“ Globally, West Virginia is the leading coal export state, accounting for nearly 58 % of all the coal that leaves our nation’ s ports for the export market.”
Photo by WV Coal Association.
Photo by WV Coal Association.
Overall, the state provides almost 8 % of total natural gas production in the U. S.“ West Virginia’ s residential, commercial and industrial customers use but a fraction of total natural gas produced in state,” Burd says.“ Nearly all production is shipped by pipeline out of West Virginia to key markets in the northeast and eastern seaboard including cities like
Boston, New York City, Washington,
D. C. and countless others in the near south and west.” Burd explains that the state’ s competitive advantage against states with large natural gas resources like Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and
New Mexico is its proximity to large East Coast industrial and electric power generation markets.“ Natural gas produced in West Virginia is some of the cleanest produced energy in the world,” Burd says.“ The use of West Virginia-produced natural gas directly contributes to the reduction in greenhouse emission sought by companies, communities and our country. Natural gas produced in the state directly contributes to global energy dominance. Energy dominance is energy security for our nation.”
Beyond pipeline development, West Virginia strengthens its role in the national energy grid by fostering partnerships that help further expand resources across state lines. One example is the expansion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which connected the state’ s natural gas resources to markets in the Southeast. The state also works closely with regional transmission organizations to help ensure grid stability and energy security in these broader areas.
“ These partnerships not only improve the reliability and efficiency of energy delivery but also provide economic benefits and keep energy prices competitive for families across the region,” Preservati says.
While many states are reducing or stopping coal production due to stricter rules and regulations, West Virginia is stepping in to meet the growing energy demand.
Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, says West Virginia coal supplies 31 power plants across 15 states and fuels 56 steelmaking facilities in 20 states. It supports more than 70 % of domestic steel production, sustaining over 547,000 jobs nationwide.
“ Globally, West Virginia is the leading coal export state, accounting for nearly 58 % of all the coal that leaves our
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE