I saw this article earlier today and immediately thought of Virginia Republicans. I’ll explain in a minute, but first the news.

Alpha Natural Resources Inc. is planning to file for bankruptcy protection in Virginia as soon as Monday as the biggest miner of U.S. coal used in steelmaking struggles amid the worst commodities slump in more than a decade, according to three people with direct knowledge of the matter…

Bristol, Virginia-based Alpha Natural would follow rivals Walter Energy Inc., Patriot Coal Corp. and James River Coal Co. in filing for bankruptcy during the past 15 months as met coal prices dropped 72 percent since 2011.

Alpha Natural, despite reporting $1.8 billion in cash and available credit at end of March, hasn’t turned in a profit since 2010, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The thing is, it’s not just Alpha, but the entire coal industry that’s getting pounded by a variety of forces: cheap natural gas, the rise of wind and solar power, and the recognition that coal is cooking the planet to death.

So how does the decline of the coal industry potentially impact Virginia politics? First, as VPAP reports, the energy/natural resources sector has donated around $52 million to Virginia politicians since 1996. Of that, around $14 million has come from “Coal Mining/Processing,” with another $16 million from heavily coal-powered utilities. And where has that money gone in terms of partisan distribution? Here are a few examples just to give you a feel for how lopsided it’s been in favor of Republicans.

Coal company Alpha Natural Resources: $3.0 million, of which $2.3 million has gone to Republicans.

Coal executive Richard Baxter Gilliam: $2.7 million, of which only $1,000 has gone to Democrats, while $1.6 MILLION has gone to Republicans and $1.1 million to “other” (I believe a lot of this went to right-wing SuperPACs, like American Crossroads, that might not be classified as “Republican” by VPAP, but are clearly pro-Republican).

Coal/natural gas producer Consol Energy: $1.2 million, of which the overwhelming majority – $940k – went to Republicans.

Virginia Coal Association: $1.1 million, of which $740k went to Republicans.

Coal executive Marvin W Gilliam, Jr.: $683k, all but $3k of which went to Republicans.

Coal company United Co.: $519k, of which $324k went to Republicans.

Massey Coal: $466k, of which all but $8.3k went to Republicans.

Coal miner Cumberland Resources: $453k, of which all but $30k went to Republicans.

We could go on, but I think you get the picture: the vast majority of Virginia coal industry $$$ has gone to Virginia Republicans over the years, with only a small share going to Democrats. Which could mean, at least in theory, that as the coal industry goes down the tubes financially, the impact will be disproportionately negative on Virginia Republicans. We’ll see, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on…

Great job, RPV! LOL

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, July 29. Also, interesting infographic from ThinkProgress on Democratic 2016 presidential candidates’ climate plans. So far, at least, it looks like Martin O’Malley is in the lead…

*As the world mourned Cecil the lion, five of Kenya’s endangered elephants were slain (This s*** needs to end. Now.)

*It’s worse than Walter Palmer and Cecil the Lion: Inside the sick, bizarre world of trophy hunting (These people are all criminals and psycopaths; the U.S. government needs to crack down hard!)

*Conservative Media Use Cecil The Lion’s Death To Attack Planned Parenthood (Speaking of psycopaths…)

*Campus officer charged in death of unarmed man (It’s about time!)

*The Sam Dubose Police Report Is Full of Falsehoods From Ray Tensing’s Fellow Officers (Those “fellow officers” need to be fired and/or charged with crimes as well.)

*Clinton attacks the GOP on climate change. But her plan has a glaring gap. (I agree that putting a price on carbon pollution is crucial.)

*How will presidential candidates piece together a win in Virginia? (“They will need to build a coalition from seven distinct voter groups.”)

*Trump leads Republican presidential race with 25 percent: Reuters/Ipsos poll (Political pundits wrong yet again. As for the people who support Trump…ee gads.)

*Congress

Businesses fume as Congress lets Export-Import Bank stay dead (“”We’re at a loss how Congress can literally go on vacation and just say, ‘Good luck, guys.'” For starters, it’s not “Congress” generically, it’s specifically Tea Party Republicans, some of whom I bet those same businesses gave money to!)

*Possible MH370 Debris Found in the Indian Ocean

*You vote, but plutocrats decide: The real story about the GOP primary that even the liberal media won’t tell you (“Campaign journalism isn’t just the worst — horserace nonsense actively obscures how the rich bought the system”)

*Natural gas pipeline discussion considers combining routes

*McAuliffe pushes back on GOP calls for Planned Parenthood investigation

*Clinton donors also pumped millions into McAuliffe’s coffers (Not surprising.)

*Editor who oversaw Rolling Stone’s U-Va. rape story to step down

*Former University of Virginia Fraternity Members Sue Rolling Stone

*Jim Gilmore officially files for presidential run (He must need money or something.)

