http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200809100852
"We've
gotten our state in the best shape we've ever had in the history of our
state," Manchin told Gazette editors Wednesday.
Meanwhile,
Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson said the state has lost direction and
failed to fulfill its social contract with the people.
"I'm
concerned about the direction which our state and our nation has taken,"
said Johnson, an actor/director who was also the small party's gubernatorial
candidate in 2004. "Business as usual is very dangerous."
He said
state government needs to be accountable.
"We're
not seeing the kind of leadership we significantly need," he said.
Manchin
stressed new coal technologies, including a planned $800 million
coal-to-liquids facility in the Northern Panhandle, as an important step toward
energy independence.
Johnson
dismissed the project as an expensive "experiment" and chastised
Manchin for approving up to $200 million in tax credits for the project.
"Why
would we continue investments in areas that are not popular with the people,
that are not conducive with fighting global warming, and will continue to bury
our headwaters?" Johnson asked.
"Johnson
said he believes West Virginia can be a key energy state, but said the focus
should be on developing the "tremendous potential" for wind, solar
and other alternative energy sources."