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I should have flagged this earlier, but Scott Harper of The Virginian-Pilot wrote a great piece on Sunday highlighting the differences between Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell on environmental issues. This has great potential to be the next big contrast between the candidates.
During his time as a state delegate from Virginia Beach, McDonnell was perhaps best known for his anti-environmental positions, including efforts to limit, and terminate, a state wetlands-protection program approved over his no vote in 2000.
Deed's has a really good record on environmental issues and, especially when he focuses on a positive vision for Virginia's energy future (efficiency/renewables, creating jobs, etc.) he can really create some separation here.
Harper goes on to highlight Deeds' excellent and McDonnell's poor VALCV Scorecard records (see after the jump).
Check out this ad from the Deeds campaign highlighting huge utility rate increases.
We need a Governor and Attorney General that will be consumer advocates and prevent these types of skyrocketing prices. The best way to do that: Require energy efficiency investments!
Disclaimer: VALCV has endorsed Creigh Deeds for Governor and Steve Shannon for Attorney General.
Norfolk blogger Vivian Paige had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with Creigh Deeds yesterday. At the request of a friend, she was able to ask Sen. Deeds about the issue of uranium mining. Here's her notes from the exchange:
I asked about uranium mining, a topic that I'm not too familiar with. Fortunately for me, Deeds is.
He mentioned that he practiced law in Danville in the early to mid 1980s and became quite knowledgeable about the issue during that time. Deeds said that energy independence is a part of our national security so he believes in a comprehensive approach, and nothing should be taken off the table. He said, though, that he is not convinced that we have the technology to make such mining safe.
Deeds said, when the issue came up in committee, he asked two questions, one he knew the answer to and the other he didn't. The questions were:
1. What about the terrain in Pittslyvania County has changed?
2. What about the science has changed?
The answer to question #1, which Deeds already knew, was nothing. The terrain is such that the mining may very well contaminate the groundwater and not just in Pittsylvania County. The problem could very well extend beyond, down to Hampton Roads.
As for #2, he would like to see a study done by the National Academy of Sciences. Such a study has been authorized but so far, the NAS has balked at doing it. They want the state to pay for it - as of now, the private sector would pay for it - and they want the request to come from the Commonwealth, as opposed to a General Assembly committee.
The other issue is that of radioactive waste. Deeds was quite concerned about this, saying that radioactivity lasts forever, and even if the technology exists to clean it up - which he was very skeptical of this being the case - the stigma of having radioactive waste in an area may be too much to overcome.
Unless the technology exists to make uranium mining safe, I think I understood Deeds' position to be that he would not support it.
With U.S. Senator Mark Warner at his side both at a press event in Roanoke and later via conference call, Democratic candidate for governor Creigh Deeds yesterday announced "a comprehensive plan to create jobs and renew Virginia's economy through targeted tax cuts for small businesses, innovative partnerships to generate new jobs in the alternative energy industry, creative initiatives to jump-start an economic recovery in rural regions, as well as a commonsense approach to finally solve Virginia's statewide transportation challenges through responsible, bipartisan leadership".
"Virginia led the nation in telecom in the 1980s, we helped lead the Internet revolution during the 1990s, and I firmly believe that the next generation of jobs and wealth will be found in the 'green' economy," Senator Warner said. "Creigh has put together a road map that allows Virginia to grasp that opportunity and take advantage of all of those possibilities if we prepare Virginians to take a leadership role in the alternative energy field."
"Virginia must take advantage of opportunities in rapidly expanding fields like biomass production,
wind power generation, and clean coal research", he writes in his plan. "By developing innovative ways of reducing fossil fuel consumption, Creigh will create thousands of new jobs in the Commonwealth and attract millions in new investment from private and public sources".
Standing out within his economic plan is a call for creation of a strong business environment for green energy companys.
"Green energy companies are attracted to states that have made a firm commitment to alternative energy. Creigh believes that we cannot afford to lose opportunities to create good-paying jobs in this high-growth industry, simply because our policies lag behind."
To this end, Deeds proposes expansion of the Solar Manufacturing Incentive Grant (SMIG ) program to all "green energy-related industries". He wants to offer competitive grants to green energy companies that invest at least $50 million
and create at least 200 jobs.
Believing that Virginia's current voluntary RPS is "simply not enough to keep Virginia competitive with states like Ohio, which passed a law requiring that utilities produce 25% of their energy from renewable source by 2025, and neighbors like Maryland, which has a 20% by 2022 mandatory requirement", Deeds proposes a mandatory RPS of 15% by 2020 and 22% by 2025.
The Renewable Electricity Standard as it stands right now within the Waxman-Markey (aka ACES) bill that just passed Congress calls for a 20% standard by 2020. This RES target is a national floor. States are allowed to set higher standards. Virginia's current standards are voluntary and call for 12% by 2022. The Governor's Commission on Climate Change recommended increasing that voluntary call to 15% by 2025.
