WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statements after U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry accepted their invitation to visit West Virginia in July. Secretary Perry will travel with the senators to various sites to learn more about the state’s energy production and research during the trip—his first official visit to the state as secretary.
 
“I’m thrilled to announce Secretary Perry has accepted the invitation to visit West Virginia this summer,” Senator Capito said. “From finding new ways to utilize our natural gas supply and modernizing our energy infrastructure to continuing critical coal research, West Virginia has an opportunity to be a key player in America’s energy strategy. I’m looking forward to showing Secretary Perry the good work already underway in our state, as well as how we can help further maximize the country’s energy potential.”
 
“I’m excited to announce that my good friend Secretary Perry will be joining us in West Virginia in July to tour our beautiful state,” Senator Manchin said. “Secretary Perry and I have had a long friendship from our Governor days and understand how important it is to keep energy states like West Virginia and Texas strong. Our state is on the cusp of energy innovation that will revolutionize our energy infrastructure and the way we power our country for decades to come. We can harness these opportunities only if we continue to work with the Department of Energy to ensure our research and development hubs in the state have the support and funding they need to bring their ideas to reality. I look forward to showing Secretary Perry what we’re doing here in the Mountain State and I know that Secretary Perry will work with us to help seize upon our state’s energy potential, whether it be pushing advanced coal technologies or cultivating innovative infrastructure systems for natural gas and natural gas liquids.”
  

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