May 2008 - EC - lists.cheatlakeclear.org

NYTimes: Mounting Costs Slow the Push for Clean Coal
by Paul Wilson 30 May '08

30 May '08

New York Times, May 30, 2008 The Energy Challenge Mounting Costs Slow the Push for Clean Coal By MATTHEW L. WALD<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/w/matthew_l_wald…> WASHINGTON — For years, scientists have had a straightforward idea for taming global warming<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html?…>. They want to take the carbon dioxide that spews from coal-burning power plants and pump it back into the ground. President Bush is for it, and indeed has spent years talking up the virtues of "clean coal." All three candidates to succeed him favor the approach. So do many other members of Congress. Coal companies are for it. Many environmentalists favor it. Utility executives are practically begging for the technology. But it has become clear in recent months that the nation's effort to develop the technique is lagging badly. In January, the government canceled its support for what was supposed to be a showcase project, a plant at a carefully chosen site in Illinois where there was coal, access to the power grid, and soil underfoot that backers said could hold the carbon dioxide for eons. Perhaps worse, in the last few months, utility projects in Florida, West Virginia, Ohio, Minnesota and Washington State that would have made it easier to capture carbon dioxide have all been canceled or thrown into regulatory limbo. Coal is abundant and cheap, assuring that it will continue to be used. But the failure to start building, testing, tweaking and perfecting carbon capture and storage means that developing the technology may come too late to make coal compatible with limiting global warming. "It's a total mess," said Daniel M. Kammen, director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. "Coal's had a tough year," said John Lavelle, head of a business at General Electric<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/general_electric_comp…>that makes equipment for processing coal into a form from which carbon can be captured. Many of these projects were derailed by the short-term pressure of rising construction costs. But scientists say the result, unless the situation can be turned around, will be a long-term disaster. Plans to combat global warming generally assume that continued use of coal for power plants is unavoidable for at least several decades. Therefore, starting as early as 2020, forecasters assume that carbon dioxide emitted by new power plants will have to be captured and stored underground, to cut down on the amount of global-warming gases in the atmosphere. Yet, simple as the idea may sound, considerable research is still needed to be certain the technique would be safe, effective and affordable. Scientists need to figure out which kinds of rock and soil formations are best at holding carbon dioxide. They need to be sure the gas will not bubble back to the surface. They need to find optimal designs for new power plants so as to cut costs. And some complex legal questions need to be resolved, such as who would be liable if such a project polluted the groundwater or caused other damage far from the power plant. Major corporations sense the possibility of a profitable new business, and G.E. signed a partnership on Wednesday with Schlumberger<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/schlumberger_ltd/inde…>, the oil field services company, to advance the technology of carbon capture and sequestration. But only a handful of small projects survive, and the recent cancellations mean that most of this work has come to a halt, raising doubts that the technique can be ready any time in the next few decades. And without it, "we're not going to have much of a chance for stabilizing the climate," said John Thompson, who oversees work on the issue for the Clean Air Task Force, an environmental group. The fear is that utilities, lacking proven chemical techniques for capturing carbon dioxide and proven methods for storing it underground by the billions of tons per year, will build the next generation of coal plants using existing technology. That would ensure that vast amounts of global warming gases would be pumped into the atmosphere for decades. The highest-profile failure involved a project known as FutureGen, which President Bush himself announced in 2003: a utility consortium, with subsidies from the government, was going to build a plant in Mattoon, Ill., testing the most advanced techniques for converting coal to a gas, capturing pollutants, and burning the gas for power. The carbon dioxide would have been compressed and pumped underground into deep soil layers. Monitoring devices would have tested whether any was escaping to the atmosphere. About $50 million has been spent on FutureGen, about $40 million in federal money and $10 million in private money, to draw up preliminary designs, find a site that had coal, electric transmission and suitable geology, and complete an Environmental Impact Statement, among other steps. But in January, the government pulled out after projected costs nearly doubled, to $1.8 billion. The government feared the costs would go even higher. A bipartisan effort is afoot on Capitol Hill to save FutureGen, but the project is on life support. The government had to change its approach, said Clarence Albright Jr., the undersecretary of the Energy Department, to "limit taxpayer exposure to the escalating cost." Trying to recover, the Energy Department is trying to cut a deal with a utility that is already planning a new power plant. The government would offer subsidies to add a segment to the plant dedicated to capturing and injecting carbon dioxide, as long as the utility bore much of the risk of cost overruns. It is unclear whether any utility will agree to such a deal. The power companies, in fact, have been busy pulling back from coal-burning power plants of all types, amid rising costs and political pressure. Utility executives say they do not know of a plant that would qualify for an Energy Department grant as the project is now structured. Most worrisome to experts on global warming, the utilities have recently been canceling their commitments to a type of plant long seen as a helpful intermediate step toward cleaner coal. In plants of this type, coal would be gasified and pollutants like mercury, sulfur and soot removed before burning. The plants would be highly efficient, and would therefore emit less carbon dioxide for a given volume of electricity produced, but they would not inject the carbon dioxide into the ground. But the situation is not hopeless. One new gasification proposal survives in the United States, by Duke Energy<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/duke_energy_corporati…>for a plant in Edwardsport, Ind. In Wisconsin, engineers are testing a method that may allow them to bolt machinery for capturing carbon dioxide onto the back of old-style power plants; Sweden, Australia and Denmark are planning similar tests. And German engineers are exploring another approach, one that involves burning coal in pure oxygen, which would produce a clean stream of exhaust gases that could be injected into the ground. But no project is very far along, and it remains an open question whether techniques for capturing and storing carbon dioxide will be available by the time they are critically needed. The Electric Power Research Institute, a utility consortium, estimated that it would take as long as 15 years to go from starting a pilot plant to proving the technology will work. The institute has set a goal of having large-scale tests completed by 2020. "A year ago, that was an aggressive target," said Steven R. Specker, the president of the institute. "A year has gone by, and now it's a very aggressive target." -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Re: [EC] Transmission tax
by Jim Sconyers 29 May '08

29 May '08

Looks like grandstanding, doesn't it? Can it be taken seriously? - Rate reductions for West Virginia’s citizens so that they will pay less, not more, for the power they will receive from the line. Are we receiving juice from this line? I thought it was just to pass power through to the East. - Free electricity for all landowners who are affected by the placement of the line. How do you force the company to give free juice? Or are the landowners going to forward their electric bills to Charleston? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 ----- Original Message ---- From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: william.depaulo(a)gmail.com; ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 10:56:05 AM Subject: [EC] Transmission tax Below is the Governor's press release regarding his proposal to impose a transmission tax if TrAIL is approved. The first line specifically states that the Governor's Office released this proposal in a response to the Sierra Club FOIA. My question is : "Does the Governor have any other details of this proposed tax? Would it apply only to TrAIL, or to all transmission from the state? If it is specific to TrAIL, would it not violate the Interstate Commerce Clause of the US Constitution? The line would originate in PA and end in VA, so how could one state impose a tax on the privilege of electrons crossing the state, especially if the power is generated in Ohio or PA, not WV? If it applies to all transmission lines, why should other existing transmission companies pay a tax just because TrAIL is being installed? This proposal raises so many questions that I do not know where to begin or how to respond, but you can be sure that these questions will be asked tomorrow, if not at the hearing, then by reporters afterward. Would it be appropriate to request more info on this from the Governor's Office? JBK May 23, 2008 GOVERNOR PLANS TO PROPOSE TRANSMISSION TAX IF TRAIL LINE IS APPROVED Manchin says he wants to protect interests of all West Virginians Contact: Lara Ramsburg, 304-558-2000 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In response to a Freedom of Information Act Request from the Sierra Club of West Virginia, the Governor’s Office has released information on a proposed transmission tax that Gov. Joe Manchin intends to pursue should either the federal government or the state Public Service Commission approve the TrAIL Line project. “This is something I have been thinking about and discussing for some time, primarily because of the possibility of the federal government superseding any decision that may be made on the state level,” Manchin said. In May 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order interpreting the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to say that the FERC had the power to issue a permit for construction of a new power line even if a state lawfully denied a site transmission application. “If the line goes through, I want to do all that I can to make sure that we have a plan in place that will provide a benefit to the communities affected, and the state as a whole, for providing a key piece of America’s energy infrastructure.” The governor’s proposed plan comprises four components: - Rate reductions for West Virginia’s citizens so that they will pay less, not more, for the power they will receive from the line. - Extra revenue for the counties that house the line. - Extra revenue for the state that will allow it to provide additional services to all its citizens. - Free electricity for all landowners who are affected by the placement of the line. “If the TrAIL line is approved, either by the PSC or the federal government, we will stand ready to make sure that our citizens aren’t taken advantage of and instead receive a benefit from its placement in West Virginia,” Manchin said. # # # _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Re: [EC] Transmission tax
by Grubb, Karen 29 May '08

