For Additional Information:
John Grasser (202) 463-2651
Karen Batra (202) 463-2651

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2001

THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT FROM JACK N. GERARD, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION ON SENATOR JEFF BINGAMAN'S ENERGY PACKAGE INTRODUCED TODAY:

Washington -- "The National Mining Association applauds the introduction of comprehensive energy policy legislation by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), ranking Democrat on the Senate Energy Committee. While we have not yet reviewed all the components of this bill, we are pleased to see that Senator Bingaman recognizes the need for coal in our future energy mix.

"It is good to see that key members of both political parties agree that the development of a balanced national energy policy is a top priority. The introduction of the Comprehensive and Balanced Energy Act of 2001 and the Energy Security Tax and Policy Act of 2001 establishes a basis of support among Democrats for the enhanced use of coal and clean coal technologies. This will be vitally important in eventually crafting a bi-partisan energy bill.

"At present, coal provides over half of our nation's electricity. We must find ways to make our primary fuel sources even more efficient, and find ways to increase the capacity of our other energy resources. American consumers need clean, affordable, reliable electricity. The technologies contained in this bill will help provide increasingly efficient electricity generation. Efficiency equals conservation, and conservation is key to meeting our future energy needs."

More than half of America's electricity is generated from coal. Coal is our nation's most abundant energy resource, accounting for more than 90 percent of all fossil energy reserves and representing a secure supply for the next 250 years. On average, coal-fired power is less than one-half the cost of oil, and at current prices, coal power is about one-fifth the cost of natural gas. Modern technologies have made coal-fired generation increasingly clean.