CHARLESTON -- Massey Energy Chairman and CEO Don Blankenship and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are scheduled to face off in a debate on the environment Jan. 21 at the University of Charleston, school officials announced Thursday.

The debate is set to take place at 6:30 p.m. at the U.C. auditorium. It is titled "The Forum on the Future of Energy."

The public is invited to the event, but only 200 tickets will be available, according to the university.

U.C. President Ed Welch is scheduled to moderate the debate.

Blankenship has been an outspoken critic of global warming policy. Kennedy is the son of Robert F. Kennedy and an environmental activist.

In an interview with Forbes, Blankenship called global warming "a hoax and a Ponzi scheme" and states that "there's really no proof of global warming."

Time Magazine named Kennedy the "Hero for the Planet" and Kennedy currently serves as a senior attorney for the National Resources Defense Council.

Blankenship said he is looking forward to the debate.

"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to address these important issues with Dr. Welch and Mr. Kennedy and clarify what I believe is the right direction for our country's future," said Blankenship.