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| EPA’s proposal on carbon emissions creates complications for coal-state Democrats | EPA’s proposal on carbon emissions creates complications for coal-state Democrats |
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| The Obama administration’s proposal to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants prompted an immediate backlash from Democrats in conservative-leaning states Monday, underscoring the extent to which the president’s energy policy will become a major front in the battle for control over Congress this fall. | The Obama administration’s proposal to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants prompted an immediate backlash from Democrats in conservative-leaning states Monday, underscoring the extent to which the president’s energy policy will become a major front in the battle for control over Congress this fall. |
| The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule, which is now subject to public comment and will be finalized a year from now, would cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal plants by up to 30 percent by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. It tackles the largest source of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions, the electricity sector, which is helping drive climate change. | The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule, which is now subject to public comment and will be finalized a year from now, would cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal plants by up to 30 percent by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. It tackles the largest source of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions, the electricity sector, which is helping drive climate change. |
| While environmentalists and liberal supporters of President Obama hailed the move as a long-overdue effort to tackle one of the biggest threats facing the planet, it added new complications for a party already facing a difficult midterm election landscape. | While environmentalists and liberal supporters of President Obama hailed the move as a long-overdue effort to tackle one of the biggest threats facing the planet, it added new complications for a party already facing a difficult midterm election landscape. |
| Nineteen states get more than half their electricity from coal-fired power plants, according to data collected by the Energy Information Administration. Kentucky and West Virginia get more than 90 percent of their power from coal. | Nineteen states get more than half their electricity from coal-fired power plants, according to data collected by the Energy Information Administration. Kentucky and West Virginia get more than 90 percent of their power from coal. |
| While the EPA made concessions to those states in crafting its climate target — coal-heavy Indiana will not have to make the same cuts as states such as New York and Washington — that did little to curb the slew of attacks from Democratic candidates running in those states. | While the EPA made concessions to those states in crafting its climate target — coal-heavy Indiana will not have to make the same cuts as states such as New York and Washington — that did little to curb the slew of attacks from Democratic candidates running in those states. |
| The National Republican Senatorial Committee was quick to say it would use the decision against vulnerable Democrats on Tuesday with automated calls hitting voice-mail boxes in Virginia, Louisiana, Colorado and Alaska, all states where incumbent Democratic senators are seeking re-election. The committee will target Northern Virginia swing voters and Gulf Coast residents specifically, and independents in Colorado and Alaska more broadly, a committee spokeswoman said. | The National Republican Senatorial Committee was quick to say it would use the decision against vulnerable Democrats on Tuesday with automated calls hitting voice-mail boxes in Virginia, Louisiana, Colorado and Alaska, all states where incumbent Democratic senators are seeking re-election. The committee will target Northern Virginia swing voters and Gulf Coast residents specifically, and independents in Colorado and Alaska more broadly, a committee spokeswoman said. |
| The regulations are “all part of [Obama’s] radical energy plan, which he said would make electricity rates ‘skyrocket,’ ” the robocall in Virginia will say. “Tell Mark Warner higher gas prices and new EPA regulations just don’t make sense for Virginia.” | The regulations are “all part of [Obama’s] radical energy plan, which he said would make electricity rates ‘skyrocket,’ ” the robocall in Virginia will say. “Tell Mark Warner higher gas prices and new EPA regulations just don’t make sense for Virginia.” |
| Among the Democrats criticizing the EPA proposal was West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D), running for an open U.S. Senate seat. She pledged to “stand up” to Obama, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy “and anyone else who tries to undermine our coal jobs.” | Among the Democrats criticizing the EPA proposal was West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D), running for an open U.S. Senate seat. She pledged to “stand up” to Obama, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy “and anyone else who tries to undermine our coal jobs.” |
| “President Obama’s new EPA rule is more proof that Washington isn’t working for Kentucky,” said Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), Kentucky’s secretary of state and the Democratic nominee against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “When I’m in the U.S. Senate, I will fiercely oppose the president’s attack on Kentucky’s coal industry because protecting our jobs will be my number one priority.” | “President Obama’s new EPA rule is more proof that Washington isn’t working for Kentucky,” said Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), Kentucky’s secretary of state and the Democratic nominee against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “When I’m in the U.S. Senate, I will fiercely oppose the president’s attack on Kentucky’s coal industry because protecting our jobs will be my number one priority.” |
| Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.Va.), one of the most vulnerable Democrats seeking re-election this year, pledged to introduce legislation blocking the new rules. | Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.Va.), one of the most vulnerable Democrats seeking re-election this year, pledged to introduce legislation blocking the new rules. |
