Gov. Kaine's efforts to keep Virginia hooked on mountaintop-removed coal once prompted former Kaine volunteer Glenn Hurowitz to name Kaine his weasel of the week. Now Kaine's controversial letter to the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board has Hurowitz calling him "Calamity Kaine":[T]he situation is clear to most Virginia watchers: Kaine is terrified of Big Coal ... [s]o much so that even though the plant's incredibly high costs are actually projected to drive up electricity bills (PDF) (along with, of course, producing 5.3 million ton of carbon dioxide, more air pollution deaths (PDF), and the destruction of many of Southwest Virginia's remaining mountains), he's unwilling to take a clear stand against it (or, for that matter, for it) -- even though he is on record in favor of federal action on the climate crisis (for which he doesn't have any responsibility).
Especially if you live in southwest Virginia, check out CCAN's website to learn more about the Air Pollution Control Board hearing on the coal-fired power plant proposal set for next week in Wise County.
Hasn't he ever flown over West (and western) Virginia, and seen the scarred landscapes and devastated communities? C'mon Gov, you don't need King Coal. You have friends in high places. And you have us. Barely, at this point.