Field Hearing Slams EPA Regulations, Wind Industry Giving Money on Both Sides of the Aisle, Sports Industry Going Green
The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold a field hearing in southwest Virginia today, an area known for its reliance on the coal industry. The panel will attack EPA greenhouse gas regulations on new power plants. Republicans have been outspokenly critical about the regulations, which they claim essentially bans all new coal plants from being built and kills coal industry jobs.
Alpha Natural Resources President Paul Vining will testify that these actions not only represent the EPA's alleged "War on Coal" but also a greater attack on "affordable electricity, a significant building block of American prosperity," as well, and that consumers and small businesses will pay the price in the future with these new regulations. Top utility executive and Romney campaign advisor Thomas Farrell, the Chairman, President, and CEO of Dominion, will also testify that the single standard for all power plants is an inappropriate step for the EPA, and that it "threatens fuel diversity, which is critical for providing reliable, affordable electricity." Holding this field hearing in Virginia is a sure affirmation to anyone following the 2012 election that the state will play a pivotal role in the final outcome.
The wind industry is covering all of their political bases in an attempt to get production tax credits back on track by donating money to a wide range of politicians on both sides of the spectrum. The American Wind Energy Association's PAC is just one of the players in the political game surrounding the tax credits. AWEA's PAC has given out more than $55,000 in the second quarter, with 62 percent going to Democratic candidates and the remaining 38 percent to Republican candidates. This is a remarkable turnaround from the more than 60 percent given to Republicans in the first quarter, but proof that AWEA has thrown caution to the wind and sought to hedge their bets to get the vital production tax credits back for their industry.
The sports industry is looking to go green as highlighted by the hearing today of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The council will discuss the sports industry's sustainability practices this Thursday to show the great savings available by reducing gas and electricity consumption. The Seattle Mariners have found great success in loweing energy costs of Safeco Field, and our own Washington Nationals boast the first LEED Silver Certified major professional stadium.
