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Fwd: Fw: Statement from Mary Anne Hitt on Peabody "Coal Cares" prank by the Yes Men
by James Kotcon 11 May '11

11 May '11

So I guess it was a prank. JBK >>> Orli Cotel <Orli.Cotel(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> 5/10/2011 5:01 PM >>> Hi, wanted to make sure everyone saw this statement that went out earlier today. Orli Orli Cotel Deputy Communications Director Sierra Club (415)977-5627 (work) (646)522-7751 (cell) -----Forwarded by Orli Cotel/Sierraclub on 05/10/2011 02:00PM ----- To: orli.cotel(a)sierraclub.org From: "Orli Cotel, Sierra Club" <orli.cotel(a)sierraclub.org> Date: 05/10/2011 11:52AM Subject: Statement from Mary Anne Hitt on Peabody "Coal Cares" prank by the Yes Men View a web version of this email. Contact: Orli Cotel (415) 977-5627 or (646) 522-7751 Statement of Beyond Coal Campaign Director Mary Anne Hitt, in response to the Yes Men prank launching fake “Coal Cares” website from Peabody Coal Today, a website reported to be from Peabody Coal , called "Coal Cares" www.coalcares.org, announced that the company would offer reimbursement vouchers to any family of a child with asthma living near a coal-fired power plant. The website was recently revealed to be a prank by The Yes Men. Mary Anne Hitt responds: “Today’s prank from the Yes Men may have been a fake, but it drew attention to a very real issue. Pollution from coal plants is making kids sick, triggering asthma attacks and more. Coal pollution causes over 12,000 visits to the emergency room each year – and over $100 billion in health costs. Low-income families are struggling to pay health care bills for their kids, while polluters like Peabody should be paying for the mess they create. It's clear that, well, coal doesn’t care. Peabody’s response today showed that the company is not planning to help the families that are bearing the burden of the pollution they’re creating. While this prank may have been satirical, the real effects of coal pollution on kids with asthma is not funny. This is yet another reminder that we need to transition to cleaner sources of energy like wind and solar that don't make people sick." Sierra Club | 85 Second St., San Francisco, CA 94105 | Change Media Type | Contact Us | Visit the Press Room Update My Profile | Manage My Email Preferences | Update My Interests | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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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Fw: Wind Power and Wildlife: Set the Record Straight
by Frank Young 05 May '11

05 May '11

Wind Power and Wildlife: Set the Record StraightJim and all- Here is an AWEA alert about some of what I was telling you about at the ExCom meeting Saturday. I am not familiar with the draft guidelines USFWS has formulated. But AWEA is obviously mounting a campaign to weaken them. Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: Denise Bode, AWEA To: Franklin Young Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 5:36 PM Subject: Wind Power and Wildlife: Set the Record Straight Dear Franklin, The future of the American wind industry is at stake - draft guidelines from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) threaten to halt the development of 34,000 megawatts of wind projects (enough to power nearly 9 million homes) and endanger 27,500 American jobs, all without achieving benefits to wildlife beyond those available from less intrusive means. The deadline for public comments is just two weeks away and we need you to write to FWS and set the record straight. Let them know that: a.. Deploying wind power and protecting wildlife are important and complementary goals - and that the wind energy industry has worked with states, wildlife conservation organizations, scientists, tribes, and federal officials to provide recommended guidelines that would achieve just that. Click here to read more about this initiative. b.. Expanding the use of wind power improves environmental conditions for wildlife because wind power has none of the harmful emissions, water use, mining, drilling and hazardous waste of other energy sources. c.. While birds do collide with wind turbines at some sites, modern wind power plants are collectively far less harmful to birds than numerous other manmade projects like radio towers, tall buildings, airplanes or vehivcles. The National Academy of Sciences estimated in 2006 that wind power is responsible for 3 of every 100,000 bird detahs caused by humands and pets. With two weeks left in their public comment period there's still time for you to submit a comment to FWS to urge them to adopt guidelines that are workable for wind power and wildlife. We have drafted a letter for you that includes the facts referenced in this e-mail. Please personalize this letter with a sentence or two about the importance of growing wind energy development in the U.S. and click submit to send it along to FWS. Thanks so much for your help on this important issue. Sincerely, Denise Bode CEO, American Wind Energy Association If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

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FW: [mountainpartyexcom] Bob Henry Baber interview with Beckley newspaper
by Grubb, Karen 02 May '11

02 May '11

April 24, 2011 Gubernatorial candidate profiles: the Mountain Party’s Bob Henry Baber<http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x461201913/Gubernatorial-can…> <http://www.register-herald.com/> BECKLEY — Editor’s Note: Through May 4, The Register-Herald will publish a daily story featuring in-depth interviews we conducted with candidates seeking the office of governor of West Virginia. Each of the 16 people who filed were issued an invitation to appear before our editorial board, and 14 of those came to Beckley to meet with us and discuss some of the key issues in West Virginia. The stories will appear in the order in which the candidates were interviewed. Today’s story focuses on Mountain candidate Bob Henry Baber, of Glenville. 1 — It certainly appears that Marcellus shale regulation will remain a major topic of interest for the next several years. What are the key features that you see that need to be included in West Virginia law in order to best serve the interests of all the parties involved? Obviously, I’m for the development of this relatively green energy source. We do have to have regulation, no doubt about that. That’s going to mean we’re going to have to have some fees, the tax. We’re going to have to increase the filing fees. Even the DEP says right now they really don’t have enforcement capabilities for these now about 3,000 new employees that are pretty much gallivanting around the state. It’s really, really important that we protect our water and that we make sure that the environment is protected as this new wave of development takes place. I do want to say, interestingly enough, I have a farm in Greenbrier County. And I do not own the mineral rights. It’s a broad form deed. I actually brought two of them with me. I’ll leave them with you. These are the deeds to my grandparents’ farm, and they actually outline the rights of the surface owner as opposed to the mineral owner, and/or the gas owner in this case. And really, as I jokingly said, it’s a broad form of deed; all grandpa, all you bought, was the air. These broad form deeds were revised, you might say outlawed, for strip mining purposes in every state in the union. Kentucky was the last in 1980. But the only thing the landowner is protected from, the private landowner, is from strip mining. They’re not protected from gas interests. And that gives me real pause because, guess what, I got a letter from a gas company saying we want to come in and test on your farm. I’ve got 30 acres in Greenbrier County. I’m surrounded by 300,000 privately held acres in Westvaco, and it kind of makes me wonder why they want to come in on my 30 when there’s 300,000 around me. It also gives me pause for my well, my land, my surface. I’ve only got seven acres that are cleared. The test might not be that big. But if an actual well came in, it could be significant. This poses a real growth opportunity for West Virginia. But we need to protect the environment. And there’s one thing that I’m going to say, and that is, this can probably open to maybe another conversation a little about mountaintop mining and coal mining. But we need to, with this Marcellus development, create what I’m calling the energy dividend. We need to rake some money off the top of gas and coal. I’m talking new taxes, or severance taxes, to create the new green economy. We are an energy-producing state. That’s kind of insulated us a little bit. You know, everything is happening in the country. Of course, we didn’t have a big bubble to pop. But we’ve got to bridge the future to the new energy future. We have that opportunity, being an energy-producing state now, with fossil fuels, to move into the future, to plan the West Virginia of 50 years from now. And I don’t really see anyone looking at that. 2 — As the debt for OPEB continues to rise, what steps need to be taken to stem the tide and begin reversing this trend? It’s a huge problem, and I have to say I really don’t have a ready solution for it, and I’m not sure any other politicians really do. A lot of our politicians say cut taxes and make jobs. I have no idea what that actually really means. We’re going to have to continue to be extremely fiscally responsible in West Virginia. I’ve been mayor. Even though I’m a liberal in the Mountain Party, I’m as tight as the bark on a tree. I was as tight as the bark on a tree in Richwood. You can’t spend money. Now, people say you’ve got to cut waste and use the waste to cut down the liability. Unfortunately, you know, waste is not like a slab of fat on the side of a steak. It’s not like that. So waste is extremely difficult to cut. It can be done. I found out when I was in Richwood. But it’s not a very small level. I’d like to speak from specificities of my experiences. Really, 10 percent of our budget was being wasted. We had a $1 million budget; about $100,000 was being wasted on equipment you couldn’t need, couldn’t use, couldn’t fix. Plus, and this is something you kind of get into, this is sort of a difficult issue, you have to have an investment strategy for your state. Sometimes you have to invest to save. We all know that. When your car gets really, really old, sometimes you’re better off to take a loan and buy a new one. In Richwood, when I became mayor, I found out that we had old computers that no one was trained on. We weren’t paying anybody anything to work them either, $7 or $8 an hour. Well, guess what? At the end of the year, we had to hire all the accountants to come in and redo all our books and spend a small fortune doing it, because all the data we had was garbage. So what did we do? We invested and spent some money on buying new computers and training our people to use them. We gave them pay raises from $7-$8 to $10-$12, and guess what, we saved money. So sometimes you do have to invest to save. And that’s a complex issue for people to understand, I think, sometimes. You can’t just say, well, cut, cut, cut, cut. You’re a newspaper. Sometimes you have to spend money to save money or move forward. Waste is awful hard to get at. I think we should try to do that. But that’s going to be an ongoing issue for our state. I applaud Gov. Manchin’s first forays into paying down some of our unfunded liabilities. He was a fiscally responsible governor, rolled up his sleeves and did a few things. I worked very closely in Richwood to do some things. We’re just going to have to watch our budget like a hawk and try to pay down these unfunded liabilities as best we can. 3 — Transportation remains a significant issue, especially in our region. What, specifically, will you do as governor to try to resolve the funding crisis as it relates to financing new construction and providing for adequate maintenance of our existing roads and bridges? It is a big issue. I do think that one of the hidden costs of coal is its toll on our roads, particularly in the southern part of the state. And we’re starting to see this with Marcellus shale, too, where a lot of these small roads in the rural areas are being torn all to pieces. So that’s another issue we have to take a look at. If you look at the state budget, 50 percent of it goes to education. Another 20 percent goes to welfare and social systems. Another 15 to 20 percent for security. And actually, when you start getting down to the nitty gritty, there’s not a whole lot of slack in our budget. So, I think, the federal government is not in great shape. Federal money is going to get tougher, and tougher and tougher to get. We’re going to have to get very aggressive about linking with and utilizing the federal government to... We’re already getting more than our fair share of the pie, but we’re going to have to continue to do that. We’re going to need federal dollars. It’s going to have to be part of the Marcellus shale solution, too. We’re going to have to factor in the cost to the roads and what the damage to the roads is going to be. (Would you have signed the $40 million increase in motor vehicle fees?) I’m not too happy about the vehicle tax, to be honest with you. Vehicles are something everybody has to have. I think it tends to be harder on and unfair for the lower-class person. I’m more vice-oriented. I think that taxes on cigarettes should go up. Liquor and things like that. I really don’t like raising taxes, but if you do have to raise taxes, I don’t like to do it on necessities. I am glad that we lowered the food sales tax by one percent. I hope eventually we’ll get rid of that. 4 — One of former Gov. Joe Manchin’s major platform issues was education reform. While much was discussed, no wide-ranging changes to the way we educate our children have been made in the recent past. What are your plans when it comes to education reform? Well, first, I want to say I really am a big supporter of small schools, and I think we should maintain as many of those as we possibly can, particularly our little elementary schools out in the rural area. Now, I come from Richwood. Richwood is continuing to be in decline. The elementary school would be fine. Richwood High School is hanging in there. Richwood High School actually is the heart and soul of that town right now, the town itself economically. Richwood used to be the Lewisburg of the mountains. It’s now like a bubble of southern West Virginia with the loss of coal jobs and the emergence of Summersville as a regional hub. If Richwood lost its high school, it would literally have no heart left. On the other hand, I’m in Gilmer County right now. Gilmer has lost half its population in 20 years. We have five little, tiny, old elementary schools, and frankly, they don’t want to lose them, because these little towns that have them, Normantown, whatever, if they lose their school, that’s kind of the end of their town, last little focal point. On the other hand, when you’re in a county that’s lost half of its population, you may have to consolidate in some cases. And that’s to be avoided. I hate long bus rides for the kids. But it may have to happen. Going up to the next level, we definitely need to link higher education more effectively with our students coming out of high school. So many students showing up at Glenville don’t have the skills to make it. They really don’t. And I really love what our colleges are doing. You know, we have the hidden P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Scholarship program. It’s actually the wave of the future of West Virginia. I’m going to tap my institution at Glenville. We’ve caught the wave, you might say. And our idea is to identify great students who might be first generation and have specific needs and start cultivating them in the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th grade, bring them to camps, get them introduced to college. Give them some scholarship money. If they come to Glenville, great. But if they go to college, great. If you look at the United States today, 25 percent of United States citizens have bachelor’s degrees. In West Virginia, it’s 17 percent, and in central West Virginia it’s 13 percent. And I’m going to say something here that’s probably going to be a little unpopular with some of your readers. But I do believe that the P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Scholarship should be needs-based. Really. I’m a professor myself. And I’ve been a single dad. I’ve raised three kids. I’m not making any big money. I’ve got two in college. So it’s a bit of a struggle for me. But I’m making a decent salary, too. But you know, traditionally, the vehicle by which people could move up in our society was through higher education. And really, when you have doctors and lawyers and professors such as myself, those kids are more apt to get P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Scholarship but don’t have as great a need. We need to reach down here and help these students who are not going to make it to school unless we help them out. And I will say on the federal level, even though this is not specifically about West Virginia, Obama has called for $44 billion for Pell Grants and loans. The Republicans want $17 billion. To me, that’s a cut that should not be made. That’s an investment strategy. We’re now No. 9 in the world in terms of graduation and sinking fast. If we’re going to compete in the world of the future, we’ve got to continue to get college graduates, and that means giving them the money to go to school. Even as it is, the students... My son is going to Glenville right now. He’s borrowing some serious money. He’s going to be $30,000 in debt, or more, when he gets out. Well, that’s daunting to me, to think about starting out life that way. We’ve got to help our students. (On the issue of dropouts) I think this program we’ve got at Glenville... We’ve got a mentoring component, identifying students who are leader students. We’ve really got to start reaching down in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. You cannot wait until the ninth, 10th and 11th grades. They’re lost to you by then. So we’ve got to start intervening early in identifying the at-risk students and trying to get them interested in going to college and keeping them going. Also, we traditionally in West Virginia, unfortunately, have sort of brought up the rear in terms of community colleges. We’ve made some progress that way. But they really are the gateway institutions. So, linkages to those students who may not want to do a traditional four-year school but would want to be in the different trades. I’ll give you a great example from Glenville. We have a land resources program. Those students are doing very, very well now, with everything that’s going on in the gas fields. Well, you know a bunch of our programs are associate degree programs. Most people don’t know that, even though we’re a four-year school. So you can get a two-year degree and leave Glenville and go right out into the oil and gas fields and make a good salary for yourself and a good living. So, these are the kinds of things we need to look at, very pragmatic linkages with what our state’s needs are and the needs of our students. (On charter schools) I’m not opposed to charter schools. They don’t really seem to be that big of an issue in West Virginia. We really don’t have the wherewithal to make a whole lot of charter schools. In urban areas, charter schools have been used and some by the Republicans, I think, as kind of a wedge into the public school system. I like the public school system and support the public school system. To come back to one of your earlier questions, I would like to see us have sort of... Obama had sort of a Race to the Top. I like the idea that we would put out grant programs that would not penalize schools that are necessarily doing poorly but reward schools for doing very well and reward teachers who are doing well. So I think that would be a way to improve our schools. 5 — We are constantly being told, and are witnessing every day the far-reaching impacts of drug abuse. What will you do as governor to address the epidemic and do you have any specific plans for interdiction efforts? That is a deep, deep-breath question. I saw plenty of it in Richwood. We’ve got plenty of opportunity to walk around the corner and get some OxyContin if you’ve got a mind to do it. And OxyContin is terribly frightening to me. These designer drugs are so enticing. I feared for my own children, to be honest with you, when they were in Richwood. You’re just thinking, “Hey, you know, it’s one thing to be smoking marijuana, and a lot of our kids do, right?” That doesn’t really frighten me that much. But when you think about them crushing up the first OxyContin pill and doing it, and knowing their brain circuitry is going to be rewired, that’s a terribly frightening thought. I think we’ve just got to — our education system — we’ve just got to get our kids interested in making a life for themselves. And it’s tough. I know in Richwood, you know, that town is very depressed. The kids are depressed. And the temptation, you know, to self-medicate, is very, very strong. So I think we need to do education. We need to be talking to students about the perils of this. To be honest with you, I think our “Just Say No” strategy is a bit naive and foolish, because you can say that and the kids will be with that until they’re about 10 or 12, and they’re going to try marijuana, and they’ll get a little high and kind of enjoy it. And then they’ll start drinking and saying, “Well, you say drinking was bad, but I kind of enjoyed those first couple of beers. Now maybe I’ll hit it a little bit harder.” So I think some reality-based discussions with the, about the true nature of what can happen to you if you head down the serious drug road. We need to get that word out there. Maybe we need to get people who have really lost it and fallen apart, have them in schools talking more about this to kids, where they can see people who have gone to prison, people who have lost their families and their jobs. A little reality-based talking. Please highlight the key points of your platform. I want to say a couple of things. First, I run kind of as a common person. You might say in the Mountain Party, we’re sort of the bake-sale party. And I think that actually speaks well of us. Because as the big money is raised by the Republicans and Democrats, you got to be wondering, you know, what influence is that buying? It will buy influence. I’ve lived all over West Virginia. I have a child born here in Beckley. I’ve been in Beckley, Williamson, Montgomery, Richwood, Charleston, Huntington and Glenville. I’ve lived all over the state. And I’ve been everything from a house painter and a landscaper to an executive director, a Kellogg fellow, and a mayor. I’ve really got a breadth of experience that I think probably many of the other politicians don’t have. One thing that has to be addressed in our discussion here today is the issue of mine safety. I’m very unhappy with what happened at Upper Big Branch. I am not an enemy of coal. However, if coal is gong to put profits above the lives of 29 miners, and that’s what happened at Upper Big Branch... We all know there were no carbide tips on the front of the machine. The mine was laced with coal dust. So those sparks followed the coal dust to the methane. It’s murder. I’m not against coal. We are going to be dependent on coal. We are going to mine coal in West Virginia. But we need to do it safely and responsibly. Also, in regard to mountaintop mining, which is a huge plank of the Mountain Party, none of the Republicans or Democrats who are running are going to say they’re against mountaintop removal, because they want to be governor, and if you say that, you can’t get to be governor, which is unfortunate. >From an ecological point of view, we should stop mountaintop removal today. However, we have to take a reality bite here and that is right now, there are 6,000 miners directly tied to that employment, and probably another 10 to 15,000 indirect jobs. So we need to phase out mountaintop removal. We need to put the bulldozers in reverse, actually, and start reclaiming the land that’s already behind us. And I have a proposal to do that. We should take abandoned mine land; that’s what the money is for. We’ve got to start a transition in those southern counties toward what I call a green economy. We take some money off of coal and gas, and we create solar manufacturing plants and solar collector stations, and we transition to the new green economy, which is coming. And we need to get ahead of the curve and think forward, not backward. We have a lot of politicians now digging in their heels, looking backward, trying to defend coal. No, let’s take this last window of opportunity with coal and this new window of opportunity with fracking and create the new green that’s coming. I wanted to say this about jobs. So we have green energy jobs. I’ll not talk about the West Virginia Development Office. You may not be aware of this. I’ve been in grant writing and have written $21 million grants in my life. West Virginia is getting one-fourth of the federal and private grant dollars that Mississippi is getting. Why? We don’t have enough people in West Virginia that know how to write grants to get our fair share of the pie. Our West Virginia Development Office should have 10 grant writers that do nothing but follow the big foundations around — Wal-Mart, Lumina, putting out huge money for education. And on the list goes. Grants for health care, obesity — all the issues that our state needs to address. We’re not getting the private dollars to augment what we need. Tourism. I’m huge on tourism, and that is one place I would invest more money in. Tourism is huge for West Virginia’s future; that would include bringing the retirees back. We’re seeing quite a bit of that. Tourism is huge for West Virginia. We need to push, push, push on that. But unfortunately, mountaintop removal is antithetical to tourism. So, we’ve got to protect our environment. One little catch phrase I’d like to throw out to you — what I call the “green new deal.” I want to talk about the jobs that are going to be the new green jobs for West Virginia. Does coal have a future in green energy world? Coal is going to be with us for awhile. It does not matter. Right now, the environmental groups are trying to end mountaintop removal. You know, the Spruce Knob has been significantly downsized, or even stopped, by EPA for now. They had other alternatives, and they did not submit them. They could have done 80 to 90 percent of what they wanted to do, but they got a little greedy. Here’s the big story that’s not being told to West Virginia: Mountaintop removal will end, and it’s not going to end because of the EPA or the environmentalists. It’s going to end because we are in competition with the Powder River basin in Wyoming, which is now producing 400 million tons of coal a year, 40 percent of all the electrical energy made by coal in the United States. And that mine is growing by leaps and bounds. We’re not going to compete much longer with that mine. I believe that mountaintop removal is going to end in West Virginia, no matter what, probably at a maximum 15 to 20 years. My biggest fear is that it’s going to end, and in its wake, the coal companies are going to pull out and leave behind massive chunks of unreclaimed land. That’s the worst possible scenario that can happen. The country is going to continue to consume coal. We’re hooked on it. We’re hooked on coal, and we’re hooked on oil. We have no place else to go. So, coal’s not going anywhere. Now, our metallurgical coal will continue to be a very viable export. When people say I’m an environmentalist, but guess what, I tanked up my car to drive down here to see you guys here today. And I like to turn on the lights in my house, too. I’m just as dependent as you are. We’re all part of the problem. So, I haven’t got my head stuck in the clouds, saying, “We’re just going to pull the plug on coal,” and say, “Oh, well, that’s it for coal.” That ain’t going to happen. Mountain Party's Bob Henry Baber talks about green jobs and the economy in W.Va. gov race<http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/3166f997419540adba798a7afe4236c6/WV--…> * BRITTANY ERSKINE Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Preparing West Virginia for the economy of the future is exactly what Bob Henry Baber wants to do. "We're just not doing what we need to do to move forward," Baber said. "West Virginia should be able to educate our people and move our people forward and be a cutting edge state." The 60-year-old former mayor of Richwood is one of two Mountain Party candidates competing for the party's nomination, which will be decided at convention Sunday. Six Democrats and eight Republicans are running in the May 14 primary election. This year's special gubernatorial election is to fill the remaining term of former Gov. Joe Manchin, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last year following the death of Sen. Robert C. Byrd. Baber sees the state gradually transitioning to producing and using green energy. "We could have solar factories making solar panels and selling them around the world," he said. "We're in a key position to make a transition to becoming the new green energy state." As governor, his two priorities would be "education and tying education to jobs." As a major gifts officer and former professor at Glenville State University, Baber praises the school's Hidden Promise program. The program identifies sixth-graders with promise, but in "need some help getting to go to college." Participants receive tutoring, mentoring and other activities designed to keep them in school and help them get into college. A small schools person, Baber wants to see the state's merit-based PROMISE scholarship shift to a needs-based scholarship to better help those in the middle class and below. "Needs should get it first," he said. "Fair is fair." Tying the curriculum of vocational schools to industry would help create jobs, particularly for the work force that will be demanded by Marcellus shale development, Baber said. He said community development could be enhanced by expanding access to high-speed internet and by fiscally empowering communities. "We tell people to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but they have no capital," Baber said. ""It's not like these little towns don't know what they need to do. They know what they need to do, but the ones with no money don't have the capital to invest so they can't do it." One way to get money to communities for economic development projects may be through foundation grants, he said. According to FoundationSearch.com, in 2010 over $3.1 billion in grants were distributed throughout the nation. Only $4.8 million of that went to West Virginia. "One of the first things I would do as governor, I would hire 10 new people for the West Virginia Development office who would do nothing but link state needs with what the foundations were giving away nationally," he said. Calling the Republicans and Democrats "more alike than different," Baber said the Mountain Party offers voters a truly alternative platform.

