Congresswoman Miller Delivers Public Comments at Longview Power Application Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) delivered public comments today at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection hearing for Longview Power's application forcertification under the state's implementation of Section 111 of the Clean Air Act and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule.

Congresswoman Miller's Testimony as Prepared:
Good evening. My name is Carol Miller and I represent West Virginia's Third Congressional District, which encompasses southern West Virginia. I wanted to ensure I spoke today in support of Longview's permit application to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Affordable Clean Energy rule.

The destructive Obama-Era Clean Power Plan decimated our state's coal industry. The widespread and devastating impacts of this rule cost the livelihoods of many and shuttered our small towns and communities. That is why I was pleased when President Trump and his Administration replaced this failed policy with the Affordable Clean Energy rule. This rule empowers West Virginia and ensures that thermal coal mines in my district in Mingo, Boone, Logan, and Wyoming counties can continue to provide good paying jobs for our miners. Furthermore, this rule allows us to continue to power our homes, schools, and places of work with reliable baseload energy and, ultimately, helps promote America's energy diversity.

I want to thank my colleagues in the West Virginia Legislature and Governor Justice for acting swiftly under SB 810 to ensure that the Affordable Clean Energy rule can be implemented throughout the state. I also want to compliment Secretary Caperton and Laura Crowder at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for their work on this effort.

The Longview Power plant is the cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power plant in North America. Longview provides affordable and reliable energy to more than 500,000 homes. No matter how cold the weather gets, Longview Power ensures that those of us in Appalachia can keep our homes connected. The plant also supports 150 good-paying jobs, which is important now, more than ever.

Recovering from the War on Coal is an effort that takes every level of government as well as a committed partnership with the private sector. Approving Longview Power's application to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency's Affordable Clean Energy rule is necessary to ensure that we can continue to support good paying jobs as well as reliable and affordable energy. West Virginia has a proud coal heritage, and through innovation and investment, we can ensure it will remain part of our future.


Congresswoman Miller additionally joined with Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Rep. David McKinley, and Rep. Alex Mooney to send a letter of support to Austin Caperton, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and Andrew Wheeler, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.