Coal industry attacks Zack Space for cap-and-trade

The Ohio Coal Association is going after U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, for his vote in favor of House climate-change legislation passed earlier this year.

Space represents Ohio's 18th Congressional District, which includes the northern portion of Athens County. He joined the majority of House Democrats in narrowly passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 with a vote of 219 to 212.

The county's other congressman, U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-St. Clairsville, was one of 44 Democrats to vote against the legislation. Wilson represents Ohio's 6th Congressional District, which includes the city of Athens and most of the county.

The centerpiece of the legislation is a "cap-and-trade" program that sets a ceiling on emissions of heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide and allows polluting industries to trade emission permits or allowances to meet it.

Space said in a release at the time of his vote that the legislation would make unprecedented investments in Ohio's coal industry, creating thousands of jobs.

With the U.S. Senate now looking to vote on a similar bill, the OCA has put up approximately a dozen billboards in the 18th District reading: "Like a puppet on a string, Congressman Space danced to Nancy Pelosi's tune in voting for the National Energy tax. Senator Sherrod Brown, don't make the same mistake."

Ohio Coal Association President Mike Carey called Space's vote horrible.

"It was the worst possible vote that you could make being from a coal-producing district," Carey said. "Period."

While Carey acknowledged that his association has donated to Space in the past, which includes a $1,000 contribution on Feb. 10 of this year, he said it will not be doing so again unless Space apologizes for voting against the coal miners.

"I don't expect him to apologize," Carey said. "I expect that we will continue to hear excuses as to why he voted for the bill."

At the time of his vote, Space said that the legislation would invest $150 billion in clean-coal technology, making Ohio a leader in energy production. Additionally, he said the bill would create thousands of jobs in Ohio and generate opportunities for local industries, as well as ensuring that savings would be passed directly to consumers.

A release from Space claimed that 59,000 lower-income households in the 18th District would see a net income gain from the legislation, thanks to offset payment provisions that Space secured.

"I worked with and also stood up to members of both parties to make sure this bill protects Ohio businesses while laying the groundwork for new jobs and lower prices for Ohio consumers," Space said at the time. "From securing a future for Ohio coal to creating new opportunities for our steelworkers and our manufacturers, it is time we finally declare our energy independence, making our nation stronger, more prosperous, and more secure."

But Carey, who testified before a Senate committee last week, predicted that this bill, if passed, will kill the coal industry.

"If you vote on a bill that kills the coal industry, you're not voting in the best interest of the hard-working people in your district," Carey said, "period."

Carey disputed Space's claims that the legislation helps the coal industry, saying there are no such provisions in the bill.

"This bill is bad for coal because it will start the process of fuel-switching to other energy over coal," Carey said. "It will make coal-consumption technology expensive. And the technology that both of these bills talk about going into 2020 and 2030 has not even been developed commercially yet. And it is still being developed now."

There are many obstacles to carbon sequestration, Carey said.

"The problem, honestly, is that it's not been developed yet," he said, adding that while carbon sequestration is something that needs looked at, it can't be tied in with a cap-and-trade bill.

Carey also said that the bill won't lower man-made carbon-dioxide emissions by any significant amount.

"So all this bill will do is make energy cost more in America, have the average taxpayer paying a burden for that, and also the average people on fixed incomes paying more for electricity, and, ultimately, you're looking at little carbon reduction and lots of money spent," Carey said.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee rallied behind Space, citing his efforts in support of the coal industry.

"Zack Space is one of the most outspoken fighters for Ohio coal in Congress "“ helping to secure $150 billion in clean-coal technology to ensure a prosperous future for Ohio coal," said DCCC spokesperson Gabby Adler. "These attacks are nothing but political games to distract folks from Zack Space's real record of fighting for jobs in Ohio, protecting our national security, and investing in our country's future."

Carey said, however, that there is little doubt that the bill will raise energy costs for consumers.

"The bill is going to destroy consumers," he said. "Somebody is going to have to pay for higher electric, and it's certainly not going to be the utility companies. It's going to be the consumers out there."