President Donald Trump (R) signed multiple executive orders on Monday that plan to bolster the coal industry in the United States. Here’s what officials in West Virginia had to say following the orders, as well as statements from some of the organizations that this order may impact.
Governor Patrick Morrisey (R)
It’s great to be here with a lot of miners who come from West Virginia and across the country and to celebrate a president who cares deeply about coal and America’s energy independence. So, today I think you’re seeing these common sense policies that President Trump has been, putting forward to the American people. We have an opportunity right now, it’s a historic time, that golden era, for America. But to do that you need to rely on the strength of coal and our fossil fuels. So, I think today sends a very big signal that coal is beginning its comeback. And I think that the bulk of the credit goes to these guys right here who go into the mines every single day, and they’ve helped power our country for generations.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey during an interview with Nexstar’s DC Bureau
Senator Jim Justice (R)
West Virginia is a leader in energy and is well poised to power America. It’s all about energy, plain and simple – I know that, President Trump knows that, and Americans know that. This order continues to highlight the President’s commitment to unleash American energy and shows an understanding as to how important the coal industry is to powering America. I’m proud to stand with him to ensure West Virginia can continue to lead the way in energy production for generations to come.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R)
Not only does coal keep the lights on in America, but it is an essential natural resource that allows us to ensure energy reliability and economic stability. The recent series of storms that caused thousands of power outages highlighted just how important it is that we have access to affordable and reliable energy sources like coal. As it has done time and time again, coal proved to be exactly what we needed to power the country, demonstrating its importance in keeping the lights on when other resources were unavailable. These Executive Orders are welcome news for our miners and the entire industry, and I am glad we have a president that recognizes the need to support them.
Attorney General JB McCuskey (R)
It is truly remarkable to have a president who looks at coal the way that we look at coal in West Virginia. And, coal is America’s past. It built every single building you see here. It built the ships that won World War II, and coal is going to be America’s future. We must return to a rational energy policy. And what you’re gonna hear is people on the left saying that this is radical—this is not radical. This is rational energy policy that is designed to lower Americans’ energy costs and ensure that this country stays on top of the world in terms of energy production.
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey during an interview with Nexstar’s DC Bureau
West Virginia Sierra Club
Among groups criticizing the executive orders is the West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, an environmentalist group that seeks to preserve and advocate for the protection of natural resources. The Beyond Coal campaign operates through the Sierra Club and advocates for the transition away from fossil fuels to fight climate change and benefit public health.
Again and again politicians fly through coal country with false promises about revitalizing industry, when what they mean is milking the last bit of profits out of Appalachia for the benefit of executives and shareholders. Standards that keep our air, water, and working conditions safe: gutted. Cheaper alternatives to producing electricity: boxed out of the market. Unions to defend good paying jobs: undermined at every turn. ‘Coal’ is corporate profit, not West Virginia. West Virginians are more than just coal, and we deserve better.
West Virginia Beyond Coal Campaign Organizer Lisa Di Bartolomeo