The Roanoke Times recently printed this op-ed from VBEG member Al Weed:

“A new poll commissioned by the American Windpower Energy Association indicates that fully 75% of Americans support a mandatory renewable electricity standard. …

“The debate over a mandatory RES is in full throat today in Congress, and Rep. Rick Boucher, DAbingdon, is in a position to play a very constructive role. Yet he, like many of his Southern colleagues, is resisting the 25% goal. There are many reasons for this, but without doubt one reason is that renewable electricity will supplant the use of coal. …

“Coal, however, has been fading fast–even without carbon pricing that will make coal pay for the CO2 it emits as a greenhouse gas. Direct employment in coal mining in Virginia in 2007 was down to about 4,800. …

“What should be defended … is the right of these folks to have jobs and clean communities–and to have leaders who will spend more energy helping to build a future …

“We can learn from the experience in Virginia’s tobacco country. . . . Former tobacco farmers at least still have their land and will benefit from the coming biomass economy.”… (Click the link above to read the whole article on The Roanoke Times.)