Coal and natural gas are going to continue to be a critical part of our energy mix in our economy for decades to come.

I think is a prime example of this.

Senator Capito and I will work across party lines and try to show a pathway forward in Washington.

Pipeline infrastructure is critical for job creation.

We have got to start thinking in terms of a regional energy hub, a mid-Atlantic energy region.

We are pleased to announce today that he will be coming.

There was no plan for a major policy shift in energy, and that is what we have got to correct.

The ability to export liquefied natural gas, which I have been a supporter of, means more job opportunities here at home as well as abroad.

I thank you for holding this hearing today.

Ninety-four percent of our electricity in West Virginia comes from coal. We are switching it rapidly, very rapidly.

They are entitled to their own opinions, just not entitled to their own facts.

It is frustrating, I know for myself and I am sure for Senator Capito at times, they believe because we come from West Virginia and we represent West Virginia that we do not care about the environment.

It is no secret that West Virginia has been economically challenged recently.

Without West Virginia and the efforts that we have made over the last century, I assure you, we would not be sitting in the freest country on earth.

If anything, they fought you every step of the way and probably increased the cost by ?

if you want to know how we feel in West Virginia, we feel like a returning Vietnam veteran.

The thing that I was most appalled by and why I am most upset about the present Administration under President Obama, there was no plan.

In a regional effort as mentioned by Senator Manchin, the Governors of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio signed a regional cooperation agreement.