EPA Regs: Picking Up Where Chandler Left Off!

July 12, 2011 - When Ben Chandler voted for Cap and Trade, he voted for massive new emission standards for coal-fired energy.

Listen below to Ben state his environmental position: "I make no apologies..."


(Danville Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, April 2010)

Cap and Trade was never signed into law, so Obama's EPA is instituting it by fiat, issuing the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR).

From the Daily Caller: "The EPA’s actions would cause a net job loss of over 1.4 million job-years by 2020...Electricity rates would increase over 23 percent in coal-reliant areas. Though the EPA might claim the regulations will create jobs, for every job created four will be lost."

The required refitting of power plants must be accomplished by 2014, so there is not time for companies to comply.

Mark Levin, on his July 8,2011 radio program, discussed the regulations and the impact of regulation on our economy:



Promises, Promises....

The Obama/Chandler EPA promises benefits in excess of direct economic losses.

"The CSAPR will help avoid tens of thousands of premature deaths and illnesses, achieving hundreds of billions of dollars in public health benefits. Pollution reductions will also lead to improvements in visibility in national and state parks, and increased protection for sensitive ecosystems including Adirondack lakes and Appalachian streams, coastal waters and estuaries, and forests."

According to Obama/Chandler EPA...

Health Effect and Number of Cases Avoided

Premature mortality - 13,000 to 34,000
Non-fatal heart attacks - 15,000
Hospital and emergency department visits - 19,000
Accute bronchitis - 19,000
Upper and lower respiratory symptoms - 420,000
Aggravated asthma - 400,000
Days when people miss work or school - 1.8 million

"The $800 million in annual projected costs of this rule in 2014, along with the roughly $1.6 billion per year in capital investments already under way as a result of CAIR, are improving air quality for over 240 million Americans.... Any such costs will be greatly outweighed by the benefits."

Spotlight on Donors:
The Roadmap to Ben's Record

New Power PAC:
Paying Ben to "Stop the Destruction" of Coal-fired Energy

“We know that Kentucky loses ground with every day that our leaders coddle the coal industry and refuse to face the future. Kentuckians can’t afford political leaders who are unable or unwilling to seize this moment and make the most of it. It’s time for new power!”

Ben chandler fundraising www.seebenspend.com And..they decided it's time for Ben Chandler! Ben Chandler was the only candidate New Power PAC supported in 2010, with contributions totalling $11,684, given in Oct. 2010.

New Power PAC was formed in Oct. 2010 by Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC), an environmental group espousing a shift from fossil fuels to alternative energy.

KFTC claims credit for the cancellation of East Kentucky Power's (EKPC) plans for a coal-fired power plant in Clark County in Nov. 2010. EKPC agreed to withdraw all construction permits and enter into collaberation with KFTC to expand the use of "renewable" energy and energy efficiency programs by the electrical coopoerative. KFTC, in return, agreed to dismiss a number of lawsuits and other challenges which were pending against EKPC. KFTC also promised not to oppose the power company's efforts to recover costs already spent on the plant.

The working group thus arranged includes reps from KFTC, their environmental allies, the KY Office of the Attorney General, and electrical distribution co-ops. EKPC agreed to pay the start-up costs for the group, including up to $100,000 for studies of wind resources or other forms of "renewable" energy.

Kind of like buying the rope for your own hanging!

It's interesting to note that GE, the manufacturer of wind turbines, has also been a generous donor to Ben's campaigns over the years.

If Ben sounds less than sincere in expressing any "desire" to see coal do well in the future...there's a reason! It seems he'd rather have you bear the cost of environmental surcharges, even if it runs into billions, than give up campaign funding. After all, what's really important?

New Power PAC also is interested in "economic justice": "KFTC's vision is a commonwealth where the basic needs of all Kentuckians are met, where public funds are equally distributed to advance the common good, where private corporations are accountable to citizens, and where sustainable local economies are nurtured. 

Yep, Ben's their man...bought and paid for.

Chandler Follows Obama's Environmental Policy; Killing Jobs and Power in Kentucky

The "Chandler Effect"

If you can't afford coal-powered heat next winter, warm up with Bourbon!

www.seebenspend.com coal-free winter Ben Chandler has proudly introduced H. R. 1986, to amend the tax code to benefit makers of aged distilled spirits such as bourbon.

