[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3323]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  RECOGNIZING THE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT RECENTLY SIGNED BY THE 
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, TOGETHER WITH PARTNERS IN ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY

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                         HON. ALAN B. MOLLOHAN

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2001

  Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks, we have been 
painfully reminded of how heavily our economy relies on affordable, 
abundant energy. The events that we've experienced--from massive supply 
disruptions in the west to sharp price increases in the east--also have 
opened many eyes to the need to devise a sound national energy policy.
  Along with a number of my colleagues in this House, I have long 
advocated the benefits of more fully incorporating coal into America's 
energy mix. The abundance and value of our nation's coal reserves are 
well-documented, and are absolutely key to moving our country toward 
the desirable goal of greater energy independence.
  That is why I am pleased by the memorandum of understanding signed 
January 30, 2001, in Morgantown, W.Va., between partners in government, 
industry and academia. They have pledged to team together on coal 
research, development and commercialization initiatives--initiatives 
which will enable West Virginia to build on its role as a leader in the 
search for national and international energy solutions.
  I would like to recognize the signatories to this memorandum, 
beginning with our distinguished former colleague, the Honorable Robert 
E. Wise Jr., who now serves as governor of the State of West Virginia. 
Joining Governor Wise in ratifying this landmark agreement were David 
C. Hardesty Jr., the president of West Virginia University; Patrick R. 
Esposito Sr., the president of Augusta Systems Inc., on behalf of the 
tenants of the Collins Ferry Commerce Center; and Ralph A. Carabetta, 
deputy director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory, or NETL.
  These officials, and the organizations they serve, are to be 
commended on their efforts to more fully integrate NETL-developed 
technologies into the marketplace. Their memorandum of understanding 
re-affirms Senator Robert C. Byrd's foresight in promoting energy 
research, and will further capitalize on his success in building a 
strong fossil-fuel portfolio at NETL.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to salute the partners in this agreement, 
and to wish them much success in their new collaboration.

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