Rahall joins newly-formed coal caucus worried about climate bill

“This effort can help those of us in leadership, especially in the majority, rally the troops and watch our flank by sharing information on issues critical to coal and coal mining jobs. I encouraged my fellow coal-state members to move forward with a revived caucus and joined them to substantiate the cause,” Rahall said in a prepared statement.

Nearly all the members opposed the cap-and-trade plan that the House narrowly approved in June, although caucus members Rick Boucher (D-Va.), John Murtha (D-Pa.), Zack Space (D-Ohio) and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) voted for it.

The caucus is designed to “give coal-states a forum to highlight their priorities and present a unified voice,” Capito said in launching the group Monday.

Update: A Capito aide emphasized that the caucus has taken no official position on climate legislation.

This post was updated on January 29 at 10:42 a.m.