The Daily Press has a strong editorial this morning urging Gov. Kaine to take the lead against pollution-spewing coal-fired power plants in Virginia. The newspaper argues that fighting global warming, taking on Dominion Power, and specifically stopping Dominion's proposed new coal-fired plant in Virginia City could provide Gov. Kaine with a "legacy." I urge you to read the entire editorial. For now, here's an excerpt.
Fighting coal could be a nice fit for a governor looking for a legacy. Because what it will take is not money but courage. It will take political savvy, because the General Assembly is generally disposed to do the bidding of big utilities, particularly Dominion, which is generous with its members and very effective at lobbying. It's the kind of fight that will exact a political cost - and that's the kind of fight Virginia's system, which prohibits governors from succeeding themselves, invites. A governor leaving office has little to lose and much to gain from a good fight.And the fight against coal is one that needs to be fought. Because coal is a dirty fuel. Sure, it's cheap, but relying on cheap power just diminishes the impetus to get serious about conservation. Coal's cheapness deceives us, for the real cost of burning it, if we factor in the environmental damage it does, is enormous.
For guidance, Kaine could call on his counterparts in states that have had the courage to stand up to polluting coal plants. Kansas recently denied a permit to a big plant, citing the link between the great quantities of carbon dioxide it would emit and climate change and environmental damage.
The Daily Press also mocks the concept of so-called "carbon capture and sequestration" for the "hollow" promise that it is. Good for the Daily Press; they obviously understand what so many politicians apparently can't wrap their brains around with regard to supposed "clean coal."
The editorial concludes with another call for Gov. Kaine to take the lead against Dominion Power and its (well-funded lobbyist) push for more dirty coal.
Environmental groups are gearing up to fight the new plant, but what's needed is someone to take the lead, someone with visibility, clout and political chits to spend. Without such a leader, the long-established tendency of Virginia's legislature and regulators to kowtow to Dominion promises no outcome that will be good for Virginia. As evidence of that tendency, consider the legislature's latest stab at electricity regulation, which rewards utilities with an additional profit guarantee for building coal-burning plants. There's a legislative flourish that benefits utilities, not Virginia's air-breathing citizens.
Needless to say, I couldn't agree more. Just remember, whenever you think of Dominion Power, that its real slogan should be "Dominion: Global Warming Starts Here!"
The article states the points very well. Excellent work by the Daily Press. Now all we need is for that leader to emerge. Obviously Governor Kaine is a top candidate, but if he doesn't step up, there is a vacuum someone else must fill. We're sending some new blood to Richmond - maybe one of our freshmen legislators will take the reins and show 'em how it needs to be done if no current official has the courage or will to step up.
But based on the cautiousness of his steps on energy and climate so far, I think it's going to take more than an editorial to stiffen Gov. Kaine's spine on this issue. No one in Virginia seems to ever dare to take on Dominion.
Kaine's going to need to see a strong grassroots-based movement combined with others in the General Assembly and elsewhere taking the lead on the issue. Like the saying goes, if the people lead, the leaders will follow.
Perhaps we need a statewide petition (a la abuser fees) of Virginians against building new coal plants in the state?