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FW: Bob Henry Baber Wins Mountain Party Nomination for State Governor
by Grubb, Karen 02 May '11

02 May '11

Please read and forward widely to your organizational groups. Karen Grubb Mountain Party Secretary ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Ronda Gregory <ronda.gregory4(a)gmail.com> To: dhcorcoran(a)gmail.com; BErkskine(a)ap.org; russell(a)earthday.net; atoma68(a)yahoo.com; Roger.Sublett(a)myunion.edu; kmw(a)wvexecutive.com; mark(a)imagesbyromano.com; dbeard(a)dominionpost.com Sent: Mon, May 2, 2011 9:40:56 AM Subject: Bob Henry Baber Wins Mountain Party Nomination for State Governor Folks: Attached is the press release announcing that Bob Henry Baber was nominated yesterday as the Mountain Party candidate for governor. If you have any questions, please contact either me or Mr. Baber. Thank you for your time and attention to this wonderful news. Ronda Gregory Ronda Gregory Communications Director Bob Henry Baber for Governor Campaign Cell: (304) 685-3557 E-mail: ronda.gregory4(a)gmail.com<mailto:ronda.gregory4@gmail.com> Bob Henry Baber Home: (304) 462-0320 Cell: (304) 904-2440 E-mail: mayorbobhenrybaber(a)yahoo.com<mailto:mayorbobhenrybaber@yahoo.com>

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Fwd: Breaking News from InsideEPA.com
by Paul Wilson 29 Apr '11

29 Apr '11

I don't subscribe to this service but thought this story would be of interest to many..... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: InsideEPA.com <epa-alerts(a)iwpnews.com> Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2011 at 1:08 PM Subject: Breaking News from InsideEPA.com To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com [image: InsideEPA.com] <http://insideepa.com/> Breaking News from InsideEPA.com . . . . The stage has been set for one of the most important years of energy policymaking in decades now that the Obama administration is calling on the natural gas to agree to new environmental controls. One key natural gas regulation the administration is developing targets greenhouse gas and other emissions from drilling operations *but EPA has made a deal with environmental lawyers to delay its release until next February.* There is only one way to get to the action before the rules are proposed and that’s InsideEPA.com. We’ll give you a trial subscription free for 30 days<http://insideepa.com/component/option,com_trialuser/code,4282011>to prove it. *Here’s the story:* *EPA Stalls Gas Drilling Air Rules But Consensus Emerges On Methane Limits<http://insideepa.com/Inside-EPA-General/Inside-EPA-Public-Content/epa-stall…> * *And here’s the offer:* Try InsideEPA.com free for a full 30 days and experience our trademark investigative business reporting for yourself. There's no cost, no risk and nothing to lose. Your trial subscription to Inside EPA.com will include regular email updates on emerging regulations for fracking and natural gas drilling. *Sign up right now<http://insideepa.com/component/option,com_trialuser/code,4282011> * * *Now is the best time to subscribe to InsideEPA.com to get the behind-the-scenes story on these upcoming regulations for the natural gas industry, as well as the Obama administration's aggressive agenda on a host of environmental issues, from climate change to water quality regulations. For the past 30 years Inside EPA has been the leading news sources for tracking emerging policy debates at EPA and within the federal government, and our out-ahead coverage on the latest dust-up over fracking builds on that award-winning stature. Regards, The Editors InsideEPA.com/Inside EPA Weekly Report Try InsideEPA.com Today *You can start a 30-day free trial of InsideEPA.com right now* -- it only takes seconds, no credit card is required and you'll receive no bill or invoice. Just click here to sign up today<http://insideepa.com/component/option,com_trialuser/code,4282011> . Customer Service 703-416-8505 iepa(a)iwpnews.com Site Licenses Available Want to share access to InsideEPA.com with your colleagues? We have economical site license packages available to fit any size organization, from a few people at one location to company-wide access. For more information on how you can get greater access to InsideEPA.com for your office, contact our Online Customer Service department at 703-416-8505 or iepa(a)iwpnews.com <+iepa(a)iwpnews.com>. *Mailing address:* 1919 South Eads Street, Suite 201, Arlington VA 22202 *Telephone:* 703-416-8500 or 1-800-424-9068 Please do not respond to this e-mail, as it was sent from an unmonitored mailbox. If you have a customer service inquiry, please contact us at iepa(a)iwpnews.com. If you wish to unsubscribe from InsideEPA.com email notifications please click here<http://iwp.lyris.net/t/44576/762982/77274/0/?3e076d18=cGpncnVudEBnbWFpbC5jb…>. Copyright © 2011 Inside Washington Publishers. All rights reserved. -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fwd: Sierra Club Launches Interactive Map of U.S. Coal-fired Power Plants
by Paul Wilson 28 Apr '11

28 Apr '11

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Oliver Bernstein <oliver.bernstein(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2011 at 12:11 PM Subject: Sierra Club Launches Interactive Map of U.S. Coal-fired Power Plants To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org *Special thanks to Adam Kapp and Megan Siems for all of their programming and research on this project. Thanks also to Ginny Cramer, Adrian Cotter, Mary Anne Hitt, Verena Owen and the Online Organizing Department.* ---------------------------------------- BLOG POST about the new coal map from Mary Anne Hitt -- Grist - http://www.grist.org/article/2011-04-28-is-there-a-toxic-mercury-hot-spot-n… Daily Kos - http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/04/28/971045/-Is-There-a-Toxic-Mercury-H… Compass - http://sierraclub.typepad.com/compass/2011/04/is-there-a-toxic-mercury-hot-… Alternet - http://blogs.alternet.org/maryannehitt/2011/04/28/is-there-a-toxic-mercury-… PRESS RELEASE LINK -- http://sc.org/jRtc5T For Immediate Release – April 28, 2011 Contact: Oliver Bernstein, 512.289.8618 *Sierra Club Launches Interactive Map of U.S. Coal-fired Power Plants* * * *Powerful New Tool Highlights Toxic Mercury Hotspots, Outlines Roadmap for Moving America Beyond Coal* SAN FRANCISCO – After recently celebrating the defeat of the 152nd proposed coal-fired power plant prevented or abandoned in the past decade, the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign announced today that it would shift its focus toward replacing the nation’s existing fleet of dirty coal plants with clean energy sources. A new comprehensive, interactive map<http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/map/>of the approximately 500 existing U.S. coal-fired power plants will help guide concerned Americans and public officials as they seize this historic opportunity to stand up for clean energy. Find the coal plants nearest to you at http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/map/. While the priority for the Beyond Coal Campaign remains opposing the remaining handful of proposed new coal plants, it is the orderly phase-out of the nearly 500 existing coal-fired power plants that will truly protect public health and help avoid irreparable climate disruption. "These aging coal plants – some of which date back to the 1920's – are the largest sources of health-threatening, climate-disrupting pollution and the largest obstacles to a clean energy future," said *Verena Owen, volunteer chair of the Beyond Coal Campaign*. "We begin this exciting new phase of the Beyond Coal Campaign on a strong foundation, having recently won important victories in the Tennessee Valley, Colorado and Washington State." The interactive map announced today <http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/map>allows users to see the dirty coal plants nearest to them, to learn more about the toxic pollution and health threats caused by those plants and to sign up to get involved in the local Sierra Club effort to phase out those coal plants and replace them with clean energy. Just as the Sierra Club used its signature Coal Plant Tracker <http://sc.org/coaltracker> to empower activists and to monitor progress in the effort to prevent new coal pollution, this new tool will play a key role in the fight to phase out coal plants that already exist. The map currently focuses on toxic mercury, an alarming health threat from coal-fired power plants. Because toxic mercury from coal plants gets into local waterways, most states have warnings against eating fish caught locally. New protections proposed last month by the Environmental Protection Agency would reduce toxic mercury by more than 90%, and the Sierra Club is mobilizing Americans in support of the proposed new protections. The mapping tool can evolve as needed to highlight the devastation coal causes throughout its life cycle. For instance, when coal pollution causes air quality to reach unhealthy levels in many towns and cities during the summer months, the map can adapt to highlight the worst emitters of soot and smog. "As major sources of life-threatening mercury, soot and smog pollution, existing coal plants are finally coming under increasing scrutiny," said *Mary Anne Hitt, Director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign*. "America can replace dirty coal plants with clean energy solutions like energy efficiency, wind, solar and geothermal to meet America’s energy needs and create jobs. The wind industry already employs more people than the coal mining industry in the United States. As clean energy deployment continues to accelerate nationwide, we can repeat and greatly expand this economic success by moving beyond coal and opening new opportunities for innovation and job creation." The success of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign throughout the past eight years rests largely on the dedicated activists volunteering on the ground in almost every state. “Every day, more Americans join the effort to push for cleaner energy options for their area,” added Owen. ”The Sierra Club is proud to present this new roadmap <http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/map/> to track their successes.” PRESS RELEASE LINK -- http://sc.org/jRtc5T ### -- Oliver Bernstein National Communications Strategist Sierra Club Phone: 512.477.2152 Cell: 512.289.8618 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fwd: press on WV DEP appeal of New Hill West victory
by James Kotcon 27 Apr '11

27 Apr '11

>>> Peter Morgan <peter.morgan(a)apps.sierraclub.org> 4/27/2011 3:12 PM >>> As expected, WV DEP has appealed our win before the WV Environmental Quality Board in which we successfully challenged a CWA discharge permit for a surface mine that failed to contain limits on conductivity, TDS, sulfate, and selenium. I've also heard that the company filed its own appeal, though I have not seen that yet. This Greenwire story puts this case in context of recent EPA action on conductivity. It also includes good quotes from local Sierra Club member Petra Wood. We intend to defend the EQB's good decision. 6. WATER POLLUTION: W.Va. officials bicker over conductivity standard for mountaintop mining (04/27/2011) Manuel Quinones, E&E reporter West Virginia environmental regulators are at odds over setting a water conductivity standard and other safeguards to protect the environment from mountaintop removal mining. The discussion comes amid a White House review of a U.S. EPA interim guidance document setting a federal conductivity standard for reviewing Appalachian mining permits. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is appealing in court a decision by the state's Environmental Quality Board ordering the agency to modify its permit for a Patriot Mining Company Inc. strip mining project in Monongalia County. In issuing its decision, the board sided, at least in part, with environmentalists who urged permit modifications, including a numeric standard for conductivity in nearby waterways. "This particular permit had no limits on conductivity, sulfates, really not much of anything," Petra Wood, a Sierra Club member involved in appealing the permit, said in an interview. At issue is a state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination system or NPDES permit, which EPA reviews. This particular project does not require a Section 404 Clean Water Act permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. The Environmental Quality Board -- a panel of five experts appointed by the governor for five-year terms -- did not set the conductivity standard as environmentalists wanted but called on the DEP to include one as part of a revised permit. The decision thrust the board into a national debate over the proper way to examine mining's effects to Appalachian waters. Conductivity is the measure of how well waters can carry an electric charge. An EPA study has found higher conductivity levels downstream from mountaintop mines and valley fills ( <http://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2010/04/01/archive/1> E&ENews PM, April 1, 2010). While conductivity is not in itself a pollutant -- a point DEP is stressing in its appeal -- environmentalists and researchers are increasingly using it as a barometer of water health. "The board finds that the mining operation has the opportunity and potential to improve water quality," said Board Chairman Edward Snyder when issuing the ruling last month. "The board finds that there is a strong positive correlation between conductivity and diminishing macro invertebrate community health." But the DEP believes the board overstepped its legal bounds by mandating a conductivity standard. "Neither [the Environmental Quality Board] nor the DEP have the authority to impose a water quality standard that does not currently exist in state law," DEP attorney Jennifer Hughes said in an email exchange. And even though the board's decision applied to a specific permit, DEP officials believe it sets a precedent for future action. "This appeal has never been about this one permit modification," Hughes said. "It has always been an attempt to impose a statewide numeric standard for conductivity through a back-door process." Environmental advocates are dismayed at what they see as the state's assault on efforts to protect the environment from mining. "It's kind of hard to understand in my mind," Wood said. But West Virginia politicians have usually been keen to protect the mining industry, worried about jobs and the economy. "This was the worst ruling I've ever seen out of the Environmental Quality Board as far as a lack of respect for the rule of law," DEP Secretary Randy Huffman told reporter Ken Ward Jr. with The Charleston Gazette. Part of the appeal, pending before the Kanawha County Circuit Court, is the DEP's objection to the board considering EPA's interim guidance and related information, including the agency's study on conductivity, something the Sierra Club highlighted as part of its efforts to modify the mining permit. "DEP believes that, at best, the evidence presented by the Sierra Club demonstrated that there may be a correlation between high conductivity levels and the loss of certain sensitive species," Hughes said. "The evidence did not show that high conductivity levels cause harm to aquatic life." The National Mining Association is fighting the guidance in court, saying it amounts to rulemaking without the agency going through the proper channels, and the state of West Virginia along with DEP are plaintiffs in the case. Earlier this month, the mining group released a study of its own aimed at undercutting EPA's findings. The report, prepared by Denver-based GEI Consultants Inc., questioned EPA's assumptions about aquatic bugs and considered other findings flawed ( <http://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2011/04/01/archive/4> E&ENews PM, April 1). Testing conductivity Opponents of EPA's guidance, especially lawmakers in Congress, say commercially sold water like San Pellegrino and Perrier exceed the agency's numeric standard for conductivity. They say it is evidence of the agency's overreach and its agenda to curtail coal mining in Appalachia. "People who are working the mines in my district are very concerned that the waters coming out of the mines have to be better than Perrier," said Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) in an interview earlier this year while pushing a budget rider to stop EPA from enforcing the guidance. The website PolitiFact, which routinely checks politicians' assertions, found that Evian, Perrier and San Pellegrino did in fact exceed EPA's standard. However, scientists and advocates say opponents are missing the point and ignoring the effects of conductivity on Appalachian wildlife. "The science demonstrates that stream life present in waters contaminated by mine waste is killed when salinity levels rise above levels that would not be toxic to humans who may drink such water," EPA spokesman Richard Yost told PolitiFact. "Aquatic organisms and people respond to salinity in very different ways, so it is not technically valid to make direct comparisons between healthy levels of salinity in central Appalachian streams and acceptable levels of salinity in drinking water." ____________________________________ Peter Morgan Project Attorney Sierra Club Environmental Law Program 1650 38th St. Ste. 102W Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 449-5595 x102 (303) 449-6520 (fax) CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL COMMUNICATION/WORK PRODUCT This email may contain privileged and confidential communications and/or confidential attorney work product. If you receive this email inadvertently, please reply and notify the sender and delete all versions from your system. Thank you.

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Fwd: Hydrofracking Team Call tonight
by Paul Wilson 27 Apr '11

27 Apr '11

anybody planning on being on this call? thx, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sierra Club Activist Network <community.manager(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 12:46 PM Subject: Hydrofracking Team Call tonight To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com Paul, you have a group bulletin from *Hydrofracking Team<http://connect.sierraclub.org/Team/Hydrofracking_Team> *. *Visit Hydrofracking Team.<http://connect.sierraclub.org/Team/Hydrofracking_Team> * Message:Don't forget to join the Hydrofracking Team on our biweekly call, tonight at 5pm PT/8pm ET! National Conference Calls 1 (866) 501-6174 Hydrofracking Team code: 900 367 87 337 # *Call Agenda: * Introduce David Meiser as Team co-leader Welcome new members Gasland House Parties Frac Act, Natural Gas Act State bans vs moratoria ------------------------------ *Visit Hydrofracking Team.<http://connect.sierraclub.org/Team/Hydrofracking_Team> * ------------------------------ Reply? Or other thoughts? If you have questions about the bulletin CONTENT, please visit the group's page and leave a comment<http://connect.sierraclub.org/Team/Hydrofracking_Team>, or contact the group owner. *Technical Issues?* Please reply to this message (or email community.manager(a)sierraclub.org) if you have questions or problems with the bulletin itself. If you want to stop getting email, you can either leave (unjoin) or set your email preferences<http://connect.sierraclub.org/editor/app/group/managegroupmembership.aspx?O…> . -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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WVDEP appeals major water quality ruling for New Hill mine/ash dump
by James Kotcon 27 Apr '11

27 Apr '11

>From Coal Tattoo. JBK WVDEP appeals major water quality ruling April 26, 2011 by Ken Ward Jr. Well, WVDEP Secretary Randy Huffman called it the worst ruling I’ve ever seen out of the EQB as far as a lack of respect for the rule of law, so it probably is no surprise that the agency has appeal the state Environmental Quality Board’s decision in the case over International Coal Group’s New Hill West surface mine in Monongalia County. I’ve posted a copy of the WVDEP appeal, filed in the circuit court of Kanawha County, here. Among other things, WVDEP lawyers argue in the appeal: The board’s findings that numerous scientific studies have shown that declines in stream macroinvertebrate communities directly downstream of surface mining operations are caused by the combined effects of heightened concentrations of ions was clearly wrong in the view of the reliable, probative and substantial evidence in the record.

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Re: [EC] interesting energy reading
by James Kotcon 23 Apr '11

23 Apr '11

am more than a little concerned about the Obama Administration's continued emphasis on nuclear and "Clean Coal" technologies, but if he is successful in cutting tax subsidies for fossil fuels by $46 billion, that would go a long way toward letting the market lead us to a clean energy future. I am also impressed by their predictions of 6 cents/kwh for residential solar power by 2030. If that happens, coal is done, because when a home solar panel is cheaper than coal, no one will be investing in coal. Our emphasis shjpould be on shutting down the old dinosaurs over the next ten years. JBK >>> Daniel Soeder 04/22/11 5:29 PM >>> Two fossil energy-related reports came my way today that I wanted to pass along. The final report and recommendations from the commission that reviewed the Macondo well disaster (i.e. Deepwater Horizon - BP) in the Gulf last year is available at http://www.oilspillcommission.gov/final-report. It makes for some very sobering reading - even the cover photo is dreadful. The second report is the "Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future" from the White House, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/blueprint-secure-energy-future. This is the plan that the federal government will be expected to follow for energy R&D under the Obama Administration. Cheers! - Dan Soeder

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Fw: iMatter March May 8th
by Jim Sconyers 20 Apr '11

20 Apr '11

Fascinating initiative. Anyone interested in putting one together in WV? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Sarah Hodgdon <sarah.hodgdon(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> To: CCL-CHAPTER-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Wed, April 20, 2011 6:44:27 PM Subject: iMatter March May 8th Hello, I wanted to alert your chapter to an inspiring and exciting organization that the Sierra Club is supporting called iMatter. iMatter is an organization that is mobilizing youth (primarily aged 13-18) to raise awareness about climate change. Their large out-of-the-gate action is a youth-led march happening across the globe on Mother's Day, May 8, 2011. The event is gaining momentum with nearly 60 marches already planned around the world. The attached spreadsheet is the confirmed list and more marches are being added every day. Check here for the most recent additions near you: http://imattermarch.org/march/find-march/ If you're interested in getting involved with iMatter, either to identify a host, help drive attendance or just help support a march organizer with your guidance and expertise (remember - all marches are lead by youth) please feel free to contact Andrew Peake at andrew(a)kvgw.orgor (530) 574-3803. More information can be found on iMatter's website at http://imattermarch.org/ Please forward this email within your chapter. Best, Sarah Hodgdon 415-977-5541 828-423-7590 (cell) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CCL-CHAPTER-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CCL-CHAPTER-CHAIRS-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/

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Feds, wind sector agree to regional Habitat Conservation Plan for 8 states
by Frank Young 19 Apr '11

19 Apr '11

Wind Energy SmartBriefThis does not include West Virginia. I would think that HCPs are location and habitat dependent. I wonder if a "regional" HCP that covers 8 states would be effective in all areas of those states. But it is a start. To my knowledge, USFWS has not yet developed an HCP for any clusters of wind turbines anywhere. - Frank ----------------------------------- Today, a group that includes the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and USWFS, signed an agreement to develop a plan that will outline measures to conserve threatened and endangered species that may be affected by wind farm developments. In particular, the plan calls for conservation of Indiana bats as well as other protected species in eight states including Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. http://domesticfuel.com/2011/04/18/wind-industry-takes-step-to-protect-wild… ----- Original Message ----- From: Wind Energy SmartBrief To: fyoung(a)mountain.net Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 3:14 PM Subject: Feds, wind sector agree to create conservation plan for 8 states Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/cSiHCazNzuBZcUsKCicPfDCicNjCwJ April 19, 2011 Sign up Forward Archive Advertise News for wind power professionals and advocates Industry Update a.. Feds, wind sector agree to create conservation plan for 8 states The American Wind Energy Association and wind-power companies have signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create a habitat-conservation plan for protected species that may be at risk from wind projects in eight states. "It is the industry's expectation that development of the regional HCP will streamline the permitting process, allowing effective conservation of wildlife and easing the service's administrative burden while also allowing for more wind energy to be deployed nationally," said John Anderson, director of siting policy for AWEA. DomesticFuel.com (4/18) a.. Joint venture plans to invest $6.3B in Australia's renewables market A joint venture involving Australia-based CBD Energy, China Datang Renewable Power and Baoding Tianwei Baobian Electric is planning to invest up to $6.3 billion over eight years in renewables projects in Australia. AusChina Energy Group is seeks 33% of Australia's renewable-energy market by developing wind, solar-thermal and energy-storage facilities, according to documents submitted to the Australian Stock Exchange. Bloomberg (4/19) a.. Strong U.S. market boosted EDP Renewables' output capacity in Q1 EDP Renewables said its output capacity in the first quarter rose 21%, to 4,421 gigawatt-hours, helped by strong U.S. performance. The company's U.S. output capacity reached 2,430 GWh in the first quarter, up 37% from the same period in 2010, EDPR said. Europe grew in the first quarter by 7%, to 1,985 GWh, the firm added. Reuters (4/18) a.. Other News a.. State Grid Corp. of China added 33.16 GW of installed wind-power capacity in Q1 Reuters (4/18) a.. Singapore-based Keppel wins more than $50M contract for offshore North Sea project Today (Singapore) (4/19) Enterprise Asset Management: Running Smarter Buildings By using IBM Maximo solutions, facilities have been able to move from a preventative maintenance system to a predictive maintenance system, enabling true efficiencies throughout the organization. In this video from IBM, learn how to run your building smarter and in turn, create innovation for your organization and end consumers. Project Focus a.. Salazar approves construction of Cape Wind project Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced today the approval of the final construction and operation plan for the 130-turbine Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound off Massachusetts. Federal regulators issued the final permits for the offshore wind project in January, allowing developers to proceed to the construction phase. Cape Wind said construction could begin in autumn. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (4/19), Google/The Associated Press (4/18) a.. Ore. wind project secures $500M investment from Google, others The proposed Shepherds Flat Wind Farm near Arlington, Ore., has secured a $100 million investment from Google and $400 million from Sumitomo Corp. of America and Tyr Energy. The wind farm, which could become the world's biggest when construction is finished next year, is expected to deliver 845 megawatts of electricity, or sufficient supply for more than 235,000 houses. Google's investment in Shepherds Flat is part of the company's clean-energy outlay of more than $350 million. The Oregonian (Portland) (4/18), Google/Agence France-Presse (4/18) a.. Pattern Energy, Samsung acquire land for wind project in Canada Pattern Energy Group and Samsung have purchased land hosting wind projects by Suncor Energy and Northland Power in Ontario. The acquired properties will be included by Pattern and Samsung in their 270-megawatt South Kent Wind Farm, they said. "Pattern and Samsung will be able to accelerate the development of [Suncor and Northland's] projects by combining them with our nearby South Kent Wind Farm and its transmission connection," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy. Bloomberg (4/18) The Plum Card® RETURN PROTECTION . If a store or vendor won't return an eligible item you purchased with your Card, we'll refund your purchase price up to $300 per item (excluding shipping and handling), up to $1,000 per account each year. Plum Card® from American Express OPEN. Apply Now. Economy, Energy & Trends a.. Obama expected to tout renewable-energy plans in town-hall meetings President Barack Obama is expected to tout the importance of renewable energy in his debt-reduction strategy during three town hall meetings this week, one each in Virginia, California and Nevada. In the meetings, Obama is expected to discuss his plan to continue making "the smart investments needed to create jobs and grow our economy," according to a White House statement. Las Vegas Sun/The Policy Racket blog (4/18) Help protect your employees by managing business travel risks with Zurich's white paper 'Managing the Risks of Business Travel: What every business needs to know'. Click here for the FREE download! Policy Watch a.. Rep. Upton: Environmental goals should go along with economic ones The goal of keeping the country's air and water clean does not need to go against the preservation of jobs and improvement of the economy, writes House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich. Republicans are working on an energy policy that would reconcile economic and environmental objectives, Upton says. "We can do that with three sensible goals: stopping government policies that are driving up energy prices, expanding U.S. energy production to lower costs and create more jobs, and promoting an 'all of the above' strategy to increase all forms of U.S. energy," he writes. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (4/15) a.. Proposal to raise utility rates for renewables irks Fla. governor Florida Gov. Rick Scott raised concerns about state legislative proposals that would allow utilities to charge ratepayers as much as $1.5 billion over four years to offset the cost of renewable-energy projects. The bills would require utilities to prove that the projects are cost-effective. A spokesman for Florida Power & Light said the cost to customers would be less. The Palm Beach Post (Fla.)/Sun Sentinel (4/18) Featured Content a.. A Closer Look: Industry Trends & Women-Owned Businesses American Express OPEN a.. A Closer Look: State Trends & Women-Owned Businesses American Express OPEN a.. A Closer Look: Economic Clout & Women-Owned Businesses American Express OPEN a.. State And Local Tax Surprises For Your Small Business Barbara Weltman a.. Unconventional Measures Of Customer Service Excellence Julie Rains AWEA News a.. SMALL & COMMUNITY WINDPOWER 2011: Reserve a booth AWEA is accepting abstracts for the AWEA SMALL & COMMUNITY WINDPOWER conference taking place in Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 15 to 17. Get more information and submit an abstract -- deadline to submit is April 20. Reserve your booth. The online floor plan and booth sales are now officially open and there are many great booth locations available. Learn more about AWEA -> AWEA Home | AWEA and Wind News | Events | Take Action SmartQuote Never say a humorous thing to a man who does not possess humor. He will always use it in evidence against you." --Herbert Beerbohm Tree, British actor These stories were selected and summarized by independent editors at SmartBrief Inc., not by AWEA's staff, and do not represent AWEA positions. They reflect the variety of daily coverage of American wind power. This SmartBrief was created for fyoung(a)mountain.net Subscriber Tools Update account information | Change e-mail address | Unsubscribe | Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Advertise Account Executive: Diana Angel (202) 470-1146 a.. Download Media Kit Read more at SmartBrief.com A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including: a.. Industry Home b.. Readers' Choice c.. Search d.. Archive e.. Get this RSS Feed f.. Publish your Press Release Recent Wind Energy SmartBrief Issues: a.. Monday, April 18, 2011 b.. Friday, April 15, 2011 c.. Thursday, April 14, 2011 d.. Wednesday, April 13, 2011 e.. Tuesday, April 12, 2011 Lead Editor: Bryan McBournie Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information

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The Court and Global Warming
by Frank Young 19 Apr '11

19 Apr '11

BlankThis had been beyond my radar until today. "The case about global warming scheduled to be argued on Tuesday before the Supreme Court is a blockbuster. Eight states — from California to New York, plus New York City — sued six corporations responsible for one-fourth of the American electric power industry’s emissions of carbon dioxide." http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/opinion/19tue1.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

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Perdue Says He Will Lead on Shale
by James Kotcon 18 Apr '11

18 Apr '11

Perdue Says He Will Lead on Shale April 17, 2011 By JOSELYN KING Political Writer , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register WHEELING - West Virginia's next governor must take the lead in making certain the state and its residents reap the benefits of Marcellus Shale drilling, State Treasurer John Perdue said in Wheeling on Saturday. Perdue, a current Democratic candidate for governor, addressed a town hall meeting at the Stone Church Volunteer Fire Department, where nearby roads show the negative effects of trucks transporting natural gas from drilling sites. He criticized three other candidates in the race - present acting governor Earl Ray Tomblin; acting Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall; and House Speaker Richard Thompson, D-Wayne - for the failure of legislation to regulate Marcellus Shale drilling to pass into law at this year's regular legislative session. Perdue, 60, a native of Boone County, said he comes from coal country and the state's first "gold mine" of coal. "Coal is important to West Virginia," he said. "I'm you're treasurer. I would never deny that. But what do we have left of coal today? Thirty to 35 years? It doesn't take long for that to go. When it comes to Marcellus Shale - the next 'gold mine' that God has blessed us with - we're putting the cart before the horse." He noted it was "arguably the most important issue in the state" that the West Virginia Legislature address the issue of Marcellus Shale when members met earlier this year. "At the end, when the bell rang, they weren't there for you," Perdue said. "They walked away. If I'm governor, I'm going to say, 'We're going to stay here until we get those checks and balances in place. We're going to stay here until we protect the people and their rights.'" He said if he had similarly failed to do his job as treasurer, "You would be running me out of office." "Leadership comes from experience," Perdue said. "It comes from someone who understands how to put the checks and balances in place ... and solve the problems for the people of this state. "We have to make sure we do this one right. Big Daddy (the late U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va.) is no longer here to bring millions and millions of dollars from the federal government to help us with our infrastructure and the future of this state. The federal government is broke, bankrupt." West Virginia needs a long-term plan to maintain and improve its infrastructure - including roads, water and sewer lines, and broadband Internet access, Perdue said. And to pay for this, he proposes the state set aside some tax revenues resulting from Marcellus Shale. Addressing other issues, Perdue called for a moratorium on utility rates. He noted "people are struggling to pay utility bills bigger than their car payments." He also suggests a change in the composition of the state Public Utilities Commission. Currently the commission's three members are all Kanawha County residents, Perdue said, and he would like to instead see members representing each of the state's three Congressional districts. Democrats seeking the governor's office in the May 14 special primary election are Perdue, Tomblin, Kessler and Thompson, as well as Secretary of State Natalie Tennant and Charleston resident Arne Moltis. Republicans in the race are former Secretary of State Betty Ireland, current state Sen. Clark Barnes of Randolph County; Delegate Mitch Carmichael, of Jackson County; former Delegate Larry Faircloth of Berkeley County; Putnam County Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia; and businessmen Bill Maloney and Ralph William Clark and Cliff Ellis, all of Monongalia County.

