McDonnell Sends Letter to Senators Warner and Webb on Cap and Trade Legislation
RICHMOND- At Saturday’s first gubernatorial debate Bob McDonnell asked Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds to join him in sending a bipartisan letter to Virginia’s United States Senators, Mark Warner and Jim Webb, urging them to vote no on cap and trade legislation when it comes before the United States Senate.
Mr. Deeds refused the offer.
The text of Mr. McDonnell’s letter, sent this afternoon, is below.
Office of Senator James Webb
248 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Office of Senator Mark Warner
459A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senators Webb and Warner,
As you are aware, the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), more commonly referred to as cap and trade legislation, has passed the United States House of Representatives. It will now move to the United States Senate for its next vote. For this reason I write you today, as a candidate for Governor of Virginia, to respectfully request that you vote no on this legislation which would have a negative impact on the future economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth, and the livelihoods of Virginia’s workers and families.
I had hoped to make this a bipartisan request for action. On Saturday I asked my opponent in this race, State Senator Creigh Deeds, to join me in the sending of this letter. Unfortunately, Mr. Deeds has declined to join me in a united effort to protect Virginia jobs.
All across the Commonwealth workers and employers are concerned about what cap and trade legislation would do to energy rates, and the impact it would have on our job-creating industries. I saw this first hand when I visited MeadWestvaco’s Covington facility last Friday. I am sure you both have visited this great Virginia employer. It is the largest employer in Alleghany County, and one of the biggest employers in Mr. Deeds’ state senate district.
Mark George, Vice President of the facility, has recently written in The Richmond Times-Dispatch that “If the ACES Act passes Congress, MeadWestvaco’s Covington mill operations, which provide 1,500 jobs in the Alleghany Highlands, will definitely be one of the losers. The economic future for our area will be severely impacted.” During my visit on Friday, Mark told me, “I feel that the next governor of Virginia, and every representative we have, should care about keeping jobs in Virginia.” I agree.
The cap and trade legislation under consideration would cost jobs in the Commonwealth. Leaders in the coal industry, manufacturers and employers both large and small have expressed to me their strong opposition to this legislation. And it won’t just affect Virginians at their places of employment. It will cost them at home as well. One estimate finds that if this legislation is passed the per-household fiscal impact from higher electricity costs would be $1200 per year.
I know you both diligently seek to do what is right for the Commonwealth. You are good and dedicated public servants. If I am fortunate to be elected this November, I will work with you on every important issue that impacts the people of Virginia. As I stated at Saturday’s gubernatorial debate, I don’t care if it’s a Democratic or a Republican Congress. If there is legislation under consideration that has the potential of costing Virginia jobs, and hurting our workers, families and small business owners, I will stand up against it. That is the job of a Governor.
We should look for every opportunity to work across party lines to do what is right for the people of Virginia. This is one such opportunity. I ask you to stand up for Virginia jobs by voting no on the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act when it comes before the United States Senate.
With great respect for your continuing service to our Commonwealth,
Bob McDonnell
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