29 May '08

I had a call from a reporters about this (Walt Williams of the WV State Journal). I talked to him and Bill and gave Walt Bill's phone number. I also received an email from Emily Corio asking for information, and I gave her Bill's and Jim's email. I did not know about Jim Ellars or why we wanted him to take the stand. Hi Karen, I found your name on a Sierra Club Web page about the proposed Allegheny Power transmission line. I think the WV Sierra Club is an intervenor in this case, and I'm wondering if I can get some information about the Club's position and intentions for the hearing on the joint stipulation agreement this Friday. I understand that the WV Sierra Club wanted to Jim Ellars to take the stand Friday but that was rejected. Why Ellars and what now? Thanks, Emily Corio Senior Producer West Virginia Public Broadcasting Morgantown, WV 26508 (304) 284-1459 (o) (304) 284-1454 (f) ecorio(a)wvpubcast.org ________________________________ From: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] On Behalf Of Jim Sconyers Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 11:37 AM To: James Kotcon; william.depaulo(a)gmail.com; ec(a)osenergy.org Subject: Re: [EC] Transmission tax Looks like grandstanding, doesn't it? Can it be taken seriously? - Rate reductions for West Virginia's citizens so that they will pay less, not more, for the power they will receive from the line. Are we receiving juice from this line? I thought it was just to pass power through to the East. - Free electricity for all landowners who are affected by the placement of the line. How do you force the company to give free juice? Or are the landowners going to forward their electric bills to Charleston? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 ----- Original Message ---- From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: william.depaulo(a)gmail.com; ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 10:56:05 AM Subject: [EC] Transmission tax Below is the Governor's press release regarding his proposal to impose a transmission tax if TrAIL is approved. The first line specifically states that the Governor's Office released this proposal in a response to the Sierra Club FOIA. My question is : "Does the Governor have any other details of this proposed tax? Would it apply only to TrAIL, or to all transmission from the state? If it is specific to TrAIL, would it not violate the Interstate Commerce Clause of the US Constitution? The line would originate in PA and end in VA, so how could one state impose a tax on the privilege of electrons crossing the state, especially if the power is generated in Ohio or PA, not WV? If it applies to all transmission lines, why should other existing transmission companies pay a tax just because TrAIL is being installed? This proposal raises so many questions that I do not know where to begin or how to respond, but you can be sure that these questions will be asked tomorrow, if not at the hearing, then by reporters afterward. Would it be appropriate to request more info on this from the Governor's Office? JBK May 23, 2008 GOVERNOR PLANS TO PROPOSE TRANSMISSION TAX IF TRAIL LINE IS APPROVED Manchin says he wants to protect interests of all West Virginians Contact: Lara Ramsburg, 304-558-2000 CHARLESTON, W.Va. - In response to a Freedom of Information Act Request from the Sierra Club of West Virginia, the Governor's Office has released information on a proposed transmission tax that Gov. Joe Manchin intends to pursue should either the federal government or the state Public Service Commission approve the TrAIL Line project. "This is something I have been thinking about and discussing for some time, primarily because of the possibility of the federal government superseding any decision that may be made on the state level," Manchin said. In May 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order interpreting the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to say that the FERC had the power to issue a permit for construction of a new power line even if a state lawfully denied a site transmission application. "If the line goes through, I want to do all that I can to make sure that we have a plan in place that will provide a benefit to the communities affected, and the state as a whole, for providing a key piece of America's energy infrastructure." The governor's proposed plan comprises four components: - Rate reductions for West Virginia's citizens so that they will pay less, not more, for the power they will receive from the line. - Extra revenue for the counties that house the line. - Extra revenue for the state that will allow it to provide additional services to all its citizens. - Free electricity for all landowners who are affected by the placement of the line. "If the TrAIL line is approved, either by the PSC or the federal government, we will stand ready to make sure that our citizens aren't taken advantage of and instead receive a benefit from its placement in West Virginia," Manchin said. # # # _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Fwd: Stopping Munis from building coal: Lansing BWL proposed plant
by Paul Wilson 29 May '08

29 May '08

would longview be an appropriate example? If so fwd info to Anne. thanks, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Anne Woiwode <Anne.Woiwode(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Wed, May 28, 2008 at 3:57 PM Subject: Stopping Munis from building coal: Lansing BWL proposed plant To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-FORUM(a)lists.sierraclub.org Lansing, Michigan's municipal power company has just announced plans to build a new 250 MW coal plant at the state's capital. We are looking for examples of successful fights in other munis to oppose coal plant proposals. Please share your examples with Anne Woiwode at anne.woiwode(a)sierraclub.org Thank you Anne Woiwode, State Director Sierra Club Michigan Chapter (517) 484-2372 . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-FORUM list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-FORUM-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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TrAILCO Proceeding
by William DePaulo via YouSendIt 29 May '08

29 May '08

Hello from William, Message from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com: FOIA documents from Gov Manchin's office You have 1 file(s) called <a href='http://download.yousendit.com/75047E1C66C31A22'>MANCCHIN FOIA.zip</a> from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com waiting for download. You can click on the following link to retrieve your file. The link will expire in 14 days and will be available for 500 number of downloads.. Link: http://download.yousendit.com/75047E1C66C31A22 Do not reply to this automatically-generated email. If you have any questions, please email us at paidsupport(a)yousendit.com ----- File too big for email? Try YouSendIt at http://www.yousendit.com YouSendIt 1919 So. Bascom Avenue, 3rd Floor Campbell, CA, 95008

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Transmission tax
by James Kotcon 29 May '08

29 May '08

Below is the Governor's press release regarding his proposal to impose a transmission tax if TrAIL is approved. The first line specifically states that the Governor's Office released this proposal in a response to the Sierra Club FOIA. My question is : "Does the Governor have any other details of this proposed tax? Would it apply only to TrAIL, or to all transmission from the state? If it is specific to TrAIL, would it not violate the Interstate Commerce Clause of the US Constitution? The line would originate in PA and end in VA, so how could one state impose a tax on the privilege of electrons crossing the state, especially if the power is generated in Ohio or PA, not WV? If it applies to all transmission lines, why should other existing transmission companies pay a tax just because TrAIL is being installed? This proposal raises so many questions that I do not know where to begin or how to respond, but you can be sure that these questions will be asked tomorrow, if not at the hearing, then by reporters afterward. Would it be appropriate to request more info on this from the Governor's Office? JBK May 23, 2008 GOVERNOR PLANS TO PROPOSE TRANSMISSION TAX IF TRAIL LINE IS APPROVED Manchin says he wants to protect interests of all West Virginians Contact: Lara Ramsburg, 304-558-2000 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In response to a Freedom of Information Act Request from the Sierra Club of West Virginia, the Governor’s Office has released information on a proposed transmission tax that Gov. Joe Manchin intends to pursue should either the federal government or the state Public Service Commission approve the TrAIL Line project. “This is something I have been thinking about and discussing for some time, primarily because of the possibility of the federal government superseding any decision that may be made on the state level,” Manchin said. In May 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order interpreting the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to say that the FERC had the power to issue a permit for construction of a new power line even if a state lawfully denied a site transmission application. “If the line goes through, I want to do all that I can to make sure that we have a plan in place that will provide a benefit to the communities affected, and the state as a whole, for providing a key piece of America’s energy infrastructure.” The governor’s proposed plan comprises four components: - Rate reductions for West Virginia’s citizens so that they will pay less, not more, for the power they will receive from the line. - Extra revenue for the counties that house the line. - Extra revenue for the state that will allow it to provide additional services to all its citizens. - Free electricity for all landowners who are affected by the placement of the line. “If the TrAIL line is approved, either by the PSC or the federal government, we will stand ready to make sure that our citizens aren’t taken advantage of and instead receive a benefit from its placement in West Virginia,” Manchin said. # # #

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Re: [EC] Old Dominion Sierran
by James Kotcon 29 May '08

