If Gov. Kaine wanted to find allies in the fight against the coal plant in Wise County, it wouldn't be hard. Business leaders from across the state issued a press release today opposing the Wise County coal plant. Citing the SCC's finding that that operating the Wise County Coal plant would cause a net loss of 1,476 jobs in Virginia, they conclude, "it would be bad business for Virginia to pick dirty energy over clean energy."
As a business leader I am particularly concerned about coal's impact on the communities and environment of our state. The pollution, toxic waste and carbon emissions that accompany coal extraction and burning will make Virginia a less competitive economy. Instead of investing in coal, we should be putting our money behind renewable energy projects and creating green jobs. The future of my business is dependent on a cleaner, greener and competitive economy in Virginia.
Economically, this plant just doesn't make sense. Congress is widely expected to put a price on carbon sometime in the near future. The price of coal-already expensive in Appalachia-is only going to skyrocket. Dominion, already taking $1.8 billion from the tax payers is only going to pass that cost on to consumers. Green energy, wind, solar, energy we don't use-none of those sources will be affected by a carbon price tag. Investments in the future of our economy by providing incentives for green businesses, efficiency and job training for a just transition to a green economy would go a long way to benefiting business in Virginia.
When the nation is shifting focus away from coal and dirty energy, investments in clean, renewable energy makes sense. This plant is a product of an increasingly outdated and shortsighted energy policy that has caused us to get to this place where global warming is accelerating while our economy is crashing. It's time to get off dirty energy, and make investments in energy efficiency and clean energy.
The following is the text of the open letter to Dominion CEO Thomas Farrell and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (bolding added for emphasis):
As a business leader in Virginia, an electric power consumer and concerned citizen, I strongly urge you to halt plans to build a controversial coal burning power plant in Wise County.Coal burning power plants are a significant cause of global warming emissions, mercury pollution, and highly destructive mining. Research demonstrates that the best approach to providing clean, safe, affordable, and secure energy in this country is to invest in conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy sources.
Coal power is likely to become increasingly expensive in comparison to clean energy sources. Regulation of carbon dioxide emissions through a pollution tax is under serious consideration in Congress right now. Senate Majority Leader Reid recently said Theres not a coal burning plant in America thats clean. They're all dirty. For the benefit of Dominion shareholders and Virginia ratepayers, it is prudent to take the cost of carbon pollution into consideration when determining your investments in new electricity generation.
As a business leader I am particularly concerned about coal's impact on the communities and environment of our state. The pollution, toxic waste and carbon emissions that accompany coal extraction and burning will make Virginia a less competitive economy. Instead of investing in coal, we should be putting our money behind renewable energy projects and creating green jobs. The future of my business is dependent on a cleaner, greener and competitive economy in Virginia.
Investing in coal is bad business. For the benefit of Dominion shareholders, the ratepayers of Virginia and our shared environment, I urge you to stop your plans to build the controversial Wise County coal plant and instead work to increase energy efficiency and make substantial investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power.
K.D. Kidder and Neil Steinberg, Photoworks, Leesburg
Matthew Bauer, BetterWorld Telecom, Reston
Debra Claire & Amanda Chawansky, Perfect Organics, Inc, Merrifield
Henrik Sundqvist, Fisk Design, Arlington
Elizabeth Striano, A Green Footprint, Fairfax Station
Scott Stapf, The Hastings Group, Arlington
Cindy Bennett, Associate Broker, Re/Max Action Real Estate, Richmond
Ayala Sherbow, Greater Goods, Lovettsville
Cheryl Hahn, Cozy Pure, Norfolk
Kelly Haber, Healing Connections of Warrenton, LLC, Warrenton
Mark Tester, E3 Living, Ashburn
Bill Hess, Ideas on Legs, Afton
Pernilla Alex, Mrs. Lavender Cleaning & Housekeeping, Inc., Arlington
Jared Mizrahi, Blue Mountain Organics, LLC, Floyd
James Bach, Organic Fred Corporation, Bristow
Cynthia Hannan, The Green Alcove, Richmond
Michael Penny, Savvy Rest, Inc., Charlottesville
Paige Mattson, Blue Ridge Eco Shop, Charlottesville