McKinley leads coal caucus

Photo Courtesy Congressman McKinley's office.   Pictured are (left to right) Reps. Larry Bucshon (IN-8), Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large), Evan Jenkins (WV-3), and John Shimkus (IL-15)
Photo Courtesy Congressman McKinley’s office.
Pictured are (left to right) Reps. Larry Bucshon (IN-8), Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large), Evan Jenkins (WV-3), and John Shimkus (IL-15)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In his announcement that he will seek re-election, Republican David McKinley (WV-1) said “The war on coal didn’t originate in Charleston. It came from the White House.”

McKinley, the new chairman of the inaugural Congressional Coal Caucus meeting, said Wednesday he’s in a good position to raise awareness of the coal industry and get it on the agenda of legislative colleagues.

“My goodness, they burn coal in Hawaii. They burn coal in Alaska. Where ever coal is used as a product, we want to engage.”

McKinley told Hoppy Kercheval on MetroNews “Talkline” there are 27 coal producing states in the country. The mission of the caucus is to revitalize the coal industry. According to McKinley, 45 percent of West Virginia coal miners have lost their jobs as coal fired power plants schedule shutdowns. But, there’s more to consider he explained.

“What’s going to happen with our power plants? What’s going to happen with recycling where we have fly ash and make drywall with it or concrete? I want the rest of congress to understand the ramifications of this product.”

Last year, there were 76 members of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

“We’re going to try to get that up higher to educate people the impact that coal has. It provides energy to your state,” said McKinley.

The congressman’s appointment as caucus chairman comes as reports of natural gas surpassing coal as the leading source of the nation’s electricity.

Both have a role as energy sources he said.