Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) recently helped reintroduce the Coal Council Certainty Act – legislation authored by U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) – to restore the mission of the National Coal Council (NCC), a federal advisory committee that previously provided advice, recommendations, and insights to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on issues related to the coal industry.
“West Virginians know all too well the damage anti-coal policies from bureaucrats in D.C. can inflict on our communities,” Senator Capito said. “The National Coal Council should be providing important policy recommendations and perspectives to the Department of Energy on innovative uses of coal, not shifting focus towards rules that dismantle baseload energy and shatter coal communities. The Coal Council Certainty Act would provide a voice to energy-producing states like West Virginia when it comes to coal policy, technology, and markets.”
In addition to Senators Capito and Hoeven, the Coal Council Certainty Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).
BACKGROUND:
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, the Biden administration allowed the NCC’s charter to expire in November 2021 and re-chartered the agency last year, changing its focus away from the responsible development and more innovative uses of coal. In response, the Coal Council Certainty Act would permanently extend the NCC’s charter as it existed prior to its expiration, preserving the council’s core mission.
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