Click here to read Deeds' entire economic plan. Click here to read how Virginia can easily meet a Federal RES of 25% by 2025.
President Obama has declared this week as "Clean Energy Week". His key Cabinet Secretaries will spread out across the country to host a series of Clean Energy Week events.
From the White House press release: "Clean Energy Week events will highlight the President's commitment to passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation that will generate millions of jobs, break our dependence on foreign oil, reduce the threat of deadly pollution and restore America's role as a global leader in the clean energy industry".
One such event took place in Charlottesville this morning as Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Van Jones, Obama's Special Advisor for Green Jobs (aka the Green Jobs Czar), joined Rep. Tom Perriello and other electeds highlighting a revolving loan program for energy efficiency programs which was first created through legislation authored by Creigh Deeds this past session.
Through the program, which is in development, the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle would be able to lend funds from federal and other grant sources to area residents to make their homes more energy efficient. The loans would be paid back from the energy savings that are generated by the efficiency upgrades. The federal funds would also be used to train area workers in retrofitting and energy efficiency upgrading at the local community college. Those newly skilled workers can seek employment with the local companies participating in the program. Through this innovative program, Charlottesville and Albemarle are trying to unleash the potential of clean energy jobs by not just training people for them, but by helping to create a market that will employ those who have been trained.
Creigh Deeds' legislation, SB1212, allowed the City of Charlottesville the authority to create its own clean energy financing program. This bill couched with Federal programs could provide the model for other Virginia local jurisdictions to finance development of their own renewable energy and efficiency programs.
On June 9th, Virginians will go to the polls to vote in the Democratic Primary for their nominees for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. Republicans will select their nominees at their convention the end of May.
Sierra Club invited all four of the candidates for Governor, the three Democrats: Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran, and the Republican: Bob McDonnell to submit answers to an environmental survey that we have posted to our website, virginia.sierraclub.org.
The next Governor could be charting our course to a clean energy future or defending the coal industry until sea level rise is swallowing Virginia Beach. The next governor could actually make a real difference in cleaning up the Chesapeake rather than merely using the Bay as a back drop for a photo up. The next Governor could insure that the embarrassing boondoggle otherwise known as the King William Reservoir is finally laid to rest by standing up to developers in Newport News and the Peninsula.
So it will be up to us who that next Governor will be. As we close in on the Republican and Democratic nomination decisions, take the time to go out and see the candidates and ask the tough questions. We hope the survey responses provided by the candidates will help guide you in making this important decision.
Where do the Democratic candidates for governor stand on the proposed $6 billion coal-fired power plant in Surry? Creigh Deeds supports it; Terry McAuliffe offers a conditional probably not; Brian Moran says no.
Now there's a video that connects the dots on McAuliffe and his refusal to say no to coal, putting him in stark contrast to climate activists like Al Gore and James Hansen:
Creigh Deeds is a very nice guy that I don't enjoy criticizing. He pushed several good clean energy bills in this year's Virginia Senate and has rightly opposed drilling along Virginia's coast.
But in an interview last week with Lowell Feld of Blue Virginia, Deeds showed why progressives are turning away from his campaign and towards the clean energy policies of Brian Moran and (to a lesser extent) Terry McAuliffe.
At a time when President Obama, Congressional Democrats, and his two competitors are all pushing for a clean energy future, Deeds instead parroted the coal industry's favorite catch phrases and scare tactics. To listen to Deeds, the only reason coal remains the dirtiest source of energy on the planet is that we haven't already dumped enough billions of research dollars into it. Like a bailout that never ends, we need to keep those billions flowing.
Deeds sounds like he's selling coal air freshener. We need to harness the awesome power of the word "clean"!
Look, coal is still dirty because no one has figured out a cost-effective way to capture and store its carbon dioxide emissions.
First, let me just say that I like Creigh Deeds, find him to be a thoughtful and intelligent man, someone who cares deeply about people and who is in politics for all the right reason. In conversations I've had with him, he's also seemed sincerely concerned about protecting our environment. In that context, Sen. Deeds' Blue Commonwealth interview is particularly disappointing. Here are the relevant excerpts with my comments.
Blue Commonwealth: One of the more vexing environmental problems is obviously coal.
Creigh Deeds: Right.
Good, Sen. Deeds admits that coal is a "vexing" environmental problem. That's a start. Let's see where he goes with this.
Blue Commonwealth: And what makes it vexing is you have on the one hand the environmental impact of coal and the fact that for some communities in our state it's an economic lifeline. How do you balance that, not just looking at policy for this year or next, but when you look out 10 years from now, or 15 years from now, what would you like to see?