29 May '08

There is also a really cool article on "How Green Is Your Computer." JBK >>> Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net> 05/28/08 9:59 PM >>> Take at look at the front page article re wind energy siting in the Mid-Atlantic in the May-June issue of Old Dominion Sierran. http://virginia.sierraclub.org/newsletter/ODSMay-Jun-web.pdf Regina _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Old Dominion Sierran
by Regina Hendrix 28 May '08

28 May '08

Take at look at the front page article re wind energy siting in the Mid-Atlantic in the May-June issue of Old Dominion Sierran. http://virginia.sierraclub.org/newsletter/ODSMay-Jun-web.pdf Regina

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Re: [EC] Coal Front Group Feels the Heat
by Paul Wilson 28 May '08

28 May '08

Coal Front Group Feels the Heat<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=hwDFfYcTXJcWCcZ%2Ba3…> Source: Facing South, May 22, 2008 Americans for Balanced Energy Choices<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qK2g5oqr3V6tR7Nuzq8R…>(ABEC) -- a coal and power industry front group -- is busy organizing opposition to America's Climate Security Act of 2007<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=BGwNwDfCseliCbZnrBZ3…>proposed by Senators Joe Lieberman<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=b5xfOev3PDd3CFUHraBt…>and John Warner<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=60K6ovjV5PE9j2I4NpiA…>. The Institute for Southern Studies (ISS) reports that Pete MacDowell, an activist with the NC (North Carolina) Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, received a phone call from ABEC asking if he would put his name to a fax to Lieberman and Warner opposing the bill. Asked whether ABEC was an environmental group, the caller said "yes" and denied it had any links to power utilities. In response to ISS's revelation, Steve Gates from ABEC's parent group, American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=hp%2Fhg%2Fyr4K3ZMQaK…>, stated that "one new staff member -- who is no longer working on this project -- decided to 'wing it' when asked some questions that were off her script. This staff person clearly should have answered 'Yes' when asked if ABEC was related to the utility industry." -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Re: [EC] [Fwd: [fom] AEP scrubbers - one heads up for northern WV residents]
by Jim Sconyers 27 May '08

27 May '08

I thought northern WV was not suitable for MTR - is that wrong? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 ----- Original Message ---- From: Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:49:03 PM Subject: [EC] [Fwd: [fom] AEP scrubbers - one heads up for northern WV residents] Well, this is not good news. Regina -----Inline Attachment Follows----- Just wanted to give a heads up on something that is related to a big part of my thesis. The new scrubber installations at AEP plants will do what the AP article at http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1402498/scrubbers_to_clean_john_amos_… says, it will shift state demand for coal from southern counties to northern ones. Over the past two years the number of northern strip-mines has declined, but the amount of production and # of employees per mine have increased, suggestion an expansion in size of northern strip-mines. So if you know of anyone up there living near coal seams, might wanna give them a heads up about this as it will surely cause an increase in stripping and MTR up there. Not to mention the other consequences coming from scrubber installation/operation and disposal of the by-products, which surely will be more than the "harmless gypsum" that this article suggests. Of course, the shift isnt going to reduce MTR in the southern counties all that much, if at all. Only about 22% of coal produced in WV is burned in WV, and obiously much of that is from southern counties, so in my estimate, this will result in no more than a 5% shift of MTR production to northern mines, or about 2.5 million tons. Of course, that is significant in one major sense. 2.5 million tons approximates the annual production of a medium size MTR mine if I'm not mistaken. So, one mountain saved given current consumption and export conditions. Those were rough calc's, dont quote me on those. if the coal is to be produced, its better that production is spread evenly across the state. the point is still to reduce the consumption of coal and get an outright ban on MTR. I've pasted the supporting quote for all of this below. -- Rory Shifting Coal Demand Another outcome of the national push to scrub is a shift in demand from more expensive, lower sulfur central Appalachian coal to less expensive, higher sulfur northern Appalachian coal - or, in West Virginia, from southern to northern coal. Amos's scrubbers will go into operation during the coming two years: unit 3, the largest, in January 2009, unit 2 the following spring and unit 1 in spring 2010. The plant currently burns up to 8 million tons of coal a year, most of it from Boone County. Once the scrubbers are up and running, AEP will have the option of shifting to a less expensive coal. -- "Animals suffer and their screams fill the air. Forests are being destroyed. Mountains are ripped open for the metals streaming in their veins. And man cherishes and celebrates those who do the greatest of damage to nature and humanity." - Leonardo Da Vinci (1500)

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Sierra FOIA to Gov Manchin re TrAILCo
by William DePaulo via YouSendIt 27 May '08

27 May '08

Hello from William, Message from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com: The attached documents were produced Friday, May 23, 2008 in response to the FOIA request of the Sierra Club. By letter dated May 27, 2008 the Sierra Club has requested a Vaughn index of unspecified documents withheld as exempt. You have 1 file(s) called <a href='http://download.yousendit.com/F22EFC9B6BC4BB99'>MANCCHIN FOIA.zip</a> from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com waiting for download. You can click on the following link to retrieve your file. The link will expire in 14 days and will be available for 500 number of downloads.. Link: http://download.yousendit.com/F22EFC9B6BC4BB99 Do not reply to this automatically-generated email. If you have any questions, please email us at paidsupport(a)yousendit.com ----- File too big for email? Try YouSendIt at http://www.yousendit.com YouSendIt 1919 So. Bascom Avenue, 3rd Floor Campbell, CA, 95008

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[Fwd: [fom] AEP scrubbers - one heads up for northern WV residents]
by Regina Hendrix 27 May '08

27 May '08

Well, this is not good news. Regina

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2 week vacation!!!
by Barbara Fallon 22 May '08

22 May '08

I feel like I am cheating or something. I am going to be on vacation for two weeks. So, I will pick up the fundraising ball when I return. Sorry, no computer on the remote island to which I am heading....

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Re: [EC] New Coal Small Grants Program
by Grubb, Karen 22 May '08

22 May '08

I sent it to Barbara. ________________________________ From: Barbara Fallon [mailto:brbr_fallon@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 12:39 PM To: Grubb, Karen Cc: ec(a)osenergy.org Subject: Re: New Coal Small Grants Program I am looking into this grant. I need the clubhouse login account and password. Anybody out there have it? ----- Original Message ---- From: "Grubb, Karen" <Karen.Grubb(a)fairmontstate.edu> To: Barbara Fallon <brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 5:45:57 PM Subject: FW: New Coal Small Grants Program Would our work with TrAIL and PATH qualify us for this grant? -----Original Message----- From: Announcements from the National Coal Campaign team. [mailto:COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Alice McKeown Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 4:24 PM To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: New Coal Small Grants Program The National Coal Campaign is pleased to announce a new small grants program for 2008. Please see the link below for further details including eligibility and how to apply. Projects must align with the following primary goals of the National Coal Campaign: prevent the construction of a new fleet of coal-fired power plants in the United States, divert investments into clean energy alternatives, retire or replace existing coal plants, prevent the construction of coal-to-liquids plants. Grants for mining related projects will be available under a different program coming soon. http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/coal/coal-resources. aspx Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and all funds must be spent by the end of the year. If you have any questions, please email coal grants program volunteer coordinator Verena Owen at baumling(a)aol.com Many thanks, Alice ________________________________ Alice McKeown Sierra Club National Coal Campaign tel: 202.675.6271 fax: 202.547.6009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp

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Re: [EC] New Coal Small Grants Program
by Barbara Fallon 22 May '08

22 May '08

I am looking into this grant. I need the clubhouse login account and password. Anybody out there have it? ----- Original Message ---- From: "Grubb, Karen" <Karen.Grubb(a)fairmontstate.edu> To: Barbara Fallon <brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 5:45:57 PM Subject: FW: New Coal Small Grants Program Would our work with TrAIL and PATH qualify us for this grant? -----Original Message----- From: Announcements from the National Coal Campaign team. [mailto:COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Alice McKeown Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 4:24 PM To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: New Coal Small Grants Program The National Coal Campaign is pleased to announce a new small grants program for 2008. Please see the link below for further details including eligibility and how to apply. Projects must align with the following primary goals of the National Coal Campaign: prevent the construction of a new fleet of coal-fired power plants in the United States, divert investments into clean energy alternatives, retire or replace existing coal plants, prevent the construction of coal-to-liquids plants. Grants for mining related projects will be available under a different program coming soon. http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/coal/coal-resources. aspx Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and all funds must be spent by the end of the year. If you have any questions, please email coal grants program volunteer coordinator Verena Owen at baumling(a)aol.com Many thanks, Alice ________________________________ Alice McKeown Sierra Club National Coal Campaign tel: 202.675.6271 fax: 202.547.6009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp

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Blair Mountain Nomination Website
by Regina Hendrix 20 May '08

20 May '08

Hello friends: Check this one out: http://www.friendsofblairmountain.org/index.html I knew they were doing a website but I didn't imagine how informative, graphic and extensive it would be. Regina P.S. Vivian/Paul, how about putting a link on the OVEC and WVSC website?

