WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today joined Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and a group of their colleagues in introducing the Coal Council Certainty Act to reinstate the National Coal Council (NCC), which is a federal advisory committee that provided advice, recommendations, and insights to the Department of Energy (DOE) on issues related to the coal industry.

“West Virginians know all too well the damage anti-coal policies from Washington, D.C. can inflict on our communities,” Senator Capito said. “The National Coal Council provides important policy recommendations and perspectives to the Department of Energy, and it was a mistake by this administration to not renew its charter last month. The Coal Council Certainty Act would ensure the council’s charter is permanently extended and energy-producing states like West Virginia continue to have a seat at the table when it comes to coal policy, technology, and markets.”

The NCC was originally established in 1984 and was comprised of coal producers and consumers, carbon researchers, academics, environmentalists, and policy experts. The council’s core mission was to advance innovation and technological development, enabling the U.S. to continue utilizing its abundant coal resources while improving environmental stewardship.

However, DOE allowed the NCC’s charter to expire in November, with the intention to re-charter the council and change its focus away from the responsible development and more innovative uses of coal. In response, the legislation would permanently extend the NCC’s charter as it existed prior to its expiration, preserving the council’s core mission.

In addition to Senators Capito and Hoeven, the Coal Council Certainty Act is cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.). A companion to the bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman David McKinley (R-W.Va.-01).

Senator Capito previously joined her colleagues in sending a letter urging DOE to re-charter the NCC as-is in October.

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