| The Democratic opposition highlights the delicate balancing act the party faces between a president who wants to make a lasting impact on climate change and a Senate majority that hinges on members in energy-producing states. Incumbents like Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) are far more friendly to oil and gas industries that dominate their states than the Obama administration has been. | The Democratic opposition highlights the delicate balancing act the party faces between a president who wants to make a lasting impact on climate change and a Senate majority that hinges on members in energy-producing states. Incumbents like Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) are far more friendly to oil and gas industries that dominate their states than the Obama administration has been. |
| And Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a major supporter of federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions, said in an interview Monday that the party was big enough to encompass these disparate views. | And Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a major supporter of federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions, said in an interview Monday that the party was big enough to encompass these disparate views. |
| “Our Senate candidates will be trying to protect the best interests of their states, and I think ultimately that’s going to lead to them to being successful this fall,” he said. | “Our Senate candidates will be trying to protect the best interests of their states, and I think ultimately that’s going to lead to them to being successful this fall,” he said. |
| The balance between acting on environmental issues that are high priorities for Obama and left-leaning big donors and creating jobs in energy-producing states represented by Democrats has come up several times in recent years. Energy-state Democrats have pushed the administration to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and open new lands for oil and gas exploration. | The balance between acting on environmental issues that are high priorities for Obama and left-leaning big donors and creating jobs in energy-producing states represented by Democrats has come up several times in recent years. Energy-state Democrats have pushed the administration to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and open new lands for oil and gas exploration. |
| Strategists close to those big donors say they are less concerned with Landrieu’s position on oil drilling or Pryor’s support for Keystone than the larger goal of salvaging the Democratic majority in the Senate. | Strategists close to those big donors say they are less concerned with Landrieu’s position on oil drilling or Pryor’s support for Keystone than the larger goal of salvaging the Democratic majority in the Senate. |
| “This race is not about fracking, it’s about control of the United States Senate and a number of public policies that will be affected by that,” said David Kenney, a Colorado Democratic strategist who bundled more than $1 million for Obama in the 2012 election cycle and organizes fundraisers for senators visiting Denver. “I haven’t heard anybody say I won’t vote for this person or that person over fracking. Every conversation I’ve been in is, we cannot lose the United States Senate.” | “This race is not about fracking, it’s about control of the United States Senate and a number of public policies that will be affected by that,” said David Kenney, a Colorado Democratic strategist who bundled more than $1 million for Obama in the 2012 election cycle and organizes fundraisers for senators visiting Denver. “I haven’t heard anybody say I won’t vote for this person or that person over fracking. Every conversation I’ve been in is, we cannot lose the United States Senate.” |
| At the same time, major donors for whom action on climate change is a top priority have become more integral to Democratic fundraising in recent years. California investor Tom Steyer has pledged to mobilize $100 million for the midterm elections this year in key states, using climate change to spotlight droughts and public health while casting Republicans in a negative light. | At the same time, major donors for whom action on climate change is a top priority have become more integral to Democratic fundraising in recent years. California investor Tom Steyer has pledged to mobilize $100 million for the midterm elections this year in key states, using climate change to spotlight droughts and public health while casting Republicans in a negative light. |
| “Climate change is a real and present danger. This Congress has failed in its most basic responsibility to protect the health and welfare of the American people from this grave threat,” Steyer said in a statement Monday. | “Climate change is a real and present danger. This Congress has failed in its most basic responsibility to protect the health and welfare of the American people from this grave threat,” Steyer said in a statement Monday. |
| The overwhelming majority of Americans support the idea of the federal government curbing greenhouse gas emissions, even if they have to pay for it. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 70 percent of Americans back federal carbon limits on existing power plants, and 63 percent — including 51 percent of Republicans, 64 percent of independents and 71 percent of Democrats — said they would be willing to pay $20 a month in order to do so. | The overwhelming majority of Americans support the idea of the federal government curbing greenhouse gas emissions, even if they have to pay for it. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 70 percent of Americans back federal carbon limits on existing power plants, and 63 percent — including 51 percent of Republicans, 64 percent of independents and 71 percent of Democrats — said they would be willing to pay $20 a month in order to do so. |
| Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters, told reporters that the proposed rule “is both good politics and good policy” because that sentiment is shared by voters in 11 battleground states this year. He compared the issue to same-sex marriage, predicting it will help mobilize young voters this fall. | Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters, told reporters that the proposed rule “is both good politics and good policy” because that sentiment is shared by voters in 11 battleground states this year. He compared the issue to same-sex marriage, predicting it will help mobilize young voters this fall. |
| “In particular, the younger you are, the more intense you are around this issue,” he said. | “In particular, the younger you are, the more intense you are around this issue,” he said. |
