Capito Officially Introduces Energy Legislation

Op-Ed

Capito Officially Introduces Energy Legislation

Rep. Capito highlights the desperate need for investment in domestic energy in a speech to her colleagues in the House of Representatives. To see video of Capito's speech, click here. Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Congress was back in session this week and in addition to passing much needed legislation to support rural schools in West Virginia, I continued my push for domestic energy as I officially introduced legislation to invest in coal-to-liquid technology.

Secure Rural Schools

Many of West Virginia's rural school districts face unique challenges when it comes to balancing their budgets. Because these districts include large areas of federal land or national forests, much of the district's property is un-taxable, leaving them with large revenue shortfalls.

Thankfully, some financial assistance is on the way with legislation we passed this week. Based on legislation I co-sponsored, the measure passed on Thursday will extend federal financial support to local districts through the year 2011.

We must support our rural school districts so we can retain teachers and provide a high quality learning environment, and this is an important step toward those ends.

Coal-to-Liquids Legislation Officially Introduced

This week I also officially introduced the Clean Coal-Derived Fuel for Energy Security Act. With the price of gasoline and our nation's obvious energy challenges, the current situation demands a targeted effort to promote our own domestic sources of energy.

We cannot afford continued reliance on foreign energy, nor can we afford continued delay. My legislation would mandate the use of coal-to-liquid fuel and lead to 6 billion gallons of annual coal-to-liquid fuel production by the year 2022.

Solutions to high gas prices and to our reliance on foreign energy will take time to implement and we must take action. I will continue to push for a wide range of energy solutions - including domestic energy exploration, renewable energy technology and increased conservation efforts.

I would also encourage you to contact my office with your ideas and recommendations. I will continue to include survey questions on energy issues with my e-newsletter updates and hope you will make your views known.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if I can be of any assistance. It is an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress

In Case You Missed It...

Op-Ed: It's time to make us energy independent
Daily Mail
By Rep. Shelley Moore Capito
June 5, 2008

THE world's demand for oil is enormous. China and India are growing at a record pace, scooping up resources wherever they can find them.

American demand for oil isn't exactly shrinking and the price of energy is shooting sky high.

Here in West Virginia, we're facing more than $4 per gallon gasoline, and little else seems to be on our minds. From food prices to transportation costs, the price of gasoline is impacting everyone right in the pocketbook.

We must drop the rhetoric, break from reliance on foreign sources of oil, and fully invest in domestic sources of energy....

The excuses are many, but the reasons to act are far greater.

With Congress back in session, I have introduced the Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act, which will mandate production of 6 billion gallons of coal-derived transportation fuel by the year 2022.

Our nation has more coal reserves than the combined oil reserves of the rest of the world, and we would be foolish not to use such an immense resource....

Many of my congressional colleagues have obstructed any attempt to create domestic sources of energy - from coal to natural gas to oil. If they continue to have their way, who knows where the price of gasoline may go?

Playing politics with energy does nothing to help the people of West Virginia....

Coal may be a dirty word in San Francisco, Chicago or New York - but in West Virginia it's a way of life. And it can also be part of an answer to our energy woes.

Capito represents West Virginia's 2nd District in the House of Representatives.

To read Shelley's column in its entirety click here.

Capito Eyes Liquid Coal Legislation
Wheeling Intelligencer
By JOSELYN KING
June 5, 2008

While the cost for crude oil is currently about $130 a barrel, coal can be turned into liquid fuel at $35 to $45 a barrel — making it a financially viable prospect, according to U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito.

Capito, R-W.Va., this week introduced the Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act, a plan for mandating the production of fuel made from liquefied coal through 2022.

The legislation, House Resolution 6170, sets levels for the production of coal-derived fuels that would be used as fuel for airplanes, motor vehicles and home heating and boilers.

In 2015, a minimum of 750 million gallons of coal-derived fuels would have to be produced under the bill. The mandated production levels then gradually would increase to 6 billion gallons by 2022. After this, future production would be determined by the president — based on advisement from the secretary and the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Capito termed the legislation "a jobs bill for West Virginia."

"These plants need to be built near the source of the coal," she said.

She estimates that a coal-to-liquids plant with an output of 10,000 barrels per day can support 200 direct jobs on site, 150 at the supporting coal mine and 2,800 indirect jobs throughout the region.

The production of such a plant, meanwhile, would create 1,500 temporary jobs....

County seeks new ways to fund US Rt. 35
Putnam Standard
Sara Bailey
June 2, 2008

According to county officials, a 12-mile stretch of US Rt. 35, between Buffalo and Mason County Rt. 40, could remain unfunded for decades unless the West Virginia Department of Highways finds new funding....

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito has been instrumental in securing federal money for the expansion. According to her press secretary, John Coffin, Capito has secured up to $105 million in federal money since she has taken office.

The US Rt. 35 expansion is "incredibly important," he said.

For this year, she has asked the Appropriations Committee for $23 million through the Transportation and Housing Urban Development Appropriations Bill.

Currently, Coffin said, Capito has not received any information as to whether the money will be awarded.

"She continues to push for additional funding," he said.

Source