On the same day the Bush administration announced lightning to be the suspected cause of the Sago mine disaster, Congress moved ahead with plans to expand coal production in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

In response to the high price of foreign oil, some members of Congress said they want to open more coal plants and wind turbines in the U.S.

"We can break down our dependence on foreign oil, especially for our military (and) create jobs at home and do it all in a responsible way," said Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Bridgeport.

Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, said the plan "provides us with the greatest hope of returning some vigor to our economy."

Critics have already expressed concern that property values could suffer if new coal production plants and wind turbines are built too close to homes.

A federal study estimated that there will be four times as many turbines in the U.S. in the next 15 years.

Critics said wind turbines, which are about 340 feet tall, would also have a scenic impact. West Virginia is already home to 44 turbines.

"The ridges of West Virginia are awfully beautiful. They don't need help from industrial windmills to be attractive," said Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-Wheeling.

Wilson and Space announced their plan to expand coal-energy production at a plant in Wellsville, Columbiana County, and said the plan could potentially add at least 750 new mining jobs.

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-Renee Cardelli & Scott MacFarlane, NEWS9