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Fwd: E-News Bulletin 05/19/08
by Paul Wilson 20 May '08

20 May '08

Check out the Sustainable Building law in Minnesota. Seems I remember this was on the list of E-Councils Renewable Energy campaign. There is a link to the MN bill. Now we just need a champion in the WV legislature! cheers, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Architecture2030 <info(a)architecture2030.org> Date: Mon, May 19, 2008 at 9:01 PM Subject: E-News Bulletin 05/19/08 To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com [image: Architecture 2030] <http://www.architecture2030.org/home.html> [image: The 2030 Challenge]<http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html> [image: The 2010 Imperative]<http://www.architecture2030.org/2010_imperative/index.html> [image: 2030 Research Center]<http://www.architecture2030.org/current_situation/cutting_edge.html> [image: Regional Solutions]<http://www.architecture2030.org/regional_solutions/homeowners.html> [image: News + Resources] <http://www.architecture2030.org/news/news.php> · About Us <http://www.architecture2030.org/about.php> · Contact Us <info(a)architecture2030.org> · Subscribe <http://www.architecture2030.org/subscribe.php> · FAQs <http://www.architecture2030.org/news/faqs.html> · 2030 E-News <http://www.architecture2030.org/news/e-news.html> · Home <http://www.architecture2030.org/home.html> The 2030 Challenge<http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html> The 2010 Imperative <http://www.architecture2030.org/2010_imperative/index.html> Research Center <http://www.architecture2030.org/current_situation/cutting_edge.html> Regional Solutions<http://www.architecture2030.org/regional_solutions/homeowners.html> News/Resources <http://www.architecture2030.org/news/news.php> [image: Architecture 2030 E-News Bulletin 4] "Now that global warming is a recognized crisis, our nation can focus on solutions. More and more cities, states, firms and businesses are adopting and implementing the 2030 Challenge targets." -Edward Mazria Major Victory in the Midwest The Minnesota Sustainable Building 2030 Bill The Architecture 2030 Challenge is now law in the state of Minnesota. On May 8, Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the Minnesota Sustainable Building 2030 bill, which requires that buildings receiving state funding meet energy efficiency targets of the 2030 Challenge with a 60% reduction in 2010, 70% in 2015, 80% in 2020 and 90% in 2025. Minnesota proponents of the Architecture 2030 Challenge testified in support of the bill to the Minnesota Senate and House Energy Committees. Architecture 2030 would like to thank Perkins+Will, The Weidt Group, Studio 2030, Minnesota Center for Energy and Environment, the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research, LHB Architects, Architectural Alliance, the Green Institute, Indigenous Environmental Network and the many other individuals and organizations whose efforts helped secure this historic legislation. Minnesota now joins the ranks of California, Illinois, Dallas, Santa Barbara, Richmond, the Federal Government and others who are working to implement the 2030 Challenge targets. The Minnesota Sustainable Building 2030 Bill was authored by Representative Bill Hilty and Senator Yvonne Pretner Solon and co-authored by Senators Scott Dibble, Dave Senjem, Ellen Anderson and Julie Rosen and Representatives Brita Sailer, Kate Knuth, Alice Hausman, Bob Gunther, Matt Dean, Linda Slocum, Maria Ruud and David Bly. View the Sustainable Building 2030 bill online (SF 2706<http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/departments/scr/billsumm/summary_display.…>and HF 3401<https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H3401.0.html&sessi…> ). National Wildlife Federation Bestows Top Honor to Edward Mazria At their annual awards banquet in Keystone, Colorado last Saturday, the National Wildlife Federation awarded Architecture 2030 founder, Edward Mazria, with their most prestigious honor: the National Conservation Achievement Award. Mr. Mazria received this accolade in the Special Achievement category for his seminal work on the Building Sector's role in global warming. The National Wildlife Federation's Conservation Achievement Awards have been presented annually since 1965. Recipients in 2007 included Vice President Al Gore, author and activist Bill McKibben, environmental champion Laurie David and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Download the Architecture 2030 press release here<http://www.architecture2030.org/pdfs/NWF_release.pdf>. Innovative Company Offers Free Software to Support the 2010 Imperative Integrated Environmental Solutions is offering a free software license for their <Virtual Environment > to any school signed on to the 2010 Imperative. For more information, read the official IES press release here<http://www.iesve.com/content/default.asp?page=s62&newsid=2960&back=s596> . May 19, 2008 FREE Subscribe Unsubscribe <http://www.architecture2030.org/subscribe.php> [Printer Friendly version<http://www.architecture2030.org/news/printerfriendly/news_051908.pdf> ] [image: Highlights] Read The 2030 Blueprint The 2030 Blueprint study gives a comparative analysis of three approaches to addressing climate change – building energy efficiency, 'clean' coal (with carbon capture and sequestration) and nuclear power – while laying a new roadmap for solving the global warming and US economic crises. Read it now <http://www.architecture2030.org/pdfs/2030Blueprint.pdf> Watch the Face It Webcast The Face It webcast is available for viewing at our website. Watch it now <http://www.architecture2030.org/faceit/webcast.php> Adopt The 2030 Challenge Choose to have your firm/organization listed as an official adopter, and describe your progress (obstacles/successes) as you implement The Challenge. Sign up here <http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html> Adopt The 2010 Imperative Choose to have your school listed as an official adopter, and describe your progress (obstacles/successes) as you implement The Imperative. Sign up here <http://www.architecture2030.org/2010_imperative/index.html> · · · Go to the News/Resources <http://www.architecture2030.org/news/index.php>section of our website to get the latest news updates on issues regarding climate change and the building sector. · · · Comments and suggestions for future Architecture 2030 E–news issues should be sent to: info(a)architecture2030.org Architecture 2030 607 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, NM 87505 www.architecture2030.org Having trouble viewing this email? - Click here to view an online version. <http://www.architecture2030.org/news/news_051908.html> Help us spread this important news by sending this E-News Bulletin to a colleague or friend. ------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail was sent to pjgrunt(a)gmail.com because you are subscribed to at least one of our mailing lists. If at any time you would like to remove yourself from our mailing list, please feel free to do so by visiting: http://www.architecture2030.org/listmessenger/public/unsubscribe.php?g=1&ad… -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Nuclear power in the wings
by duane330＠aol.com 19 May '08

