WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) questioned U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz about the future of coal. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers asked Secretary Moniz why the fiscal year 2017 budget proposal boosts renewable energy with an increase of $825 million, but reduces fossil energy investments by $272 million.

"You continually state that you are committed to an “all of the above” energy policy, and that this begins with a commitment to low carbon. If that were the case, this budget request would make the necessary Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) and coal research investments that seem to be missing in an effort to implement that policy," said Rogers. "With coal generating 40% of the electricity in this country, CCS technology and investment in fossil energy research is vital to developing an energy economy that is reliable, affordable and efficient."

Rogers also blamed the Administration for writing an abundance of rules intended to regulate coal out of business.

"Coal is the cheapest and most abundant natural resource in this country, and businesses, schools, communities can rely on it during storms, record cold temperatures and other unexpected circumstances," stated Rogers. "Meanwhile, this Administration’s War on Coal has left 10,000 coal miners in my District laid off. They are trying desperately to find work in other industries, when they should be hard at work providing us with access to the affordable and reliable energy that coal provides."

Click here to watch the FY17 budget hearing for the U.S. Dept. of Energy.