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WSJ.com - House Democrats Say Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids Contain Toxic Ingredients
by william.depaulo＠gmail.com 17 Apr '11

17 Apr '11

*Please note, the sender's email address has not been verified. You have received the following link from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com ******************** If you are having trouble with any of the links in this message, or if the URL's are not appearing as links, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email. Title: WSJ.com - House Democrats Say Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids Contain Toxic Ingredients This article will be available to non-subscribers of the Online Journal for up to seven days after it is e-mailed. Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to access the sent link: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMail… Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to SAVE THIS link: http://www.savethis.clickability.com/st/saveThisPopupApp?clickMap=saveFromE… Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to forward this link: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=forward&etMailT… ******************** Email pages from any Web site you visit - add the EMAIL THIS button to your browser, copy and paste the following into your Web browser: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=browserButtons&…" ********************* Instructions: ----------------------------------------- If your e-mail program doesn't recognize Web addresses: 1. With your mouse, highlight the Web Address above. Be sure to highlight the entire Web address, even if it spans more than one line in your email. 2. Select Copy from the Edit menu at the top of your screen. 3. Launch your Web browser. 4. Paste the address into your Web browser by selecting Paste from the Edit menu. 5. Click Go or press Enter or Return on your keyboard. ********************

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Fwd: Huge Clean Air Victory -- TVA Phasing Out 18 Coal Plants
by James Kotcon 14 Apr '11

14 Apr '11

>>> Oliver Bernstein <oliver.bernstein(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> 4/14/2011 11:50 AM >>> *HUGE news! Congrats to everyone who worked so hard on this.* http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=203101.0 For Immediate Release – April 14, 2011 Contacts: Shannon Andrea, National Parks Conservation Association, 202.365.5912 Tiffany Schauer, Our Children's Earth Foundation, 415.596.5576 Oliver Bernstein, Sierra Club, 512.477.2152 *Blockbuster Agreement Takes 18 Dirty TVA Coal-Fired Power Plant Units Offline;* * * *Southeastern U.S. Takes Huge Step to Slash Air Pollution Thanks to Pressure from Environmental Groups, State and Federal Officials* CHATTANOOGA, TENN. – The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board of directors approved a landmark agreement today with three citizen groups, four states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), marking one of the largest pollution reduction agreements in the nation’s history. This agreement requires TVA to phase out 18 units at dirty, coal-fired power plants and install modern pollution controls on three dozen additional units, thanks to more than 11 years of pressure from environmental groups, Southeastern states and the EPA. The blockbuster agreement – which includes the affected states of Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee – represents the largest ever reduction in air pollution in the Southeastern United States. This agreement permanently retires an unprecedented 2,700 megawatts of dirty coal-fired electricity and will drastically reduce TVA’s emissions of dangerous sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury and carbon pollution. Clean Air Task Force estimates that coal-fired power plants in the region cause more than 1,800 premature deaths and more than 2,400 heart attacks each year in the four-state region, and are a major source of area air pollution woes. TVA’s coal plants are also responsible for visibility problems and acid rain damage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the country's most visited national park. "For decades, the Smoky Mountains has suffered from a slow motion crisis," said *Don Barger, senior regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association*. "Air pollution from TVA’s coal-fired power plants has degraded scenic vistas, damaged plant species, and impaired human health. Today’s settlement halts that trend and sends us in the right direction." The settlement, approved today in conjunction with TVA charting out a new course as laid out in its new 10-year Resource Plan, represents a welcome change in focus for the federally owned utility. Under the agreement, TVA will modernize its aging infrastructure, invest in clean energy and slash its pollution. Specifically the settlement agreement requires TVA to reduce pollution at its 59 coal-fired power generating units, phasing out 18 of those units no later than 2018. This phase-out represents a major victory for clean air and public health, with 10 units at TVA’s Johnsonville Plant in middle Tennessee to be taken offline, along with two units at the John Sevier Fossil Plant in eastern Tennessee and six units at the Widows Creek Fossil Plant in northern Alabama. The John Sevier Fossil Plant and Widows Creek Fossil Plant are some of the oldest units in the TVA system, dating back to the early 1950's, and have never upgraded with modern pollution controls. In addition, the agreement also requires TVA to invest $350 million in the four states of Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee on additional air pollution-reduction projects over the next five years, including funds to help consumers and business cut their energy bills, support local businesses that are creating jobs in local clean energy projects and cut carbon pollution. "There is a demonstrated link between pollution and asthma in children," said *Tiffany Schauer, Executive Director of Our Children's Earth Foundation *. "Thanks to today's action, every family in Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee can breathe a little easier." This agreement resolves a series of legal challenges against TVA brought by the environmental groups and the four states. The legal actions stemmed from allegations that TVA had unlawfully extended the life of its coal plants without installing modern pollution controls, otherwise known as the New Source Review program. "Today's landmark agreement is a game changer for how we power our homes and businesses in the Southeast, said *Mary Anne Hitt, Director of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign."* By phasing out the most dangerous coal plants and charting a course focused on less pollution and more clean energy, TVA is demonstrating that we don’t have to choose between clean air and affordable energy – we can and must have both." The plaintiff groups – National Parks Conservation Association, Our Children's Earth Foundation and the Sierra Club – are represented by George Hays, William Moore, Wade Davies, Reed Zars, and Mike Costa. For a copy of the settlement agreement please contact Oliver.Bernstein(a)sierraclub.org. ### -- Oliver Bernstein National Communications Strategist Sierra Club Phone: 512.477.2152 Cell: 512.289.8618 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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/

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all WV reps sign on to coal ash bill
by Grubb, Karen 14 Apr '11

14 Apr '11

McKinley Introduces Coal Ash Legislation with Bipartisan, Cross-Industry Support Apr 7, 2011 Issues: Economy and Jobs<http://mckinley.house.gov/issue/economy>, Energy<http://mckinley.house.gov/issue/energy> McKinley Introduces Coal Ash Legislation with Bipartisan, Cross-Industry Support Freshman lawmaker aims to strip EPA power to regulate coal ash as hazardous Washington, DC - Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV) introduced legislation (H.R. 1391) late Wednesday evening that would prohibit the EPA from moving forward with plans to classify fossil fuel combustion waste, also known as coal ash or fly ash, as a hazardous waste under subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Regulating coal ash, which is recycled into dry wall and concrete and widely used in schools, homes and public buildings such as the one housing EPA itself, as a hazardous waste would trigger a large increase in disposal expenses for coal-fired power plants and other coal ash generators, likely increasing energy costs for manufacturers and consumers. Ten Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee - including Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Chairman Emeritus and senior Republican on the committee - and three Democrats signed on as original co-sponsors of H.R. 1391<http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/bdquery/D?d112,d111:1:./temp/~bdQ2Id:dbs=y:…>. West Virginia Rep. Nick Rahall is one of those Democrats, and Reps. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Bob Gibbs of southeast Ohio are also among the original co-sponsors. A broad cross-section of companies and organizations representing various industries have also endorsed the bill (see below). In a floor speech Thursday, McKinley discussed the economic harm that would be caused if the EPA's plans on coal ash are not stopped. For video of McKinley's speech as delivered, click here<http://www.youtube.com/user/RepMcKinley?feature=mhum>. "Fly ash is an unavoidable byproduct of burning coal to produce electricity, and the EPA has repeatedly studied and approved its beneficial use prior to President Obama," McKinley said. "Not only would the EPA's plan reduce demand for coal - by design to be sure - but it would also increase costs for dozens of industries, having a ripple effect that would ultimately destroy jobs and raise electricity prices. Recycled fly ash helps to keep electric generation costs down which in turn keeps electricity affordable for consumers. If the EPA persists with its plans to designate fly ash as a hazardous material, the expense of handling the material will increase logarithmically and so will our energy prices. Why would this administration want to increase the cost of electricity on our senior citizens, hospitals, schools and working families? By increasing the cost of power, it causes the price of producing American-made products to increase and puts America at a severe disadvantage against our foreign competition. President Obama's relentless 'War on Coal' has now expanded to include the many industries and consumers that depend on coal. It's critical that we stop the EPA now, and that's why I'm proud to introduce this bill with bipartisan support." McKinley's legislation has been referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill is similar to one of McKinley's amendments, #217, to the long-term continuing resolution passed by the House in February. The amendment overwhelmingly passed the House<http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll136.xml>, with 19 Democrats in support. Organizations and companies supporting McKinley's legislation include: American Coal Ash Association AEP First Energy Allegheny Power National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Mining Association American Public Power American Municipal Power American Road & Transportation Builders Association Citizens for Recycling First National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Ash Grove Resources ASK Chemicals Beneficial Reuse Management Boral Material Technologies CERATECH, Inc. Charah, Inc. Clayton Engineering and Consulting, LLC DC Goss LLC Electric Energy, Inc Essex Cement LLC Full Circle Solutions Gypsoil, LLC Headwaters Resources Intermountain Power Agency John Ward Inc. LB Industrial Systems Muscatine Power & Water National Gypsum Company Phoenix Cement Company PMI Ash Technologies Public Service of New Hampshire Richard W. Goodwin Environmental Engineering Rosenmerkel Engineering SEFA Group Separation Technologies LLC Southern Illinois Power Cooperative Sphere One, Inc. Taulbee Chemical Consulting, LLC Titan America LLC USC Technologies U.S. Minerals, Inc.

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Fw: Lawsuits challenge waste dumping by gas drillers
by Frank Young 14 Apr '11

14 Apr '11

BlankTrying again.- Frank -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 13, 2011 Lawsuits challenge waste dumping by gas drillers By Ken Ward Jr. The Charleston Gazette CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A federal judge in Wheeling this week issued a temporary restraining order against Chesapeake Energy in one of three pending cases that challenge widespread waste-dumping practices of northern West Virginia's growing natural gas industry. U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp blocked Chesapeake from hauling contaminated soil out of a waste pit it built on a Wetzel County couple's property while the couple pursues its demand for a more comprehensive cleanup plan. Larry and Jana Rine allege that Chesapeake unlawfully disposed of drilling wastes in the pit, then buried it and planned to leave it on a 210-acre property the Rines use as a part-time home and hunting camp at Silver Hill, east of New Martinsville. Now, they allege, the company is using repair of a slip on its well pad as an excuse to haul away the wastes and potentially cover up what was really dumped into the pit. Preliminary testing found the soil contained diesel fuel, benzene and a variety of other contaminants, court records show. Complete article at: http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201104131039?page=1

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Fwd: Studies Say Natural Gas Has Its Own Environmental Problems (Attn: T. Boone
by James Kotcon 13 Apr '11

13 Apr '11

Energy Committee: As I think about this, I believe that this Cornell study adds weight to our call for a moratorium on drilling Marcellus until adequate regulations are in place. The quote from Dave Hawkins of NRDC in the article below emphasizes that this is only one study (although NRDC has a reputation for trying to find business-friendly solutions) and the gas industry simply does not recognize this as a problem. What is becoming clear is that the amount of gas that leaks during fracking is substantial, that capturing at least part of that gas is technically possible and may be profitable, and that the states with the strongest air regs require the equipment that will significantly reduce the air emissions. Since West Virginia has no air regs on gas drilling at all, and negligible regs on compressors, pipelines, tanks, etc., we are in a worst-case situation. Hence, a conservative, prudent, reasonable, and scientifically-defensible approach is to put a moratorium on new well permits until we identify the kinds of regulations needed to protect the environment, and this should include requirements for appropriate pollution control equipment to limit air emissions using the Best Available Control Technologies. Jim Kotcon On 4/12/11, Edward Mainland <emainland(a)comcast.net> wrote: > > http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/business/energy-environment/ > 12gas.html?_r=1&ref=business > > April 11, 2011 > Studies Say Natural Gas Has Its Own Environmental Problems > By TOM ZELLER Jr. > New York Times > > Natural gas, with its reputation as a linchpin in the effort to wean > the nation off dirtier fossil fuels and reduce global warming, may not > be as clean over all as its proponents say. > > Even as natural gas production in the United States increases and > Washington gives it a warm embrace as a crucial component of America’s > energy future, two coming studies try to poke holes in the > clean-and-green reputation of natural gas. They suggest that the rush > to develop the nation’s vast, unconventional sources of natural gas is > logistically impractical and likely to do more to heat up the planet > than mining and burning coal. > > The problem, the studies suggest, is that planet-warming methane, the > chief component of natural gas, is escaping into the atmosphere in far > larger quantities than previously thought, with as much as 7.9 percent > of it puffing out from shale gas wells, intentionally vented or flared, > or seeping from loose pipe fittings along gas distribution lines. This > offsets natural gas’s most important advantage as an energy source: it > burns cleaner than other fossil fuels and releases lower carbon dioxide > emissions. > > “The old dogma of natural gas being better than coal in terms of > greenhouse gas emissions gets stated over and over without > qualification,” said Robert Howarth, a professor of ecology and > environmental biology at Cornell University and the lead author of one > of the studies. Mr. Howarth said his analysis, which looked > specifically at methane leakage rates in unconventional shale gas > development, was among the first of its kind and that much more > research was needed. > > “I don’t think this is the end of the story,” said Mr. Howarth, who is > an opponent of growing gas development in western New York. “I think > this is just the beginning of the story, and before governments and the > industry push ahead on gas development, at the very least we ought to > do a better job of making measurements.” > > The findings, which will be published this week, are certain to stir > debate. For much of the last decade, the natural gas industry has > carefully cultivated a green reputation, often with the help of > environmental groups that embrace the resource as a clean-burning > “bridge fuel” to a renewable energy future. The industry argues that it > has vastly reduced the amount of fugitive methane with new technologies > and upgraded pipe fittings and other equipment. > > Mark D. Whitley, a senior vice president for engineering and technology > with Range Resources, a gas drilling company with operations in several > regions of the country, said the losses suggested by Mr. Howarth’s > study were simply too high. > > “These are huge numbers,” he said. “That the industry would let what > amounts to trillions of cubic feet of gas get away from us doesn’t make > any sense. That’s not the business that we’re in.” > > Natural gas is already the principal source of heat in half of American > households. Advocates like the former oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens have > also long sought to promote it as a substitute for coal in electricity > generation or gasoline in a new generation of natural gas cars. And the > development of new ways to tap reserves of natural gas means production > is likely to increase sharply. > > Two weeks ago, President Obama included natural gas in his vision for > America. Clark Stevens, a White House spokesman, said that the > administration’s energy priorities were not about picking one energy > source over another, but about diversifying the nation’s energy mix. > “This process will continue to be based on the best science available > to ensure our energy sources, including our nation’s natural gas > reserves, are developed safely and responsibly,” Mr. Stevens said on > Friday. > > The ability to pull natural gas economically from previously > inaccessible formations deep underground has made huge quantities of > the resource available in wide areas of the country, including Texas, > Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Wyoming and Colorado. > > Such unconventional gas production accounts for nearly a quarter of > total production in the United States, according to the latest figures > from the Energy Information Administration. That is expected to reach > 45 percent by 2035. > > But the cleanliness of natural gas is largely based on its lower carbon > dioxide emissions when burned. It emits roughly half the amount of > carbon dioxide as coal and about 30 percent that of oil. > > Less clear, largely because no one has bothered to look, are the > emissions over its entire production life cycle — that is, from the > moment a well is plumbed to the point at which the gas is used. > > Methane leaks have long been a concern because while methane dissipates > in the atmosphere more quickly than carbon dioxide, it is far more > efficient at trapping heat. Recent evidence has suggested that the > amount of leakage has been underestimated. A report in January by the > nonprofit journalism organization ProPublica, for example, noted that > the Environmental Protection Agency had recently doubled its estimates > for the amount of methane that is vented or lost from natural gas > distribution lines. > > Chris Tucker, a spokesman for Energy in Depth, a coalition of > independent oil and natural gas producers, dismissed Mr. Howarth as an > advocate who is opposed to hydraulic-fracturing or “fracking,” a > practice associated with unconventional gas development involving the > high-pressure injection of water, sand and chemicals deep underground > to break up shale formations and release gas deposits. Mr. Howarth said > his credentials as a scientist spoke for themselves. > > Mr. Howarth included methane losses associated with flow-back and > drill-out processes in hydraulic fracturing and other unconventional > gas drilling techniques. > > The study combined these emissions with studies of other methane losses > along the processing and distribution cycle to arrive at an estimated > total methane loss range from 3.6 to 7.9 percent for the shale gas > industry. > > The researchers include a recent study from the Goddard Institute for > Space Studies at NASA suggesting that an interaction of methane with > certain aerosol particles significantly amplifies methane’s already > potent greenhouse gas effects, particularly over a 20-year time > horizon. When all is factored together, Mr. Howarth and his colleagues > conclude that the greenhouse gas footprint of shale gas can be as much > as 20 percent greater than, and perhaps twice as high as, coal per unit > of energy. > > David Hughes, a geoscientist and research fellow at the Post Carbon > Institute, an energy and climate research organization in California, > used Mr. Howarth’s research as part of a broader look at natural gas as > a substitute for coal in electricity generation and oil in > transportation. > > Mr. Hughes’s full report is scheduled to be released in May, but in a > draft version shared with The New York Times, Mr. Hughes suggested that > while natural gas would play an important role in the nation’s energy > mix, both cases were practical impossibilities. > > “I think it’s going to be very challenging, to put it mildly, to ramp > up shale gas production by fourfold, which is the federal government’s > projection for 2035,” Mr. Hughes said. “I’m not saying it can’t be > done, but if it was done, the amount of drilling you’re looking at to > make that happen is staggering.” > > Mr. Hughes, using Mr. Howarth’s calculations, also concludes that > replacing coal with natural gas for base load electricity production > will most likely make greenhouse gas emissions worse. It would be > better, he argues, to improve energy efficiency, rely on natural gas in > niche vehicle markets and balance continued construction of wind and > solar power to produce electricity. > > David Hawkins, the director of climate programs with the Natural > Resources Defense Council, said that much could be done by regulators > to nudge drillers to capture more of the fugitive methane, but that it > is often more economical for industry to simply let it escape. > > Mr. Hawkins also said that too little was known about just how much > methane was being lost and vented, and that studies like Mr. Howarth’s, > while needed, relied on too slim a data set to be considered the final > word. > > “This is a huge and growing industry, and we just don’t have the > information we need to make sure that this resource is being developed > as cleanly as it can be,” Mr. Hawkins said. > > “We view his shining a flashlight into this dark closet to be a > service,” Mr. Hawkins added, “but the flashlight is still a dim one, > and we still can’t see everything in the closet.” > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Fw: ANNOUNCEMENT: small grant application now available
by pjgrunt＠gmail.com 13 Apr '11

13 Apr '11

Fyi, Paul Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry® -----Original Message----- From: Verena Owen <verena_owen(a)PRODIGY.NET> Sender: "Announcements from the National Coal Campaign team." <COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG> Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:58:23 To: <COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG> Reply-To: Verena Owen <verena_owen(a)PRODIGY.NET> Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT: small grant application now available Below please find the new application form for the Beyond Coal Campaign's small grant program. There is money still available. Verena Owen ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ BEYOND COAL SMALL GRANT Small grant money is available at two levels: up to $5000 and up to $10,000 to Sierra Club entities: chapters, groups or ad hoc teams, to work on Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign priorities: 1. Stop construction of new coal-fired power plants (incl. coal-to-liquid and coal-to-gas) 2. Replace 500 existing coal-fired power plants with clean energy no later than 2030 3. Keep the massive US coal reserves underground and out of world markets Preference will be given to creative projects that cover a geographical or content area where the Beyond Coal Campaign has not put enough resources yet. We are looking especially for ideas that enable Club activists to work on the Club-wide strategies: 1. Confront the dominance of coal and oil on the American economy, politics, and our environment. 2. Cultivate an activist base that is capable and willing both to take action at the Sierra Club’s behest and also to self-organize within their networks. 3. Build powerful alliances with those communities that have a vested interest in the success of a clean energy economy, including clean-tech businesses and entrepreneurs, people of color groups, organized labor and low-income organizations. Reimbursement will be directly to Chapters; reimbursable items are limited to C3 and non-staff time expenses. There is no deadline for applying. All projects must have prior Chapter approval. Please fill out the below application and send to Judy.Hofrichter(a)sierraclub.org NAME OF PROJECT AND CHAPTER: WHO: is applying: name of entity; names, email, phone number of team member(s) WHAT : do you want to do: Briefly first describe the problem and what you want to see happen and then share your project idea. Show how the project can help achieve your outcome. HOW : How will your project further the goals of the Beyond Coal Campaign? How will you use some the Club strategies outlined above? WHEN : Please give a start date, important milestones, and an end date. HOW MUCH: What is your budget and what will the money be spent on? Does your budget cover the entire project or please list who will cosponsoring it. You will be required to use a budget template. If you apply for the second level of funding, up to $10,000, you will also be required to develop an MOU and a work plan. REPORT: A written, video and/or oral report or reports will be required. Please identify the responsible person. Name, email, telephone. ALL materials produced (fact sheets, post cards, t-shirts, etc) for a project MUST HAVE C3 approval from Sierra Club compliance prior to distribution. Please identify the person responsible: Name, email, telephone Note that HELP is available for the asking, contact Judy Hofrichter . Once an application is accepted as complete, a decision takes 2-4 weeks. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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

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Rockefeller needs thank you
by Jim Sconyers 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

Forwarded from WV Sierra Club webpage <below>. Senator Rockefeller voted right - to continue to enable the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases. Please call and thank him. 202-224-6472 "Senator" Manchin voted wrong - to take away the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases. Please call and let him know you are disappointed that he feels burning West Virginia coal is more important than protecting the health of all humans and the future of the Planet. 202-224-3954 "Our Senator Rockefeller voted against removing the power from the EPA to regulate Greenhouse gases. I believe this is a time we need to call and thank him for taking this action, and remember our other senator who voted to take this power away from the EPA." Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last.

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Fwd: Clean Energy Webinar Invite
by Paul Wilson 08 Apr '11

08 Apr '11

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Verena Owen <verena_owen(a)prodigy.net> Date: Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 9:00 PM Subject: Clean Energy Webinar Invite To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org Friends, We hope you can join us for our first Beyond Coal Webinar on Monday, April 11 at 8 PM ET /7 CT/ 5 MT/ 5 PT. Members of the Beyond Coal Campaign's leadership team will present how the Campaign is working to replace coal with clean energy and energy efficiency. There will be an overview, a presentation and time for Q and A. You need to register in advance and space is limited! Please go here to reserve your seat: *https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/530765040* After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. PRESENTERS: Mary Anne Hitt, Director, National Coal Campaign. Vanessa Pierce, Deputy Director, Beyond Coal Campaign Verena Owen, Volunteer co-lead Dick Fiddler, coal leadership team member TECHNICAL ISSUES: First time Webinar participants: Don't worry, this is easy! Please log into the webinar 5-10 minutes before the call to ensure that you are able to see the presentation when we begin. In testing the system, we found that Google Chrome required some additional effort. We recommend logging in using Firefox or Internet Explorer. Finally, if you are unable to get the technology to work, you can simply join the conference call and follow the presentation manually. We will send out the call-in number shortly before the call. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer See you Monday, Mary Anne, Vanessa, Verena and Dick - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fwd: Explore Appalachia's Enchanted Flatlands.....
by James Kotcon 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

You will want to open the photo too! JBK >>> Jeff Schmidt <jeff.schmidt(a)sierraclub.org> 4/1/2011 12:47 PM >>> Happy April Fool’s Day!! Exploring Appalachia's Enchanted Flatlands April 1, 2012 Photo: Alice McKeown Trip Number: 124001a Price: $4,111 (12-15) Deposit: $400 Capacity: 15 Leader: Don Blankenship Highlights: · Explosions · Toxic rubble · Buried streams · Monster trucks & exhaust Includes: · Guides, cooks, lobbyists, and all equipment for the ride · Ride in stretch Hummer · Non-local, factory-farmed food Itinerary | Accommodations | Equipment | References | Leader The Trip Photo: Alice McKeown This exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime foray will take you into the ripped-open heart of some of the most recently exposed scenery in Appalachia. Your friendly trip leader will provide nonstop tutorials on the hidden beauty (and intense profitability) of a once-lush mountain that's just been blown to smithereens. In your two days amid the magnificent rubble, you will experience the awesome silence of a newly buried stream. Gaze in disbelief as a toxic rainbow slick dances atop a sun-dappled waste pond. Playfully dive for cover as a herd of monster coal trucks rumbles past. And then, just when you think you've seen it all, witness the wonder of an explosion lofting ancient and precious forest habitat into the bright Kentucky sky. The shockwave will reverberate forever in your soul. Up to Top Itinerary Day 1: We meet you at the airport in our special stretch Hummer and travel directly to the site of a thriving mountaintop-removal coal mine. The drive itself is often a thrill as we plow through a line of hippie protestors at the gate. Some of them are pretty smelly, so keep those windows rolled up! Once inside, no lollygagging. We immediately don our hazmat suits and wade into the waste pond, a rich stew of heavy (we prefer "precious") metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, and selenium. The day ends with a long, hot shower and scrub-down in our relaxing decontamination chamber. Day 2: We journey to the site of a stream that's been forever preserved beneath the rich overburden produced by ripping apart pristine forest habitat. It's not an arduous journey, because such waterways abound: more than 2,000 miles of degraded streams in Appalachia alone! Many people weep with joy at the sight of this cornucopia of environmental destruction. Getting There The trip begins with pick-up from Frankfort, KY. The leader will provide guidance and contact information for a recommended travel agent who can arrange flights from your home city once you are approved for the trip. Up to Top Accommodations and Food Photo: Alice McKeown Double-occupancy rooms are included with the trip. Our hotel features rooms with private baths, hot showers, and decontamination facilities. It's centrally located within walking distance of formerly hilly terrain. Up to Top Trip Difficulty If you're not much of a hiker, don't worry: All mountainous terrain has been repurposed and horizontally optimized for retail and commercial development. Up to Top Equipment and Clothing A detailed equipment list will be sent to approved trip participants. Hazmat suit will be provided, but you will need to bring your own waterproof and chemical-resistant footwear as we will be fording some seriously degraded waterways. Up to Top References Books: The following books should give you a feel for what the trek will be like. Your local library is also a good resource. a.. Barton, Joe, Cry, the Beloved Mountaintop Removal b.. Donahue, Tom, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Winning Friends and Influencing Politicians c.. Gingrich, Newt, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Mercury in My Water Maps a.. Available at any service station. Be sure not to get a topographical map -- it will be out-of-date after the first dynamite blast. Conservation Coal is not yet critically endangered in America, but failure to destroy the mountain habitats that shelter it could lead to its extinction. Already, many majestic old-economy power plants on which coal depends have been shut down because they were unable to adapt to clean-energy standards. Coal extraction is also seriously threatened by clean-water standards, public-health concerns, and common sense. Up to Top Trip Price This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader. See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner. The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Refuting the case for shale gas being better for global warming
by Beth Little 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

http://marcelluseffect.blogspot.com/2011/03/shale-gas-wells-have-bigger-carb on.html

