Bush puts coal at center of US energy independence

About 450 members of the West Virginia Coal Association, family and friends heard President George W. Bush say July 31 what they hoped he would say -- that the state's abundant coal reserves will play a major role in US energy growth and independence.

Bush had good news for the self-described Friends of Coal group in a speech loaded with admonitions on the work that lies ahead to gain energy independence.

"Today, my administration announced $36 million for new carbon capture projects," he said. "In other words, it's more than just research. We're now beginning to get into the implementation stage of promising new technologies. And, eventually, the technology may allow us to prevent 90% of coal's carbon emissions from being released into the environment. We're working collaboratively together, and I want to thank the coal association's support of this kind of technology and research and development. It makes a lot of sense."

At the same time, Bush -- escorted to the podium by longtime West Virginia coalman James H. "Buck" Harless -- stressed in his humor-tinged, nearly 40-minute speech the importance of a nuclear energy revival in the US, along with development of alternative energy sources, like biomass and wind.

After the president's speech at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Bush stepped off the podium for an informal meet-and-greet session with association members and their families.

Bush stressed that the development of West Virginia coal as part of the nation's bigger energy independent future was important to ensure their children would live in an economically competitive nation.

Referring to those kids, he said, "In order for this country to be economically competitive beyond my time and the time of some other people here, we've got to have [more] electricity." And, to accomplish that development, "coal is affordable and coal is valuable, and provides jobs."

Bush noted that he was "retiring in six months" but promised he would "sprint to the finish" in helping to map out the nation's energy independent future. He echoed words often spoken by members of Congress from coal-producing states on both sides of the aisle: "I know it's in our national security interest ... to become less dependent on foreign oil," instead of buying oil "from people who don't particularly like us."

With that thought, he chastised a Democrat-controlled Congress for not passing legislation that would pave the way for offshore drilling. That would not only help alleviate price spikes in gasoline and other petroleum products, Bush said, but also send a message to the international community that the US was doing something about achieving energy independence.

Decries no new nukes, refineries

And, in a theme familiar to those who produce coal and want to build coal-fired power plants, Bush decried the nation's languishing nuclear-power sector due to heavy regulations and lawsuits.

"There hasn't been one new nuclear power plant built [in the US] in 30 years," Bush said. "We've got to use nuclear power" in addition to the nation's 250 years of coal reserves.

Likewise, for domestic oil production, Bush said, "We haven't built a refinery in the United States for 30 years" due to "regulatory burdens and legal fights." He mentioned abandoned military bases as good brownfield sites for new refineries.

On a positive note, Bush credited congressional leaders like Representative Nick Rahall, Democrat-West Virginia, who accompanied the president on the trip, as helping to lead the way toward a new domestic energy policy.

Under his administration, Bush said, the US has spent $2.5 billion on clean-coal research and development, with more funding in the pipeline. "This year alone, we've requested nearly $650 million in the budget for advanced coal research," he said. "It's the largest such request in 25 years."

After Bush's speech, WVCA President Bill Raney, obviously thrilled with the presidential visit, told Platts that he didn't have any problem with Bush pushing for nuclear energy and oil development alongside coal. "It's a shame that we haven't built a refinery or nuclear plant in 30 years," he said. A nuclear energy revival won't adversely affect West Virginia coal, he said. "Not on a worldwide basis."

Andrew Jordon, the coal association's chairman and Pritchard Mining president, commented to Platts, "I'm proud that we were able to bring [Bush] here" and talk about energy independence and the importance of West Virginia coal in that scenario.

Created: August 1, 2008

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