Associated Press - Manchin Focuses on Coal During China Trip

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Manchin Focuses on Coal During China Trip

By Tim Huber, Associated Press

Gov. Joe Manchin says China is doing things with clean coal technology that West Virginia is only talking about.

China is building plants to turn coal into liquid fuel and taking steps to combat pollution, Manchin said Friday from Taiyuan, China, during a teleconference with reporters.

"I see them doing some things once they make a decision quick er," Manchin said.

Manchin is leading a delegation of about 40 people, primarily from West Virginia businesses that sell coal mining equipment, on the Oct. 30 to Nov. 6 trade mission. The next stop is Beijing, where at least 10 West Virginia businesses are expected to participate in the China Coal and Mining Exhibition.

The governor is hoping to increase exports to China, which is the state's fourth-largest export market. Exports to China totaled $187 million last year. Through mid-2007, that figure had reached $107 million.

"They are very open to telling you that the technology that's needed for them to become more efficient and more s afe is the technology that's been provided by the state of West Virginia," Manchin said.

The governor said he's been particularly impressed by a $1.5 billion coal-to-liquids plant under construction in China, research into clean-coal technology such as turning coal into gas for use at electric power plants and placing carbon dioxide in permanent underground storage. Environmental concerns even come up at Chinese schools, Manchin said.

"They're very cognizant. ... The children understand," he said.

One goal of this trip — the governor says he hopes to revisit China — is to develop ties that lead to the sharing of clean coal developments between China and West Virginia.

"They'll have the most modern and one of the largest coal liquefaction plants in the world," he said.

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