| But to keep the Senate, Democrats must rely on lawmakers who take the opposite view. | But to keep the Senate, Democrats must rely on lawmakers who take the opposite view. |
| Landrieu has been the most vocal Democrat resisting the administration’s environmental proposals. In May, Landrieu introduced a measure with Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) that would have immediately authorized construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, a bill co-sponsored by Pryor, Begich and Sen. John Walsh (Mont.), another energy-state Democrat facing a tough fight this year. | Landrieu has been the most vocal Democrat resisting the administration’s environmental proposals. In May, Landrieu introduced a measure with Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) that would have immediately authorized construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, a bill co-sponsored by Pryor, Begich and Sen. John Walsh (Mont.), another energy-state Democrat facing a tough fight this year. |
| As chairman of the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee, Landrieu has used campaign advertisements to tout her influence as a boon to Louisiana’s oil and gas industries. Last week, she guided Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on a tour of oil and gas hubs along the Gulf Coast. | As chairman of the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee, Landrieu has used campaign advertisements to tout her influence as a boon to Louisiana’s oil and gas industries. Last week, she guided Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on a tour of oil and gas hubs along the Gulf Coast. |
| But even more environmentally friendly Democrats have to walk a fine line on climate issues. Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) stresses an all-of-the-above energy approach and supports safe and well-regulated fracking; oil and gas industries make up more than 10 percent of his state’s gross domestic product. Udall is the son of the late Rep. Mo Udall (D-Ariz.), considered one of the fathers of modern conservation politics. | But even more environmentally friendly Democrats have to walk a fine line on climate issues. Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) stresses an all-of-the-above energy approach and supports safe and well-regulated fracking; oil and gas industries make up more than 10 percent of his state’s gross domestic product. Udall is the son of the late Rep. Mo Udall (D-Ariz.), considered one of the fathers of modern conservation politics. |
| Steyer and environmental groups that will spend millions more on like-minded candidates have said they won’t spend money for Landrieu or Pryor. But several groups say they will stand up for Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Begich, two senators who have supported EPA regulations on the Senate floor. | Steyer and environmental groups that will spend millions more on like-minded candidates have said they won’t spend money for Landrieu or Pryor. But several groups say they will stand up for Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Begich, two senators who have supported EPA regulations on the Senate floor. |
| The Democratic debate over energy policy and climate change is further complicated by governors, particularly in Western states, where oil and gas industries make up a significant part of the economy. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) are ardently pro-fracking. Even California Gov. Jerry Brown (D), caricatured as the ultimate 1970s liberal and who has called for urgent action on climate change, signed a measure in 2013 regulating the fracking industry. The first drilling in California is likely to begin this year. | The Democratic debate over energy policy and climate change is further complicated by governors, particularly in Western states, where oil and gas industries make up a significant part of the economy. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) are ardently pro-fracking. Even California Gov. Jerry Brown (D), caricatured as the ultimate 1970s liberal and who has called for urgent action on climate change, signed a measure in 2013 regulating the fracking industry. The first drilling in California is likely to begin this year. |
| Early in Obama’s first term, the intraparty tension cost the White House a key policy priority. The Democratic-led House passed cap-and-trade legislation by a narrow margin, with several energy-state Democrats voting no. Despite a 60-seat Democratic supermajority in the Senate, the bill never stood a chance because Democrats such as Landrieu and Pryor would never have voted for it. (When he first won his Senate seat in 2010, West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin III ran a campaign ad in which he took a shot, with a hunting rifle, at the cap-and-trade bill.) | Early in Obama’s first term, the intraparty tension cost the White House a key policy priority. The Democratic-led House passed cap-and-trade legislation by a narrow margin, with several energy-state Democrats voting no. Despite a 60-seat Democratic supermajority in the Senate, the bill never stood a chance because Democrats such as Landrieu and Pryor would never have voted for it. (When he first won his Senate seat in 2010, West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin III ran a campaign ad in which he took a shot, with a hunting rifle, at the cap-and-trade bill.) |
| The disconnect between donors who live in big cities on the coasts and elected officials who have to balance budgets and create jobs in energy-producing states causes tension within the party. | The disconnect between donors who live in big cities on the coasts and elected officials who have to balance budgets and create jobs in energy-producing states causes tension within the party. |
| “For us, it’s not a social good. For us, it’s our livelihood,” Kenney said of oil and gas exploration, which makes up 11 percent of Colorado’s gross domestic product. “I’d politely suggest they send their checks and let us figure out our public policy,” he said of donors who think otherwise. | “For us, it’s not a social good. For us, it’s our livelihood,” Kenney said of oil and gas exploration, which makes up 11 percent of Colorado’s gross domestic product. “I’d politely suggest they send their checks and let us figure out our public policy,” he said of donors who think otherwise. |
| Scott Clement and Peyton Craighill contributed to this report. | Scott Clement and Peyton Craighill contributed to this report. |
| Related: | |
| What you need to know about the coal plant proposal |