Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) receives “Lump of Coal” Award

WASHINGTON D.C. — The American Energy Alliance knows that Senator Harry Reid already left town for his Christmas vacation, with no intention of returning to Washington until next year.  Nevertheless, the American Energy Alliance has selected Senator Reid as today’s recipient of the 2011 “Lump of Coal” Award for his unyielding opposition to affordable energy for American consumers.

“Senator Harry Reid left town last weekend with the bipartisan-passed Keystone XL pipeline provision hanging in legislative limbo.  The current impasse over final approval of the pipeline exists for the sole reason that Senator Reid doesn’t want to interrupt his Christmas vacation,” noted AEA President Tom Pyle in today’s award announcement.

“Two years ago, when it was Obamacare before the Senate, Harry Reid was more than willing to keep the Senate in session through the night and into the morning of Christmas eve to pass the bill, which almost immediately began to stall job creation according to a Heritage Foundation study.  But now, when it’s a bill that will almost immediately create 20,000 jobs and keep the U.S. from sending $70 million overseas for oil imports, Senator Reid is already in his cap and settling down for a long winter’s nap.

“Everybody knows that Harry Reid hates coal.  We also know that he supports crony capitalism for green energy producers. And we know that he’s willing to hurt the coal industry by using parliamentary tricks on the Senate floor.  But the time for his cloakroom stunts and procedural delays to end.  Americans need jobs, and they need affordable energy.  His failure to lead, and his willingness to forestall development of the Keystone XL pipeline make him a most deserving recipient of this year’s award.”

The American Energy Alliance previewed the inaugural 2011 “Lump of Coal Awards” for energy stupidity, which will be announced December 8-23, 2011.  To learn more about coal’s important place in America’s energy future,click here.  To learn the facts about coal production in the United States, click here.

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