19 May '08

Carbon Caps May Give Nuclear Power a Lift By REBECCA SMITH, Wall Street Journal, May 19, 2008; Page A4 As Congress debates whether to limit carbon-dioxide emissions, one of the most vocal supporters of such legislation -- the nuclear-power industry -- is poised to reap a multibillion-dollar windfall if restrictions take effect. Some nuclear operators are already forecasting how much their profits could increase under various versions of greenhouse-gas legislation that are under consideration. Among the nuclear operators that stand to profit most are Exelon Corp., FPL Group Inc., Constellation Energy Group, Entergy Corp., FirstEnergy Corp., NRG Energy Inc. and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. Carbon limits could usher in a period of "supernormal profits" for nuclear operators in markets where rates are deregulated and have more ability to rise, says Hugh Wynne, utilities analyst for Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. But he warns that profits, if perceived as excessive, run the risk of inciting a public backlash, perhaps including calls for a windfall-profits tax. Congress is considering several measures that would impose a so-called cap-and-trade system, which would limit the amount of carbon dioxide companies are allowed to emit. Lawmakers this summer are expected to take up a bill sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I., Conn.) and John Warner (R., Va.) that initially gives the power industry about half the allowances it needs and requires generators to purchase the remainder on an open market or cut emissions. Nuclear operators stand to gain from greenhouse-gas legislation in two ways. For starters, their plants don't spew carbon dioxide, so they would not have to buy emissions allowances, giving them a competitive advantage over competitors that burn fossil fuels. In addition, a cap-and-trade system would probably push up wholesale electricity prices in deregulated markets, as coal- and natural-gas-burning utilities jack up prices to recover the additional cost of allowance purchases. In deregulated markets, generators with the highest costs set the market price, so lower-cost nuclear operators could enjoy the higher prices charged by coal- and gas-burning utilities without the higher costs. In states that didn't deregulate their electricity markets, nuclear plants mostly are part of regulated utilities and furnish electricity to utility customers at prices tied to their underlying costs, eliminating the opportunity for such profit. Chicago-based Exelon, the nation's biggest nuclear-plant operator by output, could reap as much as $2 billion a year in added earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, says Mr. Wynne. His calculation assumes that the cost of carbon emissions would be $25 per million metric tons of emissions, an allowance price typical in Europe. Exelon has not released its own profit estimates. Executives agree that carbon legislation would burnish earnings, but they say the benefit would be less than $2 billion. They say higher profits are fair because they recognize a multibillion-dollar investment Exelon has made in nuclear power and could fund new plants. "We have invested in a low-carbon fleet and our rates reflect that," said Elizabeth "Betsy" Moler, executive vice president at Exelon. "Our rates are higher than rates for coal utilities." New Orleans-based Entergy -- which is seeking regulatory approvals to spin off six nuclear plants into the nation's first stand-alone nuclear-power company, dubbed Enexus Energy Corp. -- says an allowance price of about $30 could net the new company $600 million a year of added profit. FPL Group, Juno Beach, Fla., calculates its potential boost in earnings, before certain expenses, at $130 million to $727 million, depending on allowance prices and how much electricity is sold. The money would come from FPL's unregulated generation unit, which has interests in three nuclear plants and renewable-energy installations, such as wind farms, not its regulated Florida utility. For Baltimore-based Constellation, higher profits from its nuclear plants would be partly offset by higher costs for its coal-fired units. Even so, it estimates gross profit would rise by more than $225 million a year, if carbon emissions cost $25 a ton. Penalizing carbon emissions would improve the economics of nuclear-power development. A study by the Congressional Budget Office, released this month, concluded that nuclear plants could make electricity more cheaply than any other form of power generation if carbon allowances cost $45 apiece. Opinions differ about how quickly a cap-and-trade system could cause wholesale electricity prices to rise or what allowances would cost. The intent of the Lieberman-Warner bill is to cut greenhouse-gas emissions to 65% below 1990 levels by 2050. Nuclear-plant owners aren't the only ones that stand to benefit. Natural-gas-fired generators would benefit if they sell electricity where coal-fired plants set prices. That is because gas plants release only about half as much carbon dioxide as coal plants and would need fewer allowances, so their profit margin would widen. Utilities are lobbying Congress to influence the allowance-allocation method adopted. Exelon favors an approach under which government officials would sell or allocate a greater portion of emissions permits to utilities with retail customers, rather than to power generators that sell wholesale power to utilities. That would help customers of Exelon's two retail utilities, Commonwealth Edison in Chicago and PECO in Philadelphia, since the utility could sell the allowances to generators and use the proceeds to offset higher energy costs for their customers. It would allow prices to rise on the wholesale market, financially rewarding Exelon's nuclear unit. Big coal-burning utilities oppose full auctioning of allowances, saying it could drive up their costs and produce an enormous spike in electricity prices, harming many consumers. Economists generally favor selling allowances rather than giving them away. That is because selling them sends "price signals" to consumers, encouraging conservation and construction of cleaner forms of power generation, helping society achieve permanent greenhouse-gas reductions. "It's not a bad thing to give more money to nuclear operators if you're trying to give them incentive to invest in new nuclear generation," says Greg Gordon, a utilities analyst for Citigroup Investment Research in New York. Under the Lieberman-Warner bill, the Environmental Protection Agency would create 125 billion allowances, enough for all 38 years of the program, commencing in 2012. About 5.2 billion allowances would be available the first year. The number would drop by 96 million each year until only 1.56 billion remained in 2050, the final year of the program. The program is intended to make emissions progressively costlier to drive the market to make permanent reductions. Exelon Chairman John Rowe says the power sector may have to spend as much as $400 billion by 2030 replacing polluting plants with cleaner ones. The sum is nearly equal to the market capitalization of U.S. utilities. Write to Rebecca Smith at rebecca.smith(a)wsj.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New Wave of Nuclear Plants Faces High Costs By REBECCA SMITH, Wall Street Journal, May 12, 2008; Page B1 A new generation of nuclear power plants is on the drawing boards in the U.S., but the projected cost is causing some sticker shock: $5 billion to $12 billion a plant, double to quadruple earlier rough estimates. Nuclear power is regaining favor as an alternative to other sources of power generation, such as coal-fired plants, which have fallen out of favor because they are major polluters. But the high cost could lead to sharply higher electricity bills for consumers and inevitably reignite debate about the nuclear industry's suitability to meet growing energy needs. Nuclear plants haven't been built in meaningful numbers in the U.S. since the 1980s. Part of the cost escalation is bad luck. Plants are being proposed in a period of skyrocketing costs for commodities such as cement, steel and copper; amid a growing shortage of skilled labor; and against the backdrop of a shrunken supplier network for the industry. The price escalation is sobering because the industry and regulators have worked hard to make development more efficient, in hopes of eliminating problems that in the past produced harrowing cost overruns. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, for example, has created a streamlined licensing process to make timelier, more comprehensive decisions about proposals. Nuclear vendors have developed standardized designs for plants to reduce construction and operating costs. And utility executives, with years of operating experience behind them, are more astute buyers. Now, 104 nuclear reactors are operating in the U.S. Most are highly profitable but that was not the case until fairly recently. For the 75 units built between 1966 and 1986, the average cost was $3 billion or triple early estimates, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Many plants operate profitably now because they were sold to current operators for less than their actual cost. The latest projections follow months of tough negotiations between utility companies and key suppliers, and suggest efforts to control costs are proving elusive. Estimates released in recent weeks by experienced nuclear operators -- NRG Energy Inc., Progress Energy Inc., Exelon Corp., Southern Co. and FPL Group Inc. -- "have blown by our highest estimate" of costs computed just eight months ago, said Jim Hempstead, a senior credit officer at Moody's Investors Service credit-rating agency in New York. Moody's worries that continued cost increases, even if partially offset by billions of dollars worth of federal subsidies, could weaken companies and expose consumers to high energy costs. On May 7, Georgia Power Co., a unit of Atlanta-based Southern, said it expects to spend $6.4 billion for a 45.7% interest in two new reactors proposed for the Vogtle nuclear plant site near Augusta, Ga. Utility officials declined to disclose total costs. A typical Georgia Power household could expect to see its power bill go up by $144 annually to pay for the plants after 2018, the utility said. Bill Edge, spokesman for the Georgia Public Service Commission, said Georgia "will look at what's best for ratepayers" and could pull support if costs balloon to frightening heights. The existing Vogtle plant, put into service in the late 1980s, cost more than 10 times its original estimate, roughly $4.5 billion for each of two reactors. FPL Group, Juno Beach, Fla., estimates it will cost $6 billion to $9 billion to build each of two reactors at its Turkey Point nuclear site in southeast Florida. It has picked a reactor design by Westinghouse Electric Co., a unit of Toshiba Corp., after concluding it could cost as much as $12 billion to build plants with reactors designed by General Electric Co. The joint venture GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy said it hasn't seen FPL's calculations but is confident its units "are cost-competitive compared with other nuclear designs." Exelon, the nation's biggest nuclear operator, is considering building two reactors on an undeveloped site in Texas, and said the cost could be $5 billion to $6.5 billion each. The plants would be operated as "merchant" plants and thus would not have utility customers on the hook to pay for them, as is the case in both Florida and Georgia. Instead, they would have to cover expenses through wholesale power sales. Several things could derail new development plans. Excessive cost is one. A second is the development of rival technologies that could again make nuclear plants look like white elephants. A drop in prices for coal and natural gas, now very expensive, also could make nuclear plants less attractive. On the other hand, if Congress decides to tax greenhouse-gas emissions, that could make electricity from nuclear plants more attractive by raising costs for generators that burn fossil fuels. Nuclear plants wouldn't have to pay the charges because they aren't emitters. Some states are clearing a path for nuclear-power development, even before costs are fully known. They are inspired by a growing fear of climate change. "The overwhelming feeling in Florida is that nuclear power is popular and that's why it's going to go ahead," said J.R. Kelly, head of the Office of Public Counsel in Tallahassee, which represents consumers. "Our main concern is the tremendous cost." In Florida, state officials are allowing utilities to collect money from customers to cover development and construction costs. In the past, regulators typically required utilities to bear the costs until plants were finished. Many utilities said they are watching with interest. Ralph Izzo, chief executive of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. in New Jersey, said his company may not be big enough to build a nuclear plant, even though it is a nuclear operator. "We're concerned by the rise in construction costs," he said. Write to Rebecca Smith at rebecca.smith(a)wsj.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> • The News: Estimated costs to build the next generation of nuclear power plants have soared to $5 billion to $12 billion a plant. • The Debate: Questions are emerging over the affordability of nuclear power, despite its popularity as an alternative to polluting coal-fired plants. • What to Watch: If Congress taxes greenhouse-gas emissions, nuclear plants, which aren't emitters, will become more attractive. But if coal and natural-gas prices decline, nuclear-plant economics will get worse. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Senator McCain’s Climate Record
by Duane330＠aol.com 18 May '08

