green policies," the far left has waged war on coal. Many coal mines have been forced to close or been abandoned, causing communities to be uprooted and jobs to disappear.

Specifically, southern West Virginia has been left devastated and forgotten by the war on coal. McDowell County was once a thriving community with over 100,000 people, but a generation later, the census revealed there were only 19,111 people left because the jobs and opportunities dried up. This heartbreaking reality is seen across my entire Wild and Wonderful state. It's apparent to me that Washington Democrats didn't have West Virginians’ livelihoods in mind when they crafted their anti-coal agenda. We need to bring jobs back to West Virginia and jump-start the massive economic growth potential in our state.

That's why I’m introducing The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act. This legislation re-purposes both abandoned and active coal mines that are emitting methane gas that can be used as an energy source. It would update and amend the section 45Q tax credit for carbon oxide sequestration so that any mine which releases methane as a greenhouse gas can be eligible to claim the credit. This will allow methane to be captured and injected into a pipeline for energy use. Utilization of this methane to enhance our nation's natural gas supply will compliment new natural gas production and make coal mines an additional economic driver.

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage is a fancy term for taking a mining byproduct and turning it into energy. There are a lot of unnecessary regulations and red tape surrounding this process, but shouldn't we take advantage of the energy and job creation that could come from the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere?

This is a bipartisan plan. Republicans and Democrats alike are starting to see the need to make America energy independent while being a good steward of our environment. As I’ve always said, energy security is national security, and we must increase our domestic energy production in order to decrease dependence on our adversaries. It is crucial for the success of the United States that we are energy dominant.

As the co-chair and founder of the Energy Export Caucus, I am laser focused on all-of-the-above energy solutions that drive up economic success and promote domestic energy production, all while protecting our environment. I am also a co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus, and I am considering every solution to make our mining communities as successful as possible.

The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act does just that by reducing mine methane, cleaning up local environments, enhancing our energy security, and supporting thousands of American jobs in some of the most disadvantaged communities across the nation. This is a win for energy security, clean air, and the American worker.

With this bill, there will be new investments in mine methane capture. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, take care of our natural resources, contribute to our nation's energy supply and security, and support the thousands of American jobs in communities hit the hardest by the war on coal.

The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act will invest in the future of Appalachia. It will also re-purpose the coal mines that were abandoned by Green New Deal Democrats and makes them profitable for our state. West Virginia began with coal, and I’m making sure our coal communities will power us well into the future.

Republican Rep. Carol Miller represents West Virginia's newly formed 1st Congressional District in the House.

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