Chandler's statement: "Bourbon is a signature Kentucky product throughout the nation and around the world. The bourbon industry supports thousands of Kentucky jobs and this bill is an important step in leveling the playing field in the growing distilled spirits industry. A part of Kentucky for hundreds of years, bourbon is a key piece of Kentucky's brand."

"The bourbon industry brings in billions of dollars in ecomonic activiy and supports thousands of Kentucky jobs. As I have said before, we need to nurture the golden goose, not kill it." Source: Anderson News 6/8/11


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Meanwhile, in the world of coal and energy: KU customers had a pleasant surprise included in their May billing. KU must upgrade their facilities to comply with new and existing environmental regulation of coal-fired power plants, to the tune of $1.1 Billion...so far.

From the notice: "The capital cost of the new pollution control facilities for which KU is seeking recovery at this time [emphasis mine] is estimated to be $1.1 Billion. Additional operation and maintenance expenses will be incurred for these projects and are costs that KU is requesting to recover through the environmental surcharge in its application."

The impact on you? Higher electric bills: 1.5% in 2012; up to 12.2% in 2016.


Shutting Down Kentucky: Read more about new coal regulations here.

Ben has picked the bourbon industry as a big winner,
And Coal As A Big Loser!

Why?

FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!

Ben Chandler www.seebenspend.com

Career total of campaign contributions to Ben from the beer and liquor industry: $145,086.

In March 2011, just 3 months before announcement of H.R. 1986, Brown-Forman and Jim Beam principals and PACs chipped in $16,000. In fact, Brown-Forman is #1 on Ben's career contributor list at $63,050.

On the coal side of things: On April 6, Ben co-signed a letter released from Heath Shuler's office trying to drum up support for the Clean Water Protection Act, H.R. 1375. This law is an attempt to shut down surface mining.

The letter: Hat Tip: Kentucky Political Watch


Above: Kentucky as Ben portrays us to his buddies in DC.

"I don't like the way our mountains are looking..."
Ben Chandler, KET - 2006. Listen below:



Chandler has been going after coal for a long time.

Okay, Ben. A few questions for you.

You state in your poison pen letter that surface mining "results in a tremendous loss of traditional underground coal mining jobs." Why?

These two general types of mining perform very different tasks. You wouldn't construct a deep mine to curve back up to coal near the surface. Conversely, it would be insane to go after deep coal using surface mining techniques. The location of the coal determines the technique, not the whim of a coal company.

Would encouraging BOTH types of mining provide TOO MANY JOBS, or TOO MUCH PROSPERITY? If we were ALLOWED to have all that energy, just imagine what Kentucky could do!

If tax breaks produce jobs and prosperity, why not give them to EVERYBODY? Yet Ben singles out "favorites" for special treatment. It just seems to be that more often than not, those "favorites" are on Chandler's contributor list.

Coal provides power to every industry in Kentucky, even bourbon production! In one way or another, electricity is the foundation for EVERY SINGLE JOB. Yet, rather than being rewarded with tax breaks, our coal-based energy is shackled with increasing regulatory burdens. Power companies are reaching their wit's end!

In case you were wondering; coal companies are not found on "The List" of Chandler contributors, and what do they get? Hammered...attacked...with every Kentuckian becoming part of Ben's collateral damage. Ultimately, the consumer pays the bill for increased energy cost buried in the price of every product they buy.

Ben's motto is "Kentucky First". All of it...? Or only the part that pays?


Surface Mine site: Peaceful coexistence...

Click here to visit an old surface mine site. It's beautiful! AND it's part of your heritage, whether Ben recognizes it or not.

During the 2010 KET debate between Chandler and GOP challenger Andy Barr, when the specter of energy rate increases arose, Chandler dismissed it out of hand. "Right-wing talking points", he sniffed.

The bill for this "right-wing talking point" is pretty hefty!
Ben's denial of reality is costing you plenty...

Update...Wow!!! $1.1 Billion IS a lot of money!
Obama bought himself a nice little war for just that amount!
He deployed Marines and ships and jets and missiles and...everything!
Gosh, all we got for the same price is a big smothering pile of politicial correctness.

It pays to shop around...sigh.