18 May '08

Senator McCain’s Climate Record Despite John McCain’s pro-environment rhetoric, protester Bret Thompson thinks McCain’s voting record on the environment merits “24 %.” (Photo: Liza Alwes) Republican presidential contender John McCain made it clear he's not like President George Bush when it comes to global warming - the candidate has pledged to limit greenhouse gas emissions. But critics ask why Senator McCain won't do more to support renewable energy. Living on Earth’s Washington correspondent Jeff Young reports from Washington. [Remember Jeff from his days at WV public radio.] Hear the interview at the following web-site: [Living On Earth, NPR] _http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=08-P13-00020&segmentID=3_ (http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=08-P13-00020&segmentID=3) **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

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Re: [EC] Fwd: New Coal Small Grants Program
by James Kotcon 17 May '08

17 May '08

I think this is worth a shot, or at least a follow-up call. The testmony in January's TrAILCo hearing made it very clear that the US-DOE specifically requested that utilities and FERC assess "what it would take to move an additional 5000 MW of coal-fired electricity from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast." TrAILCo's testimony is that this line would allow construction of another 4 coal-fired power plants. Even if such plants were not built, the line would expand the capacity factor of existing plants to allow a comparable amount of coal to be burned. Given the lower efficiency of these old dirty plants, expanding thier operation would likely be even worse than building new plants. But a project should focus on building grass-roots support, and holding Manchin accountable, not just legal and expert witness fees. While winning court cases is important, West Virginia desperately needs to expand our base of grass roots volunteers, especiually in the mid-eastern panhandle anbd in the central part of the state (PATH will go from the John Amos plant near Putnam County north through very rural and poorly organized counties in west-central WV.) And while I do not like conspiracy theorists, it is clear from our FOIA that PSC Staff felt substantial pressure due to their perception that Manchin supported the TrAILCo line. TrAILCo began pushing Staff for a settlement shortly after the hearings concluded, yet, as recently as April 7, the PSC cheif engineer said that they had no need to settle and that TrAILCo should withdraw the application. Then April 15, the settlement is announced. Whaddya Tink? JBK >>> Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net> 05/17/08 1:32 AM >>> I still have a hard time understanding why the National Coal Campaign does not recognize that defeating TrailCo and PATH would prevent construction of coal-fired power plants. If we don't build the coal fired power plants in WV, our neighbors to the East will build plants in their area which will most likely not be coal fired. Paul Wilson wrote: > fyi, paul > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: *Alice McKeown* <Alice.McKeown(a)sierraclub.org > <mailto:Alice.McKeown@sierraclub.org>> > Date: Fri, May 16, 2008 at 4:23 PM > Subject: New Coal Small Grants Program > To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org > <mailto:COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS@lists.sierraclub.org> > > > The National Coal Campaign is pleased to announce a new small grants > program for 2008. Please see the link below for further details > including > eligibility and how to apply. > > Projects must align with the following primary goals of the National Coal > Campaign: prevent the construction of a new fleet of coal-fired power > plants in the United States, divert investments into clean energy > alternatives, retire or replace existing coal plants, prevent the > construction of coal-to-liquids plants. Grants for mining related > projects > will be available under a different program coming soon. > > > http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/coal/coal-resources.aspx > > > Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and all funds must be > spent by the end of the year. > > If you have any questions, please email coal grants program volunteer > coordinator Verena Owen at baumling(a)aol.com <mailto:baumling@aol.com> > > Many thanks, > Alice > ________________________________ > Alice McKeown > Sierra Club > National Coal Campaign > tel: 202.675.6271 > fax: 202.547.6009 > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: > COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG > <mailto:COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG> > > Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: > http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp > > To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: > http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp > > > > -- > Paul Wilson > Sierra Club > 504 Jefferson Ave > Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 > Phone: 304-725-4360 > Cell: 304-279-6975 > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > EC mailing list > EC(a)osenergy.org > http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec > _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Fwd: New Coal Small Grants Program
by Paul Wilson 17 May '08

17 May '08

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alice McKeown <Alice.McKeown(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Fri, May 16, 2008 at 4:23 PM Subject: New Coal Small Grants Program To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org The National Coal Campaign is pleased to announce a new small grants program for 2008. Please see the link below for further details including eligibility and how to apply. Projects must align with the following primary goals of the National Coal Campaign: prevent the construction of a new fleet of coal-fired power plants in the United States, divert investments into clean energy alternatives, retire or replace existing coal plants, prevent the construction of coal-to-liquids plants. Grants for mining related projects will be available under a different program coming soon. http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/coal/coal-resources.aspx Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and all funds must be spent by the end of the year. If you have any questions, please email coal grants program volunteer coordinator Verena Owen at baumling(a)aol.com Many thanks, Alice ________________________________ Alice McKeown Sierra Club National Coal Campaign tel: 202.675.6271 fax: 202.547.6009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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TrAILCo Service List
by William DePaulo via YouSendIt 16 May '08

16 May '08

Hello from William, You have 1 file(s) called <a href='http://download.yousendit.com/6D1C49246FB82ECC'>SIERRA FOIA REQUEST.zip</a> from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com waiting for download. You can click on the following link to retrieve your file. The link will expire in 14 days and will be available for 500 number of downloads.. Link: http://download.yousendit.com/6D1C49246FB82ECC Do not reply to this automatically-generated email. If you have any questions, please email us at paidsupport(a)yousendit.com ----- File too big for email? Try YouSendIt at http://www.yousendit.com YouSendIt 1919 So. Bascom Avenue, 3rd Floor Campbell, CA, 95008

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Fwd: Newly revised Coal Questions & Answers
by Paul Wilson 16 May '08

16 May '08

fyi, good talking points on this updated Q&A factsheet on Coal. best,paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alice McKeown <Alice.McKeown(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Thu, May 15, 2008 at 12:36 PM Subject: Newly revised Coal Questions & Answers To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org I am pleased to announce that we have revised our coal questions and answers fact sheet. This new version includes a timely update to the question about the FutureGen plant, which was cancelled earlier this year. Please check the new version out on our Clubhouse Headquarters or on our public website: http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/coal/coal-resources.aspx http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/faq/ Many thanks, Alice ________________________________ Alice McKeown Sierra Club National Coal Campaign tel: 202.675.6271 fax: 202.547.6009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Re: [EC] Proposed SD/MN Coal-Fired Power Plant Dealt Setback
by Paul Wilson 14 May '08

14 May '08

fyi, paul Seems that the Club has been successful in some Transmission line issues. In the States*Proposed SD/MN Coal-Fired Power Plant Dealt Setback *On May 9, two administrative judges in Minnesota recommended against the transmission lines needed<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=LRYKls9Ru0JvHlVZ8mJihQ..>for the proposed Big Stone II coal-fired power plant on the grounds that "the five regional power companies in a partnership to build the coal-fired plant had not proved the transmission lines were needed and had failed to show that less expensive conservation measures and renewable energy such as wind could not meet any demand for additional electricity." Big Stone II is proposed for Milbank, S.D., just miles from the border with Minnesota. Our North Star chapter has been part<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=FEGGY4daEEKhUWbx30yDQw..>of a broad coalition fighting the plant. Part of the proposal was a large new transmission line from the plant to the Twin Cities. -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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DRAFT OF SIERRA CLUB INITIAL BRIEF ON APR 15 PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 14 May '08

14 May '08

Please review the attached draft of the brief we will file Friday of this week and forward any comments or suggestions to me no later than COB Wednesday. Tx Bill -- William V. DePaulo, Esq. 179 Summers Street, Suite 232 Charleston, WV 25301-2163 Tel: 304-342-5588 Fax: 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com

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Fwd: REMINDER: Next Coal Activists Call Wednesday, May 14th (TONIGHT)
by Paul Wilson 14 May '08

