U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, (KY-01), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, will receive the Washington Coal Club’s Annual Achievement Award on Nov. 28, for his outstanding achievement in championing the use of coal, which provides one of the cheapest forms of electricity for consumers across the country.

“It is an honor to be recognized as a champion of coal and low cost electricity,” Whitfield said. “Coal is one of America’s most abundant and important domestic energy resources. I will continue to work to protect our coal miners and protect coal as an essential energy resource. Without coal, consumers will face increased energy costs, making America less competitive in the global marketplace. Roughly 40 percent of our electricity is supplied by coal, and attacking coal as some in Washington tend to do and making it harder for coal-fired power plants to operate will not only hurt our consumers, but will also negatively impact jobs.”

Washington Coal Club President Patrick Cavanagh said, “The Washington Coal Club is honored to award Chairman Ed Whitfield our 2012 Annual Achievement Award, which recognizes the Chairman’s deep personal commitment to ensuring that America will continue to enjoy the countless benefits that coal fired electricity provides. At a time when coal fired generation faces many challenges, Chairman Whitfield’s steady leadership has proven critical in keeping electricity prices low, making plants more efficient, and saving the jobs that are the backbone to the American economy.”

The Washington Coal Club is an educational, non-partisan group comprised of members of the coal fired electricity industry and serves as a forum through which industry, advocates and members of Congress can get together to discuss the issues of importance to the group.