"This project has the potential to transform West Virginia from a major coal producing state to a national energy center as well," said J. Brett Harvey, CONSOL Energy President and Chief Executive Officer. "By converting some of our region's abundant, high-Btu coal into gases and liquids, not only will we create economic value for the state, but we will help West Virginia become the linchpin of American energy security."

Harvey thanked both the State of West Virginia and the RED, Regional Economic Development Partnership, a private West Virginia non-profit development corporation focused on generating business opportunities through job creation and economic stimulus in the Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties of West Virginia, for their assistance and support of the project. "In every conversation I have had with Governor Manchin in recent years, we have talked about ways to leverage West Virginia's coal position into a national energy leadership position a position in which jobs, economic growth, and the enhancement of American energy security flow from the harnessing of West Virginia's resources and the 'can-do' attitude of its people," Harvey said. "His vision is sound. With West Virginia's help, our success with this plant will make the vision a reality."

"We are proud of the progress we have made to-date toward the development of the first industrial size U-GAS(R) gasification plant in the United States and we appreciate the support that the State of West Virginia and the RED have demonstrated for this initiative," said Tim Vail, President and Chief Executive Officer of SES. "Together with our partner, CONSOL Energy, SES will be taking a first step toward securing energy independence in the U.S. as we convert raw and residual coal from CONSOL's Shoemaker mine and plant into gasoline in an environmentally responsible and cost efficient manner," Vail added.

"It's clearer than ever that one of the biggest issues our state and country faces is meeting our energy needs," said West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin. "Technological solutions like this plant at Benwood will lead to more environmentally friendly ways to use our coal and hold the key to America's energy security. I am committed to making West Virginia the leader in clean coal technology and the construction of clean coal power and fuel liquefaction plants. We have the resources and expertise to realize our goal."

Gov. Joe Manchin and Sen. Jay Rockefeller, with support from Sen. Robert C. Byrd and West Virginia’s Congressional delegation, company executives and officials from the Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) announced the project on July 28.

Coal will be converted to synthetic gas using SES proprietary technology. The syngas will be used to produce about 720,000 metric tons per year of methanol that can be used as a feedstock for the chemical industry. Officials expect the project will be capable of converting methanol to about 100 million gallons per year of 87 octane gasoline. As envisioned, the project will include a river terminal facility, where products will be stored in tanks for off-loading into barges for delivery.