Governor Manchin- Put simply, Gov. Manchin believes that the people of West Virginia expect and deserve a governor who works hard every day to make things better for our state and who uses common sense to remove barriers in the way of our economic development and our children's future. However, he also acknowledges that he can't achieve success alone - it will take all West Virginians working together to achieve real and lasting change. That is why he is known throughout the state as a team builder who encourages cooperation and values all input.
"Anybody can talk and beat up coal: They don't like it; it's dirty; it does this and this. But I can assure you, they're not going to turn their lights or their demand for energy off."
-- Gov. Joe Manchin of West Virginia
- As our major utility providers make new investments to expand generating capacity, we're asking these companies to consider constructing polygen, coal-based plants that not only produce electricity but also by-products such as highly clean and efficient diesel fuel, something that looks to become a very big part of the economy of West Virginia and the region in the near future.
- As history has shown us, the federal government is not going to be the leader in developing a sound national energy policy that makes sense for America. To protect our consumers and preserve our national defense, it is up to the leaders in all 50 states to develop individual energy policies that could be the basis for formulating a national policy, drawing on the best of each state. West Virginia has a significant role to play in the national urgency for energy independence.
- , WV Gov. Joe Manchin joined the coal industry as a friend of the court opposing two federal court rulings that would impose new regulations on mountaintop coal mining.
Let me say that again, Joe Manchin came out against federal regulations that would prevent companies like Massey Energy from dumping waste rock and dirt into WV rivers and streams. The same Massey Energy with a long history of union busting. The same Massey Energy that has “modernized” the coal industry, leading to the number of miners in WV dwindling from 150,00 to 20,000 (there are more florists in WV than miners today). The same Massey Energy that continues to operate a coal processing plant and lake of coal sludge 225 feet from Marsh Fork Elementary.
