2016 KY Senate race: on Energy & Oil

Jim Gray: Let's stop mining? No, invest in coal's future

Kentucky deserves a senator that's going to fight for what's right for Kentucky and tell the truth. The combination of competition, a changing energy market and the power plan has hurt Kentucky families. That's the truth.

The economic rug has been pulled out from under many Kentucky families regardless if they worked directly in the mines. Mining jobs provide an enormous economic benefit to the entire state's economy. And after more than 200 years, it's part of our heritage and history. So it's not part of my DNA to say 'let's stop mining'. That's not the solution and it's just not feasible.

As energy markets shift we must fight to be sure coal is a bridge to the future. We CAN make a difference and invest in coal's future.

Jim Gray: Fund clean coal via Carbon Capture and Storage

We need a bold national plan to renew our efforts to develop CCS technology. When we make coal clean, we can increase demand and revitalize the coal industry and the regions where it's based while also taking steps to protect our outdoors. Here are a few important steps we need to take to start making coal work for the environment and avoid needless job loss.

• Increase research and development funding for CCS.
• Support private sector pilot projects.
• Give tax incentives for CCS.
• Make the best use of existing programs.
• Support Sen. Heidi Heitkamp's bipartisan bill to support CCS.