#ncpol: Richard Burr. George Holding. “Solar Champions.” (Oy, vey.)
This does not surprise me about Burr. His core beliefs are about as flexible as those girls down at the “gentlemen’s club” near the airport. (Just like those ladies, he works for tips, too.)
But, George Holding is a different story. I’ll have to admit, I thought he was a little weak as US attorney — ready to cut deals at the drop of a hat. When it came down to HIM vs. Renee Ellmers, I saw him as the much better choice for conservatives. He started doing some things in Congress — racking up respectable conservative ratings — that gave me reason to have hope for him.
But then we hear this:
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is honored to present both Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Rep. George Holding (R-NC) with the prestigious SEIA Solar Champion Award, an honor bestowed upon entities or individuals who have helped strengthen solar power in America. Another award winner this year was Richard Kauffman.
“Under the leadership of Senator Burr and Representative Holding, North Carolina now ranks in the top 10 for both solar deployment and solar jobs, proving the payoff to expanding solar development is indisputable,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO. “These legislators have demonstrated that they recognize solar is an economic engine, not a partisan technology. We thank them for their support and proudly present them with these well-deserved awards.”The two North Carolina lawmakers were awarded this recognition for their continued leadership in the Senate and House to promote greater use of solar energy. Their support helped secure an extension of the federal solar investment tax credit in 2015, leading to increased deployment and employment nationwide.
“The solar industry employs over 7,000 people in North Carolina–a testament to how many folks are using solar energy in our state,” Congressman George Holding said. “I’m honored to receive this award, and excited to see what the industry develops in the years to come to meet our growing energy demands.”
According to recently released data from SEIA and GTM Research’s U.S. Solar Market Insight report, North Carolina now ranks No. 2 in the nation for cumulative solar capacity with 3,012 megawatts of solar installed. This growth has led to the solar industry becoming a major employer in the state with 1,161 solar jobs added in North Carolina in 2016 alone, bringing the total to more than 7,100 solar employees in the Tar Heel State, representing manufacturers, contractors, project developers, distributors and installers.
Why, George? You clearly don’t need their money. Your alleged mentor, Jesse Helms, would NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER have voted for this crap or sold his soul to these people like this.
“Support for solar” is code for dumping a lot of taxpayer money into private businesses that could not survive 
without said government money. (There is nothing “conservative” about it.) These solar energy mandates knock our power bills up sky high. Solar energy is not a viable substitute for fossil fuels. It’s responsible for massive rolling blackouts and economic turmoil all over Europe. WHY IN THE HELL would we want to import all of that mess over here?
Deep down, at least for the politicians, it’s all about whoring for some extra cash. It’s tossing your morality, and your devotion to your constituents, out the window for a few extra dollars.
Burr has no shame. But he, unfortunately, has a recently renewed six year lease in DC. Holding KNOWS better. That’s what makes this extra disappointing.
Helms voted for tobacco subsidies though…
You really are clueless. The tobacco program was self funding. Solar is a long way from self funding. It relies on massive taxpayer subsidies and on forcing electric utilities to buy their product at highly inflated prices compared to competitors, which they then pass along to consumers.
Remember that buying Richard Burr was part of the package when our hard core environmental movement bought his consultant Paul Shumaker. Buying progressive Republican consultants Shumaker and Stewart was one of the best investments our side ever made. They are helping secure President Obama’s green legacy.
I’ve been calling Holding out for years on this very site. Holding only gets conservative around election time. Smoke and mirrors!
It amazes me the US House passed an Obama Care repeal 6 times and now with a republican president we get NOTHING!
Politicians who prostitute themselves to corrupt special interests like the solar mafia with its hands out for massive corporate welfare are disgusting. Pandering to this bunch of bandits means that Holding and Burr are thumbing their noses at conservative principles, at the platform of the Republican Party, at taxpayers who are ripped off by the corporate welfare, and at the electric ratepayers, whose bills are driven up the more of this inefficient and expensive solar energy that gets put into the grid.
Conservatives should shun Holding at every turn. He is not one of us. He is a corrupt special interest RINO member of the establishment. Holding has ambitions for higher office. He needs to be stopped, and he needs to be primaried and taken out as a Congresscritter.
Politicians who prostitute themselves to corrupt special interests like the FOSSIL FUELS mafia with its hands out for massive corporate welfare are disgusting. Pandering to this bunch of bandits means that Holding and Burr are thumbing their noses at conservative principles, at the platform of the Republican Party, at taxpayers who are ripped off by the corporate welfare, and at the electric ratepayers, whose bills are driven up the more of this inefficient and expensive FOSSIL FUEL energy that gets put into the grid.
You really are a clueless drinker of the far left koolaid, aren’t you?
Nope.
Not any different than those that lay down for the CCA. That would be the Coastal Conservation Association now joined at the hip with the Wildlife Federation so as to enable the advisor to their BOD to peddle their demands and enticements via his political position as NC GOP Ch. That would be Robin Hayes. This man turned his back on the GOP 3rd district, multiple county BOCs and municipalities by aiding and abetting the demise of the commercial fishing industry all the while assisting the special interest CCA to take control of NC’s coastal waters and the bounties they have historically provided. Not to mention the seafood consumers themselves. He flat out is not worthy of his political party position any more.
When one let’s the temptation of money override the principle of right vs wrong it shows when and how they vote. A perfect example to watch will be the attempted cleansing of the DMF and MFC by the G A.
Browny Douglas
Dare GOP Ch
I almost forgot. Remember the Nov 2 MFC Appointments? Dead in the middle of early voting!! The then Governor, in part, lost his reelection because of this. If I was in Robin’s position as N C GOP Ch i would resign in shame.
Browny Douglas
These Solyndra Republicans do not deserve our support. George Holding is \clearly the new Renee Ellmers; Renee in drag He needs a primary in 2018
Ole’ Georgie Porgie will ALWAYS follow the money. You dumbasses are just being played as usual. Even if you didn’t like Renee, she tried to tell you…. All he wants is free trips and follow the money.
Jim Duncan was the guy that was needed. Renee was a huge sell out and now Holding is following in her footsteps.