CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden walked down the stairs of a plane from Raleigh, N.C. Thursday night and was immediately greeted by seven members of the United Mine Workers of America from West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

He talked with them for about 15 minutes and then left for his hotel.

"One major concern we have is that the McCain health-care plan would tax our health-care benefits and would put a tremendous tax on our mining families," Bill Banig, legislature director for the United Mine Workers, said after Biden departed for his hotel.

Biden did not talk with reporters.

"Biden coming here is extremely important and it shows West Virginia is a battleground state," Banig said. "This election is important for the future of coal."

The Obama-Biden team supports clean coal and focuses on carbon capture and sequestration, Bagin said. Obama and Biden are committed to building five to seven sequestration plants in the county, he said.

Biden told the group the first time he was in West Virginia he was with the late Sen. Jennings Randolph, D-W.Va.

"I worked with the Gore campaign in 2000, and I worked with the Kerry campaign in 2004, but I've never seen the enthusiasm that I've seen in this campaign," Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion. "It's time to put the county back on track."

Caputo said the Obama-Biden ticket stresses the importance of the coal to liquid plant in Moundsville, which is "off track" because of the current administration.

"But coal is in major part of Obama's energy plan," Caputo said.  "John McCain is talking nuclear, more nuclear plans will cost us jobs," he said.

Rich Eddy, international representative from District 31, which is based in Fairmont and includes northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio, said the Obama-Biden ticket is very concerned with the health and safety in underground mines.

"We want somebody as president that will help us with mine safety," Eddy said.

Reach Paul J. Nyden at pjny...@wvgazette.com or 348-5164

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden walked down the stairs of a plane from Raleigh, N.C. Thursday night and was immediately greeted by seven members of the United Mine Workers of America from West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

He talked with them for about 15 minutes and then left for his hotel.

"One major concern we have is that the McCain health-care plan would tax our health-care benefits and would put a tremendous tax on our mining families," Bill Banig, legislature director for the United Mine Workers, said after Biden departed for his hotel.

Biden did not talk with reporters.

"Biden coming here is extremely important and it shows West Virginia is a battleground state," Banig said. "This election is important for the future of coal."

The Obama-Biden team supports clean coal and focuses on carbon capture and sequestration, Bagin said. Obama and Biden are committed to building five to seven sequestration plants in the county, he said.

Biden told the group the first time he was in West Virginia he was with the late Sen. Jennings Randolph, D-W.Va.

"I worked with the Gore campaign in 2000, and I worked with the Kerry campaign in 2004, but I've never seen the enthusiasm that I've seen in this campaign," Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion. "It's time to put the county back on track."

Caputo said the Obama-Biden ticket stresses the importance of the coal to liquid plant in Moundsville, which is "off track" because of the current administration.

"But coal is in major part of Obama's energy plan," Caputo said.  "John McCain is talking nuclear, more nuclear plans will cost us jobs," he said.

Rich Eddy, international representative from District 31, which is based in Fairmont and includes northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio, said the Obama-Biden ticket is very concerned with the health and safety in underground mines.

"We want somebody as president that will help us with mine safety," Eddy said.

Reach Paul J. Nyden at pjny...@wvgazette.com or 348-5164