Ann Wagner: “I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding and for hosting this Special Order on the importance of America's coal…”

“I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding and for hosting this Special Order on the importance of America's coal industry. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss the importance of coal in Missouri. There is no denying that coal has played a vital role in providing an abundant source of power to plants that generate electricity for families and for businesses across this country. In Missouri, coal-fired electricity is responsible for 81 percent of the State's electric supply, and largely contributed to Missouri's low electricity rate of 7 cents per kilowatt hour in 2011, compared with the national average of 10 cents per kilowatt hour for that very same year. Additionally, Missouri was sixth in the country in coal consumption, with 46 million tons of coal used for electricity in 2011, of which Ameren Missouri's Meramec plant in the Second Congressional District consumed 3\1/2\ million tons. Ameren Missouri, based out of St. Louis, is the State's largest electric utility and provides electric service to approximately 1.2 million customers across central and eastern Missouri, including the Greater St. Louis area. In addition to the consumption of coal, the Greater St. Louis area is also a critical player in the procurement of coal for our Nation's energy needs, with companies like Arch Coal, Peabody Coal and Patriot Coal headquartered in St. Louis and drawing employees from Missouri's Second Congressional District.…”