Published: November 06, 2009 03:54 pm      

Talking coal

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is hoping to have a face-to-face chat soon with President Obama. The topic of discussion will be coal.

Specifically, Manchin is hoping to make his case for accelerating 23 delayed mining permits in the Mountain State.

The future of coal in West Virginia, including the impact on the industry from the delayed permits and the federal cap-and-trade legislation, has been a hot topic in recent months, particularly in the historic coalfields of southern West Virginia.

According to Manchin, the state’s economy and revenues will “absolutely” suffer if the mining permits are held up much longer by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Manchin told the Register-Herald he has turned over a list of governors — representing both political parties — who expect a negative impact on their states if the coal industry is further restricted by the EPA’s action.

The agency is holding 79 mining permits, including the 23 in West Virginia, in abeyance

“Right now, it’s an economic downturn, so we have stockpile,” Manchin said earlier this week. “If this economy turns around, we’re going to be prepared to be back on the front line. With the restrictions being placed, we’re not going to be able to keep this nation as secure and independent as it should be with the fuel that we have to offer. That’s really the message I’m trying to get across.”

While everyone seems interested in talking about health care reform in Washington at the moment, we believe a discussion about the future of coal is necessary and long overdue. We applaud Manchin for attempting to schedule this all-important, face-to-face meeting with Obama. As West Virginia’s chief executive officer, we believe Manchin is the best person to spearhead this crucial discussion with the White House.

The governor has been an outspoken supporter of coal since day one, and we applaud him for his steadfast support of the region’s industry. It is imperative to have support for coal in both Charleston and Washington, and Richmond for that matter.

Manchin, who spoke to reporters earlier this week, said his staff has been in communication with the Obama administration, adding it was vital for everyone to be on the same page. The governor also said it was “imperative” that Obama and his top aides understand the economic significance of coal.

We agree, and we welcome a meeting between Manchin and Obama.

We hope this meeting will be an important first step in communicating the importance of coal — our must abundant natural resource and our best chance for energy independence — to the administration and lawmakers in Washington.