EC September 2011

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

9 participants
16 discussions

Fwd: What, Me Worry?
by James Kotcon 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

This sentence is starting to hit home with me. JBK "Dozens of scientists, including four from the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, warned NY Gov. Cuomo that it will be practically impossible for municipal drinking water systems to protect against chemicals used in natural gas hydraulic fracturing,...." >>> Betty Wiley <betty.w304(a)gmail.com> 9/18/2011 12:34 AM >>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Robert Donnan <redchief7(a)verizon.net> Date: Sat, Sep 17, 2011 at 6:21 AM Subject: What, Me Worry? To: Robert Donnan <redchief7(a)verizon.net> ** *SCIENTISTS: DRILLING THREAT TO WATER* September 16, 2011 - Dozens of scientists, including four from the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, warned NY Gov. Cuomo that it will be practically impossible for municipal drinking water systems to protect against chemicals used in natural gas hydraulic fracturing, also called hydrofracking.**** Their letter to the governor, released Thursday, was signed by 59 experts from 18 states and seven foreign countries, included scientists from **** Cornell** **University**, the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and the ****State** **University**** at Stony Brook.** ** http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Scientists-Drilling-threat-to-water… **** ** ** ** ** *SCIENCE LAGS AS HEALTH PROBLEMS EMERGE NEAR GAS FIELDS* ** September 16, 2011 – Hydraulic fracturing, along with other processes used to drill wells, generates emissions and millions of gallons of hazardous waste that are dumped into open-air pits. The pits have been shown to leak into groundwater and also give off chemical emissions as the fluids evaporate. Residents' most common complaints are respiratory infections, headaches, neurological impairment, nausea and skin rashes. More rarely, they have reported more serious effects, from miscarriages and tumors to benzene poisoning and cancer. **** ProPublica examined government environmental reports and private lawsuits, and interviewed scores of residents, physicians and toxicologists in four states -- **Colorado**, **Texas**, **Wyoming** and ****Pennsylvania**** -- that are drilling hot spots. Our review showed that cases like Wallace-Babb's go back a decade in parts of **Colorado** and ****Wyoming****, where drilling has taken place for years. They are just beginning to emerge in ****Pennsylvania****, where the Marcellus Shale drilling boom began in earnest in 2008. **** http://www.propublica.org/article/science-lags-as-health-problems-emerge-ne… ****

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Will more turbine blades, but at lower RPMs kill fewer bats & other wildlife?
by Frank Young 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

BlankCurrent available information suggests that bats, for example, are more subject to deleterious or deadly interactions with wind turbines on evenings when wind speeds are lowest. On the other hand, a rotor speed of only 3.3 RPMs instead of current rotor speeds of 17-23 RPMs might (or might not) result in a lessening of deadly effects on bats and other wildlife.- Frank ------------------------------------- "A novel turbine design uses two rotors of equal diameter, one each at opposite ends of a nacelle, to capture wind at greater capacity factors than conventional designs can do, say developer Airgenesis LLC (airgenesiswind.com). The developer says the rotors, offset from each other by 60°, will be turning at low speeds of 2.5 to 3.3 rpm, and are capable of producing 51 kW in wind speeds of about 5 mph. With a maximum of 3.3 rpm, it minimizes the possibility of harming wildlife. The low speeds also minimize the danger of ice throws. “All the high rpm speeds are inside the turbine,” explains company spokesman Clayton Troxell. At a wind speed of 15 mph, the design will be producing over 1 MW with a maximum possible output of 10.7 MW at 32 mph." More here: http://www.windpowerengineering.com/design/mechanical/new-thinking-in-turbi…

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Fwd: Coal association says image campaign working in W.Va
by James Kotcon 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

