Published: October 30, 2009 05:31 pm      

Energized — Millions in funding approved for region

A federal measure that includes millions for economic development, public safety, the environment and advances in clean coal technologies is now law.

President Barack Obama has signed the fiscal year 2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill into law securing millions in federal funds sought for southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia by U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va.

The appropriations bill specifically contains $4 million for the Grundy Flood Control and Redevelopment Project in Buchanan County; $90,000 for a feasibility study of an ecosystem restoration of the Clinch River Watershed in Tazewell, Russell, Scott, Lee and Wise counties; $76 million in federal funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission to help with job creation and infrastructure improvements in the greater Appalachia region; and $672 million for the Fossil Energy Research and Development program within the Department of Energy.

Much of the work to be completed through the Fossil Energy Research and Development program will be conducted through the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, according to Byrd. The appropriations bill also includes $1.2 million for West Virginia University to design and construct a hydrogen fuel dispensing station in Morgantown and $1.25 million for the WVU-China coal-to-liquids plant research program.

Byrd said seven coal-to-liquid commercial plants are currently being developed in China, and the U.S. is working with China to show that coal-to-liquids is a technically feasible and economically viable source of alternative fuels.

Federal funding to assist with the continued development of clean coal technologies is welcomed. It is our hope that all of West Virginia and Virginia’s congressional delegation in Washington will continue their fight for coal, and the development of clean coal technologies that are feasible and in the best interest of the future of southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia.

We also welcome the award of additional federal funding to assist with the ongoing flood proofing project in Grundy, as well as federal funding to protect the Clinch River Watershed.