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Fw: New Record for German Renewable Energy in 2010
by Jim Sconyers 25 Mar '11

25 Mar '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Edward Mainland <emainland(a)COMCAST.NET> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Fri, March 25, 2011 2:16:34 PM Subject: New Record for German Renewable Energy in 2010 New Record for German Renewable Energy in 2010 One-Quarter Million New Solar-Electric Systems Installed New World Record: 7,400 MW of Solar Photovoltaics Installed in One Year Renewable Electricity Penetration More than 30% of Supply on February 7th New Renewables Near 17% of Electricity Supply Renewable Generation Greater than Natural Gas--Closing in on Nuclear March 24, 2011 By Paul Gipe As the nuclear reactor accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant continues to dominate the world's attention, Germany has quietly broken more renewable energy records. The conservative government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, struggling to stay ahead of public attitudes toward nuclear power in the run-up to regional elections, issued its annual report on the contribution of renewable energy to the German energy market in 2010. Wind turbines, hydroelectric plants, solar cells, and biogas digesters now provide nearly 17% of Germany's electricity. Meanwhile, the German network agency (Bundesnetzagentur) issued its final update on the installation of solar photovoltaics (solar PV) in 2010. The results are nothing short of startling and will add fuel to the heated debate about how countries such as Japan can meet their electricity needs without reliance on nuclear power. In the immediate aftermath of the Japanese nuclear accident, Germany's Merkel closed two reactors permanently, and another five temporarily. She also called on her government to revisit its controversial decision to extend the life of its aging reactors. The reactors at Fukushima Daiichi are 40 years old and their license to operate had been extended by the Japanese government. The reports on the rapid growth of renewable energy in Germany may give Merkel's government the cover it needs to reverse direction on nuclear power, and by doing so reverse its faltering political fortunes. Germany uses an advanced system of feed-in tariffs to pay for renewable energy generation, and has an aggressive target of meeting 39% of its electricity supply with renewable energy by 2020. Its system of advanced renewable tariffs has enabled Germany to exceed its 2010 target of 12.5% by a wide margin. New Renewables Near 17% of Electricity Supply in 2010 The German Ministry for the Environment and Reactor Safety reports that in 2010 renewable energy generated more than 100 TWh (billion kilowatt-hours) of electricity, providing nearly 17% of the 600 TWh of supply. Wind turbines and biomass plants delivered more than 70% of renewable generation. Biogas plants powered with methane from manure alone generated nearly 13 TWh. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp In 2010 renewables generated more electricity in Germany than gas-fired power plants--nearly as much as hard coal--and are fast approaching the contribution of nuclear power. 7,400 MW of Solar PV Installed in One Year Doubling their previous record, the German solar PV industry installed 7,400 MW from nearly one-quarter million individual systems in 2010, according to the finial report by the Bundesnetzagentur. In December alone, Germans installed more than 1,000 MW of solar PV, enough solar capacity to generate 1 TWh of electricity under German conditions. While they represent only half that installed in June 2010, the December installations were 50% greater than total solar PV installed in the USA in 2010 and as much as that rumored to have been installed in Japan last year. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Nearly 700 MW from some 100,000 systems were installed in a size range typical of that installed by German homeowners. An astounding 3,700 MW from more than 135,000 systems were installed in a size range representative of that installed by farmers and other small businesses. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Another 1,700 MW were installed in a size class characteristic of small businesses and large industrial rooftops. Large, multi-megawatt systems comprised 1,400 MW of capacity or nearly one-fifth of total capacity installed in 2010. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Renewable Electricity More than 30% of Supply on February 7th A further sign that renewable energy has come of age as a commercial generating technology, certainly in Germany, is that penetration of wind and solar reached more than 30% of supply on February 7, 2010, according to data posted publicly by Germany's electricity transmission exchange, EEX. The exchange posts online the amount of capacity of conventional generation, wind generation, and solar PV generation delivered to the grid by time of day. On Monday, February 7, 2011, the combined real-time wind and solar generation varied from a high of 32% of supply at midnight to a low of 18% of supply at sunrise. Solar PV generation delivered more than 8,000 MW for the two-hour period from just before noon until 2:00 pm, reaching a peak of nearly 8,500 MW at noon. During the same time period, conventional sources contributed 50,000 MW and wind delivered another 10,000 MW to the network. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp There is 16,500 MW of solar PV capacity now on line in Germany. Solar insolation is weakest in mid winter, and highest in mid summer. The solar industry's February 7th performance bodes well for this coming summer, when solar PV can be expected to break new records. In other observations: • PV produced 13% of supply at noon on February 7, 2011, • Wind reached nearly 1/3 of generation at midnight, • Wind and solar's combined 18,500 MW at noon met 29% of demand, • PV was producing 1/2 of its nameplate in mid winter, and • Wind was producing near its total installed capacity. With the Japanese nuclear calamity fresh in everyone's mind and upcoming elections staring the government in the face, the success of Germany's rapid development of renewable energy may give Chancellor Merkel's conservative government the flexibility it needs to weather the nuclear crisis. It would not be surprising to find the government proposing an even more aggressive pace of renewable energy development than that seen in 2010. -End- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fwd: Nuclear: What You Need to Know
by Paul Wilson 25 Mar '11

25 Mar '11

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Architecture 2030 <info(a)architecture2030.org> Date: Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 2:00 PM Subject: Nuclear: What You Need to Know To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com [image: Architecture 2030]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=0mv6EWcdLZj68g%2Fxr8W…> Architecture 2030<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=bB6PrmvnE%2BKSPoG%2BM…> about us <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=XK247inBtnFAi0Vjq1VkP…> hot topics <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=AtBcJbrn1cvBGvzY2TNYO…> e-news <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=1m9VccphoiGb3sGdZ2JWn…> publications <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=mAch5C7c%2BkCmgmdyWw2…> videos<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RMqR%2Fb0xggbM8DO%2BK…> faq <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=EYDrB7%2FHfoZWxFmwkaE…> contact <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=1vYho2%2FhSEvvnSmsiAj…> Originally Released: March 22, 2011 Subscribe/ Unsubscribe<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ymF9qvOWZfKrVpq6tskZw…> Printer Friendly Version<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=6CP4RdW8swpOiOMio9jtl…> Nuclear Energy: Fact Check How Much Does the United States Use? With the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan continuing to unfold, an important discussion has been taking place in the U.S. about the current and future role of nuclear energy and our aging nuclear reactors. We have noticed that in the media, there is sometimes a gap between what is being stated as fact, and what is actually fact. For example, prominent U.S. officials have stated recently, *"We get 20 percent of our energy right now in the United States from nuclear power."* In fact, nuclear power is responsible for 8.6% of total U.S. energy consumption. Twenty point seven percent of total U.S. *electricity consumption*, including electrical energy generation and transmission losses, is attributed to nuclear power. The 20.7%, or 8.39 QBtu, is made up of 2.19 QBtu of electricity delivered to the place of use, and 6.2 QBtu of energy losses from generation (waste heat) and transmission. The following graph illustrates total U.S. energy consumption (delivered energy and electrical energy losses from generation and transmission), total U.S. electricity consumption, and the total U.S. energy consumption attributed to nuclear power: <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=vKNEdO6maKsuEPi03uxhr…> *Assumptions:* Average U.S. nuclear plant efficiency is calculated at 32.6% (Source: EIA [3]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=GQYN8E27vJWR2zEqR13po…> [4]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=oRB3qayuB%2FG6NL4Rw6A…>), and transmission losses at 6.5% (Source:EIA [5]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ATry0JfAUjlPoKeFXCdPG…>). ------------------------------ More to Know About U.S. Nuclear Energy: - There are 104 nuclear reactors currently operating in the U.S. (Source: NEI) [1]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nh%2FY8RvUqNRDBIiHgR1…> - The 104 reactors have a net summer capacity of 100,755 MW. (Source: Architecture 2030 & NEI) [2]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=8kcxrHt3lt1DZly%2BTp%…> - Nuclear energy provides 3.1% of total U.S. delivered energy; 8.6% of total U.S. energy consumption is attributed to nuclear energy. (Source: Architecture 2030 & EIA) [3]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=aWwl2SWKud4xQwGUw%2FG…> [4]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=z6Ne4HdBBrdR3nPm3HyqC…> [5]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jQmRUVjKBqW%2BNKNkuHB…> - Nuclear energy provides 17.1% of total U.S. delivered electricity; 20.7% of total U.S. electricity consumption is attributed to nuclear energy (Source: Architecture 2030 & EIA) [3]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=oomq%2BcnKOIXteMDssme…> [4]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4YY1Ue31fMQ761W0b%2FU…> [5]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=W%2BAqFUnlSdjhmA7YmIl…> - It takes approximately thirty-seven 1000MW nuclear reactors to produce one Quad (quadrillion Btu) of delivered energy. (Source: EIA, Table 6.1.2) [6]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FadmSaV1WU4uLSLOiyQ…> - The last nuclear reactor to be built in the U.S. was Watts Bar 1 in Tennessee in June 1996 (1,123 MW). (Source: NEI) [1]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=C%2FSCBhfW0TcZIUuNwfH…> - Of the 104 nuclear reactors in the U.S., 4.8% are older than 40 years, 38.5% are older than 35 years, and over half are older than 30 years. (Source: Architecture 2030 & EIA, Table 3) [7]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Nd5z0X0vb2K2fQHpFT84P…> - Nuclear reactors in the U.S. are licensed to operate for 40 years. Owners can file with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for operating extensions. (Source EIA) [8]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=wKOyglcv%2FuA0Rr4ok1u…> - It costs approximately $300-500 million to decommission a nuclear plant. (Source: NEI) [9]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ZSN%2B2z6uHODW2LdyfrX…> - There are 13 potential reactors that are currently under review for a new commercial license. (Source: EIA) [10]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=SGjWqBw0UL0OdkwHBc%2B…> - The EIA estimates that the initial capital cost (overnight cost) of a new reactor is $5,339 per kW, or $5.3 billion for a 1000 MW reactor. Financing cost, long construction periods, and escalating costs can push the total cost well above the overnight cost. (Source: EIA, Table 2) [11]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RM4MhUL92qmGYjQpzAtAq…> - Subsidies for ongoing nuclear reactors range from 0.74 - 4.16 c/kWh for investor owned utilities (IOUs) and 1.53 - 5.77 c/kWh for publicly owned utilities (POUs). Subsidies for new reactors range from 5.01 - 11.42 c/kWh for IOUs and 4.20 - 8.68 c/kWh for POUs. At the higher end of these ranges, the subsidies exceed the value of the energy produced. The subsidies come from a wide range of sources: federal loan guarantees (Title 17 of the Energy Policy Act, EPACT, 2005), accelerated depreciation, subsidized borrowing costs, property tax abatements, depletion allowances for uranium mining, under-priced water for cooling, and production tax credits. In addition, the federal government helps significantly with security, risk, waste, and decommissioning management. (Source: UCS) [12]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TuEEztkQPgAlD%2FAW3WA…> - The IAEA estimates that approximately 20 percent of nuclear reactors around the world are currently operating in areas of significant seismic activity. (Source: IAEA) [13]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=znxVnMMAu8O8KI7t9Utyw…> ------------------------------ *Reported by Architecture 2030 Researchers:* *Vincent Martinez* *Director of Research* *Francesca Desmarais* *Principal Researcher* Upcoming talks with Ed Mazria: Washington, DC – April 18 AIA DC / CUA Lecture<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=JEKx4zy%2Fx7cuedfwozK…> 12pm. The Catholic University of America, Koubek Auditorium. $25 members. $40.00 non-members. Free for students and AIA+2030 participants. Registration required. Learn more<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=3RHQNuvLmlNbGCjbZs6OR…> New York, NY – April 20 AIA NY Committee on the Environment / Cooper Union<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RgDL3aU6W9OYTBIttcl95…> 6:30pm. Cooper Union, Great Hall. Free for AIA members and Cooper Union students with RSVP and Membership ID at the door. $5 for all other students. $15 for general public. Learn more<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=veuoD%2Bxzc6XyndXzliW…> Vancouver, BC – May 26 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) *2011 Festival of Architecture*<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=kss3UjpjLd6RAE4UyiqQt…> 7pm. Simon Fraser University – Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema. Free and open to the public. Learn more<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=YID0Bl5Tr7z%2FuMu0h1X…>(also see below) <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5QwPaeaYnZZhqt0bHxzpH…> Edward Mazria Inducted as Honorary Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Delivering Convocation Keynote at *2011 Festival of Architecture.*<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=lv7UKps7sNP4N0nJhXnfl…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=P5MB%2FZ%2FBDW%2FcBoT…> Sign Up Here.<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KQgsetW8DHBPNZQmvsqqJ…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Gmr7rEbLlUWm0dCdVZVbt…> The Latest Climate Science From Our Top Scientific Organizations.<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=WfqKJuJInLneYxQ4i%2FX…> . . . For the latest updates from Architecture 2030, go to the Hot Topics<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=z5tcQxOHRPypFkIwaEOd%…>section of our website. . . . 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<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9A1vaOSfEZNEd76VeLru7…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=PHoigPF1HLKGkYr4zLDy5…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Q67WAzZzsP0btrr1NF64Y…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=crUl2dMzgAJ4Kb60qfQ0J…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=pcZpWUmh3FolDXxgqBOgK…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=2YxdkKGTfpllJp2NH%2F5…> Having trouble viewing this email? - Click here to view an online version.<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=WWax5pJ6bHnorfmfU9S4g…> Help us spread this important news by sending this E-News Bulletin to a colleague or friend. -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Surely We Can Do Better than Nuclear Socialism
by James Kotcon 22 Mar '11

22 Mar '11

I had not heard this statistic before (in the paragraph below), but it sure resonates with Republicans like me. Enjoy. JBK "Vulnerability lessons are not new. After World War II German military leaders pointed out that the U.S. could have ended the War two years sooner by bombing the big coal power plants. Instead the allies were bombing individual industrial sites like steel mills, failing to recognize that the big coal plants powered 80% of Germany’s manufacturing. In contrast, Japan’s electric power was provided by a huge number of small dams that were not attractive targets for attack because no single one was crucial for the power system of the nation." ---------- Forwarded message ---------- ------------------------------ Surely We Can Do Better than Nuclear Socialism<http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DalyNews/~3/ICIEJIYZCAI/?utm_source=feedburn…> Posted: 21 Mar 2011 08:28 PM PDT by Brent Blackwelder They were in the news a half century ago when they were called “too cheap to meter.” Now “absolutely safe” nuclear reactors are once again in the news. As the horrifying scene in Japan unfolds this month, many politicians and media pundits are acting as if the only electricity choice for the U.S. is nuclear reactors or coal power plants. This is a false choice. A sustainable economy requires a sustainable energy supply, one that is not subject to the vulnerabilities of big central energy systems. A steady state economy would run on a decentralized set of renewable energy sources that is clean and resilient. It would be an economy powered by the sun, the wind, the natural heat content of the Earth, and other renewable sources. Advanced designs for where we live and how we travel would be a key part of this energy transformation. For example, buildings would be designed to generate power rather than requiring external energy supplies for cooling and heating. And let’s not forget about conservation – we need to set up the economy such that it uses less energy in the first place. The energy system that would run a steady state economy does not have the severe security problems that plague current systems, nor would it require massive subsidies in the form of liability limits, loan guarantees, externalization of health damages, etc. You don’t have to worry about a solar or wind “spill” contaminating the air, land and water; you don’t need liability caps for a wind farm or for solar collectors on roofs; and finally, you don’t need to bill consumers (instead of stockholders or investors) in advance for a nuclear reactor that may never be completed. The strength and resilience of decentralized power, its superior employment intensity, and the potential for community involvement are all features that make a different energy model very attractive. Various European nations such as Spain, Germany, and Denmark have demonstrated the huge potential of wind and solar power, as has the state of Texas in the case of wind with 9,700 megawatts installed. But look at the powerful forces today pushing nuclear reactor construction in the southeastern U.S. and obstructing the clean energy path of the future. Even after the terrible nuclear meltdown in Japan, two big southern utilities, South Carolina Electric & Gas and Georgia Power, announced that they are not pausing to consider some lessons to be learned before proceeding full speed ahead with four new reactors. To pay for two new reactors at Plant Vogtle, Georgia Power has begun billing its Georgia customers this month for the intended construction. Ironically, the proposed new reactors being billed to Georgia consumers are intended to supply customers in Florida. Consumers and taxpayers are bearing all the risks, not investors. The energy systems used to power the global economy are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, sabotage, terrorism, and war. The Japanese catastrophe this month certainly brings to mind the nuclear disasters at Chernobyl in 1986 and Three Mile Island in 1979. But the nuclear and fossil fuel industries have supplied many less well-known disasters. A brief review of some of the accidents will accentuate the difference between the polluting energy of today’s economy and the clean energy future that would, by its very nature, avoid these messes: - In July of 1979, at the Navajo community of Church Rock, New Mexico, an earthen dam at United Nuclear Corporation’s uranium mill broke, releasing 95 million gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Rio Puerco. The spill sent contaminants over 100 miles downstream. This unpublicized spill is estimated to have contained over triple the amount of radiation (curies) that the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor released in the very same year. - Last year tornado warnings near Detroit forced the shutdown of the Fermi 2 atomic reactor. This was the same site where a meltdown in 1966 nearly irradiated the Greats Lakes Region. - For much of 2010 the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was an ongoing saga of futility and despair. - In July of 2007 a major earthquake in Japan badly damaged one nuclear reactor in a complex of nuclear reactors. - In December of 2008 a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir, which was storing the contaminated ash from one of its power plants, burst and sent a toxic stew of waste 100 times larger than the Exxon Valdez oil spill into a tributary of the Tennessee River. Despite assurances that such dam bursting was unusual and would never happen again, scarcely a month had passed when yet another coal waste reservoir (this one in Alabama) failed and spewed contamination downstream. Vulnerability lessons are not new. After World War II German military leaders pointed out that the U.S. could have ended the War two years sooner by bombing the big coal power plants. Instead the allies were bombing individual industrial sites like steel mills, failing to recognize that the big coal plants powered 80% of Germany’s manufacturing. In contrast, Japan’s electric power was provided by a huge number of small dams that were not attractive targets for attack because no single one was crucial for the power system of the nation. The energy for a steady state economy can be supplied by a huge number of solar panels and wind mills<http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=a-path-to-sustainable-ener…>as outlined by physics professors Jacobson and Delucchi at Stanford University (*Scientific American*, November, 2009) and by many others. It would be a refreshing change to see President Obama propose such an ambitious solar/wind plan in the aftermath of the meltdown in Japan, but he seems content merely to suggest a thorough review of nuclear reactors. Before having to hear how high the costs of renewable energy are, I’ll close with a brief reminder of the government subsidies the U.S. nuclear industry is slated to receive. Here are some components of the $46 billion being offered up over the next 5 years in addition to the cap on liability for any accident: - $22.5 billion in loan guarantees for new reactors; - $12.3 billion in nuclear waste fund liability payments; - $3 billion for mixed oxide activities; and - $1.9 billion for fusion energy. For more details, please see the green scissors report<http://www.greenscissors.com/> . Seeing this list of handouts, one might think that Republican leaders would recoil at what might be termed nuclear socialism. One would think that the Tea Party activists would revolt at the sight of this massive government program to fund something that Wall Street would not touch even before the catastrophe in Japan. You are subscribed to email updates from Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy <http://steadystate.org/> To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now<http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailunsubscribe?k=ddEHy4HeNsHyT2gOSoQyE5N…> . Email delivery powered by Google Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-FICC-INTERNATIONAL list, send any message to: CONS-FICC-INTERNATIONAL-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp -- Conservation Chair, Southern Nevada Group of the Sierra Club Energy Chair, Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fwd: [Justice] Clean Water Advocates Win First Round of Challenge Against Masontown Coal Plant
by James Kotcon 22 Mar '11

22 Mar '11

Another ash dump has to clean up their discharges. This sets a precedent for Albright, and reinforces the Patriot victory. JBK >>> Cindy Rank <clrank(a)hughes.net> 3/22/2011 2:34 PM >>> OF INTEREST ..... cindy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2011 Contacts: Raviya Ismail, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500 (office) or (202) 841-7619 (cell), rismail(a)earthjustice.org Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice, (212) 791-1881 (office), adillen(a)earthjustice.org Lisa Graves-Marcucci, Environmental Integrity Project, (412) 653-4328 (home) or (412) 897-0569 (cell), lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org Aimee Erickson, Executive Director, Citizens Coal Council, (412) 257-2223 (office) or (724) 470-3982 (cell), aimee(a)citizenscoalcouncil.org Clean Water Advocates Win First Round of Challenge Against Masontown Coal Plant First step to securing cleaner water for 350,000 people PITTSBURGH, PA – Clean water advocates have won the first round in a legal fight ( http://earthjustice.org/documents/legal-document/pdf/hatfield-s-ferry-judgm… ) over permit limits that would prevent the Hatfield’s Ferry coal-fired power plant from dumping polluted water into the Monongahela River. Allegheny Energy is challenging the limits in an effort to avoid installation of pollution controls that would eliminate wastewater discharges of mercury, arsenic, selenium, and other toxic metals as well as salts and dissolved solids that are currently impairing water quality in the river, which is a drinking water source for more than 350,000 people living south of Pittsburgh. After 40 years of operation without effective controls for air pollution, Hatfield’s Ferry has finally installed a scrubbing system that limits the amount of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants that the plant pumps into the air. However, the company has resisted installing equally effective pollution controls that would limit the amount of contaminated water discharged by the scrubbers. As a result, dangerous pollutants that are no longer going into the air are ending up in the river. “Taking coal waste from smokestacks and dumping it into our rivers makes no sense because coal is no cleaner in our water,” said Aimee Erickson, Executive Director, Citizens Coal Council. “The Citizens Coal Council is committed to working with others around the country to ensure that protecting America’s air from coal burning power plant emissions does not come at the expense of the American people's drinking water.” “We shouldn’t have to choose between air that is safe to breathe and water that is safe to drink,” said Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice attorney. “This decision by Pennsylvania’s Environmental Hearing Board is important because it affirms that Hatfield’s Ferry has to meet all necessary limits to protect water quality in the river.” “This is an important victory, and we applaud the state of Pennsylvania and Earthjustice for defending protective limits on water pollution,” said Lisa Graves-Marcucci, of the Environmental Integrity Project. “While the Hatfield’s Ferry scrubber will help clear the air, the court’s recent decision brings us one step closer to keeping the same pollutants out of the Monongahela River, the most important source of drinking water for communities on its shorelines.” Specifically, Allegheny Energy sought to classify its new scrubber system as an existing source of pollution instead of a “new discharger” - subject to the most stringent pollution control requirements. In rejecting this argument, Chief Judge Thomas W. Renwand wrote: “We specifically reject Allegheny Energy’s contention that its facility does not fall within the definition of a ‘new discharger’ because it discharges at an existing outfall on the Monongahela River…We also agree with the Department and the Interveners that Allegheny Energy’s position cannot be reconciled with either the plain language of the regulations or the overarching intent of the Clean Water Law.” Judge Renwand further stated that Allegheny Energy’s argument “would substantially gut the congressional goal to eliminate pollutant discharges to the waters of the United States as quickly as possible.” Earthjustice, Environmental Integrity Project and Citizens Coal Council joined together to defend protective limits for sulfate and total dissolved solids in the discharge permit for Hatfield’s Ferry, and they are challenging the failure to impose limits on metals such as arsenic and selenium. The first phase of the legal proceedings involves only the sulfate and total dissolved solids limits. If Allegheny is ordered to comply with them, they will need to install pollution controls that eliminate the discharge of heavy metals as well. A copy of the summary judgment: http://earthjustice.org/documents/legal-document/pdf/hatfield-s-ferry-judgm… A copy of the appeal: http://earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/library/legal_docs/hatsfield-fe…

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Re: [EC] Fwd: [Justice] Clean Water Advocates Win First Round of Challenge Against Masontown Coal Plant
by Jim Sconyers 22 Mar '11

22 Mar '11

Excellent news! Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: Cindy Rank <clrank(a)hughes.net> To: mbecher(a)appalachian-center.org; jlovett(a)appalachian-center.org; derek_teaney(a)yahoo.com; bluckett(a)appalachian-center.org; adawson(a)appalachian-center.org; mjanes(a)hardynet.com Cc: peter.morgan(a)apps.sierraclub.org; jkotcon(a)wvu.edu; jim_scon(a)yahoo.com; sminney(a)wvrivers.org Sent: Tue, March 22, 2011 2:34:13 PM Subject: Fwd: [Justice] Clean Water Advocates Win First Round of Challenge Against Masontown Coal Plant OF INTEREST ..... cindy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2011 Contacts: Raviya Ismail, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500 (office) or (202) 841-7619 (cell), rismail(a)earthjustice.org Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice, (212) 791-1881 (office), adillen(a)earthjustice.org Lisa Graves-Marcucci, Environmental Integrity Project, (412) 653-4328 (home) or (412) 897-0569 (cell), lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org Aimee Erickson, Executive Director, Citizens Coal Council, (412) 257-2223 (office) or (724) 470-3982 (cell), aimee(a)citizenscoalcouncil.org Clean Water Advocates Win First Round of Challenge Against Masontown Coal Plant First step to securing cleaner water for 350,000 people PITTSBURGH, PA – Clean water advocates have won the first round in a legal fight over permit limits that would prevent the Hatfield’s Ferry coal-fired power plant from dumping polluted water into the Monongahela River. Allegheny Energy is challenging the limits in an effort to avoid installation of pollution controls that would eliminate wastewater discharges of mercury, arsenic, selenium, and other toxic metals as well as salts and dissolved solids that are currently impairing water quality in the river, which is a drinking water source for more than 350,000 people living south of Pittsburgh. After 40 years of operation without effective controls for air pollution, Hatfield’s Ferry has finally installed a scrubbing system that limits the amount of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants that the plant pumps into the air. However, the company has resisted installing equally effective pollution controls that would limit the amount of contaminated water discharged by the scrubbers. As a result, dangerous pollutants that are no longer going into the air are ending up in the river. “Taking coal waste from smokestacks and dumping it into our rivers makes no sense because coal is no cleaner in our water,” said Aimee Erickson, Executive Director, Citizens Coal Council. “The Citizens Coal Council is committed to working with others around the country to ensure that protecting America’s air from coal burning power plant emissions does not come at the expense of the American people's drinking water.” “We shouldn’t have to choose between air that is safe to breathe and water that is safe to drink,” said Abigail Dillen, Earthjustice attorney. “This decision by Pennsylvania’s Environmental Hearing Board is important because it affirms that Hatfield’s Ferry has to meet all necessary limits to protect water quality in the river.” “This is an important victory, and we applaud the state of Pennsylvania and Earthjustice for defending protective limits on water pollution,” said Lisa Graves-Marcucci, of the Environmental Integrity Project. “While the Hatfield’s Ferry scrubber will help clear the air, the court’s recent decision brings us one step closer to keeping the same pollutants out of the Monongahela River, the most important source of drinking water for communities on its shorelines.” Specifically, Allegheny Energy sought to classify its new scrubber system as an existing source of pollution instead of a “new discharger” - subject to the most stringent pollution control requirements. In rejecting this argument, Chief Judge Thomas W. Renwand wrote: “We specifically reject Allegheny Energy’s contention that its facility does not fall within the definition of a ‘new discharger’ because it discharges at an existing outfall on the Monongahela River…We also agree with the Department and the Interveners that Allegheny Energy’s position cannot be reconciled with either the plain language of the regulations or the overarching intent of the Clean Water Law.” Judge Renwand further stated that Allegheny Energy’s argument “would substantially gut the congressional goal to eliminate pollutant discharges to the waters of the United States as quickly as possible.” Earthjustice, Environmental Integrity Project and Citizens Coal Council joined together to defend protective limits for sulfate and total dissolved solids in the discharge permit for Hatfield’s Ferry, and they are challenging the failure to impose limits on metals such as arsenic and selenium. The first phase of the legal proceedings involves only the sulfate and total dissolved solids limits. If Allegheny is ordered to comply with them, they will need to install pollution controls that eliminate the discharge of heavy metals as well. A copy of the summary judgment: http://earthjustice.org/documents/legal-document/pdf/hatfield-s-ferry-judgm… A copy of the appeal: http://earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/library/legal_docs/hatsfield-fe…

