CHARLESTON -- A state lawmaker attributes West Virginia's high rate of disabled workers to smoking and other poor health habits.

Sen. Dan Foster, D-Kanawha, told the Charleston Daily Mail that the state's high smoking and obesity rates contribute to other health issues, including diabetes, chronic lung disease, congestive heart failure and cancer.

An August report by the Social Security Administration said more than 5 percent of West Virginia's population is considered as disabled workers, the highest percentage in the nation.

"We have an unhealthy population," Foster said. "We have the highest percentage of people with chronic disabilities, whether that's disabilities that are incurred in the workplace or related to chronic diseases that have occurred because of unhealthy habits of one sort or another."

Foster said changing behaviors isn't easy. But there are steps the state could take to improve residents' health, such as raising the cigarette tax and providing better education about nutrition and exercise.

Another factor is the economy. A report released in July by the Congressional Budget Office said that when jobs are plentiful, some people who could qualify for disability choose to work. When jobs are scarce, some of those people turn to the disability program.

DOE giving $575 million in carbon capture grants

WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department said Tuesday it was awarding $575 million for carbon capture research-and-development projects in 15 states.

None of the projects are in West Virginia, Kentucky or Ohio.

The experimental technique involves storing carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants and other sources underground, in an attempt to reduce pollution blamed for contributing to global warming.

"This is a major step forward in the fight to reduce carbon emissions from industrial plants," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "These new technologies will not only help fight climate change, they will create jobs now and help position the United States to lead the world in clean coal technologies, which will only increase in demand in the years ahead."

All told, he said, the department has invested more than $4 billion in carbon storage and capture, matched by more than $7 billion in private investments.

The newest money will fund 22 projects, ranging from evaluation of geologic sites for carbon storage to development of turbo-machinery and engines to help improve carbon capture and storage. The projects, in states including California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New York and Texas, are being funded from the economic stimulus law.

West Virginia company struggles to find workers

SPENCER, W.Va. -- Despite high unemployment and the tough economy, Mustang Survival says it's having a hard time finding enough workers for its West Virginia operations.

Manager Greg Stover says Mustang hasn't been able to get the 100 employees it needs for its expanded plant in Spencer. Mustang, which makes survival suits for marine use, also has openings at its plant in Elizabeth.

Combined, Stover tells the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that Mustang needs between 25 and 40 people. He says the company is left to wonder why it can't get enough people during tough economic times. Unemployment rates in Roane, Clay, Calhoun, Jackson and Wirt counties are among West Virginia's highest.

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