WHEELING — Rep. David McKinley said he is confident Congress can come to terms on a national energy policy, but President Barack Obama must be willing to compromise and sign it into law.

McKinley, R-W.Va., is among 24 House Republicans and 16 Democrats named by Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to a conference committee that will seek to work out differences with Senate members to pass the nation’s first comprehensive energy bill since 2007. They will be joined at the table by seven senators, among them four Republicans and three Democrats.

McKinley said it is Congress’ chance to pass legislation “that modernizes our energy infrastructure, simplifies the permitting process, improves efficiency and advances clean coal technology.” And some members have indicated they are willing to compromise on some details of the legislation to ensure an energy bill becomes law.

“I look forward to working to address our most pressing energy concerns,” McKinley said. “Conference committees have become a rare occurrence in Congress. Unfortunately, under President Obama, Congress has typically been blocked in bringing bills to a conference. It’s important that we hear each other’s concerns and find areas of common ground so we can agree on a final product that can be signed by the president.”

Although both the House and Senate versions of the energy bill passed with bipartisan support, Obama has threatened to veto the House bill.

“I am confident we will be able to come to an agreement, but the president must be engaged,” McKinley said. “There is only one person that could hold up this bill. He is going to have to be willing to compromise.”

McKinley said his priorities are protecting coal and natural gas jobs, seeking regulatory reform of the industries and upgrading America’s energy infrastructure.

“I will work to ensure that the final bill includes provisions that are aimed at accomplishing these goals,” he said.“There are a number of issues included in both bills that would be major steps forward, including speeding up permits to export natural gas, simplifying the permit process for natural gas pipelines, modernizing our electric grid and improving energy efficiency. It is imperative that we improve our energy infrastructure to encourage new investment in West Virginia and create new jobs.”

McKinley worked to include in the House-passed bill a provision calling for a study on ethane storage. He also included amendments aimed at improving gas turbine efficiency and advancing clean coal technology.

He said all of these ideas will be his top priorities during the negotiations.

“We have to listen to each other’s priorities and understand where both sides are coming from before deciding where to compromise,” he said. “Everyone needs to have an open mind throughout this process.”

The staffs of conference committee members already are working on the bill. The length of time it will take to achieve a viable energy bill depends “on whether or not the president is involved,” according to McKinley.

“The conferees are eager to move forward,” he said. “But President Obama has the ability to override the work of the conference committee and all 535 members of Congress.”