Rockefeller family aides anti-coal movement twice
From Sunshine Review
September 14, 2009 Sen. Jay Rockefeller (WV-D) not only funds the Tides Foundation, which contributes funds to several anti-coal foundations operating in West Virginia, but directly funds anti-coal foundations operating in his state.[1]
[edit] Sen. Rockefeller
The family foundation of former West Virginia governor Sen. Rockefeller, the Rockefeller Family Foundation (RFF), has donated almost $500,000 to anti-coal, pro-cap and trade groups in one year, in addition to the funds that he donated to the Tides Foundation, which made their way into anti-coal efforts.
The RFF is run by the fifth generation of the Rockefeller dynasty. It is a multi-million dollar fund that has continuously supported stopping coal plant construction, including in West Virginia, the state that Sen. Rockefeller represents.
[edit] The gamble
West Virginia is coal-rich and many of the jobs there are related to the coal industry. The WV Coal Association says that West Virginia coal is shipped to 33 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 25 countries, making it the provider of 50 percent of all U.S. coal exports. Together the coal industry and the coal burning electric generating industry make up nearly 60 percent of the business taxes paid to West Virginia state government. Over 50 percent of American electricity is generated by coal, at a cost of about 8 cents per kilowatt/hour.
Pres. Barack Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency puts the hold on 79 mountaintop removal (MTR) permits for further review.
In the 2008 election cycle, Sen. Rockefeller endorsed Obama over now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. This was unexpected because both Rockefeller and Clinton were friends.
At a 2008 campaign event at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, Rockefeller introduced Obama to introduce his green jobs plan. At this event Obama promoted “clean coal” as part of his plan.
[edit] Legislation
The Senate is planning to vote on the cap-and-trade vote policy this fall, which would also slow the coal-mining industry in Rockefeller's West Virginia.
In the past the senator has called global climate change, a “serious environmental and economic issue.” He also said he is “fighting hard to make sure any Senate energy legislation secures a strong and prosperous future for coal – and he will keep a strong voice for West Virginia and coal in the debate.”
According to Open Secrets, five of the top 20 donors to Rockefeller during the 2009-2010 cycle have been from coal and energy-related company political action committees and individuals, including: $20,000 from Foundation Coal, $22,300 from CONSOL Energy, $25,750 from General Electric, $27,500 from American Electric Power, and $31,200 from Peabody Energy.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ↑ "Family Ties – The Rockefeller Family Fund and West Virginia," West Virginia Watchdog, September 14, 2009
| |||||||
