Alison Lundergan Grimes’ & Harry Reid’s anti-coal Senate

Tonight, Senate Democrats plan to hold an all-night “talk-a-thon” to discuss climate change.

From The Hill:

“At least 28 Senate Democrats are pulling an all-nighter on Monday to wake up ‘stubborn’ climate change deniers in Congress. 

“With substantial climate change legislation all but dead in Congress, the senators involved in Monday’s climate-fest just want to get to a point where lawmakers can agree that climate change is a scientific fact. 

“And having the Senate Democratic leadership on their side doesn’t hurt, said Sen. Brian Schatz, (D-Hawaii), who helped spearhead the push for congressional action on climate change.

“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) will be among those participating in the talk-a-thon on the Senate floor, along with Sens. Dick Durbin (Ill.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), along with 22 others.”

And just last week The Huffington Post reported:

“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday that climate change is a really big deal — the biggest, in fact.

“‘Climate change is the worst problem facing the world today,’ said the Nevada Democrat at a roundtable with reporters.”

Their filibuster, led by the most anti-coal liberal in the Senate, Harry Reid, is yet another example of the priorities of a Reid-led Senate – more EPA regulations, climate change publicity stunts, and killing the coal industry.

“If Alison Lundergan Grimes were elected to the Senate, it would absolutely ensure liberals like ‘coal makes us sick’ Harry Reid will continue to set an agenda in Washington that destroys Kentucky’s coal and manufacturing jobs,” said Kelsey Cooper, Communications Director for the Republican Party of Kentucky.  

BACKGROUND

Asked If She Believes “That The Burning Of Fossil Fuels Contributes To Climate Change,” Grimes Dodged The Question. REPORTER: “Do you believe that the burning of fossil fuels contributes to climate change and how would you address that?” GRIMES: “Well I’ll tell you, we’re goiong to have the next 15 months to discuss this campaign. Today I’m here as Secretary of State in my official capacity, excited to a part of the Farm Bureau’s event, and to make that sure we see some proceeds go to some great charities.” (Alison Lundergan Grimes, Press Gaggle, Louisville, KY, 8/22/13)

Asked If Greenhouse Gases From Coal Impacts Climate Change, Grimes Says “We Have But One Earth.” REPORTER: “Do you consider the greenhouse gases coal produces, does that effect climate change?” GRIMES: “I realize that we have but one Earth and we need to leave it in better shape than we found it, but again there is a common sense solution approach and it doesn’t require attacking an already devastated state in an already very ravaged industry. We need to work together and the regulations that have come out all but permit coal fire plants from actually being constructed, and I have called upon the President and our leaders in Frankfort to quit passing out of touch Washington regulations that are hurting Kentucky.” (Alison Lundergan Grimes, Press Availability, Lexington, KY, 9/24/13) 

Grimes “Dodged A Question About Whether She Believes, As Scientists Do, That Its Pollution Causes Climate Change.” “On coal — a mainstay of the Kentucky economy — she dodged a question about whether she believes, as scientists do, that its pollution causes climate change, saying, ‘I believe that coal keeps the lights on here in Kentucky.’” (Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Kentucky Challenger Sets Sights On Senate G.O.P. Heavyweight,” The New York Times, 2/21/14)

Grimes Campaign Tells WFPL That She Does Recognize Climate Change And The Impact Carbon Emissions Have On The Planet’s Weather. “The Grimes campaign told WFPL the first-term secretary of state does acknowledge climate change and the effects carbon emissions have on the planet’s weather patterns.” (Phillip M. Bailey And Erica Peterson, “Kentucky Environmentalists Want Alison Lundergan Grimes To Address An Energy Future Beyond Coal,” WFPL, 9/23/13)

Grimes Fundraising With Major Democrat Climate Activists

Grimes Has Won Support From Major Democrat Donors Like Susie Tompkins Buell “Who Is Part Of An Informal Circle Of Wealth Climate Activists.” “Still, the support of major Democratic donors such as Susie Tompkins Buell — who is part of an informal circle of wealthy climate activists and 2012 backers of climate friendly candidates — illustrates that not all is black and white. ‘It is far better to win the Senate than have every senator on the same page,’ Buell said in an email after an October fundraiser she and her husband, Mark, held for Grimes at their California home. ‘We can’t always be idealistic. Practicality is the political reality.’” (Darren Goode, “Greens Face Grimes Dilemma,” Politico, 11/11/13)

  • Buell Is “An Outspoken Opponent Of Keystone XL.” “Buell, who has been an outspoken opponent of Keystone XL, didn’t offer any details about the Grimes’s fundraiser, including the amount of money raised. ‘We had a great event [with] lively conversation among people very concerned [about] the future,’ Buell said. ‘Alison was very impressive. Her vibrant attitude, command of the issues, concern for the future, absolute conviction and spunky energy was very refreshing.’” (Darren Goode, “Greens Face Grimes Dilemma,” Politico, 11/11/13)

Coal Industry In Kentucky Leery Of Grimes

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)

  • Bissett: “[O]ur Industry Has Looked At Sen. McConnell As The Chief Adversary Of President Obama…”. “‘I would say our industry has looked at Sen. McConnell as the chief adversary of President Obama since he took office. I think you’ve seen Sen. McConnell be very engaged in coal and standing in the way of a lot the president’s policies as it relates to coal in Kentucky.’”(Phillip M. Bailey, “Kentucky Coal Leader Doubts Alison Lundergan Grimes Could Be Stronger Advocate Than Mitch McConnell,” WFPL News, 9/18/13)

Lexington Herald Leader: “Grimes Raises Money With Opponents Of Coal-Fired Power.” “Alison Lundergan Grimes was raising money for her U.S. Senate campaign with opponents to coal-fired power on the same day that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joined a pro-coal rally in Washington. 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. ‘You can go back to the old economy and the fuels from hell, the coal economy and nuclear, or you can get into the renewable economy and actually create more jobs, reduce your costs, and begin to focus on the global perspective and be more competitive with smart infrastructure and 21st century infrastructure,’ Newsom said.” (Sam Youngman, “Grimes Raises Money With Opponents Of Coal-Fired Power,” Lexington Herald Leader, 10/29/13)

Grimes & Regulations?

In January 2014, “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)

Grimes Wouldn’t Promise To Repeal Federal Regulations Effectively Limiting Coal Production. “Mr. McConnell wants to repeal federal regulations that would effectively limit coal production. Ms. Grimes promises only to ‘rein in overburdensome regulations.’” (Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Kentucky Challenger Sets Sights On Senate G.O.P. Heavyweight,” The New York Times, 2/21/14)


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