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Editor, News-Register:
With abundant natural gas in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, West Virginia has become the nation's sixth-largest producer of natural gas and fifth top-producing energy state overall. Over 80,000 jobs are supported by the natural gas and oil industry in West Virginia and billions of dollars are generated every year for the state's economy.
Thanks in large part to increased use of natural gas in the power sector, the United States has considerably cut carbon dioxide emissions -- now at the lowest levels in a generation.
West Virginians also have access to affordable, reliable energy, which is critical to supporting and growing businesses and the state's economy. We have seen the consequences of unreliable energy sources across the country and around the world, and we should not be in a rush to copy said policies.
Unfortunately, proposals in the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill that target natural gas and oil with higher taxes and restrictions threaten the state's energy industry and will, no doubt, have a chilling effect on the economy. Senator Manchin is correct in his suspicion of these harmful proposals.
We need smart energy policies that promote energy development -- one of West Virginia's top industries -- and do not discourage investment, limit access to affordable, reliable energy and increase costs for already-struggling Mountaineers.
Our state deserves better than reckless, ideologically-driven policies.
Garrett Ballengee
Executive Director
Cardinal Institute