From 2009 through 2013, the State of West Virginia lost nearly 9,000 coal jobs.

I would like to take the opportunity to say that we are the representatives. You know, this is going to say hokey corny, but we are the representatives of West Virginians.

I think West Virginians deserve to have their voices be heard.

The EPA is going to be the ones that's going to tell West Virginia how we're going to meet a standard that we basically don't think we're going to meet.

I certainly have been a broad--and will continue to be a big supporter of the research and development of the CCS.

The EPA continues to overstep its legal authority waging a war on coal.

Coal is an abundant resource in America. Why are we forsaking one of our largest sources of affordable energy to put ourselves at an economic disadvantage?

the majority of the coal-based electricity generated in West Virginia is exported to other States affected by the rule.

To willy-nilly just say we're going to stop using these coal plants and we're going to go and invest in a bunch of windmills and solar panels is just not--it's crazy.

We've had a lot of gridlock. We've had a lot of pushes and pulls. We've got to get the train back on the track.

I think that's a real concern certainly where the replacement for this power generation could possibly come from.

I don't find the statutory authority for it. And I'm hopeful that the D.C. Circuit will likewise be doubtful of it, and ultimately the Supreme Court will affirm.

My pledge to you is to continue to do that. At the same time, I'm going to be the strong and powerful voice that I wish to be in the U.S. Senate.

So do you think there is legal basis for the dispatch for the Renewable Portfolio Standard, or to order reductions in energy demand on customers?

I have grave concerns about these proposed regulations. I am concerned about their cost--the cost to the taxpayer and cost to the bill payer.

I just think that they have by the fact--as we shared, they haven't come and listened to us.

I think McConnell's point is, if you're going to impose certain standards on every State and the State has to come up with the State implementation plan, the State makes the difficult decision.

I too had that opportunity, and questioned Administrator McCarthy just a couple of weeks ago, and candidly begged her to come to West Virginia to see the real consequences of her agency's policies.