This is a question, not Creigh Deeds' answer, but I would sure hope that Sen. Deeds would disagree with the assertion that coal constitutes an "economic lifeline." For an alternative view, how about we ask Jim Webb what he thinks about this (from his book, "Born Fighting").
The people from the outside showed up [in Appalachian coal country] with complicated contracts...asking for "rights" to mineral deposits they could not see, and soon they were treated to a sundering of their own earth as the mining companies ripped apart their way of life, so that after a time the only option was to go down into the hole and bring the Man his coal, or starve. The Man got his coal, and the profits it brought when he shipped it out. They got their wages, black lung, and the desecration of their land...Coal made this part of Appalachia a poverty-stricken basket case while the rest of the mountain region remained mired in isolation.
Yeah, that's some "economic lifeline" there. For "the Man," that is. Also, as we've pointed out here previously, coal represents only 6% of jobs in Southwestern Virginia, let alone in the Commonwealth as a whole, where it constitutes a much, much smaller percentage (99.95% of Virginians are NOT employed by coal mining). In other words, so much for that theory. Now, back to the Deeds interview.
Creigh Deeds: The other vexing point is this. More than 50% of the electric power we have in this country comes from coal.
What I'd like to see in the future is alternative sources of energy developed. I also want to make sure - you know, some people say there's no such thing as clean coal. Well, perhaps there isn't.
Huh? First, Sen. Deeds doesn't correct the "economic lifeline" assertion. He then appears completely confused on the issue of "clean coal." There is such a thing, there isn't such a thing, who knows. Coal's a problem, we need to develop alternatives, or not. Maybe there's "clean coal." Etc., etc. With all due respect, does anyone have any idea what Creigh Deeds is getting at here? I'm lost. And does anyone who knows anything about energy believe that large-scale carbon capture and sequestration (necessary for any hope at "clean coal") will be technologically and economically feasible anytime in the next 15-20 years? Nope, didn't think so.
Creigh Deeds: It's clear to me we cannot burn coal in the future as we did in the past and continue to exist as a people, as a planet. I think it would be irresponsible for us not to consider clean coal technologies. And frankly, those people that say you can't do it, I mean, this is the country where an airplane was developed; this is the country that developed both the wartime and the peaceful uses of nuclear power; this is the country that put a man on the Moon. The only barrier to what we can't do is our imagination and the creativity and the genius of the American mind, so I'm not willing to concede that we can't develop clean coal technology. I'm not willing to concede anything.
OK, so we can't "exist as a people, as a planet" with coal, but we're not "willing to concede anything" in terms of using coal? Is your head starting to spin yet, along with the frantic political spin?
Creigh Deeds: I know this. I know we can't exist if we continue to burn coal the way we have. We have to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint. We have to find ways to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses. That's why we have to continue to look for ways to develop alternative and renewable sources of energy.
But the key to our energy future, it seems to me, is that we can't afford to take any tool off the table. We have to consider everything. We have to consider all of our alternatives and let the science govern what works and what doesn't.
Back and forth...can't continue with coal, but must use coal. [image of "The Scream" painting comes to mind] Then, to top it all off, comes my favorite line of all, that we "can't afford to take any tool off the table." In other words, we're back to coal again. But why? I mean, if it's expensive and dirty, economically and environmentally ruinous to the region where it's mined, why can't we take it off the table? Uhhhhhhhhh. [cue sound of crickets chirping]
Blue Commonwealth: I'm kind of embarrassed. I don't know your position on off shore drilling and exploration.
Creigh Deeds: My position is that, like coal, you can't take it off the table. If we can get royalties, if we can do it in a way that protects our environment, if we can do it a way that does not hamper naval or other military operations offshore - military operations are a huge part of our economy in Hampton Roads in Southeast Virginia, if we can do it a way that doesn't affect our fisheries in a negative way, if we can do it in a way that doesn't affect our tourism industry, which is also a huge part of our economy all over Virginia, then by all means we ought to explore off-shore drilling.
Ugh, here we go again with the "can't take it off the table" evasiveness and/or code language. Let's see: we can't take offshore oil drilling off the table, UNLESS of course it harms fisheries, tourism, the military, etc. Which it almost certainly will (the navy, for instance, is dead set against it). Is that clear?
Creigh Deeds: I think I've got the same position as Jim Webb. In fact, I know it's the same position because we've talked about it. I think my position is probably the same as Mark Warner's, and as far as I know if very close to the position of Tim Kaine.
And the relevance, Sen. Deeds, of your position on offshore drilling supposedly being close to other politicians is...what exactly? How about just stating your case, clearly, and let the voters decide what to make of it, without hiding behind all these popular politicians?
