A press release from the Ohio Coal Association:
Senator Biden’s lack of support for clean coal technology is both disheartening and short-sighted, and to the extent his views reflect those of presidential candidate Obama, his position sends a clear signal to coal producers and the thousands of Ohioans who work in the coal industry about their votes this November.
Coal provides electricity at about half the cost of other fossil fuels. In Ohio, we have an almost 250 year supply of coal, and clean-coal technology is the key to maximizing the use of those reserves.
Furthermore, domestic coal holds the key to our nation’s long-term energy security — a goal that cannot be overlooked during this time of international instability and economic uncertainty.
In Ohio, the important role played by coal as an energy resource is underscored by the nearly 3,000 Ohio workers who depend on coal for their livelihoods. Coal is a mainstay of the economy in already-challenged Appalachian region of Ohio, and provides high-paying jobs to the families in those communities.
Few policy areas are more important to our economic future than energy issues. As we prepare for the Nov. 4 election, it is essential that our candidates keep in mind that access to reliable, affordable energy supplies will continue to be central to economic growth, and U.S. energy policy must continue to reflect a reasonable balance between economic and environmental considerations.