Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Kirk Cox, House Commerce and Labor Committee Chairman Terry Kilgore, and House of Delegates candidates Mary Margaret Kastleberg (R-Henrico) and D.J. Jordan (R-Prince William), held a press conference call today to discuss Virginia Democrats’ support for an energy tax scheme the SCC says will raise Virginians power bills by $144, or 10 percent, per year.
“A true fundamental difference between Republicans and Democrats in this cycle is that Republicans support policies that will make sure energy stays affordable, while Democrats support policies that will lead to higher power bills,” said Speaker Cox. “The SCC has stated that this energy tax scheme known as RGGI would raise electric bills for residential customers by up to $144 per year, or a 10% increase on the average bill.”
“This is a fundamental difference between the two parties,” said House Commerce and Labor Chairman Terry Kilgore (R-Gate City). “This energy tax scheme known as RGGI would not only raise electric bills for residential customers, but will also close power plants costing us jobs. Virginia Democrats tried to force Virginia into this program unilaterally earlier this year and Virginia Republicans were the only thing standing between higher electric bills and our constituents. We are going to continue to support policies that ensure electricity is affordable for Virginia families.”
“As the former chair of the Virginia State Board of Social Services, I am particularly concerned about, and we must be mindful of, the families struggling day-to-day to stay out of poverty,” said D.J. Jordan, the Republican nominee in the 31st House District. “According to the SCC, this program amounts to an energy tax that would increase electricity bills for families by up to $144, or 10 percent on the average bill, per year. In Northern Virginia, with a higher cost of living, the possibility of higher electric bills is of grave concern, which is exactly what RGGI would do.”
“My opponent supports policies that will drive up energy costs for families, seniors, and small businesses, and I think his support of RGGI is proof of that,” said Mary Margaret Kastelberg, the Republican nominee in the 73rd District. “Energy costs are important to the citizens of Henrico. For someone on a fixed income, $144 is a lot of money. That’s new shoes for a couple of children going back to school or the co-pay for a senior citizen who needs life-saving medication. Unfortunately, my opponent seems more than willing to send Virginians higher power bills via this energy tax scheme for no real benefit.”
House Democrat incumbents and candidates in competitive districts who support the RGGI energy tax scheme:
House District 10: Wendy Gooditis (D-Loudoun)
House District 12: Chris Hurst (D-Montgomery)
House District 13: Danica Roem (D-Prince William)
House District 21: Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D-Virginia Beach)
House District 31: Elizabeth Guzman (D-Prince William)
House District 34: Kathleen Murphy (D-Fairfax)
House District 50: Lee Carter (D-Manassas)
House District 51: Hala Ayala (D-Prince William)
House District 66: Sheila Bynum-Coleman
House District 68: Dawn Adams (D-Richmond City)
House District 72: Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico)
House District 93: Mike Mullin (D-Newport News)
The following House Democrat candidates have not yet publicly opposed RGGI, but were endorsed based on their support for the energy tax-scheme:
House District 27: Larry Barnett
House District 28: Joshua Cole
House District 40: Dan Helmer
House District 73: Rodney Willett
House District 76: Clint Jenkins
House District 83: Nancy Guy
House District 85: Alex Askew