FACT CHECK: Kaine’s Latest Ad Misleads Voters About His Record On Energy

Former DNC Chair Supports President Obama & The EPA’s Job-Killing Energy Regulations 

After supporting President Obama and his EPA’s job-killing regulations on clean and affordable energy, today former Democrat National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine unveiled a new ad that attempts to mask his liberal record on energy.

Despite Kaine’s election year posturing, he’s actually been a staunch supporter of President Obama’s job-killing cap-and-trade proposal.  Additionally, Kaine has also fought against offshore energy exploration, which would create thousands of jobs and lower the price of gasoline.

“Former DNC Chairman Tim Kaine’s ad is incredibly misleading, because not only does he oppose offshore energy exploration – which would create jobs and lower gas prices – he also supports President Obama’s job-killing cap-and-trade proposal,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh.  “With a record like that, it’s clear Chairman Kaine’s  record on energy is wrong for Virginia.”     

BACKGROUND….

CHAIRMAN KAINE SUPPORTS CAP-AND-TRADE

Kaine Has “Long Advocated” For A Federal Cap-and-Trade System: “Governor Kaine has long advocated a federal, nationwide cap-and-trade program to bring about annual CO2 reductions in the United States and has proposed a 19% reduction in electricity consumption in Virginia by 2025, the top recommendation of the governor’s commission on climate change.”   (Governor Tim Kaine, “Governor Kaine, United Kingdom Forge New Agreement To Address Climate Change Issues,” Press Release, 2/12/09)

During The 2008 Presidential Campaign, “Mr. Kaine . . . Stressed Mr. Obama’s Plan For A Cap-And-Trade Program Involving The Auction Of Carbon Allowances, and the senator’s goal of using the funds to invest $150 billion over 10 years to promote and research green energy issues. He said the Democratic presidential candidate also would hold a global summit aimed at coming up with an updated strategy to deal with energy and climate change.” (Gary Emerling, “Allen, Kaine Face Off Over ‘08 Candidates,” The Washington Times, 10/16/08)

“‘[I] Think We Ought To Be Preparing For A Long-Term Shift Toward Energy Sources That Are Lower Carbon Or No Carbon,’ Said U.S. Senate Candidate Tim Kaine, a self-described ‘all of the above’ guy on energy production.” (“Kaine: ‘All Of The Above’ On Energy,” Augusta Free Press, www.augustafreepress.com, Posted 1/27/12)

AND OPPOSES OFFSHORE ENERGY EXPLORATION

2009: Kaine, While Still Claiming To Support Exploratory Drilling For Natural Gas, “Asked The Department Of The Interior To Postpone The Proposed Lease Sale For Oil And Gas Exploration”

2009: “[Cantor] Recently Asked The U.S. Department Of The Interior To Include Virginia In Its Five-Year Plan For Offshore Oil-And-Gas Drilling. Even Though Governor Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Is Against It.” (Asha Beh, “Cantor Fights Kaine Over Ruining Virginia’s Shores,” NBC Washington, www.nbcwashington.com, 9/30/09)

“In February, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine Asked The Department Of The Interior To Postpone The Proposed Lease Sale For Oil And Gas Exploration, Which Could Occur As Early As 2011.” (Allison Brophy Champion, “Cantor: Drilling For Oil Off Va.’s Coast Would ‘Power Our Economy,’” [Culpeper, VA] Star Exponent, 9/30/09)

“Kaine Argued That The State’s Offshore Energy Policies Do Not Support Exploration For Oil Or Production Of Gas Or Oil.” (Allison Brophy Champion, “Cantor: Drilling For Oil Off Va.’s Coast Would ‘Power Our Economy,’” [Culpeper, VA] Star Exponent, 9/30/09)

• “Instead, He Believes The State Policies Support Federal Efforts ‘To Determine The Extent Of Natural Gas Resources 50 Miles Or More Off The Atlantic Shoreline, Including Appropriate Federal Funding For Such An Investigation.’” (Allison Brophy Champion, “Cantor: Drilling For Oil Off Va.’s Coast Would ‘Power Our Economy,’” [Culpeper, VA] Star Exponent, 9/30/09)

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