W.Va. gov. urges coal to support renewable energy

By TIM HUBER

updated 12:03 p.m. PT, Thurs., Feb. 19, 2009

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Coal producers need to help West Virginia increase renewable energy production to show its commitment to new energy policies, Gov. Joe Manchin said Thursday.

During a speech to the West Virginia Coal Association annual mining symposium, Manchin urged the industry to support his legislation calling for renewable energy sources to generate 10 percent of the state's energy needs by 2015 and 25 percent by 2025.

Currently, coal accounts for approximately 98 percent electrical production in West Virginia, the nation's No. 2 coal producer behind Wyoming.

By getting behind the proposed standards, the mining industry stands to gain the credibility it needs to influence the national debate on energy policy issues such as global warming, Manchin said. If West Virginia doesn't become a leader in renewable energy, "No one's going to believe us," he said.

The Democratic governor called his plan realistic because it includes turning coal into liquids for fuel and chemicals, not just wind, solar, hydroelectric and biomass energy. "We can bring balance to the energy portfolio," he said.

Renewable projects such as wind farms and solar panels can also be placed on reclaimed surface mine sites, he said.

Americans, meanwhile, are beginning to believe the industry's assertion that coal can be burned cleanly and provide for the nation's energy future, said Steve Miller, president of the American Coalition for Clean Coal.

Miller credited the pro-coal group's $40 million campaign for increasing support for coal-fired electricity generation.

In the fall of 2007, 46 percent of well-educated, financially better-off Americans supported coal-fired generation and 40 percent opposed it, Miller said. At the end of 2008, Miller said support had increased to 72 percent, while opposition had slipped to 22 percent.

"We can prevail," Miller said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29284861/