Cookie Control

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

Some cookies on this site are essential, and the site won't work as expected without them. These cookies are set when you submit a form, login or interact with the site by doing something that goes beyond clicking on simple links.

We also use some non-essential cookies to anonymously track visitors or enhance your experience of the site. If you're not happy with this, we won't set these cookies but some nice features of the site may be unavailable.

By using our site you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy.

(One cookie will be set to store your preference)
(Ticking this sets a cookie to hide this popup if you then hit close. This will not store any personal information)

WV Claims Tax Breaks for Coal-To-Liquid Plant Should Be Secret From Taxpayers

August 13, 2008

The administration of West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) is claiming the right to keep secret its agreement to grant $200 million in tax breaks to a coal-to-liquid plant the administration wants to see built.

Charleston Gazette reporter Ken Ward Jr. got the document — and the story — anyway.

"Commerce Secretary Kelley Goes signed the agreement in her role as executive director of the West Virginia Development Office," Ward reported. "Goes had previously refused to release the agreement, and continued to insist Thursday that the document was exempt from disclosure under the state's public records law."

"CONSOL Energy Inc. and a Houston-based company called Synthesis Energy Systems Inc. formed a joint venture called Appalachian Fuel LLC to develop the $800 million coal-to-liquids facility," the Gazette reported.

SEJ Publication Types: 
Visibility: