1/10/2003

Wise Talks Coal

Staff
Charleston

Governor Bob Wise is telling West Virginia coal operators the state is doing all it can to bring predictability to the industry.

The governor spoke to coal producers at the 30th annual West Virginia Coal Association Symposium Friday in Charleston.

Wise says the mining industry is making gains. He says his administration is working hard to quickly approve mining permits. He told operators the nation is also getting a better idea of the importance of energy sources like coal and natural gas. He says an extended war with Iraq would bring more attention to the reserves in the United States.

Wise says he doesn't know how the federal courts will ultimately rule on mountaintop removal mining, but he does know the state should help the companies with any problems they have with their permits before forwarding them to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Wise says a national energy policy would be a benefit to the state if they focused on fossil fuel research and clean coal technology. He says the state already has its own energy plan, but a federal plan would be a great help.