In an interview with POLITICO, Alison Lundergan Grimes refused three times to say whether she opposes new regulations on coal-fired power plants, and wouldn’t say if she opposes cap and trade legislation.
EPA REGULATIONS: “Grimes Declined Three Times To Say Whether She Opposes New Federal Emission Regulations On Coal-Fired Power Plants.” “In an interview that the campaign limited to less than nine minutes, Grimes declined three times to say whether she opposes new federal emission regulations on coal-fired power plants, instead raising more general concerns about burdensome restrictions on Kentucky’s coal sector.” (Manu Raju, “Bluegrass Bravado: Untested Alison Lundergan Grimes Takes On Mitch McConnell,” Politico, 1/23/14)
CAP-AND-TRADE: Grimes “Wouldn’t Explicitly Say Whether She Opposes Cap-And-Trade Legislation.” “She wouldn’t explicitly say whether she opposes cap-and-trade legislation to control global warming, saying instead there are ‘too many regulations’ on businesses.” (Manu Raju, “Bluegrass Bravado: Untested Alison Lundergan Grimes Takes On Mitch McConnell,” Politico, 1/23/14)
Kentuckians should be extremely concerned that Grimes, who claims to support the coal industry, won’t take a strong stand on issues as basic as opposing the job-killing regulations on coal-fired power plants.
Leaders in the coal industry have questioned Alison Lundergan Grimes’ commitment to coal before:
Coal Industry Questioning If Grimes Will Be Different Than President Obama When It Comes To Coal. “A top coal industry leader in Kentucky is questioning if Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes can break with President Obama on restraining environmental regulations.” (Phillip M. Bailey, “Kentucky Coal Leader Doubts Alison Lundergan Grimes Could Be Stronger Advocate Than Mitch McConnell,” WFPL News, 9/18/13)
Kentucky Coal Association President Bill Bissett Said That Grimes Has Rarely Been Involved With The Industry. “But attempts to pick up support from Kentucky coal industry leaders has yet to materialize when many already view McConnell as their top advocate. ‘One person’s position on coal is defined and the other has yet to be,’ says Bissett. … Bissett adds that Grimes hasn’t said much about the subject until now and rarely was involved with the industry’s concerns or needs in her capacity as secretary of state.” (Phillip M. Bailey, “Kentucky Coal Leader Doubts Alison Lundergan Grimes Could Be Stronger Advocate Than Mitch McConnell,” WFPL News, 9/18/13)
And her tendency to fundraise with politicians with intensely anti-coal agendas doesn’t help her case:
Bissett: Reid’s Assistance To Grimes “Is Concerning.” “The association with Reid doesn’t escape notice in the coal fields, said Bill Bissett, president of the Kentucky Coal Association. While making clear the association does not endorse candidates, Bissett said Reid’s assistance to Grimes’ campaign ‘is concerning.’ Bissett said the coal industry is ‘very appreciative’ of Grimes statements of support for coal and miners, but ‘Harry Reid has been very clear on coal. If someone gives you money, they usually expect you to act the way they want.’” (Ronnie Ellis, “Grimes, McConnell Spar On Coal Issues,” Richmond Register, 9/19/13)
Grimes Attends Fundraiser With San Francisco Lt. Governor Who Calls Coal ‘Fuel From Hell.’ “Grimes was scheduled to be in San Francisco on Tuesday for a fundraiser with California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and other prolific Democratic fundraisers. Newsom, one of the hosts of the fundraiser, according to an invitation obtained by the Lexington Herald-Leader, has long advocated for a clean-energy economy. In a 2011 news conference at the annual Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, Newsom argued that there are more jobs in developing renewable energy than in retrofitting coal-fired power plants.” (Herald-Leader, 10/29/13)
So here’s the question: How does Alison Lundergan Grimes “stand for coal” if she doesn’t oppose the new federal emission regulations that will negatively impact Kentucky’s coal industry?
“At this point, Alison Lundergan Grimes would have to pull another mulligan to convince Kentucky voters that she truly supports the coal industry. Refusing three times to oppose the new job-killing federal emissions regulations on coal-fired power plants shows where she really stands on this issue, which is right in lock-step with her Democrat leaders Harry Reid and Barack Obama,” said Kelsey Cooper, Communications Director for the Republican Party of Kentucky.
