George Allen

Republican George Allen is already firing back at a television ad by his U.S. Senate opponent, Democrat Tim Kaine.

The ad features Kaine circling in a helicopter above Dominion Virginia Power’s new Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County while citing it as a result of his energy policies.

“As governor, I supported its construction.,” Kaine says in the ad. “I also support offshore energy, conservation, and innovative investments in wind and solar which together employ more than 66,000 Virginians. That’s what I call unleashing our energy potential.”

That last line co-opts the phrase “unleashing our American energy resources,” which is one of Allen’s recurring stump speech staples.

In a news release, Allen’s campaign accuses Kaine of “talking out of both sides of his mouth” and argues the plant couldn’t be built under President Barack Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency.

The release also quotes state Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott County, and Congressman Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, in criticizing Kaine and his support for Obama.

Kilgore said that Kaine’s administration was an obstacle to the plant’s opening.

“I have been involved in the Dominion Clean Coal plant in Wise since its inception and it’s news to me that Tim Kaine or his administration were strong advocates in making this a reality,” Kilgore said in the release. “In fact we had to fight his boards to get it permitted. As President Obama’s ‘unabashed’ supporter he will be fighting for the EPA as they try to carry out cap and trade through new regulations.”

Griffith linked Kaine to Obama as well.

“It’s very simple – if Tim Kaine supports President Obama, he does not support coal, regardless of whatever he may or may not have done as Governor,” Griffith said in the release. “A vote for Obama is a vote against coal, and Tim Kaine can’t change that.”

You can read the whole release from the Allen campaign after the jump:

Kaine “Unleashed” Whopper Of An Ad

Henrico, VA – Some may say imitation is the highest form of flattery – but it won’t rewrite Tim Kaine’s record of advocating against Virginia energy.  In his newest election year extreme makeover, Tim Kaine is talking out of both sides of his mouth as he claims credit for the Virginia Hybrid Energy Center Coal plant , yet says his “advice is, don’t try to weaken regulations” that could decimate Virginia’s coal and energy industry.  The fact is the Wise County plant could not be opened under the job-destroying EPA regulations that Tim Kaine’s liberal environmentalist allies cheer while he stands silent.  

“I have been involved in the Dominion Clean Coal plant in Wise since its inception and it’s news to me that Tim Kaine or his administration were strong advocates in making this a reality,” said Delegate Terry Kilgore.  “In fact we had to fight his boards to get it permitted.  As President Obama’s ‘unabashed’ supporter he will be fighting for the EPA as they try to carry out cap and trade through new regulations.”

“Tim Kaine’s new television ad says he’s proud of the Virginia Hybrid Energy Center coal-fired power plant. It’s too bad that President Obama’s new regulations won’t allow anyone else to build one,” said Congressman Morgan Griffith.  “It’s very simple – if Tim Kaine supports President Obama, he does not support coal, regardless of whatever he may or may not have done as Governor. A vote for Obama is a vote against coal, and Tim Kaine can’t change that.”

“Just look at Tim Kaine’s record,” added Kilgore.  “He has long advocated for a national cap and trade tax that would destroy Virginia jobs – even going as far as signing a climate agreement with a foreign country advocating for this job-killing tax.  Tim Kaine is not an advocate for Virginia energy.”

Kaine “Unleashed” Whopper Of An Ad

Kaine Tells Voters He Supported Clean Coal Plant

Kaine: “This State-Of-The-Art Coal Plant In Southwest Virginia, Where My Wife’s From, Created 2,500 New Jobs. As Governor, I Supported Its Construction.”  (“Unleashed,” Kaine for Virginia, 9/13/12)

Kaine Brags About The Wise County Facility Everywhere He Goes, But According To A New York Times Reporter, No One Can Remember “Any Role That Mr. Kaine Had In Getting The Plant Going”

Kaine’s New “Energy” Policy: “As Governor, I Promoted Next-Generation Clean Coal Technology By Supporting The Permitting Of A State-Of-The-Art Coal-Fired Plant In Wise County.”  (“Strengthening Our Economy Through Energy Innovation,” Tim Kaine for U.S. Senate, 7/31/12)

“Mr. Kaine Mentions The Plant Virtually Everywhere He Goes As An Antidote To Efforts To Link Him To Obama Administration Policies That Have Been Tough On Coal.”  (Jonathan Weisman, “A Hunt For Split-Ticket Voters In A Tight Virginia Senate Race,” The New York Times, 7/19/12)