14 May '08

fyi, paul ps. note the info on small grants for chapters ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alice McKeown <Alice.McKeown(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Wed, May 14, 2008 at 9:13 AM Subject: REMINDER: Next Coal Activists Call Wednesday, May 14th (TONIGHT) To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org A friendly reminder that our next coal activists call will be tonight, Wednesday, May 14. Among other agenda items we will discuss an exciting new local and regional funding opportunity being rolled out by the National Coal Campaign. Bring questions about this and any local issues for our open forum. http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/coal/Default.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please join the National Coal Campaign for our next monthly coal activist coal on Wednesday, May 14th at 8:00 p.m. eastern. This month we will report back on recent news as well as talk about an exciting new small grants opportunity. As always, please bring any questions you have for our open forum. 866 501 6174 224 0743# Agenda 1. Legal update: Pat Gallagher & Bruce Nilles 2. Mercury news & report back: Pat Gallagher & Ginny Cramer 3. Small grants and how you can apply for funding from the Coal Team: Verena Owen 4. Open Forum Also, please make sure to check out our Coal Headquarters on Clubhouse for any coal-related needs. http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/coal/Default.aspx Many thanks, Alice ________________________________ Alice McKeown Sierra Club National Coal Campaign tel: 202.675.6271 fax: 202.547.6009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/ -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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[Fwd: [fom] BRH editorial: Pouring more money into Co-Gen plant may not be right course]
by Regina Hendrix 13 May '08

13 May '08

FYI

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More DEP misdeeds
by Regina Hendrix 12 May '08

12 May '08

See this site: http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=1920

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Fwd: TAKE ACTION: No Dirty Coal Fuels in the Defense Authorization Bill!
by Paul Wilson 07 May '08

07 May '08

This is BIG. Another way for the Coal-To-Liquids crowd to get a foot in the door via Defense appropriates. Please send your letter. Also you will have to send it separately to Rockefeller but there are instructions on how to cut and paste your message in his email system. thanks, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alice McKeown <Alice.McKeown(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Tue, May 6, 2008 at 4:04 PM Subject: TAKE ACTION: No Dirty Coal Fuels in the Defense Authorization Bill! To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org Take Action: No Dirty Fuels in the Defense Authorization Bill Not satisfied with resounding losses last year, coal-to-liquids proponents are now trying to tack incentives for their dirty fuels onto the Defense Authorization bill. Coal-to-liquids, or liquid coal, would cause double the global warming pollution as conventional transportation fuels and would dramatically increase destructive coal mining in our nation. These proponents are also taking aim at "Section 526," a provision in the recently passed energy bill that prohibits federal agencies from spending taxpayer dollars on purchasing contracts for dirty fuels that would increase global warming pollution. Tell Congress to reject incentives for liquid coal and to preserve section 526! https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction… - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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FW: The Herald-Mail ONLINE: Allegheny unsure where power line will be
by Grubb, Karen 06 May '08

06 May '08

________________________________ From: Michael Lippe [mailto:mjlippe@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 8:26 AM To: Grubb, Karen Subject: The Herald-Mail ONLINE: Allegheny unsure where power line will be mjlippe(a)aol.com sent you the following story from The Herald-Mail ONLINE <http://www.herald-mail.com/> : Comments: Follow up to my email this morning. Cheers. ________________________________ 05/02/2008 Allegheny unsure where power line will be Some worry that project will threaten environmentally and historically significant areas WASHINGTON COUNTY - The specific path of a high-voltage transmission line that will run from southeast West Virginia to Frederick County, Md., might not be determined until the end of this year, an Allegheny Power spokesman said Wednesday. You can view the full story here <http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=192705&format=htm l> .

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PSC AND CAD RESPONSE TO SIERRA CLUB FOIA REQUEST
by William DePaulo via YouSendIt 06 May '08

06 May '08

Hello from William, Message from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com: 1128 PAGES FROM PSC AND 647 FROM CAD You have 1 file(s) called <a href='http://download.yousendit.com/9EFC56FA59BF5FB4'>SIERRA FOIA REQUEST.zip</a> from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com waiting for download. You can click on the following link to retrieve your file. The link will expire in 14 days and will be available for 500 number of downloads.. Link: http://download.yousendit.com/9EFC56FA59BF5FB4 Do not reply to this automatically-generated email. If you have any questions, please email us at paidsupport(a)yousendit.com ----- File too big for email? Try YouSendIt at http://www.yousendit.com YouSendIt 1919 So. Bascom Avenue, 3rd Floor Campbell, CA, 95008

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FW: Michael Lippe; Allegheny Power Transmission Lines
by Grubb, Karen 05 May '08

