CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, in a statement, says it applauds U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., for hosting a fundraiser event for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

But the Chamber hopes Rockefeller will use his "substantial persuasive skills" to convince Reid to be "more open" to the use of West Virginia coal to help meet the nation's energy needs.

Reid, D-Nev., once said on Fox Business that "coal makes us sick."

"It's global warming. It's ruining our country. It's ruining our world," he said in the interview.

Rockefeller will host a fundraiser for Reid at his Charleston home Friday. The West Virginia senator is asking esteemed members of the state's plaintiffs bar to make substantial contributions to support Reid's re-election campaign, the Chamber said.

A MetroNews report says it will cost $1,000 to get into the fundraiser. It also says the CEO of the nation's trial lawyer group, Linda Lipsen, has been invited.

The Chamber said, "Perhaps, only Senator Rockefeller can convince Senator Reid of the importance of West Virginia coal."

Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, has been in office since 1987 and is seeking re-election this year.