West Virginia University and Virginia Tech soon will be involved in a joint effort with the U.S. Department of Energy to discover innovative ways for mining operations to meet environmental regulations, create new products, and reduce production costs, U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd and Congressman Alan B. Mollohan, both D-W.Va., announced Tuesday.

“Mining is a critical industry to West Virginias economic foundation. By examining new ways to separate coal from other materials in an environmentally sound and economically efficient manner, West Virginia University (WVU) and Virginia Tech will help to make coal even more viable in our energy industry,”Byrd said.

“So much of the nation right now is focused on finding ways to increase the supply of our energy sources. WVU is on the cutting edge of that effort, working on new production methods that can lead to more coal being made available faster and with less impact on the surrounding environment,”Mollohan said.

The new Center for Advanced Separations Technologies (CAST) is scheduled to receive $750,000 this year and about $3 million over the next three years. The new center will replace the Center for Coal and Minerals Processing established in 1988 under the sponsorship of the VirginiaCenter for Innovative Technologies. Researchers at CAST will study the basic science and technology of separating coal and other materials from solid impurities and from water. New methods could lead to future separation processes that are cleaner, more efficient, and less expensive. CAST researchers will also study the recovery of coal finetiny particles of coalcurrently discarded in coal impoundments. Recovering coal fines could provide a major future energy resource as well as help to eliminate an environmental concern.

“West Virginia University is honored to be a partner with the Department of Energy and Virginia Tech in this innovative program,” WVU President David C. Hardesty, Jr. said.”West Virginia is rich in coal and other natural resources vital to the nations energy needs.”

“The Center for Advanced Separations Technologies will enhance ongoing efforts to meet these needs and at the same time minimize impact to our environment,”Hardesty added.”I applaud Senator Byrd and Congressman Mollohan of West Virginia and the Virginia Congressional Delegation for making this initiative possible.”