05 May '08

FYI. What is our status? ________________________________ From: MJLippe(a)aol.com [mailto:MJLippe@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 10:05 PM To: Grubb, Karen Cc: mdavis(a)hsc.wvu.edu; brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com; jkotcon(a)wvu.edu; pjgrunt(a)lycos.com; william.depaulo(a)gmail.com Subject: Re: Allegheny Power Transmission Lines Hi Karen, Its me again, from Shepherdstown. I guess we are in the end game now with regard to TrAIL. I was appalled by the PSC Staff's change of position. Basically selling out a principled draft order for a few dollars and jobs. In response, I have written to the PSC, and am attaching a copy of that letter. I am hoping the Sierra Club will continue its fight against TrAIL. I feel I have done about as much as I can, which included going to Moorefield and testifying, donating to the WV Sierra chapter, and writing letters. The main purpose of this letter to you, however, is to ask whether the Club is planning on joining or leading the fight against PATH. I really hope so. As you know, Allegheny is now actively looking at alternative routes in both West Virginia and Maryland. I have already had 2 letters published in Maryland papers (the Baltimore Sun and Frederick News-Post) alerting Maryland readers to the potential danger of PATH to Antietam National Battlefield, and I am writing to the Hagerstown newspaper shortly about a misleading article they just published about PATH. However, what is needed is a campaign on the order of the very persuasive one you wagered with the technical data to support the lack of need for this line as well as the environmental damage that will ensue. By the way, we have 2 eagles and 3 eaglets currently nesting at the National Conservation Training Center here in Shepherdstown, and a dedicated group of online watchers who would be very likely to join a national outcry against any routing that would remotely disturb the eagles! Hoping for a positive response. Sincerely, Michael Lippe In a message dated 10/22/2007 7:50:31 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, kgrubb(a)fairmontstate.edu writes: This is the contact information on our Treasurer for questions on your gift. Chapter Treasurer Mary Davis, 599-6384, mdavis(a)wvu.edu We are making progress on fundraising and have identified several expert witnesses, so we are feeling positive at present. As for an intervention on PATH, that would be up to the Sierra Club and whether we would have the funding to mount another intervention after this one for TrAIL Co. It will also depend on how this intervention goes. To my knowledge Path has not yet applied to the PSC. If TrAIL is defeated, I think it would be easier to stop PATH. Here are the public hearings on TrAIL. Since those of us from this area will probably not make the hearing in Moorefield, it could be helpful for you to recruit people from your area to go to that hearing. 1. On October 23, 2007, at 1:30 pm and again at 6:30 pm, in the Erickson Alumni Center, West Virginia University, Fine Arts and Patteson Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia. 2. On October 24, 2007, at 1:30 pm and again at 6:30 pm, in the Reception Room, 1"' Floor, Taylor County Senior Citizens, Inc., at the intersection of US Routes 119 and 250 South in Grafton, West Virginia. 3. On October 29, 2007, at 1:30 pm and again at 6:30 pm, in the Spruce Room, Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center, Route 32 North, Canaan Valley, Davis, West Virginia. 4. On October 30, 2007, at 1:30 pm and again at 6:30 pm, in the Conference Room, South Branch Inn, 1500 US Route 220 North, Moorefield, West Virginia. 5. On November 28 and 29, 2007, beginning at 9:00 am on both days, in the HMC Hearing Room, Public Service Commission Building, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia. Thank you, Karen ________________________________ From: MJLippe(a)aol.com [mailto:MJLippe@aol.com] Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 11:34 AM To: Grubb, Karen Cc: jkotcon(a)wvu.edu; brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com Subject: Re: Allegheny Power Transmission Lines Dear Karen, Sorry for the delay on this. I am in the process of instructing my Donor Advised Fund, the Michael Lippe Charitable Fund to send you a check for $250.00. They may want to contact the West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club concerning certain details. Could you give me the chapter's phone number and the person with whom they should talk, in case they have to do this? Thanks! I should tell you that with regard to PATH, I have written to our Congresswoman, Shelly Moore Capito, who responded by saying that she forwarded my letter of concern to the WV PSC. I have also talked with the Antietem National Battlefield Director (across the Potomac River in Maryland), who said that they had mobilized and were fighting the proposed PATH route in Maryland and through their national offices of the National Park Service and he seemed guardedly optimistic that at least the lines would not be put through the National Battlefield. The Jefferson County Planning Commission has also apparently weighed in with the WV PSC against the PATH proposal. You mentioned that you were going to contact your attorney, Bill DePaulo, about a possible intervention concerning PATH. I wondered if you had heard anything back from him. When I wrote to Allegheny Power, they responded that the final route had not been determined, so I am not sure whether that means that a formal application is still to be made or whether the application has been made, but everything is still in process. Thank you and please let me know how everything is going. Michael In a message dated 9/29/2007 1:50:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, kgrubb(a)fairmontstate.edu writes: Michael, I will forward your question about including PATH in our intervention to our attorney, Bill DePaulo. I don't believe that PATH has been submitted to PSC yet, so I don't know if it can be brought up at the Intervention. Here is the fundraising information you requested. Karen This is a fight we cannot afford to lose. The expenses are many: expert witnesses who will substantiate these and related arguments, our travel to PSC meetings, educational materials, copying, faxing, and possibly extensive litigation. These are all beyond the West Virginia Chapter's funds. Thus far, we have secured some funds from National Sierra Smart Energy Solutions, and Environmental Law Program, the WV Highlands Conservancy, and private citizens. We are working with the Sierra Club Office of Foundations and Corporate Relations for additional funds. Expert witness costs alone can easily amount to tens of thousands of dollars. A donation from you will help protect West Virginia. For tax-deductible donations, please make checks payable to "The Sierra Club Foundation," and on the Memo line of the check write "WV Chapter." Do not write anything on the check about "Trail" or "Energy." The Sierra Club Foundation is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and gifts to The Foundation are tax-deductible under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Code. IRS regulations require that you retain a written acknowledgement from The Foundation to support your claim of a tax deduction. A receipt of your gift will be mailed to you shortly. The Foundation confirms that you received no goods or services in return for your gift. Please send your donation to: Sierra Club, West Virginia Chapter P. O. Box 4142 Morgantown, WV 26504 Be sure to include your return address so we can send you a tax-deductible receipt. Thank You. Barbara Fallon, WV Chapter, Energy Committee Chair Karen Grubb, WV Chapter, Conservation Chair ________________________________ From: MJLippe(a)aol.com [mailto:MJLippe@aol.com] Sent: Sat 9/29/2007 10:29 AM To: Grubb, Karen Cc: jkotcon(a)wvu.edu Subject: Re: Allegheny Power Transmission Lines Dear Karen, Thank you for this information. I am wondering whether it is possible for the Sierra Club to specifically include and make reference to both the PATH and TRAIL proposals in its testimony before the WV PSC. As well as the potential route going right through our National Conservation Training Center, which Senator Byrd worked so hard to get funded, it is also apparently going to go through Antietem Battlefield in Maryland, which would have a devastating impact on this well-protected national treasure. I agree with you 100% concerning the need for the companies to make a more compelling case on the need for this line in the first place. We are talking with the Jefferson County planning officials about this, but so far they are saying it is a State level matter, not something they will jump in on, which is too bad. Please advise where contributions for this fight should be sent. Thank you, Michael Lippe In a message dated 9/17/2007 12:39:02 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, kgrubb(a)fairmontstate.edu writes: Yes PATH is the other southern line I was referring to. But since, as the attached email says, this line will go to New Jersey, it could go through Jefferson County. I believe the electric lines are up to the PSC, although if the local commission and your representatives in Charleston come out against it, that could carry some weight with PSC. Unfortunately, our governor mostly seems to favor the lines since that means WV will sell more coal. If NIETC if approved by Congress, what the states say may not matter, as the federal government would have the power of eminent domain. NIETC includes the whole top half of WV, and states north and east of it. This federal designation is what has given Allegheny and American Electric the impetus to propose these power lines. Karen: I think you are correct, the Allegheny TrAIL project was at first proposed as indicated, but has since been changed to the current more southern route. The other project to watch is the joint AE-AEP 765-kv line (PATH) from the John Amos plant near Charleston to somewhere in New Jersey. If TrAIL is approved, I suspect that PATH will be next. Furthermore, if the NIETC is approved, Jefferson County could easily be in the route for this or other lines. Hence, stopping TrAIL is important, even if this particular line is not in your back yard. JBK ________________________________ From: MJLippe(a)aol.com [mailto:MJLippe@aol.com] Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 9:09 AM To: Grubb, Karen Subject: Re: Allegheny Power Transmission Lines Dear Karen, I had first thought so myself, but now think that there must be two separate lines, TRAIL and PATH, so I googled Bedington, which is the electric substation near us mentioned in the 2006 Allegheny Power letter and found the following, http://www.alleghenyenergy.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2007/PJM_Bd_Approva l_0607.pdf, I am going to try and follow up this week to see where this stands with the local county planning commission. Do they have any jurisdiction over this, to your knowledge, or would it all be up to the WV Public Service Commission? You mentioned an NIETC. Do you know if this includes Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, I assume it does, and whether it includes anything that Allegheny wants to do anywhere in it? Thank you! Michael Lippe In a message dated 9/16/2007 7:25:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, kgrubb(a)fairmontstate.edu writes: Dear Mr. Lippe, In looking at your attachment, I see it is dated March 6, 2006. I believe that the proposed route has been changed to the more southern route and no longer is planned to go through part of Maryland and Jefferson County. I have also heard that Allegheny Power is avoiding all federal lands along the route. http://www.marstellerclientarea.com/Trail_Map/TRAIL_Map_animation.html I will consult with our Energy Committee to see if they have more information I can give you. The actual eastern NIETC covers at least 2/3 of WV (Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor includes counties in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and all of New Jersey, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.). The Allegheny TrAIL is the actual proposed route of one transmission line, with another being proposed much farther south in WV by American Electric Power. http://www.oe.energy.gov/DocumentsandMedia/4.26.07_National_Corridors.pd f The WV Sierra Club is fighting all additional power lines, regardless of where they are placed. We welcome your help and involvement. We are currently conducting a funding drive to collect money to pay for expert witness testimony for our intervention against Allegheny Power with the WV Public Service Commission. Karen Grubb WV Sierra Conservation Chair ________________________________ From: MJLippe(a)aol.com [mailto:MJLippe@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2007 10:02 PM To: Grubb, Karen Subject: Allegheny Power Transmission Lines Dear Ms. Grubb, There was a recent article in the Shepherdstown Chronicle about an Allegheny Power request for designation of a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor to go through the Eastern Panhandle and Jefferson County, apparently quite near to where we live. Looking at the rough map on the proposal, which I downloaded at http://www.oe.energy.gov/DocumentsandMedia/allegheny.pdf, it appears that the corridor might go through the nearby National Conservation Training Center (where there is a pair of nesting bald eagles) and then cross the Potomac very near if not through Antietem National Battlefield Park. When I started to look this up, I quickly came to your site and the battle concerning the transmission lines being planned, apparently along another route, further to the South. I am assuming that the two corridors are not related, at least geographically, but am not sure and am wondering whether the Sierra Club has looked into the issues concerning the Eastern Panhandle corridor. Thank you for any light you can shed on this and any assistance you can provide in directing me in the right direction to try and find out more about all of this. Perhaps needless to say, we are quite worried about the implications of this proposal. Best regards, Michael Lippe

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Fwd: Story Ideas for May and the Summer
by Paul Wilson 01 May '08

01 May '08

fyi, put your thinking caps on!! paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public NewsService Web Site <wvns(a)publicnewsservice.org> Date: Thu, May 1, 2008 at 11:01 AM Subject: Story Ideas for May and the Summer To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com Hi all. Rob Ferrett here with West Virginia News Service. I'm looking to set up my radio story calendar for May, and to look for ideas for the summer in general, since that can be a slow, vacation-packed time for some people and groups! Also, if you have anything for next week, I'd love to get rolling on that--I'll have a day or two on the road, so if there's anything I can work ahead on, that would be great! Thanks-- Rob Ferrett West Virginia News Service 888-317-6705 --- To be removed from this list please send an e-mail to remove(a)publicnewsservice.org and put the word "remove" in the subject line. -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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