Lawmakers from Coal States Battle to Defend Industry

Leaders meet with new EPA head

Coal state legislators took a carrot and stick approach to the Obama administration's so-called "war on coal" Thursday when a bipartisan West Virginia delegation went to the White House to plead it's case with new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, saying regulations are strangling the industry.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., left the meeting feeling encouraged. "I thought the meeting was very, very respectful, and it was very direct," he said. "That was what it was supposed to be. It was very productive, too. "