FAIRMONT — Gov. Joe Manchin said President Barack Obama now knows exactly how West Virginians feel about certain energy issues.

On Feb. 3, Manchin and the governors from 10 other states met with Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and key Cabinet members at the White House to focus on energy policy.

In addition to Manchin, the following governors attended the meeting on the nation’s energy future: Jim Douglas from Vermont, Steve Beshear from Kentucky, Dave Freudenthal from Wyoming, Brian Schweitzer from Montana, John Baldacci from Maine, Phil Bredesen from Tennessee, Christine Gregoire from Washington, Bob Riley from Alabama, Mike Rounds from South Dakota, and Ted Strickland from Ohio.

“I am convinced that whoever builds a clean energy economy, whoever is at the forefront of that, is going to own the 21st century global economy,” Obama said during his remarks that day.

The United States invested more money in clean energy last year than ever before, but countries such as China are still moving ahead quickly through their aggressive tactics. The president stated that he doesn’t want America to fall behind when it comes to clean energy, which is vital for the country’s future.

“We can’t afford to spin our wheels while the rest of the world speeds ahead,” he said. “And that’s why I’ve asked these governors — leaders in their own right and their states around energy issues, Democrats and Republicans — to meet here today so that we can work through some of these challenges and opportunities that are presented by the transition to a clean energy economy.”

Obama later commented: “One of the things that we’re going to be talking about today is investing in the kind of technology that will allow us to use coal, our most bountiful natural resource here in the United States, without polluting our planet.”

Manchin gave the president a handout on West Virginia energy that listed the state’s initiatives, recommendations and concerns. The report highlighted West Virginia’s worries related to “EPA’s lack of consultation and the intrusion on the state’s regulatory authority.”

“I know that, together, we can formulate a responsible and reasonable approach that will secure our nation’s energy independence, create a cleaner environment and keep our people working,” Manchin wrote in a letter to Obama.

In the document, Manchin explained that although coal is still a reliable and affordable source of energy, investments in research and technology will allow for the continued use of coal as the nation moves toward future fuels. He pointed out that West Virginia has an energy portfolio that includes the Alternative and Renewable Energy Act and the Post-Mine Land Use Plan, which are two advanced and important measures.

“The Mountain State is determined to help shape our nation’s future,” Manchin stated in the letter.

During a media conference later that day, he commented that the approximately 90-minute discussion with Obama was “very direct, frank and respectful.” Manchin said there was open dialogue and the governors had the chance to speak up and say what was on their minds.

“We’re not sitting still. What we’re saying is let’s work together,” he said. “(Obama) listens very well and he engages very well. There was no one afraid to say something because we were in the presence of the president and vice president. He knows our issues very well now.”

The group talked about what would happen if regulations made it more difficult for states to mine coal. Manchin said the country and world need coal and are going to be using this resource more than ever before. It’s vital that researchers discover the technology that will help clean up both the existing and new coal-fired plants in America as soon as possible.

If coal-producing states are penalized before a technological cure is found to fix this environmental problem, jobs will be lost and people will experience more hardships, he said.

Manchin told the president that he believes “coal has been unfairly villainized.” People have the misconception that coal is a dirty energy that the nation no longer needs or wants and that an energy state like West Virginia is not concerned about the environment.

“We understand there is a balance in the environment,” he said.

Manchin said this resource is so necessary and West Virginia is trying to make its coal production cleaner and better.

“We’re emitting and we’re burning cleaner than we ever have been,” he said.

The country needs to rapidly find the clean energy technology that improves the health and well-being of its citizens, preserves jobs and allows it to compete, Manchin said. Most of the country’s coal is being exported now, and America would be in trouble if it had to turn around and start importing this source of energy.

Those present at the meeting also talked about the legislation for a national cap and trade system, which the state believes “would add unnecessary volatility to the energy market, compared to the predictability of a carbon tax.”

“We had a very good discussion on that,” Manchin said. “We do not believe that cap and trade will work as proposed.”

He said he hopes that some modifications will be made to this legislation.

The state’s strict land use bill allows coal companies to surface mine if they have a plan to put the land back better. West Virginia ought to be able to alter the land if it will lead to a beneficial long-term use, Manchin said.

Obama also announced on Feb. 3 that he is forming an Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage, which will focus on deploying affordable clean coal technology.

“I think this task force has got to find out if we’re going to compete for the technology, for the jobs, for the economy,” Manchin said. “That’s what I would like to see them focus on.”

While incentives and time frames should be established in order to find the answers and clean up the environment, states should also be allowed to utilize their resources without being held hostage, he said.

E-mail Jessica Borders at jborders@timeswv.com.