I don't have direct data to compare with the polling discussed below, but my gut feeling is that it is probably a pretty accurate description of the 10-year trend here in WV. Jim Kotcon http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x803555653/Coal-association-… The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia September 15, 2011 Coal association says image campaign working in W.Va. By Bill Archer For The Register-Herald BRUSHFORK — The coal industry in West Virginia is doing a better job of telling its story to the public, and Gary White, chairman of the board of the West Virginia Coal Association, has the data to back it up. White, 61, of Logan, who served as the Media Appreciation Breakfast speaker at the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce’s biennial Bluefield Coal Show, was appointed president of International Resources LLC in April. He said that in 2000, the coal industry was “faced with a negative image” and “after much conversation” the coal association decided to move forward to change that image. According to White, the association assessed a “per ton fee” to its membership and hired the Charleston-based public relations firm of Charles Ryan & Associates. After that, White said the association had serious discussions on the topic of making a concentrated effort “to move the needle” on the gauge of public opinion. In 2001, White said Ryan & Associates conducted a baseline poll to determine the public’s perception of the coal industry and found that only 45 percent of the 600 residents polled had a favorable opinion of the coal industry. >From 2001 until 2008, the coal industry’s “level of support” had climbed to 61 percent, with an additional question concerning level of trust that also received a 61 percent favorable response. White said the coal association decided to undertake another study this year to determine its 10-year position. R.L. Repass & Associates Inc. recently conducted the study and determined that the state’s favorable opinion of the coal industry has grown to 74 percent. In addition to the favorable ranking, White told the audience that the coal industry received an 82 percent favorable level of trust response. He added that 82 percent of the residents surveyed believe the coal industry is doing a better job in terms of its commitment to the environment and said that 92 percent of the people surveyed believe there can be a balance between coal mining and environmental regulations. When the coal association started examining its strengths, White said that Warren Hylton said the association had an army to help us. “Warren came up with the idea for the Friends of Coal,” White said. He noted that the Friends of Coal Bowl between West Virginia and Marshall universities continues to serve as a centerpiece of that organization. White added that the Kentucky Coal Association is doing something similar with their University of Kentucky versus Louisville in-state rivalry game. In addition to the Friends of Coal Bowl, White said the highly successful Friends of Coal Auto Show in Beckley that draws 30,000 people annually is also an outgrowth of Hylton’s idea, and added that West Virginia now has 1,000 Friends of Coal license plates. “We got a later start than our friends in Kentucky on the license plates,” White said. “They already have 43,000 Friends of Coal license plates in Kentucky. When people see that, it makes a difference.” Along with Friends of Coal, White said that Arch Coal’s CEDAR (Coal Education Development And Resource) program, as well as FACES (Federation for American Coal Energy and Security) of Coal, makes its presence known at public hearings. He also said organizations like Coal Mining Our Future in Kentucky, and other initiatives including meeting with local clergy, are making a difference. He characterized the Environmental Protection Agency as “the most egregious agency in the (Obama) administration” and urged the people attending the coal show to keep working to promote better understanding of the coal industry. “We can’t just rest on the successes we’ve had in West Virginia,” White said as he toured the 237 exhibitors participating in the coal show. “I think we’ve helped the average person connect the dots. We’ve helped people understand where their energy comes from.” He said that all of the initiatives are making a difference. “We are moving the needle of public opinion in favor of the coal industry,” he said. Following the breakfast, the scene shifted to the National Guard Armory/Civic Center for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the coal show. “We’re doing some positive things in the coal industry,” Bill Reid said as White cut the ribbon to open the three-day event.

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Gubernatorial Candidate Involved in Car Accident with Semi-truck
by Frank Young 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

Some of you may have already read or heard that Bob Henry Baber was involved in a traffic accident earlier today. I just spoke with Bob Henry's daughter via cell phone. She says that they are mostly OK, but that the hospital wants to keep Bob overnight for observation. She said that he got a "pretty good" bump on the head, but that the word so far is that the biggest concern appears to be about some possible whiplash. So Bob may be running a little slower in the 3 weeks remaining of this election campaign. Frank Young ---------- Original Message ----- Date: Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 12:38 PM Subject: re: Gubernatorial Candidate Involved in Car Accident with Semi-truck IMPORTANT UPDATE: While driving on I-79 to Pittsburgh, PA to catch a flight, Dr. Robert “Bob Henry” Baber and his two youngest children, Cody and Jackie, were involved in a traffic accident. A PAVCO semi-trailer truck illegally entered their lane and struck their vehicle with enough force to pin them to the guard rail. The driver of the truck did not stop. He was later apprehended by law enforcement on I-68. Candidate Baber and his children received some injuries (to my knowledge, none are life-threatening) and have been transported to Reuben Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV.

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coal euphemism
by Jim Sconyers 08 Sep '11

08 Sep '11

I notice in the NMA blast against the Sierra Club that they have softened "coal-fired" power plants to "coal based." See how much nicer that sounds? -- Jim Sconyers jimscon(a)gmail.com 304.698.9628 Remember, Mother Nature bats last.

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OAG Expo in Morgantown
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 03 Sep '11

03 Sep '11

http://www.wvoilandgasexpo.com/why_morgantown.php As the statewide debate on Marcellus Shale drilling and fracing unfolds, the city of Morgantown has become a central topic of discussion. On June 21, the Morgantown City Council enacted an ordinance banning hydraulic fracturing of natural gas wells drilled horizontally within a mile outside city limits, starting a chain reaction that has spurred discussion statewide, from small towns to the state capital. The West Virginia Oil and Gas Expo will be held at Mylan Park in Morgantown on October 5. While hosting the Expo in the very city that seeks to ban oil and gas operations within city limits may seem counter-productive, there are several reasons why the area is perfectly suited for this event. This could be a great opportunity. Mon General is one of the sponsors. I can fill people in with details if they are interested.

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EC September 2011