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Fw: Fwd: [CONS-FICC-INTERNATIONAL] Surely We Can Do Better than Nuclear Socialism
by Jim Sconyers 22 Mar '11

22 Mar '11

Good reading. Note: Congress LEGISLATED a cap on nuke plant liability. The insurer of nuke plant liability is WE, the PEOPLE, also legislated by Congress. This is old info.... Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Jane Feldman <feldman.jane(a)GMAIL.COM> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tue, March 22, 2011 1:52:42 PM Subject: Fwd: [CONS-FICC-INTERNATIONAL] Surely We Can Do Better than Nuclear Socialism The article below is a great argument for small generators of clean energy - like real clean, solar, wind, geothermal - and a list of all the reasons to reject nuclear. jane ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Janet McGarry <Zzzpuck(a)aol.com> Date: Tue, Mar 22, 2011 at 8:20 AM Subject: [CONS-FICC-INTERNATIONAL] Surely We Can Do Better than Nuclear Socialism To: CONS-FICC-INTERNATIONAL(a)lists.sierraclub.org This is an interesting newsletter --- the Daly news which refers to the economist Herman Daly. Janet McGarry ________________________________ Surely We Can Do Better than Nuclear Socialism Posted: 21 Mar 2011 08:28 PM PDT by Brent Blackwelder They were in the news a half century ago when they were called “too cheap to meter.” Now “absolutely safe” nuclear reactors are once again in the news. As the horrifying scene in Japan unfolds this month, many politicians and media pundits are acting as if the only electricity choice for the U.S. is nuclear reactors or coal power plants. This is a false choice. A sustainable economy requires a sustainable energy supply, one that is not subject to the vulnerabilities of big central energy systems. A steady state economy would run on a decentralized set of renewable energy sources that is clean and resilient. It would be an economy powered by the sun, the wind, the natural heat content of the Earth, and other renewable sources. Advanced designs for where we live and how we travel would be a key part of this energy transformation. For example, buildings would be designed to generate power rather than requiring external energy supplies for cooling and heating. And let’s not forget about conservation – we need to set up the economy such that it uses less energy in the first place. The energy system that would run a steady state economy does not have the severe security problems that plague current systems, nor would it require massive subsidies in the form of liability limits, loan guarantees, externalization of health damages, etc. You don’t have to worry about a solar or wind “spill” contaminating the air, land and water; you don’t need liability caps for a wind farm or for solar collectors on roofs; and finally, you don’t need to bill consumers (instead of stockholders or investors) in advance for a nuclear reactor that may never be completed. The strength and resilience of decentralized power, its superior employment intensity, and the potential for community involvement are all features that make a different energy model very attractive. Various European nations such as Spain, Germany, and Denmark have demonstrated the huge potential of wind and solar power, as has the state of Texas in the case of wind with 9,700 megawatts installed. But look at the powerful forces today pushing nuclear reactor construction in the southeastern U.S. and obstructing the clean energy path of the future. Even after the terrible nuclear meltdown in Japan, two big southern utilities, South Carolina Electric & Gas and Georgia Power, announced that they are not pausing to consider some lessons to be learned before proceeding full speed ahead with four new reactors. To pay for two new reactors at Plant Vogtle, Georgia Power has begun billing its Georgia customers this month for the intended construction. Ironically, the proposed new reactors being billed to Georgia consumers are intended to supply customers in Florida. Consumers and taxpayers are bearing all the risks, not investors. The energy systems used to power the global economy are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, sabotage, terrorism, and war. The Japanese catastrophe this month certainly brings to mind the nuclear disasters at Chernobyl in 1986 and Three Mile Island in 1979. But the nuclear and fossil fuel industries have supplied many less well-known disasters. A brief review of some of the accidents will accentuate the difference between the polluting energy of today’s economy and the clean energy future that would, by its very nature, avoid these messes: * In July of 1979, at the Navajo community of Church Rock, New Mexico, an earthen dam at United Nuclear Corporation’s uranium mill broke, releasing 95 million gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Rio Puerco. The spill sent contaminants over 100 miles downstream. This unpublicized spill is estimated to have contained over triple the amount of radiation (curies) that the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor released in the very same year. * Last year tornado warnings near Detroit forced the shutdown of the Fermi 2 atomic reactor. This was the same site where a meltdown in 1966 nearly irradiated the Greats Lakes Region. * For much of 2010 the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was an ongoing saga of futility and despair. * In July of 2007 a major earthquake in Japan badly damaged one nuclear reactor in a complex of nuclear reactors. * In December of 2008 a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir, which was storing the contaminated ash from one of its power plants, burst and sent a toxic stew of waste 100 times larger than the Exxon Valdez oil spill into a tributary of the Tennessee River. Despite assurances that such dam bursting was unusual and would never happen again, scarcely a month had passed when yet another coal waste reservoir (this one in Alabama) failed and spewed contamination downstream. Vulnerability lessons are not new. After World War II German military leaders pointed out that the U.S. could have ended the War two years sooner by bombing the big coal power plants. Instead the allies were bombing individual industrial sites like steel mills, failing to recognize that the big coal plants powered 80% of Germany’s manufacturing. In contrast, Japan’s electric power was provided by a huge number of small dams that were not attractive targets for attack because no single one was crucial for the power system of the nation. The energy for a steady state economy can be supplied by a huge number of solar panels and wind mills as outlined by physics professors Jacobson and Delucchi at Stanford University (Scientific American, November, 2009) and by many others. It would be a refreshing change to see President Obama propose such an ambitious solar/wind plan in the aftermath of the meltdown in Japan, but he seems content merely to suggest a thorough review of nuclear reactors. Before having to hear how high the costs of renewable energy are, I’ll close with a brief reminder of the government subsidies the U.S. nuclear industry is slated to receive. Here are some components of the $46 billion being offered up over the next 5 years in addition to the cap on liability for any accident: * $22.5 billion in loan guarantees for new reactors; * $12.3 billion in nuclear waste fund liability payments; * $3 billion for mixed oxide activities; and * $1.9 billion for fusion energy. For more details, please see the green scissors report. Seeing this list of handouts, one might think that Republican leaders would recoil at what might be termed nuclear socialism. One would think that the Tea Party activists would revolt at the sight of this massive government program to fund something that Wall Street would not touch even before the catastrophe in Japan. You are subscribed to email updates from Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Email delivery powered by Google Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-FICC-INTERNATIONAL list, send any message to: CONS-FICC-INTERNATIONAL-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp -- Conservation Chair, Southern Nevada Group of the Sierra Club Energy Chair, Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Re: [EC] PATH Celebration
by James Kotcon 19 Mar '11

19 Mar '11

While it is certainly true that the PATH application was withdrawn "without prejudice" (meaning they can and probably will re-file), it is also important that we celebrate what victories we can. We rarely get a definitive end to issues as the bad guys are famous for simply fading away in a slow, long, drawn-out silence, so even though this one is not over, this is as definitive of a decision point as we are likely to see. Feel free to attend and party down, as we need to make a big noise now. If nothing else, it helps cement our reputation as "giant killers". Keep in mind that the Club's expert witness testimony on need, reliability, and demand side management was a critical turning point in the battle in Virginia, and established this as the key issue ion MD and WV. The more we loudly proclaim the "victory", the better it is cemented in the minds of politicians that the issue is over, and the more credibility they will give us as new issues emerge. I favor holding PATH victory parties in every County in WV, and invite the press. We Done Good. JBK >>> <glnelson1(a)frontier.com> 3/19/2011 11:02 AM >>> This is a premature celebration because path is not out of the utility companies minds. They are just regrouping for another assault for the line. One of the local conservationists here, that fought the path project, tells me they see this withdrawl only as a delaying tactic, and they will return with the same application for this line. Thanks! Gary Nelson ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> To: ec(a)osenergy.org, "Heather Heilman" <heatherheilman(a)yahoo.com>, "Gwen Jones" <gwenjones23(a)yahoo.com>, "Jim Kotcon" <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu>, "Gary Nelson" <glnelson1(a)frontier.com>, "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>, "Frank Young" <fyoung(a)mountain.net> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 10:49:35 AM Subject: PATH Celebration Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Doug Kaplan <doug.kaplan(a)sugarloafconservancy.org> To: CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Sat, March 19, 2011 10:08:18 AM Subject: A Celebration is Required! Join us! All, Many of you have already received our invitation. I am sending it to the Sierra Club disti list as some may not have received our attached invitation. Everyone is welcomed! We especially hope to see many attend from our neighboring states of Virginia and West Virginia. Spread the word. Please see attached invitation for details! Doug Douglas S. Kaplan President Sugarloaf Conservancy www.sugarloafconservancy.org www.nomoretowers.org Description: cid:image001.gif@01CBDCED.3895C390 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM list, send any message to: CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

2 1

PATH Celebration
by Jim Sconyers 19 Mar '11

19 Mar '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Doug Kaplan <doug.kaplan(a)sugarloafconservancy.org> To: CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Sat, March 19, 2011 10:08:18 AM Subject: A Celebration is Required! Join us! All, Many of you have already received our invitation. I am sending it to the Sierra Club disti list as some may not have received our attached invitation. Everyone is welcomed! We especially hope to see many attend from our neighboring states of Virginia and West Virginia. Spread the word. Please see attached invitation for details! Doug Douglas S. Kaplan President Sugarloaf Conservancy www.sugarloafconservancy.org www.nomoretowers.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM list, send any message to: CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fw: DAILY UPDATE 18 March 2011. News of interest to Mon river watershed denizens.
by James Kotcon 18 Mar '11

18 Mar '11

You might enjoy the first news story here. JBK >>> "Donald C. Strimbeck" <dcsoinks(a)comcast.net> 3/18/2011 4:31 AM >>> Washington PA OBSERVER REPORTER: Waste hauler accused of illegal dumping 3/18/2011 3:31 AM By Tara Kinsell, Staff writer tkinsell(a)observer-reporter.com WAYNESBURG - A well-known Greene County waste hauler and his corporation were charged Thursday with illegally dumping millions of gallons of wastewater from natural gas drilling, sewage sludge and restaurant grease into streams and mine shafts in a six-county area. After a two-year investigation, the state attorney general's office filed 98 criminal counts against Robert Allan Shipman, 50, of 432 Renner Creek Road, New Freeport, and 77 counts against his company, Allan's Waste Water Service Inc. of 1487 Toms Run Road, Holbrook. "This was a calculated and long-running scheme to personally profit by illegally dumping wastewater, regardless of the potential for environmental damage," said acting Attorney General Bill Ryan. Shipman is accused of orchestrating a scheme to dump waste products into streams, mine shafts and business properties across Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Proecutors said the activities took place between 2003 and 2009. Charges include participating in a corrupt organization, criminal conspiracy, theft, forgery, receiving stolen property, pollution of waters, tampering with public records and violations of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, Solid Waste Management Act and Fish and Boat Codes. According to grand jury testimony, Shipman and his company were hired by multiple businesses in the region to haul and dispose of wastewater by-products. Several former employees testified that Shipman instructed them to mix various wastewater products together in what they referred to as a "cocktail" and then dump that mixture at various locations throughout the region. Ryan said the reason behind the cocktail was to conceal the true contents of the wastewater, allowing it to be disposed of in an improper manner, as well as to increase the volume of disposals that were billed to various customers. According to the grand jury, Shipman directed his drivers to falsify manifests so his company could bill customers for the full capacity of their trucks, regardless of the amount of waste actually being transported and disposed of. Agents from the attorney general's office said they identified forged manifests for numerous businesses operating in Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Penneco Oil Co., American Oil and Gas, Luzerne Township Sewage Authority, Menallen Township Sewer Authority, Washington Penn Plastics and others. Ryan said Shipman is accused of stealing in excess of $250,000 from clients as a result of the over-billing practices. April Morris, a former administrative assistant for Shipman's company, told the grand jury she was often instructed by Shipman to shred or discard the customer's copy of the manifest. She said Shipman would then instruct her to complete blank manifests with fraudulent information regarding the quantity of waste hauled, sign drivers' names to the manifests and send the manifests to customers. Testimony by former drivers indicated that Allan's Waste Water was responsible for transporting and disposing of production water from gas wells owned and operated by CNX Gas. According to the drivers, CNX's gas wells began to generate more production water in the summer of 2007 than the company was capable of handling. "It is a lot of information we need to digest," said Shipman's attorney, Christopher Blackwell of Washington. "Our contention has always been that this is a group of disgruntled employees who have made these accusations." Blackwell said it appears the case is going to come down to the credibility of the witnesses who may have "an ax to grind with Allan Shipman." The drivers told the grand jury that Shipman showed them how to leave water valves open at gas wells in order to allow production water to flow onto the ground and into nearby waterways. The drivers said this was typically done after dark or during heavy rains in order to conceal the illegal discharge. Areas where Shipman is alleged to have directed wastewater to be dumped include Green Hill Tank Farm along Rush Run in Greene County, Morris Run Creek and Rush Run. It was further alleged by the former employees that Shipman directed them to dump residual wastewater left in the trucks at the end of the day down a drain at his business. The drain leads to Tom's Run, a tributary of Dunkard Creek. It is also alleged that Shipman directed waste products to be dumped into the Morris Run air shaft at the abandoned Blacksville No. 1 Mine along Morris Run Creek in Brave. Consol Energy is permitted by the EPA to dump production water into the Morris Run shaft via a series of piping inlets. The airshaft leads to a mine pool that ultimately discharges into Dunkard Creek, according to Samuel Harper, DEP Water Management Environmental Program manager, who verified that Shipman and his company were not permitted to discharge waste into that location. The criminal charges filed Thursday carry substantial prison terms upon conviction, along with fines in excess of $1.5 million for Shipman and $1.2 million for his company. Blackwell said the defense is in the process of interviewing drivers from the company who have indicated that Shipman never directed them to do any of the things alleged in the complaint. Blackwell said these witnesses have also said that they never witnessed Shipman illegally dumping anything. "There were a number of documents found in the trucks that Allan was unaware of what the drivers were doing while they were out," Blackwell said. "Maybe the lines at the dumping facilities were so long that they didn't feel like waiting in line there." Christopher M. Capozzi, attorney for Allan's Waster Water Services Inc., had no comment. Shipman is free on $500,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 6-7 before District Judge Glenn Bates. Copyright Observer Publishing Co. EDITORIAL: 'Proactive' approach, well after the fact 3/17/2011 3:33 AM It's interesting to juxtapose the comments made by Consol Energy and environmental officials when Consol announced that it would pay $6 million to settle claims stemming from hundreds of violations of the Clean Water Act at six of its coal mines in West Virginia, including discharges that resulted in a massive fish kill along Dunkard Creek in 2009. The energy company will pay $5.5 million to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and another $500,000 to West Virginia agencies in connection with the fish kill, but it is doing so without admitting any liability. One company official talked about Consol's desire to avoid "pointless litigation." By pointless, we have to assume Consol means ligitation from which it no doubt would emerge on the losing side. We doubt the company would make such a payment out of the goodness of its corporate heart. Of course, for an outfit that had revenue of $4.6 billion and profit of $540 million last year, perhaps $6 million is viewed as simply a minor annoyance, a pittance to be paid as a cost of doing business the wrong way, in terms of the environment, all those years. Consol announced that in addition to paying the penalties, it would spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a new water-treatment plant to counter high levels of chlorides discharged from four of its mines in northern West Virginia. In a news release, Consol President Nick Deluliis touted the company's "proactive demonstration" of its commitment to operating in an environmentally friendly manner. Hardly. A proactive approach would have been to install the necessary water-purification equipment before the company's discharges repeatedly fouled the water and wiped out aquatic life along 30 miles of Dunkard Creek. Statements from environmental officials carried a different tone. Shawn Garvin, regional EPA administrator, said, "We are committed to cleaning up the waters of Dunkard Creek and the Monongahela watershed, and holding those who pollute it accountable." And Ignacia Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice, noted that in the settlement, "Consol takes responsibility for its past failures to abide by the terms of its Clean Water Act permits." Consol might not admit liability, but accountability and responsibility will work just fine. Now, if Consol would only drop its appeals and ante up the money needed to repair the dam at Ryerson Station State Park's Duke Lake, which the state Department of Environmental Protection determined was damaged by the company's longwall mining operations in the area. Another "proactive" approach would be much appreciated by the people who have lost the use of that wonderful recreational resource. Copyright Observer Publishing Co. Charleston Gazette Friday 18 March 2011: 19 delegates call for Marcellus permit moratorium March 17, 2011 by Alison Knezevich In the final hours of the legislative session Saturday night, Delegate Mike Manypenny, D-Taylor, was writing to state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Randy Huffman and collecting signatures from fellow delegates for the letter. With the failure to pass any legislation to regulate Marcellus drilling, Manypenny and others are asking Huffman to issue a moratorium on new permits. Manypenny and Delegate Barbara Fleischauer, D-Monongalia, plan a Capitol press conference tomorrow at 1 p.m. to discuss the proposal. According to the West Virginia Surface Owners’ Rights Organization, the other delegates who signed the letter are: Larry Barker, D-Boone; Anthony Barill, D-Monongalia; Bonnie Brown D-Kanawha; Ray Canterbury, R-Greenbrier; John Doyle, D-Jefferson; Nancy Guthrie, D-Kanawha; Bobbie Hatfield, D-Kanawha; Linda Longstreth, D-Marion; Dale Martin, D-Putnam; Clif Moore, D-McDowell; Don Perdue, D-Wayne; Mary Poling, D-Barbour; Virginia Mahan, D-Summers; Pete Sigler, R-Nicholas; Margaret Staggers, D-Fayette; Joe Talbott, D-Webster; and Danny Wells, D-Kanawha. This entry was posted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 7:18 pm and is filed under Environment, House of Delegates. March 17, 2011 House, Senate conferees wrap up state budget work House and Senate budget conferees completed work on the 2011-12 state budget bill (HB2012) Thursday evening -- a bill that designates how state agencies are to spend a total of more than $11 billion for the budget year that begins July 1. By Phil Kabler The Charleston Gazette CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- House and Senate budget conferees completed work on the 2011-12 state budget bill (HB2012) Thursday evening -- a bill that designates how state agencies are to spend a total of more than $11 billion for the budget year that begins July 1. The bill does not include additional funding to hire additional inspectors for new Marcellus Shale drilling sites. On Wednesday, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, acting as governor, had requested an additional $2 million for the Department of Environmental Protection budget, in light of the Legislature's failure to pass a bill to regulate Marcellus drilling. However, House Finance Chairman Harry Keith White, D-Mingo, said conferees will recommend that Tomblin submit a supplemental appropriation bill that would direct about $1.05 million of state funds that will be left over when the current budget year ends on June 30 to the DEP. Legislators are expected to vote to approve the 2011-12 spending plan -- and act to correct and re-pass any bills vetoed by Tomblin for technical errors -- Friday. That would mark the first time in recent years that the budget session, which this year started Sunday immediately following the end of the regular session, has not extended into the weekend. White said it helped that the House and Senate versions of the budget bill were relatively similar, and that the Legislature did not pass a lot of bills with new spending initiatives. "When we sat down and looked at the bills, we were really pretty close," he said. Senate Finance Chairman Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, did have to build in about $67 million for pay raises for state and public school employees, judges and the adjutant general. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- House and Senate budget conferees completed work on the 2011-12 state budget bill (HB2012) Thursday evening -- a bill that designates how state agencies are to spend a total of more than $11 billion for the budget year that begins July 1. The bill does not include additional funding to hire additional inspectors for new Marcellus Shale drilling sites. On Wednesday, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, acting as governor, had requested an additional $2 million for the Department of Environmental Protection budget, in light of the Legislature's failure to pass a bill to regulate Marcellus drilling. However, House Finance Chairman Harry Keith White, D-Mingo, said conferees will recommend that Tomblin submit a supplemental appropriation bill that would direct about $1.05 million of state funds that will be left over when the current budget year ends on June 30 to the DEP. Legislators are expected to vote to approve the 2011-12 spending plan -- and act to correct and re-pass any bills vetoed by Tomblin for technical errors -- Friday. That would mark the first time in recent years that the budget session, which this year started Sunday immediately following the end of the regular session, has not extended into the weekend. White said it helped that the House and Senate versions of the budget bill were relatively similar, and that the Legislature did not pass a lot of bills with new spending initiatives. "When we sat down and looked at the bills, we were really pretty close," he said. Senate Finance Chairman Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, did have to build in about $67 million for pay raises for state and public school employees, judges and the adjutant general. New initiatives in the budget also include about $6 million of additional funding for the Public Employees Insurance Agency and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), to expand coverage to include treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders, and $6 million of Lottery revenue for a fund to allow Eastern Panhandle counties to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities under a federal mandate to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. White noted that, unlike many states, West Virginia's economy has been relatively stable. He said the budget bill does not impose any significant funding cuts, even though the current budget was balanced using about $200 million of one-time federal stimulus funds. "The Senate president and ourselves feel pretty comfortable with the future finances of the state," he said. However, he noted that the state budget is heavily reliant on extractive industries, including production of coal and natural gas, and on gambling. The 2011-12 general revenue budget -- the portion of the budget funded through state tax collections -- will top $4 billion for the first time in state history, an increase of about $250 million. Overall, though, the total $11 billion spending plan will decrease by about 2 percent from the current budget, primarily because of reductions in federal funds. "We've tried to keep it as tight as we can," Prezioso said of the budget plan. Reach Phil Kabler at ph...(a)wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220. New initiatives in the budget also include about $6 million of additional funding for the Public Employees Insurance Agency and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), to expand coverage to include treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders, and $6 million of Lottery revenue for a fund to allow Eastern Panhandle counties to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities under a federal mandate to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. White noted that, unlike many states, West Virginia's economy has been relatively stable. He said the budget bill does not impose any significant funding cuts, even though the current budget was balanced using about $200 million of one-time federal stimulus funds. "The Senate president and ourselves feel pretty comfortable with the future finances of the state," he said. However, he noted that the state budget is heavily reliant on extractive industries, including production of coal and natural gas, and on gambling. The 2011-12 general revenue budget -- the portion of the budget funded through state tax collections -- will top $4 billion for the first time in state history, an increase of about $250 million. Overall, though, the total $11 billion spending plan will decrease by about 2 percent from the current budget, primarily because of reductions in federal funds. "We've tried to keep it as tight as we can," Prezioso said of the budget plan. Reach Phil Kabler at ph...(a)wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220. Wheeling WV THE INTELLIGENCER: Halt To Drilling Permits Wanted Some lawmakers seek moratorium until new rules are put into place March 18, 2011 - By CASEY JUNKINS Staff Writer WHEELING - A group of West Virginia legislators wants the state's Department of Environmental Protection to stop issuing natural gas drilling permits until new regulations are in place. State Sen. Orphy Klempa, D-Ohio, is not sure such a moratorium on new drilling permits would be worthwhile, however, because the DEP has already issued more than 900 such permits for gas companies to work in the Marcellus Shale. "Having 15 inspectors for 59,000 wells is clearly inadequate. We need to drastically increase the number of inspectors," said Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer, D-Monongalia. DEP Secretary Randy Huffman has said his Office of Oil and Gas now has 17 positions for well inspectors, but not all of those jobs may be filled. If there currently are 15 inspectors, that means each would be responsible for overseeing 3,933 wells. Fleischauer and about 20 other legislators have already signed the moratorium request they are forwarding to Huffman. However, none of these legislators hail from the Northern Panhandle. Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, said he was unaware of the moratorium request, emphasizing his commitment to see the natural gas industry operate in an effective and safe manner throughout the state. Klempa recognizes the need for action, but said preventing the issuance of more drilling permits would not solve the problem. "I am hearing now that the industry doesn't really need any more permits right now. Now, their problem seems to be that they don't have enough drilling rigs to act on the permits they already have," he said. There are now several well sites established in Ohio County that have recently seen gas rigs in use, including the Didriksen site on Dement Road and the Gantzer site near The Highlands. "I think that after the special primary election, we will be able to have a special session to get this Marcellus Shale legislation done," Klempa said in reference to the May 14 gubernatorial primary election. "I feel we will get some meaningful legislation on this." During the regular legislative session that ended Saturday, senators passed a bill that would have increased horizontal well drilling permit fees from $650 to $5,000. The bill failed to clear the House, however. "We were close to an agreement, but just ran out of time," Fleischauer said. "There was no one thing that de-railed it." The delegate said she does not believe allowing the industry to operate the way it does now is "an alternative worth tolerating." Fleischauer also questions acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's plan to ask the legislators to increase revenues for the DEP as part of a new state spending plan. "Our proposal would have made the drilling companies pay for more inspectors," Fleischauer said. "The governor wants us to direct money that we would already be using for something else to pay for the inspectors. If this industry is going to reap such huge profits, they should have to pay for more inspectors." The governor has also told Huffman to pursue new regulations for these drilling operations, in the absence of legislative action. Tomblin cited Huffman's in-house rulemaking powers and said that "West Virginians deserve a comprehensive regulatory structure" governing this industry." However, Fleischauer does not see this as a real solution. "The regulations as written are the law. The fees to charge for permits are written in the law," she said. Natural gas compressor station worries Fayette residents By Cindy Ekas FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, March 18, 2011 Fayette County residents expressed concerns about water, soil, air and noise pollution Thursday night at an informational open house for Burnett Oil Co. Inc.'s proposed construction of a natural gas compressor station. The site is on county-owned property in the New Salem area. Evelyn Hovanec, a member of the Fayette County Marcellus Shale Task Force created by county Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink, called the session held at the McClellandtown Volunteer Fire Department informative. "I'm concerned about how the compressor station will affect soil, water and air quality in the future," Hovanec said. "If you look at history, what's taking place now is very similar to what happened with the coal industry in this area. We have to be concerned about protecting the environment for future generations. We also have to concerned about protecting tourism and our natural resources." More than 100 residents who attended the open house were directed to various informational tables where Burnett officials and subcontractors answered questions about the project. Erin Fronczek of 72 E. Main St., New Salem, said she lives across the street from another compressor station that was recently constructed. "No one even told us that the first compressor station was coming," Fronczek said. "We were never even given an opportunity to voice our concerns. At least, we're getting a chance to ask questions and talk about our concerns this time." Burt Walker, engineering manager for Burnett Oil Co. Inc's Canonsburg office, said the proposed compressor station site is about 200 feet south of New Salem Road. He explained that a compressor station takes low pressure natural gas from multiple wells and prepares it for transfer into a transmission pipeline by removing water from the gas and increasing the pressure to match the transmission line pressure. The proposed Shoaf compressor station would have six compressors and water removal equipment. Burnett Oil Co. has reached an agreement with Texas Eastern Transmission Co. to feed gas into its pipeline, Walker said. "This pipeline travels from east to west across Fayette County north of the intersection of Krulock and New Salem Roads," he said. "The natural gas will be transported along the East Coast from Baltimore, Md., to New York City." The proposed location for the compression station was selected specifically because of its distance from homes and other buildings, he said. Walker said there will be vehicles traveling to and from the site while building is under way. "We anticipate this traffic to amount to 20 to 30 vehicles per day," he said. "Construction is expected to last about three to four months. After construction, typically, one vehicle per day will enter the compressor or meter station once construction is complete." Walker said state Department of Environmental Protection prohibits companies from allowing odors to escape from such sites. DEP will conduct periodic inspections of the facilities to ensure that they are within compliance, he said. Zimmerlink attended the open house. Commissioners Vince Vicites and Vincent Zapotosky did not. Murrysville mayor voices Marcellus concerns By Daveen Rae Kurutz MURRYSVILLE STAR Friday, March 18, 2011 Concerns about air and water quality spurred a Murrysville official to ask state legislators for help. Mayor Bob Brooks, after reading a series of articles in The New York Times detailing hazards associated with wastewater from the Marcellus shale fracking process, sent a plea to Sen. Don White (R-41), Rep. Eli Evankovich (R-54) and Rep. Joe Markosek (D-25). In his letter, Brooks requested the legislators take a stand to protect water and air near shale drilling sites. "Air and water are state responsibilities because you are supposed to have access to the expertise," Brooks said in the letter. "Surely, the state can get the money from that industry to police it and protect us. There can be no excuse accepted. You must depend on accountability. It seems to me that 'your responsibility' must be to stop the process until the state gets it fixed." This was not Brooks' first public support of a moratorium on Marcellus shale drilling. Last year, he sent a letter to legislators requesting a two-year moratorium from the state so that the Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies would have enough time to prepare for shale drilling. "What you've got to do is hold up a little bit," Brooks said. "Then, let the permits get going again. It needs to slow down a bit." Currently, there are no permits issued to drill a Marcellus well in the municipality. Council is reviewing a proposed ordinance that would restrict where drilling occurs in Murrysville; however, that ordinance has been met with a mix of resistance and support from the community. Recent public hearings, as well as regular council meetings, have had numerous resident comments against drilling in the municipality. However, the past few meetings have seen additional residents supporting the ordinance. Brooks said he addressed the state legislators because local officials have no authority to regulate air and water. The state Oil and Gas Act gave that responsibility to state officials. "If people want to put those restrictions or controls or tests on Marcellus shale, they need to go to the state," Brooks said. Evankovich, who serves on the House Environmental Resources and Energy committee, said he has received a lot of information about shale drilling since taking office in January. "The simple truth is we are being presented with a mixture of information, some factual, some emotional," Evankovich said. "We have to separate the two and understand what is going on. We need to make sure this process is being done as safely as possible." Evankovich said he isn't against drilling, but he wants to make sure his constituents and their communities are safe. "I support fixing the industry," he said. "I do not support destroying the industry. We need to make sure what needs to be done and what is being done meet the high standards we set for ourselves." Evankovich said there will be public hearings and many more discussions about the air and water quality near shale drilling. Joe Pittman, White's chief of staff, said the same thing will be coming out of the Senate. Pittman said White has been concerned about the negative impacts drilling could have on water and air quality in the commonwealth. White sits on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy committee, which is taking a closer look at the New York Times report, which questions the safety of Pennsylvania's water. That committee is planning hearings and reviewing legislation that would institute additional water and air protections, Pittman said. "Sen. White absolutely believes we need to make sure public safety is the number one priority," Pittman said. "If there are pollution issues, they need to be addressed and corrected." But so far, there haven't been major pollution issues, according to DEP. The department reported Monday that tests of water located downriver from treatment plants that handle shale wastewater didn't show dangerous levels of radioactivity. The samples, which were taken in November and December, came from the Monongahela, Conemaugh, Allegheny, Beaver and Tioga rivers, South Fork Ten Mile Creek and the west branch of the Susquehanna River. Daveen Rae Kurutz can be reached at dmclaughlin(a)tribweb.com or 412-856-7400 x8627. ----- Original Message ----- From: Julie Archer To: Beth Little Cc: Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:34 PM Subject: Lewisburg drilling resolution, ordinance http://www.register-herald.com/local/x449494771/Gas-drilling-regulations-in… March 17, 2011 Gas drilling regulations inadequate, council says By Tina Alvey Register-Herald Reporter The Register-Herald Thu Mar 17, 2011, 12:03 AM EDT LEWISBURG — State regulations pertaining to the development of the Marcellus shale gas reserves are inadequate, according to a resolution that Lewisburg City Council voted Tuesday evening to send to legislators and the acting governor. In the resolution, city officials expressed their concerns about the lack of protection afforded the state’s water resources, particularly the Greenbrier River watershed, which is the source of water for Lewisburg’s regional system, serving 4,732 customers. “State regulations do not adequately regulate the amount of water that can be withdrawn from aquifers and public bodies of water by Marcellus shale development companies in West Virginia,” the resolution reads. Reference is also made to “contamination from liquid byproducts of hydraulic fracking technologies being released into public bodies of water.” The resolution points to a lack of funding for adequate numbers of inspectors at the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to monitor the Marcellus developers. “Its not (DEP’s) fault,” Mayor John Manchester said, noting that regulatory legislation proposed but not acted upon this year would have increased permit fees, thereby providing a revenue source for hiring more inspectors. The mayor said DEP currently employs only 19 inspectors, but the state has issued more than 50,000 gas drilling permits. The resolution calls for the governor to call a special session of the legislature to address the regulatory issue in a timely fashion and to declare a moratorium on horizontal drilling permits in the Marcellus shale until adequate regulations protecting water supplies are in place. Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has shown no inclination to convene a special session on the Marcellus issue, instead calling on legislators to find more money in the budget to hire additional DEP inspectors and instructing DEP Secretary Randy Huffman to formulate new regulations within the department. In a related matter, council approved the second and final reading of an ordinance prohibiting “locating, drilling, equipping or producing of any oil and gas” in any district within the city limits. In other business: Council adopted a general fund budget of $4.37 million for fiscal year 2011-12, as well as a $15,000 coal severance budget. The coal severance revenue is once again being allocated to parks projects and, upon the mayor’s request, $8,000 from contingency funds will be set aside “to allow for projects as they may show themselves” to tout Lewisburg’s recent selection as America’s Coolest Small Town in a Budget Travel magazine contest. Public Works director Mark Carver predicted the Route 219 North sidewalk project will begin in late April or early May. When complete, the sidewalk will link the downtown business district to Wal-Mart. Carver noted interest in recycling is increasing, leading the city to obtain containers from the Greenbrier County Recycling Center in Ronceverte for pre-sorting at the city shop. He also reminded would-be recyclers to wash out containers before depositing them for pickup. — E-mail: talvey(a)register-herald.com Julie Archer WV Citizen Action Group 1500 Dixie Street Charleston, WV 25311 (304) 346-5891 (304) 346-8981 FAX www.wvcag.org From: Beth Little To: Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 9:23 AM Subject: Lawsuit over gas royalties Ah, those gas companies. http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=6694922 Don Strimbeck, Sec/Treas Upper Mon River Assoc UpperMon.org MonRiverSummit.org WVU t-shirts & prints - FindHarri.com 109 Broad Street, P. O. Box 519 Granville WV 26534-0519 304-599-7585 (fax 4131) dcsoinks(a)comcast.net

