U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced a bipartisan legislation on Friday to advance research and promote coal-derived carbon products.

According to a press release from Manchin's office, some of the coal products include carbon fiber, graphite and carbon foam.

Manchin and Capito were joined by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).

“The National Energy Technology Lab in Morgantown, West Virginia is leading research to develop high-value products from coal feedstock. The Coal TeCC Act will help promote coal innovation in the industrial, defense, agriculture, medical and pharmaceutical industries," Manchin said. "Coal will continue to play an important role in the economy and this important research will ensure we are getting the most value from this important natural resource. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure it becomes law,”

“Coal-to-materials manufacturing is a growing high-tech market for coal and its byproducts,” Capito said. “This legislation will advance research and development, as well as commercial deployment for technologies like graphene and carbon fiber. Research and expertise at West Virginia University and NETL in Morgantown put West Virginia at the forefront of this industry in Appalachia.”

The Creating Opportunities and Leveraging Technologies for Coal Carbon Act, or COAL TeCC Act, establishes a program within the Department of Energy focused on advancing the research and promotion of coal-derived carbon products, according to Manchin's office. Passage of this will enhance ongoing work at DOE that is being carried out through NETL to utilize coal as a precursor for value added products for alternative, advance uses.

NETL engineers are carrying out research to enable the production of cost-competitive, high-value carbon fibers and innovative materials for use in new products such as building materials, energy storage technologies, 3D printing materials and carbon composites, Manchin's office said. Additional revenues from the new products will enhance the economics of coal as a higher-value fuel which can benefit communities in traditional energy producing states.

The COAL TeCC Act also directs DOE to establish a $4 million pilot and demonstration program in Appalachia to help coal-derived carbon products reach the commercialization phase, according to the press release.