“In More Than A Dozen Interviews In St. Paul, No One Was Familiar With Any Role That Mr. Kaine Had In Getting The Plant Going.”  (Jonathan Weisman, “A Hunt For Split-Ticket Voters In A Tight Virginia Senate Race,” The New York Times, 7/19/12)

“‘I Did The Permitting, And I Don’t Remember That,’ Jeff Kite, 44, An Environmental Engineer, Said About Mr. Kaine’s Role.”  (Jonathan Weisman, “A Hunt For Split-Ticket Voters In A Tight Virginia Senate Race,” The New York Times, 7/19/12)

Worse, Under EPA Regulations Kaine Supports, Wise Facility Wouldn’t Even Meet New Carbon Emissions Standards

EPA Regulations And The War On Coal: Kaine – “My Advice Is, Don’t Try To Weaken Regulations.” “‘My Advice Is, Don’t Try To Weaken Regulations,’ [Kaine] Told Voters In Southwestern Virginia Last Week. ‘Sell Your Story. Say We Can Meet These Standards.’”  (Jonathan Weisman, “A Hunt For Split-Ticket Voters In A Tight Virginia Senate Race,” The New York Times, 7/19/12)

“. . . Last Week, The Environmental Protection Agency Proposed A Regulation Limiting Newly Constructed Coal-Fired Plants To 1,000 Pounds Of Carbon Emissions Per Megawatt Generated.”  (David McGee, “Kaine, Warner Tour Local Businesses,” Bristol Herald Courier, 4/5/12)

“The Average Coal Plant Emits About 1,760 Pounds Per Megawatt.”  (David McGee, “Kaine, Warner Tour Local Businesses,” Bristol Herald Courier, 4/5/12)

“‘The Virginia City Center [In Wise County] Is Permitted To Burn Up To 20 Percent Biomass. But At 10 Percent Biomass, The Plant Would Produce About 1,740 Pounds Per Megawatt Hour,’ [Company Spokesman Dan] Genest Said.”  (David McGee, “Kaine, Warner Tour Local Businesses,” Bristol Herald Courier, 4/5/12)

Kaine A Longtime Advocate Of Cap And Trade

September 2007: Kaine Said He Supports “Legislation That Includes A Cap-And-Trade Program For Emissions Of All Greenhouse Gases.” “I support legislation that includes a cap-and-trade program for emissions of all greenhouse gases, imposes economy-wide controls, rather than singling out a particular sector, and accounts for state efforts to standardize methodologies to record and measure green house gas emissions through the Climate Registry.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, Testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 9/26/07)

February 2009: “Governor Kaine Has Long Advocated A Federal, Nationwide Cap-And-Trade Program.” “Governor Kaine has long advocated a federal, nationwide cap-and-trade program to bring about annual CO2 reductions in the United States and has proposed a 19% reduction in electricity consumption in Virginia by 2025, the top recommendation of the governor’s commission on climate change.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, United Kingdom Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 2/12/09)

June 2009: Kaine “I Do Think We’ve Got To Have A Cap And Trade Or Equivalent System.” “Yeah, it would be difficult for me to either cap and trade or universal health care as governor if the feds don’t do it. I mean, I do think we’ve got to have a cap and trade or equivalent system, uh, to start to control carbon emissions.”  (“Ask The Governor” with Tim Kaine, 1140WRVA, 6/25/09)

Kaine Signed Climate Change Accord With The United Kingdom; Called For Cap And Trade System

“Governor Timothy M. Kaine And Her Majesty’s Ambassador To The United States, Sir Nigel Sheinwald Of The United Kingdom, Signed A Bilateral ‘Climate Change Action Agreement’ At The Virginia Capitol Today That Commits Each Government To The Common Goals Of Combating The Effects Of Climate Change And Developing A More Climate-Friendly Economy.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, United Kingdom Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 2/12/09)

“‘Virginia And The UK Recognize That Climate Change Is A Global Phenomenon And Combating It Requires Global Partnerships,’ Said Governor Kaine.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, United Kingdom Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 2/12/09)

“In Particular, The Agreement Signed Today Advances A Number Of Recommendations Made By The Governor’s Commission On Climate Change Launched In 2007 By Executive Order 59.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, United Kingdom Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 2/12/09)

“It Emphasizes The Importance Of A Market-Based Cap-And-Trade Program Designed To Limit Carbon Dioxide Emissions That Are Contributing To The Earth’s Warming.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, United Kingdom Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 2/12/09)