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Re: [EC] [CLEAR] Dunkard Creek Fish Kill Settlement
by James Kotcon 14 Mar '11

14 Mar '11

Major news today on Dunkard Creek. Please recall that the Sierra Club had filed a Notice of Intent to sue ConSol over this one, but did not actually file the lawsuit after EPA got involved. Also note that this Consent Decree is subject to a 30-day Pubic Comment period. Some are wondering why such a massive and prolonged spill resulted in only $500,000 in Natural Resources Damage assessments in Monongalia County. Now if ConSol can spend that kind of money on he headwaters of Dunkard Creek and other streams, do you suppose that Longview/AMDRI might be required to use this technology on their discharges at the Steele Shaft near the mouth of Dunkard Creek? For information on specifics of the consent decree, please review the press release from EPA. It does not have quite the "cheerleading for coal" tone that the DEP press release does. And perhaps if DEP had ben more diligent in their enforcement back in 2007-09, the fish kill might never have happened. Available at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/ab2d81eb088f4a7e85257359003f5339/1… More details, including a link to the Consent Decree (58 pages), are available at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/cwa/consol.html Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home) >>> <Duane330(a)aol.com> 3/14/2011 5:46 PM >>> DUNKARD CREEK FISH KILL SETTLEMENT ============================================================ Monday, March 14, 2011 @ 3:07 PM ============================================================ The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the state Division of Natural Resources have entered into a proposed settlement with CONSOL Energy in which the company has agreed to pay $500,000 for natural resources damages in Dunkard Creek in Monongalia County. The $500,000 settlement is in addition to a $5.5 million civil penalty the company will pay and nearly $200 million the company will spend on the construction of an advanced water treatment plant to address high levels of chlorides discharged from four of its underground mines in northern West Virginia. Both the civil penalty and the water treatment plant are part of a settlement the company entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the WVDEP. In September 2009, thousands of fish, mussels and amphibians were killed in Dunkard Creek because of toxins produced by Golden Algae that had begun blooming in the stream. Golden Algae, which is not native to West Virginia’s fresh water streams, is more commonly found in brackish or salty water bodies. Although it was never determined how the Golden Algae was introduced into Dunkard Creek, research indicated that nutrients and high levels of chlorides and dissolved solids can contribute to its growth. “In the days immediately following the fish kill in Dunkard Creek, CONSOL voluntarily worked with the DEP and the EPA to proactively manage their mining operations to minimize the risk of another algae outbreak while at the same time keeping their miners working,” said DEP Cabinet Secretary Randy Huffman. With requirements put in place by the WVDEP to reduce the amount of chlorides and total dissolved solids (TDS) in Dunkard Creek, the Monongalia County stream continues to avoid dangerous algae blooms that can threaten aquatic life. Additionally, the state DNR reports that fish are returning to Dunkard Creek following the massive kill. A fish survey conducted at one station on Dunkard Creek a month following the September 2009 fish kill revealed only four species of fish. By July 2010, sampling revealed 29 species at that same station. In 2005, the same location had 33 species. On Dec. 18, 2009, the WVDEP issued the first of two orders to CONSOL that addressed the company’s mine water management in relation to CONSOL pumping water from its underground mining operations into Dunkard Creek; established Golden Algae monitoring requirements for CONSOL; called for the company to monitor for chlorides, TDS, selenium and specific conductance at various outlets on Dunkard Creek; and set chloride and specific conductance levels for CONSOL discharges. Patrick Campbell, of the WVDEP’s Division of Water and Waste Management, said Dunkard Creek has been free of Golden Algae since January 2010. “Multiple locations on Dunkard Creek have been monitored weekly by the company and periodically by us (WVDEP) since January and nothing has turned up,” Campbell said. “We also sampled 40 other locations around the state last summer and didn’t find Golden Algae, which I think is significant. As far as we can tell right now, this was isolated to Dunkard Creek.” Still, Campbell said the WVDEP would likely monitor for Golden Algae “for the next four or five years or until we get some confidence level that this was an isolated event.” Although it will likely take decades for the mussel population to return, DNR biologists found that fish such as minnows, darters and suckers are returning to Dunkard Creek from tributaries and some reproduction is occurring. “This is a reflection that water quality has improved and is being maintained,” Campbell said. Mining is critical to our state’s economy, but clean water is paramount. The cooperative efforts by all involved are protecting both. According to CONSOL, not one job will be lost, but the plan will result in clean water. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> _http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consol-energy-reaches-ground-breaki ng-clean-water-agreement-with-us-epa-and-west-virginia-dep-117939064.html_ (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consol-energy-reaches-ground-breakin g-clean-water-agreement-with-us-epa-and-west-virginia-dep-117939064.html)

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Marcellus - Request a special session from the Governor
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 14 Mar '11

14 Mar '11

New Jersey just banned hydraulic fracturing in their state. West Virginia doesn't even keep track of where the millions of gallons of toxic waste water are going. PLEASE take two minutes and call Acting Governor Tomblin's office and leave a message with his secretary (she's very nice) requesting he call a special session to regulate Marcellus Shale gas drilling. 304-558-2000. -Jonathan

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Re: [EC] DP article re: Albright
by Cindy Rank 14 Mar '11

14 Mar '11

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Re: [EC] DP article re: Albright
by Jim Sconyers 14 Mar '11

14 Mar '11

I hadn't seen it - thanks Cindy. Frankly I find this shocking - that a right-wing newspaper would set itself up to refute - in their view at least - the science behind the charges. And it's bizarre that they want to dispute the company's own reported discharges. All the more reason to be glad this is moving ahead to litigation. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: Cindy Rank <clrank(a)hughes.net> To: mbecher(a)appalachian-center.org; jlovett(a)appalachian-center.org; derek_teaney(a)yahoo.com; mjanes(a)hardynet.com Cc: sminney(a)wvrivers.org; jkotcon(a)wvu.edu; jim_scon(a)yahoo.com; hugh.rogers(a)gmail.com Sent: Mon, March 14, 2011 9:24:11 AM Subject: DP article re: Albright In case you haven't seen this article: Local page 9-A DOMINION POST Monday 14 March 2011: UPDATE Test: Water meets standards Groups say Mon Power is polluting BY MICHELLE WOLFORD The Dominion Post KINGWOOD — Three environmental groups have threatened to file suit against Mon Power over arsenic levels from coal ash dumps near the Albright Power Plant, which the company owns. The groups — West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, W.Va. Rivers Coalition and Sierra Club of West Virginia — claimed in a letter sent to the company in February that those levels are “unlawfully high” in the Cheat River. The groups also claim the company is not reporting selenium discharge with enough accuracy to determine if it violates its DEP permit. On Feb. 22, The Dominion Post collected water samples from the Cheat about one mile upstream from the Albright Power Plant, and a quarter of a mile downstream from the plant. The samples were tested for arsenic and selenium by Reliance Laboratories Inc. of Bridgeport. Results received this week show that the water in the Cheat River meets Water Quality Standards. Neither sample revealed either mineral at a level above the permit restrictions. The samples were not obtained on Mon Power property nor at the same sites where the company checked its discharge. But they were collected before drainage from the coal ash dumps enters the river and after. Numbers provided by the groups, which the state DEP has confirmed are Mon Power’s (then known as Allegheny Power) readings at the Albright plant, indicate the company did exceed its discharge limit for arsenic from July to December of 2010. “Each discharge amount that exceeds permit limits is an unlawful and unpermitted discharge, and therefore, is not shielded from liability” under the Clean Water Act, the groups told the company in a letter, which threatens a lawsuit seeking civil penalties and “for an injunction compelling it to come into compliance with the Act and its permit requirements if no remediation steps are outlined.” According to Kathy Cosco, a spokeswoman for the West Virginia DEP, exceeding permit limits “does not always trigger notices of violation or penalties.” If the DEP notices a pattern of “exceedences,” she said, “the DEP will work with the company to determine what the problem is. If the company can’t get them in line, or if they fail to take steps necessary to rectify the situation, then the agency will start down the path of assessing penalties. “There are instances where the nature or severity of a single violation may result in the assessment of a penalty,” Cosco said. “Generally speaking, however, an individual exceedance reported on a Discharge Monitoring Report would not trigger an enforcement action. The company is expected to take necessary measures to achieve compliance with the permit.” The environmental groups also claim Allegheny Power isn’t accurately reporting selenium discharges into the Cheat River. “From March 2010 through October 2010, Allegheny Energy reported the concentration of selenium in its effluent with only three significant digits — too few for the undersigned, the DEP, or the public to determine whether a violation had occurred.” According to Cosco, “the company has what is a called a variance: A condition that allows the facility a threeyear period during which it may exceed its selenium limits three times before a violation is triggered.” In other words, if the company exceeds the 0.005 mg/l (milligrams per liter) four times in a 36-month period then the exceedence is considered a violation. When the legislature passed this variance, it applied to monitoring that began Jan. 25, 2010, so the permit just completed the first year of the threeyear period. In the letter to Allegheny Energy, the three groups claim Allegheny Energy “has met and possibly exceeded its limit of 0.005 mg/L on at least five separate occasions. ... Because Allegheny Energy is apparently rounding to the nearest part per billion (equivalent to a thousandth of a mg/L), a reported 0.005 mg/L could reflect a discharge with a selenium concentration from 4.51 parts per billion to 5.49 parts per billion.” Testing done on behalf of The Dominion Post showed the selenium level at less than 0.004 mg/L upstreamm and downstream from the plant, which is in compliance with its permit limit. The letter asserts that by rounding off the numbers, the company “has the potential to hide violations of its permits, and is therefore not in accordance with the monitoring and reporting requirements of the Clean Water Act.” “Our concern is that the standards set by DEP to protect human health and the environment are not being met,” said Mike Becher of the Appalachian Center for the Economy and the Environment, who represents three nonprofits. “An additional consideration is that just downstream of this discharge is a trout stream —- Daugherty Run,” he said. Becher said the technology exists to treat pollutants, such as arsenic. “The best result from our perspective is to achieve compliance with the legal limits in the permit.” David Neurohr, an Allegheny Energy spokesman, said the company had no comment “until we can see something a little more definite.” He said he had not seen the letter sent to Daniel C. McIntire, Allegheny’s vice president of Generation Operations.

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CELEBRATING THE "GREEN" FUITURE...on March 17th
by Allan Tweddle 12 Mar '11

12 Mar '11

I goofed... I forgot to give you the date...17th of Irish/March! So...come and hear Charlie speaking of "Celebrating the Green (Energy)" on St. Patrick's Day, and to learn more about Global Climate Change, I urge you to attend a presentation by one of the State's successful and respected native sons who is knowledgeable about the utility industry, Global Climate Change and future trends. Charles E Bayless, Retired President of WV Tech in Montgomery, former CEO of BOTH New Hampshire Power and Light as well as Tucson Electric, will speak at the Engineering Hall on the WV Tech Campus at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday March 17th. (The Engineering Hall is at the West end of the Campus, the closest building on campus to Charleston) Dr. Bayless is an internationally recognized and pragmatic source of experience and knowledge of the electric power industry. He serves on several international Boards including the Ontario Power Authority in Toronto and West Virginia Water in Charleston. He is a double degreed electrical engineer (WV Tech & WVU), with an MBA (Michigan) and a law degree from WVU. Allan

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GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE; CRISIS OR OPPORTUNITY FOR WEST VIRGINIA?
by Allan Tweddle 12 Mar '11

12 Mar '11

Global Climate Change is real and West Virginia needs to step up and participate in correcting this major man made threat to our planet. If you want to learn about the science, and participate in a dialogue as to how we can and must take corrective action, come to one of the most thoughtful and informative presentations you will ever hear on the subject. Please notify all you can about a speech and slide presentation next week that will be well worth you and your colleagues (and members/readership) to attend. As the announcement in the Charleston Daily Mail announced last week; "Charles Bayless, former president of WVU-Tech will speak next week in Montgomery about his belief that global climate change is the greatest danger facing humanity. Bayless will speak at 1:00 p.m. in WVU Tech's Engineering Auditorium. A native of Dunbar, Bayless is a former CEO of Tucson Electric Power, former President and CEO of Illinois Power Co's Illinova Group, an integrated electric and gas utility. (The Engineering building is at the West end of the campus.) Bayless earned a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (EE) from Tech, an Masters Degree in EE from WVU, an MBA from Michigan and a Law Degree form WVU. For more information about Bayless Presentation, call Amy Moore [at the College] at (304) 442-3169 On a personal note, I will tell you that I have had the privilege to get to know Charlie Bayless as he has been a member of our emerging company's board of directors and an angel investor. Together, we are building a manufacturing business that will not only cut the carbon footprint of every Boeing and Airbus plane that uses our patent pending system, but we will operate a manufacturing plant whose carbon footprint will be ZERO by 2020. Come, hear and see the truth and science from this global expert, for what I believe, is the critically serious nature of the complex issues of global climate change. And, then you too will be better informed, can think about, and maybe act upon, the many opportunities for innovation to solve humanity's most critical threat in history. Hope to see you there Allan

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WV EQB rules in favor of Sierra Club on conductivity re: NPDES permits
by Frank Young 10 Mar '11

10 Mar '11

Blank Word just coming in this afternoon that the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board has ruled for the Sierra Club in a major permit appeal that put the spotlight on conductivity pollution from strip mines and on the U.S. EPA’s effort to crack down on mountaintop removal. http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2011/03/10/wvdep-ordered-to-set-permi…

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Fw: Released today: A Risky Proposition: The Financial Hazards of New Investments in Coal Plants
by Jim Sconyers 10 Mar '11

10 Mar '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: LuCinda Hohmann <LHohmann(a)UCSUSA.ORG> To: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Wed, March 9, 2011 6:17:03 PM Subject: Released today: A Risky Proposition: The Financial Hazards of New Investments in Coal Plants FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Randy Rieland, 202-331-6959 NEW REPORT WARNS AGAINST INVESTMENTS IN NEW OR EXISTING COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS REPLACING COAL PLANTS WITH CHEAPER, CLEANER, LESS RISKY ALTERNATIVES WOULD SAVE LIVES AND CURB CLIMATE CHANGE EMISSIONS WASHINGTON (March 9, 2011) – The cost of constructing or retrofitting coal-fired electric power plants and the rising cost of coal have made coal power an extremely risky long-term investment, according to a report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The report, “A Risky Proposition: The Financial Hazards of New Investments in Coal Plants,”also identified a number of other factors that make investing in coal a gamble, including its continuing threat to public health and the environment. “We have a fleet of ancient, dirty coal plants in this country that are increasingly unreliable and long past due for retirement,” said Barbara Freese, a co-author of the report and senior policy analyst for the UCS Climate and Energy Program. “Plant owners have to decide whether to sink more money into retrofitting those old plants or replacing them with much cleaner energy technologies. But even if they retrofit them with the pollution controls available today, the plants will still emit massive amounts of carbon pollution. “Replacing old, dirty coal plants with cleaner, cheaper, less risky alternatives would be a much better bet,” she added. “And it would save lives, protect our health and reduce the emissions that cause climate change.” More than 70 percent of U.S. coal-plant-capacity is already more than 30 years old—the operating lifetime for which coal plants were typically designed—and a third went online before 1970. Some plant operators have announced they will retire old plants. Others are planning to retrofit their plants with modern pollution control technology—which would reduce emissions of several dangerous pollutants, but not carbon. Such investments would not only make it harder to protect the climate, the report concluded, but also expose investors and ratepayers to a host of financial threats. The factors that make coal power such a precarious investment include: · U.S. coal prices are rising and could be driven much higher by soaring global demand, especially from Asia. Spot prices for Appalachia coal spiked dramatically in 2008, largely due to international demand, and those prices are steadily rising again with the global economic recovery. And the price for a one-month contract for coal from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin rose 67 percent between October, 2009 and October, 2010. While western coal has been less exposed to volatile global markets, that situation appears to be changing since major coal producers in the West have announced plans to increase their exports to China and other Asian markets. · Coal prices could also be driven higher by constraints on supply. The amount of economically-recoverable coal reserves may be smaller than previously thought. · Major coal projects face high, unpredictable construction costs. The cost of building a new coal plant in the United States has roughly doubled in the past five years. · The cost advantage coal power traditionally enjoyed over cleaner energy options has largely disappeared when it comes to new plants. Power from new coal plants now costs more than power from new gas plants, wind facilities and the best geothermal sites, and much more than investing in energy efficiency. · Coal power is the largest U.S. carbon pollution source—contributing about one-third of all energy-related emissions and more than the entire surface transportation sector. Coal-fired power plants inevitably will face increasingpressure to dramatically cut emissions to help curb climate change. The cost of generating electricity from new coal plants could increase 11 to 37 percent under a range of carbon prices in the future. · Carbon-capture and storage (CCS) retrofits cannot be counted on to affordably cut emissions. Federal studies show that adding CCS to a new plant could increase the cost of generating electricity 36 to 78 percent, while retrofitting an existing plant could increase its costs by 330 percent. · Federal and state governments are promoting energy efficiency and clean energy sources, which will cut demand for coal power. Twenty-seven states have energy efficiency standards or a standard pending, and several states now require annual reductions in electricity use of at least 2 percent. Twenty-nine states now have a standard requiring utilities to increase their reliance on renewable energy sources, more than doubling since 2004. · Coal plants also face new costs associated with such harmful emissions as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which are associated with thousands of deaths annually, and mercury, which threatens the brain development of infants and children. The owners of the most damaging older coal plants have been taking advantage of a legal loophole for decades, Freese pointed out. Clean air legislation and rules put in place in the 1970s did not require existing plants to install pollution control equipment until their next major modification. It was assumed that they would either modify or shut down within a few years. “But coal operators kept these plants running well beyond their expected retirement dates and never installed the pollution controls newer plants were required to use,” Freese said. Even with this loophole, federal air regulations have gone a long way to protect the public health. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, for example, signed into law by George Herbert Walker Bush, prevented as many as 160,000 premature deaths last year alone, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The amendments also were cost effective. According to the EPA, they’ve cost $65 billion to implement, but their overall financial benefit could reach $2 trillion by 2020. “The success of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments shows that requiring coal plants to cut their pollution leads to public health and economic benefits many times higher than the cost for old coal plants to comply with the law,” Freese said. “The amendments have done a lot of good, but we need to do more. Coal plants are still linked to the deaths of thousands of Americans yearly and many other health threats.” Finally, according to the report, the electric power industry could retire many old coal-fired plants without causing reliability problems with the power grid, Freese said. “First, there is a lot of extra generating capacity on the grid right now. And second, energy efficiency and renewable energy investments are reducing the need for coal. It’s a good time to retire coal plants.” ### The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C. For more information, go to www.ucsusa.org. LuCinda Hohmann Midwest Outreach Coordinator Union of Concerned Scientists Midwest Office 1 North LaSalle St, Suite 1904 Chicago, IL 60602 312-578-1750 x12 LHohmann(a)ucsusa.org www.ucsusa.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE list, send any message to: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE-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/

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Please stop complete reading of bills in house.
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 10 Mar '11

10 Mar '11

Ron, Please do not let your conflict with Rich Thompson be grounds to slow down the legislative process by requiring that all bills be read in full. There are important bills that will be put at risk. It's not you who will suffer the outcome if these bills do not pass, but rather the people of WV that you were chosen by to serve as a public servant. Please reverse this decision. Thank-you, -Jonathan

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CNG as a transportation fuel.
by Allan Tweddle 09 Mar '11

09 Mar '11

Professor Carr. Congratulations on the subtle but excellent wake up call that you issued as part of the article that was published originally in the Wheeling Register, and published today in the Charleston Daily Mail. Your comments, as reported, are right on. Natural gas is abundant, relatively less expensive than either gasoline or diesel fuel, and better for the environment and the engines...the only caveat is the cost of the delivery system. There is also an underplayed benefit to compressed natural gas (CNG). It is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, and until we get to an all solar, wind, geothermal and hydrogen economy, it appears to be the most economical fuel for BOTH transportation and power generation. (The recent analysis by Harvard's School of Public Health certainly shed yet another light on the true economics or coal fired power that would, if the real costs were borne by coal, make natural gas the cheapest fuel for power generation as well. But that's another topic.) I am attaching an op-ed that I wrote and was printed in the Charleston Gazette in 2009 when it was announced that the KRT here in Kanawha County was buying hybrid diesel busses. It spells out my background, experience and posture with regard to CNG as a fuel, particularly for dedicated diesel bus and truck fleets. What can we do collectively to start, foster, incite or encourage an acceleration of a transition to CNG? We all have unique perspectives and experience that should get policy maker's attention. Probably too late for this Legislative session, but it takes time to educate the legislators...so I invite your ideas as to how we can bring about change in thinking. Surely the Legislators who will profit from the Marcellus Shale gas will be interested. I am copying three other WVU professors that I know. Dr. Atkinson and I just met last week at the ARPA-E Energy Summit in D.C. His specialty is engine design. Dr. Carl Irwin of the Industries of the Future Office is an old friend who has been a wise counselor to me as I build a manufacturing business that will reduce the carbon footprint of every Boeing and Airbus aircraft. He too was at the ARPA-E Energy Summit. Dr. Kotcon has been quite active in environmental matters in the State, and always offers stimulating and knowledgeable thoughts about cleaning up our energy infrastructure and advocating conservation. And while there are serious environmental issues surrounding the extraction of the Marcellus Shale natural gas, I am sure that environmentally sound practices will eventually be in place that will enable this State to benefit from its vast potential. Getting the State's fleet of school busses BACK on CNG, and all the other diesel engines as well, will surely help the budget shortfall, clean up the air and switch our fuel acquisition sources from those that hate us to our own shores...indeed our own neighbors in this State. I look forward to hearing your good thoughts... Allan Tweddle, CEO & Chairman Composite Transport Technologies Inc. Charleston WV p.s. My company does not have ANY vested direct financial interest in these ideas...I am just an engineer with 50 years of experience in environmental matters and a very concerned grandfather and taxpayer...

