McDonnell Calls on Virginia Congressional Delegation to Vote No on Cap and Trade Bill

Press Release

Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, called on Virginia's Congressional Delegation to vote no today on Cap and Trade legislation coming before the House of Representatives. The "American Clean Energy and Security Act" (H.R. 2454) would implement a severe limit on the amount of carbon emissions by American energy facilities. The restrictions would lead to dramatically higher energy prices for American consumers and businesses and the exportation of American jobs overseas. One study finds that the average household will pay $1200 more per year if cap and trade legislation is enacted. The formal statement of Bob McDonnell is below.

Statement of Bob McDonnell on Federal Cap and Trade Legislation

"Virginia's unemployment rate is 7.1%. Just yesterday we learned that the Volvo Trucks North America facility in Pulaski County will be downsizing and cutting jobs in the process. In this tough environment we don't need any further impediments to job creation and economic growth in the Commonwealth. The federal cap and trade legislation, if passed, would lead to job losses in Virginia, and higher energy bills for all Virginians. We literally cannot afford for this legislation to be enacted."

"All across Virginia, employers are worried about the impact of this legislation. Yesterday in The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Mark George, Vice President of MeadWestvaco's facility in Covington, warned that if this legislation is enacted, ‘... 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.'"

"The Covington facility is a major employer in the state senate district of my opponent in this gubernatorial campaign. Today I urge Creigh Deeds to join me in requesting that our congressional delegation vote no on cap and trade. As candidates for governor, we have an obligation to make our positions known on legislation that will have a significant impact on the Commonwealth. Virginia jobs are on the line. I call on the members of Virginia's Congressional Delegation to put the interests of Virginia's workers ahead of the big special interests pushing this misguided policy. And I hope Creigh will join me in making this a bipartisan effort on behalf of Virginia's workers."

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