U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), the top Democrat on the House Resources Committee, has been chosen to serve as a member on a House and Senate Conference to devise the final version of the federal energy bill.

"This energy bill is a crucial piece of legislation for our country and I am glad to be a part of the group that crafts a final bill," Rahall said. "Unfortunately, as the energy bill is currently written it will not lower our gas prices and it does not put near enough emphasis on our most abundant natural resource: coal."

Rahall has been selected to represent the U.S. House of Representatives in Conference with the U.S. Senate in an effort to iron out differences between energy bills passed separately by each body. There are many differences between the two bills, and Rahall will be working with all conference members to help bring forward a bill that will benefit West Virginia and the entire Nation.

"We have a lot of work to do on this bill to ensure that it is a winner for West Virginia and a winner for coal," said Rahall. "My experience as a Member of Congress and my expertise in the energy industry enables me to see the changes required to make this a better bill for West Virginia coal. I am devoting my efforts to ensure that the final version of the bill is one that provides for West Virginians."

Congressman Rahall is a national leader in the development of energy legislation. As the most senior Democrat on the House Resources Committee, Rahall has been working with this bill throughout this session of Congress. Rahall will work to change the bill during the conference in such a way that it will help provide relief to consumers and increase the utilization of coal.

"We all know about the gas price crisis in West Virginia," said Rahall. "For the past 15 weeks we have seen ridiculously high gas prices and records have been set and broken time and again. I know that my fellow conferees on both sides of the aisle agree with me and hope they will work with me on this crucial matter."

After the energy bill comes out of Conference it must pass both the House and the Senate again. If these votes are successful, the final bill will go to the President's desk for his signature.