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FW: [NoCoal] Coal Free NW takes a giant step f/w
by Beth Little 08 Mar '11

08 Mar '11

See highlighted text. From: nonewcoalplants-bounces(a)energyjustice.net [mailto:nonewcoalplants-bounces@energyjustice.net] On Behalf Of Bruce Nilles Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2011 10:53 AM To: nonewcoalplants(a)energyjustice.net Subject: [NoCoal] Coal Free NW takes a giant step f/w Dear Friends, In a giant step forward on our path to systematically ending coal use in the United States we just finalized an agreement with WA Gov Gregoire, Trans Alta, and WA senators to close the massive 1460MW coal plant in Washingon State. Notably, the press release below includes our brothers and sisters at IBEW, reflecting how we were able to thread this needle in a way that works for our beyond coal goals and for the workers. This agreement was finalized Friday and passed the state senate late yesterday. House passage will be tough, but should be doable. This latest step forward builds on our successful campaign to lock in closure of the PGE plant in Oregon earlier this year and once this WA legislation is finalized we will have an enforceable timeline and plan to rid the Pacific NW of both of its coal plants. This WA coal plant has been the target of a concerted two-year campaign, with a great group of allies, including Earthjustice, Washington Environmental Council, Climate Solutions, NPCA (who is still vetting this agreement) and NW Energy Coalition. Over the past two years we jump started a statewide discussion about the dangers of coal, and systematically shifted the discussion from a) WA state has a filthy coal plant, to b) should this plant get retired, to c) "when" should this plant be retired? This agreement is all the more remarkable (and made earlier retirement difficult) because Trans Alta spent over $500M in the past decade to install SO2 scrubbers and is one of the newer plants in the US (1972-unit 1, 1973-unit2). The agreement requires the first unit close in 9 years (2020) and second unit in 14 years (2025). In the interim Trans Alta must install Nox controls to mitigate the pollution impacts on downwind communities and the haze pollution in a large number of our most treasured public lands, including Mt. Ranier and North Cascades National Parks. In this agreement we also did something we have never done before - establish a $55M transition fund as a way to help workers and the community get weaned off of coal. While we had hoped for a quicker timeline this schedule provides the workers w/plenty of lead time - that is why IBEW supports this agreement - and gives us time to reconfigure the NW electric grid to replace the largest power plant in the region w/mix of wind, solar and geothermal and minimize the use of natural gas. The Oregon and Washington plants (Boardman and Trans Alta) generate about 15,000 GWH of electricity annually. If this is replaced with wind and solar it will require about 6,000MW of new wind/solar installations over the next 9-14 years. This would represent the largest new clean energy market opportunity that this region has ever seen, given that last year the entire US installed 1200MW of solar and 5,000MW of wind. Step by step we are changing the politics, weakening our opponents in the coal industry, and seeding the country for a serious discussion about combating global warming. Cheers, Bruce ----- Forwarded by Bruce Nilles/Sierraclub on 03/05/2011 05:28 PM ----- From: "Shagren, Karina (GOV)" <Karina.Shagren(a)GOV.WA.GOV> To: "Shagren, Karina (GOV)" <Karina.Shagren(a)GOV.WA.GOV> Cc: Date: 03/05/2011 05:24 PM Subject: Gov. Gregoire announces agreement with TransAlta _____ CHRISTINE O. GREGOIRE Governor STATE OF WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR P.O. Box 40002 • Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 • (360) 902-4111 For Release: Immediate Media Contact: Governor’s Communications Office Date: March 5, 2011 Phone: 360-902-4136 Gov. Gregoire announces agreement with TransAlta Company agrees to transition off of coal, invest in energy efficiency projects and innovative energy technologies OLYMPIA— Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced a proposed agreement has been reached with TransAlta to significantly reduce emissions from the company’s coal-fired power plant in the Centralia area. The agreement was negotiated by TransAlta, the state of Washington and members of the environmental community to ensure a transition to cleaner power while allowing the necessary time to provide economic stability to Southwest Washington. “What a proud day for the Centralia community, and all of Washington state,” Gregoire said. “I congratulate all of the parties involved who worked in good faith, and spent countless hours to achieve this agreement. This compromise promises cleaner air for our future, while providing the necessary time to ensure economic stability, job protection and enough power on the grid to keep our homes and businesses running. I encourage the Legislature to take timely action to ensure this agreement moves forward.” In 2009, Gregoire signed an executive order directing the Department of Ecology to work with TransAlta to establish an agreed order that would apply the greenhouse gas emissions performance standards by no later than December 31, 2025. Today’s agreement moves up the performance standards for one of two boilers to Dec. 31, 2020 and the other boiler on Dec. 31, 2025. “We’re pleased to see all parties agree on legislation that balances the interests of jobs, the economy, energy and the environment,” said Stephen Snyder, President and CEO of TransAlta. “This legislation meets our commitment to a low-carbon future through transition from coal to gas in Washington, significantly reduces our environmental risk and allows us to provide fair shareholder value through favorable long-term contracts while protecting jobs and the economy of the local community.” Senator Phil Rockefeller introduced an amendment which would incorporate the new agreement into SB 5769, which would establish the first coal-free date in law. This amendment includes: * TransAlta will be allowed in the interim to sell coal power under long-term contracts within Washington – which will give the company the financial stability needed to transition to a cleaner source of energy; * The plant’s two coal boilers will meet the state’s emissions performance standard for new and modified power plants, which will require the boilers to shut down. The standard will apply to one boiler on Dec. 31, 2020, and to the other boiler on Dec. 31, 2025 – essentially ending coal-fired power in Washington state in the next 14 years; * In 2013, TransAlta will install additional air pollution control technology to further reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides at the plant. This technology is called selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR). The TransAlta plant is the state’s largest single industrial source of nitrogen oxide emissions. Nitrogen oxides are one of the causes of visibility-limiting regional haze in national parks and on federal lands; and * TransAlta agrees to contribute $30 million in a community investment fund to help with energy efficiency projects, as well as $25 million in an energy technology transition fund, which must be spent on supporting innovative energy technologies and companies in Washington state. “It’s great news that TransAlta and the people interested in the future of the Centralia community and clean air have come together on a proposed agreement,” said Rockefeller. “I congratulate them, but at the same time recognize we have a lot of work ahead of us. The amendment I have prepared will capture the recent agreement in legislative language. Sen. Dan Swecker from Lewis County has signed onto this amendment and I hope others follow. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the company and the governor to arrive at a final agreement.” “Clean air and water have always been my top priority,” Rep. Marko Liias said, “and this compromise goes a long way towards protecting our environment and preserving good jobs. I’m glad to see TransAlta has agreed to this solution, which will provide $55 million towards the local community and economy.” “This is a giant step forward toward a healthier and safer Washington, free from coal,” said Bruce Nilles, Deputy Conservation Director with the Sierra Club. “We are leaving coal pollution in the past as we continue building the clean energy economy of today. We thank the Governor, TransAlta, Sen. Rockefeller, Rep. Liias, the people of Lewis County and the Environmental Priorities Coalition for their efforts in achieving this historic agreement.” “We are excited to be a part of this solution, which will help Washington transition to a clean energy economy, safeguard public health, and provide a secure economic future for Lewis County. We look forward to working closely with the Legislature to ensure passage of this groundbreaking agreement,” said Rod Brown, President, Washington Environmental Council. “Our priority was maintaining family-wage jobs in the Centralia area,” said Bob Guenther from the Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council, IBEW 77. “That’s what every community needs to thrive, and Centralia is no exception. TransAlta provides critical employment opportunities to ensure a strong economy in Southwest Washington, and I’m pleased that our goal of sustaining good jobs was met with this agreement while providing certainty for all involved including the community, labor, the company, the environment and the grid.” # # #

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Marcelus shale Campaign planning meeting
by Beth Little 07 Mar '11

07 Mar '11

This is to make sure I didn't miss anyone on the Energy Committee, so I'm sorry if you get this twice. Monday, Marcy 21 at noon at Jim Kotcon's house (Jim please follow up with some directions). Jonathan, if I missed anyone on the Energy Committee, please let me know and I'll forward this to them. We will be updating our campaign plan based on what has, or most likely hasn't, happened at the 2011 legislative session. We will also discuss the upcoming governor's race. Let us know if you are likely to come. More later..

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Fwd: Wind energy discussion at WVU Law
by James Kotcon 07 Mar '11

07 Mar '11

>>> Walton Christopher Shepherd <waltonchristophershepherd(a)gmail.com> 3/6/2011 8:41 PM >>> Hello colleague: On Monday, March 14 at noon at the Law School, Grant Shuman, a lawyer from Spilman, Thomas and Battle in Charleston will be discussing legal issues surrounding wind energy development in WV that I think you will find interesting. Grant is extremely bright, a native West Virginian, and he has worked on most of the major wind energy cases in WV, both in the court and at the PSC, including on Mount Storm and on the fascinating Beech Ridge case. He has long been an immense value to me personally in understanding the realities of wind development. I hope you can make it! I'll send another reminder between now and then. Have a great week, Chris Shepherd 206.7907 PS: And of course, please forward to any and all that may be interested.

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Re: [EC] Comments on Sierra Club Energy Policy Amendments
by James Kotcon 06 Mar '11

06 Mar '11

The Sierra Club is proposing to revise its Energy Policy. It was first proposed in 2006, and has been amended a couple times, but some of these new revisions are pretty major. This document guides the Club's positions on numerous specific projects, so this basically tells us what we are supposed to support, what we should oppose, and where we have case-specific wiggle room. We are supposed to submit comments by March 31, and the Energy Committee was asked to develop comments for the WV Chapter. Attached is the draft policy with revisions highlighted in yellow. Also attached is the first draft of my comments on these revisions. Some are strictly editorial, but some are substantive policy comments. I propose that the Chapter finalize any comments this week, so that we can circulate them to other entities to gather support for our position. Please let me know if you have any additional thoughts or suggestions. Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home) _____ From: Bill Price [mailto:bill.price@sierraclub.org] Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 11:39 AM To: 'Gary Nelson'; 'Gwen Jones'; 'Jim Kotcon'; 'Jonathan Rosenbaum'; 'Sally Wilts'; 'Heather Heilman'; 'Jim Sconyers'; 'Paul Wilson'; 'Regina Hendrix'; 'Frank Young'; 'Kevin Fooce' Cc: 'David Muhly'; 'Mark Kresowik' Subject: Comment period on Sierra Club Energy Policy Amendments All, Sierra Club is circulating a set of proposed amendments to the Club's Energy Policy. I've attached a copy of the policy with the revisions highlighted. I wanted to be sure that everyone knew about this and had the opportunity to comment. Please pass along to others that would be interested. <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=CaUTPF71cLdaiKw-X5yzFA..> Seeking Comments on Energy Policy Amendments At the request of the Board of Directors, we are circulating a set of proposed amendments to the Sierra Club's 2006 Energy Resources Policy for review and 60-day comment period. Read the <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=fxjP-eQcKaISDN-gS8_buQ..> introduction and proposed amendments, then submit your comments <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=BLWJBGGlSaALMrKFHXt_5A..> . Bill Price, Sierra Club EJ Program 922 Quarrier Street, Suite 304 Charleston, WV 25311 Cell 304-389-8822 Fax 304-342-3182 Voices from the Mountains-September 25-27th For more information go to www.appalachiarising.org

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Re: [EC] Diane Rehm show on Hydro-fracking
by Paul Wilson 03 Mar '11

03 Mar '11

Greetings: if you are sitting by your computer -in WV- Public Radio's Diane Rehm show will be on Hydro-Fracking this morning at 10am. You can listen at www.wamu.org If you miss the show, it will be posted on their website archives and you can listen after the fact. A lot of NPR affiliates carry the Diane Rehm show, but not WV NPR!! good luck, paul -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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NYTimes: Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Water Hits Rivers
by William DePaulo 02 Mar '11

02 Mar '11

From The New York Times: DRILLING DOWN: Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Water Hits Rivers A method to extract more natural gas often produces wastewater laced with toxic substances. http://nyti.ms/gIcm36 Get The New York Times on your iPhone for free by visiting http://itunes.com/apps/nytimes William V DePaulo, Esq 179 Summers Street #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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NYTimes: Wastewater Recycling No Cure-All in Gas Process
by William DePaulo 02 Mar '11

02 Mar '11

From The New York Times: Wastewater Recycling No Cure-All in Gas Process Though it has helped the natural gas industry reduce its wastewater, recycling has not eliminated all the hazards. http://nyti.ms/fobxs0 Get The New York Times on your iPhone for free by visiting http://itunes.com/apps/nytimes William V DePaulo, Esq 179 Summers Street #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: PATH press release
by James Kotcon 28 Feb '11

28 Feb '11

I plan to put out something tonight, hopefully by 8 PM. Does anyone want to add a quote? Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home) >>> "Cramer, Virginia" <virginia.cramer(a)sierraclub.org> 2/28/2011 4:16 PM >>> Hi all, Attached please find a press release drafted by Earthjustice. This version focuses on VA, but please feel free to adapt and send out in your states. It should only take a moment to change the dateline, add your contact info and substitute your quote from Glen's. Let me know if you have questions or want me to send it out in your state. I'm already planning to send to VA outlets. - ginny On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 12:23 PM, Pollard, Kate <kate.pollard(a)sierraclub.org > wrote: > I'm happy to help with VA press , but interested in others' thoughts on the > appropriate response. > Kate > > > On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 12:07 PM, Mark Kresowik < > Mark.Kresowik(a)sierraclub.org> wrote: > >> Is somebody doing pews on this? Sierra >> Club joint or coalition? >> >> -----Forwarded by Mark Kresowik/Sierraclub on 02/28/2011 12:02PM ----- >> >> ======================= >> To: Northeast <Northeast(a)earthjustice.org>, 'Elena Saxonhouse' < >> Elena.Saxonhouse(a)sierraclub.org>, 'Joanne Spalding' < >> Joanne.Spalding(a)sierraclub.org>, "'Dwooley(a)ef.org'" <Dwooley(a)ef.org>, >> Mark Kresowik <Mark.Kresowik(a)sierraclub.org>, 'Bob Fagan' < >> rfagan(a)synapse-energy.com>, 'Hyde Merrill' <HM(a)MerrillEnergy.com>, >> 'George Loehr' <gloehr(a)elucem.com> >> From: Abigail Dillen <adillen(a)earthjustice.org> >> Date: 02/28/2011 11:19AM >> Cc: "'Willard R. Burns'" <wburns(a)burnslegal.net>, Rishi Garg < >> rgarg1976(a)gmail.com>, Terry Black <tblackigc(a)comcast.net>, Patti Goldman >> <pgoldman(a)earthjustice.org>, Trip Van Noppen <tvannoppen(a)earthjustice.org >> > >> Subject: Great news on PATH >> ======================= >> All, >> >> We have just learned that PJM has ordered the PATH project to be held in >> abeyance. While it is not officially cancelled (yet), the most recent >> modeling runs ordered in our Virginia case have shown that the line is not >> needed for several years to come, and PATH's backers have been ordered to >> suspend work on the project. It is extremely difficult to reverse momentum >> on these multi-billion dollar projects once they have been ordered in >> service, but I am cautiously optimistic that that's what we are doing! >> Notably, the PJM Board affirmed: >> >> In particular, the growth of Demand Response can contribute to lower >> expectations for future peak demand, thereby extending the time period when >> transmission upgrades are needed. >> >> This, of course, is the precise argument that we have been making. >> >> While this project may come back to life at some point, for now, we can >> celebrate an important victory. Thanks very much to David Wooley and the >> Energy Foundation and to our excellent experts, Bob Fagan, Hyde Merrill, and >> George Loehr. >> >> The relevant language in the attached PJM announcement is copied below: >> >> As part of its 2011 RTEP, and in response to a request by a Virginia >> Hearing Examiner, PJM is conducting >> >> a series of analyses using the most current economic forecasts and Demand >> Response commitments, as >> >> well as potential new generation resources. Preliminary analysis reveals >> the expected reliability violations >> >> that necessitated PATH have moved several years into the future. >> >> Based on these latest results, the Board has decided to hold the PATH >> project in abeyance in its 2011 >> >> RTEP. The Board further directs the sponsoring Transmission Owners to >> suspend current development >> >> efforts on the PATH project, subject to those activities necessary to >> maintain the project in its current state, >> >> while PJM conducts more rigorous analysis of the potential need for PATH >> as part of its continuing RTEP >> >> process. This action, however, does not, at this time, constitute a >> directive by PJM to the sponsoring >> >> Transmission Owners to cancel or abandon the PATH project. >> >> >> >> Abigail Dillen >> Staff Attorney >> Earthjustice >> 156 William Street, Suite 800 >> New York, NY 10038 >> (212) 791-1881 ext. 221 >> Fax: (212) 918-1556 >> >> >> >> > > > > > -- > Kate Pollard > Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign > Associate Field Organizer > w: (571) 970-0275 > c: (703) 963-5800 > www.sierraclub.org/coal/va/ > <http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/va/> > Join us on facebook.com/SCNOVAHub > Follow us on twitter.com/SCNOVAHub > > In the digital age, half our electricity still comes from coal. > > -- Virginia Cramer Deputy Press Secretary Sierra Club tel: 804-225-9113 x 102

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PATH announces application "suspension"
by Frank Young 28 Feb '11

28 Feb '11

Hot Damn! ------------------------------------------------------------ COLUMBUS and AKRON, Ohio, February 28, 2011 - American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today announced their affiliates will file to withdraw their applications for state regulatory approval of the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project following an announcement by regional grid operator PJM Interconnection that the project has been suspended. http://www.pathtransmission.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: Cindy Rank To: WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 12:04 PM Subject: [WVHCBOARD] PATH delayed by PJM http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/ Breaking news: PJM puts PATH on hold February 28, 2011 by Ken Ward Jr. Here’s the announcement just in from PJM Interconnection: The outlook for a slower economic recovery has led the Board of PJM Interconnection to direct transmission owners to suspend efforts on the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH). The news release doesn’t appear to be on PJM’s Web site yet, and apparently the board decision was made on Friday. Here’s more: ... for more follow the link: http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/ __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group Working since 1967 for the conservation and wise management of West Virginia's natural resources Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use. __,_._,___

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Fw: PATH Going Down?
by Frank Young 28 Feb '11

28 Feb '11

WordPress.comSee Bill Howley's blog post below. And here is the PJM news release: PJM BOARD DIRECTS DELAY IN PATH TRANSMISSION LINE http://www.pjm.com/~/media/about-pjm/newsroom/2011-releases/20110228-RTEP-a… ----- Original Message ----- From: The Power Line To: fyoung(a)mountain.net Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 11:36 AM Subject: [New post] PATH Going Down PATH Going Down Bill | February 28, 2011 at 11:36 am | Tags: Power Companies & PATH | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/piwFb-1fv Here is the link to PJM's announcement dated February 28, 2011. As part of its 2011 RTEP, and in response to a request by a Virginia Hearing Examiner, PJM is conducting a series of analyses using the most current economic forecasts and Demand Response commitments, as well as potential new generation resources. Preliminary analysis reveals the expected reliability violations that necessitated PATH have moved several years into the future. Based on these latest results, the Board has decided to hold the PATH project in abeyance in its 2011 RTEP. The Board further directs the sponsoring Transmission Owners to suspend current development efforts on the PATH project, subject to those activities necessary to maintain the project in its current state, while PJM conducts more rigorous analysis of the potential need for PATH as part of its continuing RTEP process. This action, however, does not, at this time, constitute a directive by PJM to the sponsoring Transmission Owners to cancel or abandon the PATH project. PJM will complete this more rigorous analysis of the PATH project and other transmission requirements and then report the results to stakeholders when it is available. The Board will review this comprehensive analysis as part of its consideration of the 2011 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan. Note that PJM is not calling for a cancellation of PATH -- yet. It is clear that the analysis that the VA SCC required PJM to perform is not going to bring good news for AEP/FirstEnergy. It is quite likely, however, that holding PATH "in abeyance" means that PJM is not going to specify a new required in service date for PATH in the 2011 RTEP. The old in service date will go from June 2015 to "well, maybe sometime, but then again maybe never." So, if PJM is not willing to set a definite in service date for PATH, what does that mean for AEP/FirstEnergy's applications in MD, WV and East Virginia? If PJM is no longer "requiring" PATH, is there any there there? WordPress.com | Thanks for flying with WordPress! Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Express yourself. Start a blog. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://subscribe.wordpress.com

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Natural gas not necessarily cleaner than coal - Beckley Register-Herald
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 27 Feb '11

27 Feb '11

It's good to observe these types of articles making it into the media: Natural gas not necessarily cleaner than coal - Beckley Register-Herald (http://www.register-herald.com/marcellus/x186200283/Natural-gas-not-necessa…) Beth Little, of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, said the damage from a natural gas site compared to a mountaintop removal site is “near equal.” -Jonathan

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WV - Longview plant
by James Kotcon 25 Feb '11

25 Feb '11

This morning, for the first time, I am seeing smoke from Longview's main smoke stack, as well as steam from Longview's cooling towers. Based on the attached press release, it is not clear that they have burned coal yet, but if smoke or steam is coming from the stack, it suggests they at least have all the pipes put together. JBK This press release from the developer has details about their boiler tests: http://www.longviewpower.com/news-events/press-release-detail.php?id=49

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FACES of WVU SGA
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

This morning I observed the headline article in The Daily Athenaeum was WVU's "SGA supports coal industry regulation", good I thought, the SGA supports strong EPA regulation. However, that wasn't what the article was about at all. Instead the SGA came out with an informational proclamation that supports the organization 'FACES of Coal" which has the exact opposite goal. This is a complete reversal of face for WVU SGA which in the past has been progressive. I am curious about how this happened. Has the coal industry infiltrated the SGA or are a larger percentage of WVU students simply unable to see anything in the future other than coal? http://www.thedaonline.com/news/sga-supports-coal-industry-regulation-1.201…

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FW: DFA Campaign Training Coming to WV April 9-10, 2011
by Grubb, Karen 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Denise is a member of the WVEC board. From: Denise Binion [mailto:dbinion@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 9:57 PM To: Frank Young; Grubb, Karen; Kevin Smith; Gary Zuckett Subject: DFA Campaign Training Coming to WV April 9-10, 2011 For the first time ever, the national Democracy for America (DFA) will hold a campaign training session in WV, April 9-10, 2011. Founded in 2004 by former DNC Chairman Howard Dean, DFA is a people-powered political action committee working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom up. Dean's 50-State Strategy was responsible for the 2006 Democratic gains in the House and Senate and the Presidency in 2008. The DFA Campaign Academy mission is to focus, network, and train grassroots activists in the skills and strategies needed to take back our country, manage successful campaigns, or run for office themselves. In addition to general campaign related topics, the training includes issue advocacy and lobbying with an emphasis on organizing around an issue, generating public pressure, and citizen lobbying of elected officials. Considering the numerous social, environmental and economic problems facing WV, this individualized training will be invaluable. The training academy will be located at the WVU Jackson's Mill campus http://jacksonsmill.ext.wvu.edu/ The cost of the training is $70 per person or if you are unable to afford the full cost, reduced rates of $35 are available for low income or students via online pre-payment. This contribution helps DFA cover its costs, including the venue rental and a personal copy of the 180 page training manual, as well as lunch and coffee (both days). At the door charges paid with check or credit card will be $80/$45. To register and prepay online: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/2506-weston-wv-dfa-campaign-acade… Lodging is reasonably priced: Lodge rooms are $65.00 per night, dormitory style facilities are only $11.00 per night, per individual (open sleeping quarters and shared bath with bed linens provided). Breakfast and dinner may be purchased onsite for $6.25 and $9.25 respectively. Saturday will feature a social event with participants, current legislators and candidates and potential candidates. This training is sponsored by North Central WV Democracy For America in an effort to reinvigorate WV Democratic politics and to assist progressives in electing politicians who uphold and represent progressive principles. It is a great opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals from around the state who are serious about putting West Virginia's government back into the hands of the people. Open to all those who are interested in advancing progressive politics in WV. For further information and to sign up for email updates contact NCWVDFA Chair Denise Binion at ncwvdfa(a)gmail.com<mailto:ncwvdfa@gmail.com> or call 304-669-0247. Please feel free to distribute and post the attached flyer to advertise the training.

