In a way, all you need to know about Tim Kaine on energy and environmental issues is that Dominion Virginia Power ("Global Warming Starts Here!") is sponsoring a Sunday evening shindig (just prior ot the kickoff of the Democratic National Convention) in Red Rocks, Colorado "honoring Governor Tim Kaine." Just to repeat that one: Dominion Virginia Power, a horrible company by almost any standard, is holding an event HONORING TIM KAINE. Is this some kind of sick joke?
As if to highlight their arrogance, the invitation actually touts the natural beauty of Red Rocks, at the same time that Dominion's coal suppliers are blowing the tops of mountains that represent the natural beauty of Virginia. Obviously, our pals at Dominion doesn't do irony. Or subtlety. And why should they, with the millions of dollars they can spend pretending to be environmentally benign (have you seen their TV ads showing happy Dominion workers standing in a stream? how about their ubiquitous windmill ads all over the Metro system? barf!).
Anyway, if the Dominion love affair with Tim Kaine isn't enough to convince you, how about the reregulation bill written in large part by Dominion lobbyists and signed into law by Gov. Kaine? How about Kaine's advocacy for a new coal-fired power plant, when we all know that in order to head off the worst impacts of global climate change, we need to slash our C02 emissions by 80% or more? How about Kaine's toothless and pathetically inadequate energy plan, not even requiring mandatory renewable portfolio standards for Dominion? How about Tim Kaine's call yesterday for southern governors to hold meetings sometime in the next year to...wait for it...TALK ABOUT energy and environmental issues. Yeah, don't get too excited or anything. :) Seriously, though, it's no wonder why Dominion's doing an event (and a breakfast the next day) in Tim Kaine's honor. Heck, with all he's done for them, Dominion should just go ahead and make him a member of their corporate board (or name the Wise County coal plant after Kaine?). Sheesh.
Meanwhile, Gritsmill has its take on Tim Kaine and Kathleen Sebelius as prospective nominees for Barack Obama. Here's the gist of it:
...the two [governors] have gone in opposite directions on an issue critical to our nation's energy future -- the role of old-fashioned coal burning versus cleaner alternatives that don't threaten to worsen global warming.By her courageous stand against a powerful coal lobby, Sebelius has become one of the nation's leading champions in the fight against global warming. Kaine, by contrast, continues to support a technology that has helped fuel our current climate calamity.
Pathetic. After describing how Kathleen Sebelius became "a model political profile in courage" by "star[ing] down St. Louis-based Peabody Energy, the world's biggest coal company," the article turns back to Tim Kaine:
When confronted with a similar challenged, Kaine ducked. In his case, Dominion Power Company is seeking to build a large conventional coal-fired plant in rural western Virginia. Despite protests my many residents and environmental groups, the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the Air Pollution Control Board gave the project a green light.Kaine tried to downplay any involvement in the decisions, particularly after it was disclosed that he had received nearly a quarter of a million dollars in campaign contributions from Dominion.
"I am not the one who hands out the permits," he said in a radio interview. However, Kaine also made it clear that he supported Dominion's plans.
Look, I'm well aware that energy and the environment are not the only issue out there (only the one that is crucial to the future of the planet's environment). And I am NOT a single-issue voter (actually, I disagree strongly with Tim Kaine on several other issues, including the estate tax and embryonic stem cell research). In addition, I will support Barack Obama no matter who he picks for his running mate. Having said that, I strongly urge Obama to pick someone like Kathleen Sebelius, who stood up for what's right - and against a powerful corporation - as opposed to Tim Kaine, who...well, didn't do that. True, the environment is just one issue - albeit a crucial one - but the question of backbone and courage applies to all issues. On the subject of coal-fired power, Kathleen Sebelius showed such backbone and courage. Tim Kaine? Unfortunately, not so much.
But note, this year's festival is diminished by its appropriation as a public relations ploy by Dominion Power. Dominion underwrote some expenses for the theater festival, a good thing, if their action weren't buying your silent support for dramatically harmful change.
Your "new neighbor", is how the spokesperson termed Dominion when introducing himself to the audience. Dominion, a Richmond-based utility, is "our neighbor" by virtue of constructing a new coal-fired generating plant, 25 air miles northwest of the Barter's Abingdon home.
This plant will not supply us any electricity, but will spew tons of particulate pollution, yearly, on us. We have an asthma epidemic already.
Sulfurous and nitrous oxides from coal combustion will increase atmospheric haze and create smog, harmful to livestock, crops, forests, and your family's lungs.
Dominion's neighbors to the west in Wise County will endure further mountaintop removal coal stripped from the land their children should inherit.
Dominion's plant will dump pounds of neuro-toxic mercury on its neighbors' (and our children's) land and waterways yearly, because Dominion chooses to burn the cheapest fuel--mercury-laden waste "gob" piles and unwashed coal.
Supporting theater is neighborly, but good neighbors never foul the air their neighbors breathe and water they drink. Dominion could employ far cleaner and more neighborly technology and practices. Dominion could even invest to make their customers more energy efficient with no lifestyle sacrifice, making the plant unnecessary altogether.
The State Corporation Commission guarantees Dominion a handsome profit on the plant, making the Barter contribution, well, a small cost of doing business. Dominion, please learn from the play you sponsored. Its message: "Love your neighbor as yourself."