Kaine Also Signed A Climate Change Accord With Germany, Which Also Called For Cap And Trade System

“Governor Timothy M. Kaine And Germany’s Minister For The Environment, Nature Conservation And Nuclear Safety, Sigmar Gabriel, Signed A Bilateral Joint Declaration At The German Embassy Today That Commits Each Government To The Common Goals Of Combating The Effects Of Climate Change, Achieving Greater Energy Efficiency, Collaborating On Energy Research And Development Initiatives, And Developing A More Climate-Friendly Economy.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, Federal Republic Of Germany Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 4/28/09)

“This Is The Second Bilateral Climate Change Agreement Signed By Governor Kaine. In February, Governor Kaine Signed A Similar Agreement With The United Kingdom.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, Federal Republic Of Germany Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 4/28/09)

“In Particular, The Joint Declaration Signed Today Advances A Number Of Recommendations Made By The Governor’s Commission On Climate Change Launched In 2007 By Executive Order 59.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, Federal Republic Of Germany Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 4/28/09)

“It Emphasizes The Importance Of A Market-Based Cap-And-Trade Program Designed To Limit Carbon Dioxide Emissions That Are Contributing To The Earth’s Warming As Well As Broadening Virginia’s Renewable Energy Capabilities.”  (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, Federal Republic Of Germany Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 4/28/09)

Kaine Supports “Offshore Energy”?

Kaine: “I Also Support Offshore Energy.”  (“Unleashed,” Kaine for Virginia, 9/13/12)

As Governor, Tim Kaine Amended Legislation That Would Have Called For A Return To Drilling For Natural Gas To Instead Call For A Study

“Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) Blocked Provisions Friday Of An Energy Bill Passed By The General Assembly That Advocated Resumption Of Drilling For Natural Gas Off Virginia’s Coast.”  (Chris L. Jenkins, “Kaine Amends Energy Bill That Sought Drilling Exemption,” The Washington Post, 4/8/06)

“Kaine Amended The Bill So It Simply Supports Any Federal Efforts To Determine How Much Natural Gas Exists 50 Or More Miles Off The Atlantic Coast.”  (Chris L. Jenkins, “Kaine Amends Energy Bill That Sought Drilling Exemption,” The Washington Post, 4/8/06)

After Federal Drilling Moratorium Expired, Kaine Asked For The Permitting Process To Be Put On Hold Until The Obama Administration Could Take Office

“Democrats Have Decided To Allow A Quarter-Century Ban On Drilling For Oil Off The Atlantic And Pacific Coasts To Expire Next Week, Conceding Defeat In A Months-Long Battle With The White House And Congressional Republicans That Was Set Off By $4-A-Gallon Gasoline Prices This Summer.”  (“Democrats Will Let Drilling Ban Lapse,” The Virginian-Pilot [Norfolk, Virginia], 9/24/08)

“In A Letter Before Christmas, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine Asked The Federal Minerals Management Service To Put Off Its Offshore Planning Process Until Feb. 28 ‘To Allow Time For The New Administration That Will Take Office In January To Consider Its Options To The Proposed Actions.’”  (Scott Harper, “Regulators Reject Va. Leaders’ Pleas To Delay Drilling Plans,” The Virginian-Pilot [Norfolk, Virginia], 1/2/09)

Rejected, Kaine Increased Pressure By Writing To New Interior Secretary Ken Salazar Saying Virginia’s Policies (Governor Kaine’s Policies) Don’t Support Offshore Oil & Gas Drilling

“Gov. Timothy M. Kaine Has Stepped Up Efforts To Persuade President Barack Obama To Slow Plans For Oil And Gas Development Off The Virginia Coast, A Shift Panned Earlier This Month By Obama’s Interior Secretary.”  (Dale Eisman, “In Letter, Kaine Urges Slowing Plans To Drill,” The Virginian-Pilot [Norfolk, Virginia], 2/25/09)

“Virginia ‘Policies Do Not Support Exploration For Oil Or Production Of Gas Or Oil,’ Kaine Asserted In A Letter To Secretary Ken Salazar That Was Made Public Tuesday. State Law Now Backs Only Exploration For Gas, He Said.”  (Dale Eisman, “In Letter, Kaine Urges Slowing Plans To Drill,” The Virginian-Pilot [Norfolk, Virginia], 2/25/09)