West Virginia has always relied on coal to drive its economy and now state leaders are pushing an alternative.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was in Charleston on Tuesday to launch its "Shale Works For U.S." campaign.
The campaign is a national effort designed to build support for the vast economic and energy benefits that could come from exploring Marcellus Shale.
Organizers say they're excited by the potential.
Karen Harbert from the Institute for the 21st Century Energy told WTRF.com "it's an important reminder on how important shale energy will be to the economy in West Virginia, the jobs it can create, the industries it can attract, and the investment that will happen in local communities. We really thought it would be important to have a discussion and to have a campaign in West Virginia about this important resource."
The state is already seeing the benefits.
In 2009 the shale energy industry created more than 7,000 jobs and experts say that could be the beginning of a new economic boom.
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