McDonnell Statement on New Senate Cap and Trade Legislation
-Reiterates Strong Opposition to Job Killing Legislation-
Senate Version Exceeds House Cap; Still Less than Cap Called for by Creigh Deeds This Year
RICHMOND- Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, issued the following statement this morning following news that a new Cap and Trade measure will be introduced by Senate Democrats in Washington today. The Senate Democrats’ version of Cap and Trade calls for a mandatory 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020. Of note, while this is a stricter cap than the version supported by House Democrats, it is still less than the reductions called for by the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change which recommended Congress pass a Cap and Trade program achieving even steeper cuts of “at least a 25% reduction by 2020.” Creigh Deeds served as a member of the Commission and told the Sierra Club this spring, as a candidate for governor, “As a member of Gov. Kaine’s Climate Change commission, I have endorsed the many measures undertaken through our work.” More information can be found below McDonnell’s statement.
Speaking about the Senate legislation, McDonnell remarked, “This new Senate legislation would be even more devastating to Virginians than the version already passed by the House. I am dedicated as a candidate, and will be dedicated as governor, to preventing this job killer from passing. I will work with our congressional delegation to convey the strong opposition of the Commonwealth to this legislation. Virginians need good jobs, they can’t afford the passage of legislation that will lead to the loss of thousands of jobs in the years ahead. Virginians are stretched thin in their checkbooks, they can’t afford the increased energy costs that will accompany Cap and Trade. Put simply, Virginians don’t need another tax, they don’t need more layoffs. It is incredibly disappointing that my opponent, just this spring as a candidate for governor, endorsed congressional passage of this kind of scheme. Virginians need a governor who will look out for their best interests and stand up to any initiatives, in Richmond or Washington, that threaten their jobs or their budgets. I will be that governor.”
Cap and Trade Creigh: The Facts
Just last year Creigh Deeds served on Governor Kaine’s Climate Change Commission. The Commission specifically recommended:
“Advocating for federal actions that will reduce net GHG emissions. For example, the report calls on Congress to establish a mandatory economy-wide cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that allows use of certified high quality offsets, and includes, through a combination of free and auctioned allowances, a financial incentive to reduce carbon emissions, with revenues to be used for actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change…”
http://www.naturalresources.virginia.gov/documents/CCC_Final_Report_Highlights.pdf
Inside the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change-Final Report:
“Virginia will advocate for federal actions that will reduce net GHG emissions. The Governor should ask Congress to act as soon as possible to pass comprehensive climate change legislation that includes the following key provisions: Establishes a mandatory economy-wide cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Achieves at least a 25% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020…”
Creigh boasted of his support for the Commission’s recommendations this spring, telling the Sierra Club in a formal candidate survey:
“As a member of Gov. Kaine’s Climate Change commission, I have endorsed the many measures undertaken through our work.”
http://hrsierraclub.org/VirginiaGovernor.htm