The Obama administration and the Environmental Protection Agency are taking a “tough stand against coal,” said Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin, D-Mingo. “They have a whole new attitude about the coal industry. We just have to stand united.” House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, advocated a select committee to keep an eye on federal legislation and call for appropriate state reaction. “We need to address those impacts on the state level,” he said. Senate Minority Whip Clark Barnes, R-Randolph, said the state must continue to invest in clean-coal technology. “That’s good for our coal industry and exports right now,” he said. He also said the state must continue to reduce business taxes and remain “fiscally prudent.” Other legislative leaders repeated the call to reduce taxes as another way to help protect coal and advance the industry. The conference was attended by about 300 business leaders.
