Accessing Constants Static Class That References App Settings Config File

I have a class called LocalConstants.... ``` public static class LocalConstants { public static string DM_PATH = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["DMQueue"]; public static string PROJECT_PATH = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["MSQueue"]; } ``` When trying to access this class in my main program I am getting a null reference exception. Anything from ConfigurationManager.AppSettings[ is always null. But if I write ``` //The value is returned fine string bo=ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["MSQueue"]; ``` this compiles fine but is always null and throws a NullRefexception ``` string moomoo = LocalConstants.PROJECT_PATH; ``` The exception is The type initializer for 'TestCodeOutOnSide.LocalConstants' threw an exception. The innerException is the basic Object reference not set to an instance of an object. Even if I change the PROJECT_PATH to ``` public static readonly string PROJECT_PATH = @"FORMATNAME:DIRECT=OS:serus-nickl\RMQDEV"; ``` I get the same exception Any ideas?