Blue Commonwealth: So, it's fair to say that if off-shore drilling couldn't happen with all those conditions -
Creigh Deeds: Then it wouldn't happen. I just don't think it's fair to say, "Never. Never can we do that." If certain qualifications are met, yeah, yeah, we ought to consider it.
OK, so offshore drilling won't happen...unless it will. Or not. Or something. Again, is that all clear? Maybe clear as mud, or clear as a coal ash spill, or clear as an oil slick on Virginia Beach...
Today, Brian Moran issued a strong statement opposed to building a new coal-fired power plant in Surry County. I checked with the campaigns of the other two Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Terry McAuliffe and Creigh Deeds, and include their statements below. I'd also be interested in hearing from Republican candidates for governor, as well as candidates for LG and AG, on this issue.
Brian Moran
On the steps of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Brian Moran pledged that he will stop the proposed coal-fired power plant in Surry County, Virginia, if elected Governor. Today, he visited DEQ's office to hand deliver a letter calling for a serious investigation into the proposed plant's environmental impact. Moran highlighted the release of millions of tons of greenhouse gases which increases global warming and the significant health risks posed by the coal-burning plant. The proposed plant would be about 50 miles from two major Virginia population centers in Richmond and Hampton Roads, in addition to being close to the Chesapeake Bay.
"Across the nation and right here in Virginia our energy future is in a precarious position," Moran said. "It is essential that we make sound decisions and act boldly in defense of our quality of life, not just for ourselves, but for our children, and our children's children. The proposed coal-burning power plant in Surry should not go forward based on the information currently available to the public. 2009 should be the year that we make unprecedented commitments to clean, renewable energy that can preserve our planet and create thousands of new jobs all over the Commonwealth."
Creigh Deeds
At a time when our country faces enormous economic and energy challenges, Senator Deeds stands with Mark Warner, Jim Webb and Tim Kaine in keeping all options on the table. The proposed power plant will be one of the cleanest in operation in the country, but we must continue working towards the development of clean coal technology. That's why Deeds has proposed making Virginia a leader in the development of alternative and renewable energy by creating an energy-based research triangle-as we solve the energy challenges of this century we can create good-paying green jobs that can't be exported overseas.
Terry McAuliffe
Terry believes that our first imperative should be to reduce the demand for energy. Governor Kaine has made some proposals to do that this year, and Terry supports and would build on those as governor. If we determine that there is a legitimate need for increased power production, we should look first to meet that demand through renewable energy power production. Rather than focusing on old technologies, we should focus on new, clean technologies.
If a new coal plant is built, it should be as clean as possible -- and from my understanding, the one being proposed for Surry County does not meet that standard.
If we were to focus on building renewable energy production facilities, instead of new coal plants, we could create much-needed jobs in places like Surry County and provide energy that is clean and environmentally sound.
Comments? Which statement(s) do you like (or not) and why (not)? Personally, I'm most impressed with Brian's statement, can't really remember seeing anything quite like that since I've been following Virginia politics. Terry's statement is good, but I'd like to see an even stronger position on this one. Creigh's statement...well, let's just say I strongly disagree with him that the Surry plant would be "one of the cleanest in operation in the country." "Cleanest" in terms of carbon emissions? How's that exactly? Hmmmmm.
UPDATE: Terry adds that when he says "clean," he's referring to "CO2 emissions, but really all pollutants." Also, he says he's talking about "making sure we are looking to renewable sources first, not as an afterthought." Finally, Terry says, "The point is to make sure that our regulations match the best technology -- so making sure that, for example, if a coal plant is being built now, it is built to adapt to sequestration technology as soon as it is available."
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I should have flagged this earlier, but Scott Harper of The Virginian-Pilot wrote a 
With U.S. Senator Mark Warner at his side both at a press event in Roanoke and later via conference call, Democratic candidate for governor Creigh Deeds yesterday announced "a comprehensive plan to create jobs and renew Virginia's economy through targeted tax cuts for small businesses, innovative partnerships to generate new jobs in the alternative energy industry, creative initiatives to jump-start an economic recovery in rural regions, as well as a commonsense approach to finally solve Virginia's statewide transportation challenges through responsible, bipartisan leadership".
President Obama has declared this week as "Clean Energy Week". His key Cabinet Secretaries will spread out across the country to host a series of Clean Energy Week events.
Politics matter.
First, let me just say that I like Creigh Deeds, find him to be a thoughtful and intelligent man, someone who cares deeply about people and who is in politics for all the right reason. In conversations I've had with him, he's also seemed sincerely concerned about protecting our environment. In that context, 
Today, Brian Moran issued a strong statement opposed to building a new coal-fired power plant in Surry County. I checked with the campaigns of the other two Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Terry McAuliffe and Creigh Deeds, and include their statements below. I'd also be interested in hearing from Republican candidates for governor, as well as candidates for LG and AG, on this issue.
