Ad targets W.Va. Dem over ‘war on coal’

Crossroads GPS is targeting Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) in a new ad over President Obama’s carbon pollution regulations on power plants.

The group, which is the nonprofit arm of GOP strategist Karl Rove’s American Crossroads, claims Rahall “endorsed” Obama’s climate agenda by backing a carbon tax.

{mosads}”The issue here in West Virginia: Obama’s war on coal,” the 30-second ad buy released on Monday states. “Congressman Nick Rahall endorsed Obama and voted for a carbon tax.”

The vote referenced in the ad is one Rahall placed in favor of the Congressional Progressive Caucus budget solution.

The budget offered by the liberal caucus imposed a carbon tax to help increase funding for alternative energies and pay for the budget’s revenue levels.

The ad claims the tax would drive up energy bills, “cripple” the coal industry and hurt jobs.

It goes on to urge voters to tell Rahall to protect coal jobs and stop the “war on coal.”

Rahall, who is facing a tough reelection, came out in fierce opposition to the administration’s proposed carbon emissions standards. The rules would mandate that the nation’s fleet of existing power plants cut carbon dioxide 30 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels.

After the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the rules in June, Rahall proposed legislation to block the new standards, and has said he does not support a carbon tax.