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Member's Press Release

Release Date: 06/06/2014
Contact: Delegates Howell, Gearhart and Sobonya at 304 790-9022, 320-0879, and 417-0869

Delegate Gearheart ;,Delegate Howell ;,Delegate Sobonya ;

Republican Delegates Fought for Coal Before New EPA Standards

Charleston, WV – The battle against the Environmental Protection Agencies over regulation of the coal industry has been on the forefront for Republicans Delegates before the newest regulations were released by the EPA. Since 2010 two bills in particular have been introduced in the House: the Intrastate Coal and Use Act and the Repeal of West Virginia’s Cap and Trade bill. Both bills have a majority of Republican sponsors.

“I have proudly supported the coal industry and coal miners in West Virginia before I was elected and will continue to do so during and after my time in the House of Delegates,” said Delegate Gary Howell (R-Mineral).

“We knew the type of regulations this administration was going to push, I did not expect the leadership of West Virginia to buy into it with their own version of Cap and Trade,” stated Delegate Marty Gearheart. “I was very disappointed that a bill like that would pass and I have tried to repeal it before it damages the coal industry and increases the electric rates for our citizens.”

“As a co-sponsor of these bills I believe that the elected officials in West Virginia are in a better position to make these important decisions than unelected Washington bureaucrats,” added Delegate Kelli Sobonya (R-Cabell).

The West Virginia Intrastate Coal and Use Act would, if passed, give the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection the authority to issue mining permits if the coal is used in West Virginia.

The repeal of West Virginia’s Cap and Trade bill would repeal the legislation passed during the Second Special Session in 2009. It requires the energy industry to cap the amount of carbon emitted into the air to make usable energy, raising costs to consumers and reducing jobs.

For more information, please contact Delegates Howell, Gearheart and Sobonya.


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