CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Leaders of the coal and natural gas industries have different messages for U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and the future of any further negotiations on the Build Back Better plan.
During a Monday appearance on MetroNews “Talkline,” United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts explained the statement the union released last week after Manchin told the White House he couldn’t support Build Back Better.
Roberts wants Manchin to resume negotiations.
“To try to reach an agreement that would benefit all working class people and people who might find themselves in a more unfortunate position,” Roberts said Monday.
Meanwhile, GOWV, that natural gas industry’s trade organization in West Virginia, joined several similar organizations from surrounding states on a letter to Manchin Monday thanking him for his leadership against Build Back Better.
“Provisions of the reconciliation package – including the methane gas tax – would have been devastating to sustained job growth, while stinging consumers with higher energy costs as many bear the inflation burden,” the letter said.
The @MineWorkers are calling for Senator Joe Manchin to reconsider his position on the Build Back Better plan. Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers Union, explains why they are calling for the Senator’s change to @HoppyKercheval. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/WoC9K71eNP
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 27, 2021
During an appearance on “Talkline” earlier this year, Gas & Oil Association of West Virginia (GOWV) Executive Director Charlie Burd said at some point Congress will understand there must be a future for fossil fuels.
“I believe that there will be a level of reality that kind of takes hold in Washington, D.C. over time as they see these programs to eliminate fossil fuels will not really achieve the goals that they want to achieve,” Burd said.
The latest version of BBB includes $555 billion for climate investment to move the country to clean power with incentives to move in that direction. Roberts said it would be mistake to think what the UMWA is urging Manchin to do is support attempts to eliminate fossil fuels.
“When we say, ‘Let’s continue to negotiate.’ if there’s additional protections the senator (Manchin) or the fossil fuels industry would like to see, that’s what we should be doing,” Roberts said.
MORE Read trade organization letter here
Roberts said Build Back Better is much bigger. He said what’s needed is a protection of democracy.
“What we should be doing here is trying to do what we can for those who need the help of the United States government and what we can do to bring jobs into the state of West Virginia and what we can do to provide health care,” Roberts said.
Natural gas production in West Virginia topped 2.5 trillion cubic feet in 2020. Four of the top 5 producers in the country operate in West Virginia.
MORE Manchin sits down with MetroNews
The joint letter to Manchin from the trade organizations said investment is need in fossil fuels not a pulling away.
“Innovation – not elimination – will continue to drive our economy, protect our national security and reach our shared environmental goals,” the letter said.