The
Connection Newspapers (rightfully) blasts Sen. Dick Saslaw (DINO-Fairfax) in its editorial,
Saslaw Casts Deciding Vote Against Energy Efficiency Bill.
Several environmental groups decry state senator and Democratic Majority leader Dick Saslaw’s decision to cast the deciding vote against a bill written to ensure more energy efficiency in Virginia.
The bill would have required utility companies to reduce their energy consumption 19 percent by 2025 and lead to a reduction in the monthly electric bills for most Virginia residents, according to the environmental groups.
"He has ignored the wants of his constituents and most of the people in Northern Virginia," said Allison Fisher, with Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, a group works with faith communities to combat global warming.
Saslaw did not respond to Connection Newspapers phone calls asking him to comment.
Well, fine, if
Dick Saslaw won't respond to the media, perhaps the voters of his district will respond to HIM by calling his "constituent hotline" at (800) 889-0229 or emailing him at vasenate35@aol.com and letting him know that (note: talking points courtesy of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network - CCAN):
* The goals of Sen. Donald McEachin's bill SB1447 were recommended by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), an independent group that has studied how states all over America can save electricity.
* These goals were also recommended by the Governor's Commission on Climate Change as a way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions in Virginia.
* According to the ACEEE, the bill would have saved Virginia ratepayers $15 billion between now and 2025, and created 10,000 new jobs.
* Senator Saslaw heard from hundreds of constituents on this issue, in the form of handwritten letters, phone calls, emails, and personal visits. Instead of listening to his constituents, he chose to follow his biggest donor.
* In voting against this bill Sen. Saslaw went against his constituents, his party, and his state.
The bottom line is this: Dick Saslaw is good on some issues, but he's utterly abysmal on energy and the environment. Given the urgency of those issues to our economy, our national security, and our planet, Dick Saslaw needs to be primaried and defeated in 2011. Unless, of course, Saslaw gets with the 21st century, the science, and the sentiments of his district's voters before then. Don't hold your breath.