*Portsmouth and its contempt for citizens

*Bernie Sanders supporters come together in Roanoke

*McAuliffe PAC returns $25K donation to Houston oil firm

*Virginia Gov. McAuliffe stands by Maryland blue crabs comment

*Justice Dept. looking into treatment of deaf inmates in Arlington jail

*Wind turbine company seeks Botetourt County’s approval for test towers

*With roster evolving around him, Bryce Harper homers twice to lead Nationals past Marlins

*D.C. area forecast: Steamy morning leads to stormy afternoon; weekend hot but dry

From Rep. Don Beyer's office; I really appreciate his leadership on the #1 issue facing humanity. 

July 29, 2015 (Washington, DC) – Congressman Don Beyer released the following statement in response to the Department of Defense (DoD) Report on the National Implications of Climate Change:

“Today’s report from the Defense Department is another emphatic statement that climate change is not only real, but is a national security threat,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Sea level rise, drought and severe weather, natural disasters, food insecurity, and competition for scarce resources jeopardize our security, here and abroad. Unless we commit now to addressing this problem, we risk catalyzing conflict and adding to instability around the globe. The DoD recognizes the severity of this crisis – it is time for Congress to do the same.”

The report finds that climate change is a security risk, Pentagon officials said, because it degrades living conditions, human security and the ability of governments to meet the basic needs of their populations.  The DoD found that “global climate change will have wide ranging implications for U.S. national security interests over the foreseeable future because it will aggravate existing problems.” Communities and states that already are fragile and have limited resources are significantly more vulnerable to disruption and far less likely to respond effectively and be resilient to new challenges, they added.

“The Department of Defense's primary responsibility is to protect national security interests around the world,” officials said in a news release announcing the report’s submission. “This involves considering all aspects of the global security environment and planning appropriately for potential contingencies and the possibility of unexpected developments both in the near and the longer terms.”

Find more information on the DoD’s report on the security implications of climate change here and here. 

From DPVA. I'd say we know what they're afraid of.

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, July 29. Also see the video of Sen. Tim Kaine speaking last night at an event for Janet Oleszek’s Fairfax County Board campaign against Republican John Cook. According to Kaine, “you will make people happier or madder in local government than anywhere else…you get measured by your results, not your slogans.” On the other hand, you have the ability to counter voter cynicism by “being a good listener and trying to solve [people’s] problems” while “helping your community.” Finally, Kaine said there’s a “night-and-day difference” between Janet Oleszek and John Cook when it comes to support for schools, teachers, education.

*US dentist accused of killing Cecil the lion ‘upset’ as hunter becomes hunted (“As Zimbabwean police say he faces poaching charges, Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer faces furious criticism on social media.” He needs to be in jail for a long time, as do all people who do these heinous things.)

*Despite gains, Obama’s work in Africa unfinished

*Sarah Palin would be welcome in a Trump administration, the billionaire says (Hahahahaha.)

*Fox lowers threshold for early debate (“The change serves to guarantee the presence of candidates such as Lindsey Graham and Carly Fiorina.”)

*GOP introduces legislation to defund Planned Parenthood

*The People Trying To Destroy Planned Parenthood Have A New Plan: Gross You Out

*New Report Reveals The Severe Economic Impacts Climate Change Will Have In The South

*Republican Presidential Candidate Speaks Out On Marital Rape (“Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson on Tuesday denounced Donald Trump’s lawyer’s assertion that ‘you cannot rape your spouse,’ a defense the attorney made against allegations that Trump raped his former wife.”)

*Va. Republicans reject McAuliffe’s request for redistricting meeting (“The Democratic governor said striking a deal ahead of deadline would save taxpayers money” Since when do Republicans care about saving taxpayers money?)

*Third Planned Parenthood video prompts renewed call for Va. probe (“Republicans put more pressure on McAuliffe and Herring after an antiabortion group’s latest effort.”)

*Schapiro: Special elections as an alternate reality. (“In Fairfax, potential targets include members of the House Republican leadership – Dave Albo, chairman of the judge-selecting Courts Committee, and Tim Hugo, head of the House GOP caucus. Another Fairfax Republican on Democratic turf is Jim LeMunyon. In Loudoun, there’s Randy Minchew and Tag Greason. In Prince William and environs, Republicans include Bob Marshall, among the House’s most outspoken conservatives; Scott Lingamfelter; Rich Anderson; and Jackson Miller. Even Speaker Bill Howell’s district in Stafford may be shaky.”)

*Virginia leaders launch multifaceted initiative for job growth

*McAuliffe: Tired of waiting on deal to rework port’s $1 billion-plus lease

*The new Jamestown relic that could rewrite history

*Virginia home sales record strongest second quarter in seven years

*Backlash over boxes: Intent questioned on voter registration form edits

*By withholding jail video, Fairfax County sends a message that it opposes accountability (Inexcusable.)

*Wind turbine foes file lawsuit against Botetourt County (This needs to be thrown out of court.)

*Fairfax board votes to move forward on Seven Corners redevelopment

*Peninsula-area pastors discuss race, community issues

*Nats get Papelbon from Phillies; Storen will move to setup role

*D.C. area forecast: Still sweaty with a chance of storms tomorrow

We’ll see if this approach works. I’m not holding my breath…