From the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, this stellar video describes how Dominion Resources, with the full support of Virginia governor Timothy Kaine (D), is breaking ground on a $1.8 billion coal-fired plant in Wise County, VA. On June 26, officials recently appointed by Kaine to the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board unanimously granted air quality permits to Dominion Virginia Power, a subsidiary of Dominion Resources.

Watch it:

On June 30:

– Dominion began construction of the plant

– 13 people were arrested for blockading the entrance to Dominion’s headquarters in Richmond

– Citing the threat of global warming, a Georgia judge blocked a $2 billion coal plant.

Gov. Kaine has received $88,000 in campaign contributions from Dominion since 2002.

Here’s some previous Wonk Room coverage on King Coal’s rush to tear down our nation and burn up the planet:

– Jim Rogers, Duke’s Charlatan CEO

– Coal Industry Launches Full-Scale Attack Against Climate Legislation

– REPORT: Nevada Power Company Making Risky Bet On Coal

– Report Vindicates Sebelius: Coal’s Cost Puts Kansans ‘At Significant Risk’

– Democratic Candidates, in Coal Country, Wax Enthusiastic About Coal

– Resisting Fearmongering, Kansas Governor Holds Firm On Rejecting Dirty Coal

It may not be Shakespearean tragedy, but the once proud sport utility vehicle has finally fallen from grace. SUV sales are crashing, and they are getting too expensive to drive with $100 fill-ups, but you can’t get your money back in the used car market. Oh, and you better have a lock on your gas cap or thieves will siphon off your fuel.

I cannot shed a tear for SUV buyers, but I will refrain from saying “I told you so.”

The Washington Post had a lachrymose piece last week, “SUV Drivers Burned Twice: At the Pump, on the Car Lot: Some Unload Vehicles for Less Than They Owe.” They noted:

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The World Bank has officially approved two climate investment funds – a Clean Technology Fund and a Strategic Climate Fund. The UK, U.S., and Japan have already said they’ll give money to the Clean Tech Fund, which is expected to be worth about $5 billion.

The Bank’s approved the funds one week before the G-8 conference where climate change is going to be a dominant issue for discussions. I’m not sure that this approval will change the conversations much or instigate any further donation or action, but, it’s a step.

Though maybe not the best one. Climate Progress previously covered the testimony of David Wheeler, from the Center for Global Development, on the creation of the Clean Tech Fund and its being housed by the World Bank. According to Wheeler, the Bank has major changes it needs to make into how it would manage qualifying projects (indeed, all its projects), including integrating carbon accounting into the decision-making process (i.e. calculate emissions).

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