Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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September 5, 2010

McDonnell: Cap and trade could put unfair burden on SWVa.

By CHARLES OWENS Bluefield Daily Telegraph





RICHLANDS, Va. — Gov. Bob McDonnell is speaking out in support of Southwest Virginia’s coal and gas industry.

During a stop in Tazewell County last week, McDonnell was asked to comment on the federal climate change, or cap and trade legislation, proposed by lawmakers in Washington.

“I’m a very big supporter of the coal and natural gas industry,” McDonnell said when asked about federal cap and trade and climate change legislation, and how it could impact the coalfields of Southwest Virginia.

McDonnell said he is not opposed to carbon capture and other clean coal technologies. However, he compares the proposed federal climate change bill to a national energy tax.

“I am a strong opponent of cap and trade,” McDonnell added.

According to McDonnell, such legislation could also create an unfair burden on coal-producing regions such as Southwest Virginia.

McDonnell also was asked about two topics that appear to be generating controversy as of late in Virginia — empowering Virginia State Troopers to enforce immigration laws and privatizing the state’s ABC stores.

McDonnell announced last week that he was moving ahead with a proposal that would allow the Virginia State Police to enforce immigration laws. Under the governor’s proposal, troopers would be able to perform some of the functions currently performed by federal immigration officers.

When questioned by reporters in Tazewell County regarding the immigration controversy, McDonnell said the proposed immigration law would provide troopers another tool and a limited right to question suspects about their immigration status during a criminal investigation. McDonnell said troopers could utilize the new public safety tool  while investigating serious crimes such as rape, murder and drug-related offenses.

In terms of the state’s liquor stores, McDonnell believes the privatization of the ABC stores will create millions in new funding for transportation while also bringing the Commonwealth in line with a majority of other states that have privatized ABC stores.

“I think it makes a lot of common sense to get government out of the business of selling alcohol,” McDonnell said.

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

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