West Virginians and Ohioans know that America's energy future lies underground - in our vast deposits of coal. Coal holds the promise of providing new gaseous and liquid fuels we need to achieve energy independence.
Sen. John McCain, the Republican candidate for president, understands that. He wants to provide federal help for new coal gasification and liquefaction plants. He also wants to use more coal - burned without harming the environment - for other purposes. That is just one reason we believe residents of our states should vote for McCain for president.
McCain's opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, claims that he, not McCain, is the better presidential pick for those who want expanded use of coal.
It just isn't true.
Leave aside, for a moment, comments by Sen. Joe Biden, Obama's vice presidential running mate. You may remember that during a visit to Ohio, he commented, "We're not supporting clean coal." He claims the statement was "taken out of context." That isn't true, either.
A single facet of Obama's so-called clean-coal proposal disqualifies it from being taken seriously. About a year ago, he sent an e-mail to environmental groups pledging that he "will not support the development of any coal-to-liquid fuels unless they emit at least 20 percent less life-cycle carbon than conventional fuels."
In other words, Obama would not support coal-to-liquid unless the technology can be 20 percent cleaner than gasoline.
That would be a terrible, possibly insurmountable, barrier against coal liquefaction plants.
McCain's proposal is more reasonable. It does not place an additional environmental barrier in the way of coal liquefaction plants. "We found a way to cut down acid rain pollutants from burning coal - and we can find a way to use our coal resources without emitting excessive greenhouse gases," he has said.
Ultra-liberals in Congress are determined to wipe out the U.S. coal industry. Even the qualified statements Obama makes about coal are based on the knowledge that liberals like Sen. Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would attempt to block clean coal technology. With a compliant Obama in the White House, they could accomplish that.
But with McCain in the Oval Office, the ultras would face someone willing to do battle over energy policy, including coal - not just to make promises he knows will never be kept.
McCain is the obvious choice for voters in coal states - and for any American thoughtful enough to understand the realities of energy policy.