Joe Manchin Happy W. Hillary's Coal Remarks; Clean Coal Coalition Issues Warning; So, What Was Said?

When former secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke to Democratic senators on Capitol Hill this week, she emphasized the need for action on climate change but also had some positive words about coal. The comments raised eyebrows. With Clinton still rolling out her policy agenda and refusing to take a position on the Keystone XL oil pipeline, environmentalists and energy interests alike are seeking any clues about her plans for the presidency. "She did talk at length and with some passion about the need to recognize that as we go through this transition, that we have to respect the contribution that the coal industry has made to American growth, and that coal miners in particular, the sacrifices that they've made to create what is modern America," said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a staunch defender of climate action.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), one of the strongest pro-coal voices on Capitol Hill, said Clinton's comments prove his earlier assertion that she would be better for coal than President Obama. "That was very good. She understood," Manchin said about Clinton's comments, which she made behind closed doors Tuesday. "She said, listen, we're not leaving anybody behind." For Manchin, that means a Clinton presidency would embrace research to help make burning coal cleaner and reject mandating technology that would make building or running new plants tougher. "I think it will be a very understanding policy, an all-in energy policy, and using the technology for the betterment of our ability to help the climate," said Manchin.

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, which has for months been pushing Clinton to remember her previous pro-coal views, including while wooing Appalachian voters in 2008, was less enthusiastic about her latest comments. "Secretary Clinton would do well to think about coal-based electricity as a national issue rather than an issue critical to a few affected states," said ACCCE spokeswoman Laura Sheehan.

At least some pro-coal advocates wondered whether Clinton had really delivered pro-coal statements or repeated the Obama administration's call for helping communities affected by the energy transition. "While we appreciate Mrs. Clinton's 'compassion' toward the significant role coal-based power generation has played in our nation's economy, we remind her that the everyday people she purports to champion are those who will face tough decisions between eating or keeping the lights on if President Obama's climate crusade is not halted," said Sheehan.

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