For decades, West Virginia has looked to the state government to solve their economic problems, only to find themselves falling further behind. Today, West Virginia has the lowest economic freedom of any state in America. Regulations and expensive lawsuits have driven businesses out, leaving one last major industry: coal.

As WVU Professor of Economics Russ Sobel says in this video, coal is an industry that’s captive: it can’t “pick up and leave” the state.

What state bureaucrats haven’t done to force coal jobs out of the state, cap-and-trade will accomplish. As coal plants’ operating costs skyrocket, it will be more profitable to provide goods and services in another state or, more likely, overseas. When West Virginia’s last major economic lifeline disappears, what will happen to the people who live there?

If cap-and-trade passes, it would be harmful for all of us, but it would be particularly devastating to West Virginia.

The AEX is rolling through Virginia this afternoon, heading from Lexington to New Kent. There, we’ll attend the Colonial Downs harness racing season opener. Our plans to attend the horse races got some of us talking about, well, horse racing, and how it relates to cap-and-tax.

We threw around a few obvious jokes pretty quickly. Cap-and-trade is a dummy’s bet; it will kill our economy just as if the President went to the track and bet on a scratched horse. It’s a sure loser.

But the more I think about it, the more I think those jokes aren’t strong enough. When you’re picking a horse, despite the odds, you might win. Not to mention the fact that those wagering on ponies choose their own bets and play with their own money. With cap-and-trade, the government is forcing Americans to bet on a dead horse– losing money is a sure thing.

I doubt we’ll see many people at Colonial Downs wagering on dead horses, but I am confident that we’ll hear from more Americans who are concerned about the government’s irresponsible policies. We’re looking forward to hearing their stories, as well as the many others we’re sure to hear in the next few days as we take the AEX through the Old Dominion.

The American Energy Express (AEX) has covered some 3500 miles. We’ve visited cities and towns in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia and have spoken to thousands of hard-working Americans about the impacts cap-and-trade would have on our nation.

Today was a different story. We attended the Friends of America Rally in Holden, West Virginia.

After reading local media reports that estimated attendance was nearing 100,000, we thought it would be best to get the AEX set up the night before. So, Tom, our all-star motor coach operator, and I trekked up Mine 22 Ridge Road late last night to her set up.

The rally/concert took place a reclaimed mine site – a perfect venue for an event of this nature. (more…)