Published May 2003 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Coal for America's Future
In the coming weeks, Congress is expected to move forward on a new national energy plan. At the core of this strategy should be the one energy source that is responsible for more than half of the electricity generated in the nation, namely, coal. While coal is the nation's most abundant natural energy resource, it is also one of the most controversial because of the pollutants that can be emitted when it is burned. That is why it is so important to invest in new technologies that can allow coal to be utilized more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly mam1er. In 1985, I started the federal Clean Coal Technology initiative with an amendment authorizing $750 million for the program. Since then, the initiative has expanded through a joint public-private investment of more than $6 billion. This research and investment has opened the door to a new generation of technologies that are beneficial for both coal and the environment. I have recently introduced legislation that would build on this investment and help to spur a new generation of clean coal technologies. Specifically, my legislation authorizes $2 billion over the next decade to speed advanced technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace. This bipartisan bill also aims to improve air quality and the efficiency of the current fleet of coal-fired power plants by providing targeted tax incentives for the installation of these technologies at new and existing coal-fired facilities. Quite simply, this legislation will open the door to better power plants that produce more electricity with lower emissions and fewer pollutants. In the wake of the military conflict in Iraq, concerns about our nation's current and future energy needs are on the minds of citizens across the country. By working to better meet America's demand for electricity, we help to secure the nation's economic and environmental future. My legislation will ensure that an abundant supply of clean coal will remain the cornerstone of the nation's energy strategy and will continue to power innovation and change. Coal was integral in America's advancements in the 20th century. As Congress creates a new national energy policy, it is crucial to ensure that coal, burned in cleaner more efficient ways, is key to the nation's fuel diversity mix for the 21st century. By investing in this natural resource, future generations will be rewarded with cleaner, more versatile, and more efficient energy. May 7, 2003