July 14, 2011

Manchin Statement on AEP's Decision To End CCS Project At Mountaineer Plant

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made the following statement regarding the announcement that American Electric Power will not move forward with plans to continue developing carbon capture and sequestration technology at the Mountaineer plant in West Virginia.?

"I understand that in tough economic times, we cannot raise utility rates on our constituents in order to fund the development of new technologies," Senator Manchin said. "Still, I strongly believe in developing the technology of the future today, and that is why I will be sending a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Chu, asking and encouraging him to take another look at this incredibly promising carbon capture and sequestration program and work on finding a creative financing solution. The investments that have been made by both AEP and Alstom have produced technology that holds incredible promise for this nation’s energy future, and will help us achieve energy independence by allowing clean coal to play a role in our nation’s energy portfolio. I strongly believe we need to continue this project, and I hope the Department of Energy will find a way to support this critical program that is important to West Virginia and our nation's energy future."

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