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Fw: Alert from from WV Environmental Council, Sierra Club, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
by Jim Sconyers 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: WVEC - Don Alexander <paradox(a)spectrumz.com> To: Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Wed, February 23, 2011 6:23:13 PM Subject: Alert from from WV Environmental Council, Sierra Club, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition WVEC Action Alert West Virginia Environmental Council Action Alert February 23, 2011 WVEC Alerts Archive ________________________________ >From WV Environmental Council, Sierra Club, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition: Please contact the following Legislators (be sure to identify yourself if you leave a message) IMMEDIATELY - bills in danger of stalling! Also please say that if no regulatory bill can be moved, we need a moratorium on new permits! * House Judiciary Chair Tim Miley - (304) 340-3252 Message: Move 2878! (This bill is first on the agenda at 8:30 AM tomorrow morning (Thursday)!!! * House Speaker Richard Thompson - (304)340-3210 Message: Dispense reference to Finance Committee for 2878 * House Finance Chair Harry Keith White - (304) 340-3230 Message: Take up 2878 immediately if it comes to Finance Committee * Senate President Jeff Kessler (304)357-7801 Message: Urge Senate to move 424 * Senate EIM Chair Mike Green (304)357-7831 Message: Move 424 * Senate Judiciary Chair Corey Palumbo (304)357-7880 Message: Move 424 immediately if it comes to Judiciary ________________________________ Don Alexander WVEC E-mail List Coordinator Subscribe or Unsubscribe Online

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Fwd: WVNS story: 'Invest The Boom' Proposal For WV Gas Severance Tax Trust Fund
by Paul Wilson 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public News Service <wvns(a)newsservice.org> Date: Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 4:43 AM Subject: WVNS story: 'Invest The Boom' Proposal For WV Gas Severance Tax Trust Fund To: PaulWilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> Public News Service-WV February 24, 2011 'Invest The Boom' Proposal For WV Gas Severance Tax Trust Fund CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia could help ease the effects of its chronic natural-resources boom-and-bust cycles by investing part of the revenue from natural-gas drilling. Projections suggest most natural gas now being drilled in the state will be gone in 30 years. Sean O'Leary, executive director of the *West Virginia Center On Budget And Policy*, says a 1 percent severance tax could fund hundreds of millions of dollars for job creation, funding now missing in desperate coalfield areas. "The communities' fortunes fluctuate with the price of coal. We don't want to see that happen to the communities that develop natural gas. The gas won't be there forever. Once we drill it, it'll be extracted - and in a couple of decades it'll be gone and we'll be left wondering, 'Now what do we do?' " The mineral trust fund plan would increase severance taxes, and tax increases are often attacked as bad for job creation. In this case, however, O'Leary says, the reverse is true. "The exact opposite of taking away jobs. This can be used to lower taxes on other industries, clean up some of the environmental concerns, revitalize downtown areas, building bridges, roads. Those types of things really help attract jobs." Unlike some businesses, O'Leary notes, the industry can't move out of state if the taxes go up. "The gas and the coal, it's here. If you want to produce the gas, you have to do it where the gas is." Several states have similar mineral trust funds. If West Virginia had starting setting aside 1 percent in coal severance taxes 30 years ago, O'Leary says, the state would have $2 billion in the bank even after having invested $1 billion in job creation. Click here to view this story on the Public News Service RSS site and access an audio version of this and other stories: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/18663-1<http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/18663-1> --- To be removed from this list please send an e-mail to remove(a)publicnewsservice.org <remove(a)publicnewsservice.org?subject=remove>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: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fw: Mt. Storm-Doubs Hearings scheduled at VA SCC
by Jim Sconyers 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Elena Saxonhouse <Elena.Saxonhouse(a)sierraclub.org> To: CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Wed, February 23, 2011 11:36:56 AM Subject: Mt. Storm-Doubs Hearings scheduled at VA SCC -----Forwarded by Elena Saxonhouse/Sierraclub on 02/23/2011 08:36AM ----- From: Zainab Kents <Zainab.Kents(a)scc.virginia.gov> >Date: 02/23/2011 07:00AM >Subject: State Corporation Commission News Release > > >The following link is the SCC News Release. > >SCC SCHEDULES LOCAL HEARINGS TO RECEIVE TESTIMONY ON MT. STORM-DOUBS >TRANSMISSION LINE > >http://www.scc.virginia.gov/newsrel/e_doubstrans_11.aspx > > >Zai Kents >Information Resources >email: zainab.kents(a)scc.virginia.gov >804 371-9361 >fax 371-9221 > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe >from the CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM list, send any message to: >CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our >Listserv Lists support site for more information: >http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fw: Express your disappointment - your Rep. voted for mountaintop removal
by Jim Sconyers 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "Matt Wasson, iLoveMountains.org" <matt.wasson(a)ilovemountains.org> To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wed, February 23, 2011 11:14:06 AM Subject: Express your disappointment - your Rep. voted for mountaintop removal Dear Jim, Express your disappointment to your Representative for voting against protections for Appalachian mountains and streams. You can watch Rep Griffith's speech here. Late Friday night, the House passed three amendments designed to give a green light to new mountaintop removal mines and to prevent the EPA from fulling its duties under the Clean Water Act to oversee the permitting of valley fills - the waste disposal sites for mountaintop removal mines. Thank you to all who picked up the phone last week to ask your member of Congress to oppose these attacks on the Clean Water Act. We regret to inform you, however, that your member of Congress voted to roll back protections for Appalachian mountains, streams and communities. Do not be discouraged! This was only the first vote and there will be several more opportunities to remove these amendments when the Senate takes up the budget bill next week. However, it's important to share your disappointment with your Congressperson before the next vote on mountaintop removal comes up in the House: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Wg9vdJrvNMEwlp9iNcmr… The good news is that, while we were unable to defeat the bad amendments, we received more than enough votes to ensure that a Presidential veto can be sustained in the House. It was also exciting to hear debate on mountaintop removal on the floor of the House, something that has not occurred in over 30 years. With your ongoing support, we will continue to demonstrate America's commitment to ending mountaintop removal. We'll need your help again next week when the fight moves to the Senate. It's a shame when members of Congress choose to put coal company profits ahead of protections for the oldest and most biologically diverse mountains and streams on the continent. Please take a moment to send your Congressperson a message now. Thanks for standing up for Appalachia, Matt Wasson iLoveMountains.org P.S. -- Please help us spread the word on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. You are receiving this message because you expressed an interest in ending mountaintop removal coal mining to one of the partner organizations of www.iLoveMountains.org. To modify your subscription preferences, click here.

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Fwd: WVNS story: Deep Public Concern About Marcellus Drilling In WV
by Paul Wilson 18 Feb '11

18 Feb '11

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public News Service <wvns(a)newsservice.org> Date: Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 8:10 AM Subject: WVNS story: Deep Public Concern About Marcellus Drilling In WV To: PaulWilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> Public News Service-WV February 18, 2011 Deep Public Concern About Marcellus Drilling In WV CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Legislators got an earful Thursday from people worried about the impact of the fast-growing practics of extracting natural gas from West Virginia's Marcellus shale. More members of the public wanted to speak on proposed Marcellus drilling regulations than time allowed during the open hearing. Most, such as Wetzel County farmer Marty Whiteman, say they are concerned about water pollution and damage to roads and land. Whiteman says drilling cost him a big portion of his hay production. "When they come in, they told us we would not be affected at all, that this would be a minor inconvenience. And it's been devastation." One key issue is "pooling," designed to deal with the way gas moves under property lines by allowing production that crosses the boundaries and dividing profits among neighbors. Some of the smaller gas companies oppose pooling, and landowners are divided. Many large drillers argue that it would limit damage to the land and water, while being fair to mineral-rights owners. Scott Rotruck, vice president of Chesapeake Energy, takes that position. "We need pooling. Pooling will help us limit the environmental impact of shale development, and it will help protect people's property rights. It's good environmentally and it's good economically. Everybody will get paid for their property." Not yet included in the legislation is regulation of possible air pollution resulting from the drilling and processing of natural gas. Elizabeth Mow of Buckhannon, who describes herself as a concerned citizen, wants the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to tackle that issue. "I'm particularly concerned about the protection of air quality, the release of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. If the DEP does not have the authority to regulate this, it should be given the authority." New figures from the *West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy* suggest the counties with the most gas production are the ones that need economic development the most. Some speakers were worried that over-regulation could stall one of the state's fastest-growing industries, but some companies within the industry support the rules now being drafted, including increased fees to pay for new well inspectors. Click here to view this story on the Public News Service RSS site and access an audio version of this and other stories: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/18565-1<http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/18565-1> --- To be removed from this list please send an e-mail to remove(a)publicnewsservice.org <remove(a)publicnewsservice.org?subject=remove>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: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fw: STILL TIME TO MAKE A CALL: ASK YOUR REP TO VOTE NO ON 10 AND 217
by Jim Sconyers 17 Feb '11

17 Feb '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Lisa Evans <levans(a)EARTHJUSTICE.ORG> To: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 11:32:07 AM Subject: STILL TIME TO MAKE A CALL: ASK YOUR REP TO VOTE NO ON 10 AND 217 Friends- The House has not yet voted on the anti-ash amendments. Please make a call to your congressional representative immediately to ask them to vote NO on Amendments 10 and 217 that would defund public health protection from toxic coal ash. The two amendments, Amendment 10 offered by Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Amendment 217 offered by David McKinley (R-WV), would prevent EPA from regulating coal ash as a hazardous waste by explicitly prohibiting the funding of a subtitle C rule. If passed, the amendments, which are nearly identical, would require EPA to regulate coal ash as a nonhazardous waste under subtitle D. EPA’s only option would be to issue guidelines for states that not mandatory and that are unenforceable by EPA. The amendments would maintain the status quo of lax (or absent) state oversight of coal ash dumping and would guarantee that polluters will have the legal right to continue to dump coal ash in unlined pits and ponds. Please call your representatives in Congress TODAY- ASAP- and ASK THEM TO VOTE NO ON AMENDMENTS 10 AND 217. PLEASE SEND this email to the members of your organization to maximize our impact. To locate the telephone number of your member of Congress, just insert your zip code. http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ THANK YOU for your help. Sincerely, Lisa Evans Lisa Evans Senior Administrative Counsel Earthjustice 21 Ocean Ave. Marblehead, MA 01945 T: (781) 631-4119 F: (212) 918-1556 www.earthjustice.org *please consider the environment before printing The information contained in this email message may be privileged, confidential and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this email message in error, please notify the sender by reply email and delete the message and any attachments. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE list, send any message to: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fwd: Harvard Study on the true cost of coal-fired electricity
by Paul Wilson 16 Feb '11

16 Feb '11

If you haven't seen it already, here's a piece that details an impressive new study on the true costs of using coal to produce electricity. regards. paul w. http://climateprogress.org/2011/02/16/life-cycle-study-coal-harvard-epstein… -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Re: [EC] [WVHCBOARD] Please vote in MTR poll
by Martinjul＠aol.com 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

Just voted we are ahead at 51% In a message dated 2/15/2011 5:33:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, fyoung(a)mountain.net writes: The poll question is: "Are you in favor of mountain top removal mining?" Please share with friends. Scroll down in center column to see poll. _http://www.wkyt.com/_ (http://www.wkyt.com/) __._,_.___ _Reply to sender_ (mailto:fyoung@mountain.net?subject=Re:%20Please%20vote%20in%20MTR%20poll) | _Reply to group_ (mailto:WVHCBOARD@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re:%20Please%20vote%20in%20MTR%20poll) | _Reply via web post_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WVHCBOARD/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwMTcwZWxvBF9TAzk3M… BGdycElkAzEwODEwOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjQxNzcEbXNnSWQDMTY0ODEEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsD cnBseQRzdGltZQMxMjk3ODA5MjM1?act=reply&messageNum=16481) | _Start a New Topic_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WVHCBOARD/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJkYWdub2FzBF9TAzk3M… YwRzdGltZQMxMjk3ODA5MjM1) _Messages in this topic_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WVHCBOARD/message/16481;_ylc=X3oDMTM1bGg1MHNn… UwNjQxNzcEbXNnSWQDMTY0ODEEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMjk3ODA5MjM1BHRwY0 lkAzE2NDgx) (1) Recent Activity: _Visit Your Group_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WVHCBOARD;_ylc=X3oDMTJkdnRnYjM4BF9TAzk3MzU5Nz… RzbGsDdmdocARzdGltZQMxMjk3ODA5MjM1) Working since 1967 for the conservation and wise management of West Virginia's natural resources (http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJjOHJrZGtiBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzEwO… ) Switch to: _Text-Only_ (mailto:WVHCBOARD-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change Delivery Format: Traditional) , _Daily Digest_ (mailto:WVHCBOARD-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email Delivery: Digest) • _Unsubscribe_ (mailto:WVHCBOARD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe) • _Terms of Use_ (http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/) . __,_._,___

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Please vote in MTR poll
by Frank Young 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

The poll question is: "Are you in favor of mountain top removal mining?" Please share with friends. Scroll down in center column to see poll. http://www.wkyt.com/

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Re: [EC] Fwd: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member
by fmoose39＠hotmail.com 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

Would it help to show a msds report on coal ash osha believes it is hazardous. sent from my AT&T Smartphone by HTC ----- Reply message ----- From: "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Date: Tue, Feb 15, 2011 2:01 pm Subject: [EC] Fwd: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member To: "James Kotcon" <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu>, <CLEAR(a)cheat.org>, <pbmjwood(a)gmail.com>, <ec(a)osenergy.org> What I didn't know - not only did Stearns of FL put in this amendment - our very own District 1 Congressman McKinley did the same, inserting an amendment of his own to prevent any designation of coal ash as toxic or hazardous. In my view this is an egregious insult to the people of his district - where leaking ash dumps, feared groundwater pollution from ash, and more are already real. I have a call in with his scheduler to see when we can meet with him here in the district. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: CLEAR(a)cheat.org; pbmjwood(a)gmail.com; ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 1:34:58 PM Subject: [EC] Fwd: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member Please forward widely. I sent my e-mail, please send yours today. Jim Kotcon >>> Lisa Graves-Marcucci <lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org> 2/15/2011 1:11 PM >>>>>> Please Excuse Duplications Please Distribute Widely Dear Friend, Unfortunately, Rep. Stearns of Florida has inserted the following amendment into a House appropriations bill - currently on the House floor and likely for vote today or tomorrow. It would withhold funding from US EPA to regulate coal combustion waste as hazardous, putting many Americans' health at risk. Please urge everyone to call their member of Congress today and ask them to: *1. Vote against this egregious amendment * *2. Let** the US EPA protect public health - without interference from special interests and Congress* * * *Locate your member of Congress using the link below - just insert your zip code* *http://www.contactingthecongress.org/* AMENDMENT H.R. 1 OFFERED BY.:MR. STEARNS of FLORIDA At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following:

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Fwd: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member
by James Kotcon 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

Please forward widely. I sent my e-mail, please send yours today. Jim Kotcon >>> Lisa Graves-Marcucci <lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org> 2/15/2011 1:11 PM >>> Please Excuse Duplications Please Distribute Widely Dear Friend, Unfortunately, Rep. Stearns of Florida has inserted the following amendment into a House appropriations bill - currently on the House floor and likely for vote today or tomorrow. It would withhold funding from US EPA to regulate coal combustion waste as hazardous, putting many Americans' health at risk. Please urge everyone to call their member of Congress today and ask them to: *1. Vote against this egregious amendment * *2. Let** the US EPA protect public health - without interference from special interests and Congress* * * *Locate your member of Congress using the link below - just insert your zip code* *http://www.contactingthecongress.org/* AMENDMENT H.R. 1 OFFERED BY.:MR. STEARNS of FLORIDA At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: 1 SEC. . None of the funds made available by this 2 Act may be used to regulate or classify coal combustion 3 residuals as a hazardous waste or material. *After all our hard work, it would be tragic to have public health protections derailed by an appropriations amendment. Please make these important calls today.* Many thanks, Lisa Graves Marcucci Sam Flenner -- * Lisa Graves Marcucci Environmental Integrity Project PA Coordinator, Community Outreach lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org 412-897-0569 (cell) * -- Samuel E. Flenner III Outreach Coodinator Environmental Integrity Project www.environmentalintegrity.org samf.environmentalintegrity(a)gmail.com 317.352.2339 c-317.850.0436

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Fw: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member
by Jim Sconyers 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

Call please! Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Lisa Graves-Marcucci <lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org> To: James Kotcon <James.Kotcon(a)mail.wvu.edu>; Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>; Bill Price <bill.price(a)sierraclub.org> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 1:11:22 PM Subject: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member Please Excuse Duplications Please Distribute Widely Dear Friend, Unfortunately, Rep. Stearns of Florida has inserted the following amendment into a House appropriations bill - currently on the House floor and likely for vote today or tomorrow. It would withhold funding from US EPA to regulate coal combustion waste as hazardous, putting many Americans' health at risk. Please urge everyone to call their member of Congress today and ask them to: 1. Vote against this egregious amendment 2. Let the US EPA protect public health - without interference from special interests and Congress Locate your member of Congress using the link below - just insert your zip code http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ AMENDMENT H.R. 1 OFFERED BY.:MR. STEARNS of FLORIDA At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: 1 SEC. . None of the funds made available by this 2 Act may be used to regulate or classify coal combustion 3 residuals as a hazardous waste or material. After all our hard work, it would be tragic to have public health protections derailed by an appropriations amendment. Please make these important calls today. Many thanks, Lisa Graves Marcucci Sam Flenner -- Lisa Graves Marcucci Environmental Integrity Project PA Coordinator, Community Outreach lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org 412-897-0569 (cell) -- Samuel E. Flenner III Outreach Coodinator Environmental Integrity Project www.environmentalintegrity.org samf.environmentalintegrity(a)gmail.com 317.352.2339 c-317.850.0436 ____________________________________________________________________________________ TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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Fwd: venting methane from gas wells
by James Kotcon 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

Joe: EPA is aware of the releases, and has estimates of how much is released at each well. Unfortunately, many of their estimates had not been updated in years. A recent update indicates that releases from "completion" of horziontal wells (e.g., Marcellus) releases about 9000 times more methane than they had previously estimated. While this makes natural gas more of a greenhouse problem, it is still marginally better than coal. But the data show that the real answer to climate change has to be to conserve energy and switch to non-fossil fuel alternatives. Jim Kotcon

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Fwd: Public hearing on Marcellus bill
by James Kotcon 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

>>> Leslee McCarty <lesleemac1(a)frontier.com> 2/14/2011 11:47 AM >>> Thursday 3:30 house chamber--rally the troops,please! Sent from leslee's iphone

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venting methane from gas wells
by Jim Sconyers 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

FYI Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Joe Jarrell <earthlingprimate(a)suddenlink.net> To: truthseeker23(a)hotmail.com; "Matt Wasson, iLoveMountains.org" <matt.wasson(a)ilovemountains.org>; Sierra Club - West Virginia Chapter <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>; Cindy Rank <clrank(a)hughes.net> Sent: Mon, February 14, 2011 1:07:26 AM Subject: more hard on the planet industrial stuff as a late night ramble. Random quote from the news: "Composting releases methane," said . . . and methane gas, as even the most warming-conscious among us have to admit, traps atmospheric heat far more efficiently than carbon dioxide, the usual bugaboo of the climate-change crowd. End quote. You know, they blow their wells. This means they open a pipe to the atmosphere and let natural gas out, which gets the crap out of the pipes. The valve has a two inch diameter; the pressure is over a hundred psi. I live a few hundred yards from one. When they vent it, it sounds like a jet engine (not a little whine, but a resounding throaty roar that goes out over the landscape, across the valleys and maybe to the next mountain past the adjacent one). This continues for (several) minutes at a time; I think it is done once a month. I am of the opinion that they do this tens of thousands of times per year across this country. Natural gas is methane. The waste is large. The damage to the environment may be enormous. An administrator from the local gas company told me this is legal. Why is this legal? How can this be efficient? [rhetorical questions] Years ago I read the the Mexican oil industry vented vast quantities of methane into the atmosphere, but I read later that they stopped this behavior. I'm sure at least some other countries did and likely still do vent the methane (maybe not so much now that it is worth at least a bit), but I guess I can't do much about that. Maybe I can sound an alarm that there may be room for improvement here. Without encouragement to change, the gas production companies do not want to stop doing this. If any of the recipients of this email have time and extra energy, please forward the text to someone who cares, in case this is under the radar of both the regulators and the environmentalists. jj

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Fw: Allowing Utilities to Earn More for Helping Customers to Consume Less Benefits Both
by James Kotcon 12 Feb '11

12 Feb '11

Important new study looks at the effectiveness of policies to encourage energy efficiency. definitely worth a look. JBK >>> Paula Carrell <Paula.Carrell(a)sierraclub.org> 1/24/2011 3:22 PM >>> NEWS RELEASE Contact: Dan York, 608-243-1123 Sara Hayes, 202-507-4747 Media Contact: Glee Murray, 202-507-4010 Allowing Utilities to Earn More for Helping Customers to Consume Less Benefits Both Washington, D.C. (January 24, 2011): The ability for utilities to profit from their energy efficiency programs provides strong motivation to create, support, and deliver successful programs according to a report released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Research conducted by ACEEE found that electric and natural gas utilities able to earn a financial return on their achievements with customer energy efficiency programs are likely to be industry leaders in terms of their financial support for customer energy efficiency programs. "The traditional utility business model doesn't provide opportunities to earn financial returns on energy efficiency comparable to the opportunities that exist for investments in new power plants," observes Dan York, ACEEE Utilities Program Director and a co-author of the study. Sara Hayes, ACEEE Senior Associate and primary author of the study, notes: "These companies are responsible to their shareholders for earning profits. States that are still using the traditional utility business model have policies that discourage utility investments in customer energy efficiency programs." To address this fundamental problem, regulators and policymakers in a growing number of states have revised the traditional utility business model and adopted "shareholder incentive mechanisms" that allow utilities to earn financial rewards from successful energy efficiency programs. ACEEE's new report, Carrots for Utilities: Providing Financial Returns for Utility Investments in Energy Efficiency, highlights 18 states that have adopted and implemented shareholder incentive policies and also provides guidelines for what is working and what isn't. Some of the key findings include: When states have set energy savings goals for utilities under a shareholder incentive structure, the utilities have thus far consistently met or exceeded them; There is widespread agreement among industry experts that shareholder incentives are making efficiency programs a more attractive investment opportunity for utility decision-makers; and States are rewarding utility programs that are cost-effectively producing energy savings. While a shareholder incentive policy does increase earnings opportunities for utility shareholders, the data to date indicates that these incentives are not excessive relative to the benefits provided by the programs. Steven Nadel, ACEEE Executive Director and co-author of the report, points out: "In states where the amount of the incentive a utility may earn is based on program benefits, such as energy savings, utility shareholder incentives are equivalent to an average of 11% of program benefits. That means that the vast majority of the benefits of these programs are passed on to utility ratepayers." While these types of policies are very important, the report stresses that a suite of complementary policies need to be in place to properly encourage utility commitment to energy efficiency. "Shareholder incentives are a powerful and important tool available to states. However, capturing the full economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency requires policymakers to look carefully at how all of their regulations combine to influence utilities," concludes Martin Kushler, ACEEE Senior Fellow and co-author of the study. The full report includes detailed discussion of the trends, successes, and challenges states have faced in the implementation of shareholder incentives. It draws upon the expertise of industry experts across the nation and makes recommendations for policymakers seeking to design or modify shareholder incentives in their states. States surveyed in the report include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. ### About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit www.aceee.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr! If you no longer wish to receive electronic communications from ACEEE, please contact us at: aceeeinfo(a)aceee.org Forward email This email was sent to paula.carrell(a)sierraclub.org by aceeenews(a)aceee.org | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. ACEEE | 529 14th Street., N.W. | Suite 600 | Washington | DC | 20045

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Flier for environmental justice program
by James Kotcon 10 Feb '11

10 Feb '11

Attached is a flyer for the Mon Group Program meeting next Thursday, Feb. 17. Please circulate widely, I am hoping for a big crowd, so let's beat the bushed. Leslie Field is the Sierra Club's National Director for Environmental Justice, and she will be speaking Thursday evening at 7 PM on EJ and Mountaintop removal. Hope to see you there. (Bring a friend). Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home)

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Republican Congressmen Vote Away Scientific Facts
by James Kotcon 10 Feb '11

10 Feb '11

The link takes you to a blog by David Hawkins of NRDC. I first met him almost 20 years ago, and he has always impressed me as a pretty knowledgeable expert on Clean Air issues. This should be required reading for the Energy Committee. JBK http://www.grist.org/article/2011-02-09-republican-congressmen-vote-away-sc…

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Fwd: Power Plant Pollution strategy meeting February 12
by James Kotcon 08 Feb '11

08 Feb '11

The WV Chapter of Sierra Club recently filed a Notice of Intent to sue Allegheny Energy over pollution discharges from their Albright power plant. The initial issue deals with water pollution violations from their coal ash impoundments, resulting in excessive discharges of arsenic into tributaries of the Cheat River. While a few of us have been discussing this quietly for a couple weeks, now that the NOI is public, we want to expand our interest group, and identify what issues and opportunities could be obtained to improve our air and water. Coal ash activists will recognize this as another ash impoundment in our back yards. We are also collecting data on mercury emissions. There are issues related to new fine particulate and toxics emissions rules. Oh, and did we mention global warming, and more. This region is home to one of the largest concentrations of Sierra Club members in West Virginia. The meeting Saturday is intended to set goals and start planning for what will almost certainly be major issues in the next year or two regarding Albright. The Albright Power plant is one of the oldest and dirtiest in the Allegheny Energy fleet. No scrubbers, limited emissions controls, etc. Yet Allegheny is proposing to use this plant to meet its requirements for "Renewable and Alternative Energy" under former Governor Manchin's Alternative and Renewable energy standard. But retrofitting this plant would be enormously expensive, and the most fiscally sound option for ratepayers may well be to shut it down and invest in energy efficiency instead. At a minimum, we want Allegheny to clean up their arsenic discharges to the Cheat. But that is not likely to be the last issue for this old plant. Please plan to join us if you are in the region Saturday. If so, bring a friend. If not, please suggest names of others who might want to get involved. Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home) >>> Sally Wilts <sallywilts(a)yahoo.com> 2/6/2011 10:55 AM >>> WV Chapter of Sierra Club will hold a strategy meeting about our campaign on pollution from Albright Power Station on Saturday February 12 at 1 pm. We have reserved a room in the basement of the Morgantown Public Library (no food or drinks allowed). The library is located on Spruce Street with parking across the street. We apologize for the short notice. Jim Sconyers and Jim Kotcon will be coming loaded with information.

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Fw: Fwd: A PATH/ FERC Comments offer - to save a stamp and some time
by Jim Sconyers 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Tina Rappaport <tinazipp(a)gmail.com> Sent: Mon, February 7, 2011 4:26:53 PM Subject: Fwd: A PATH/ FERC Comments offer - to save a stamp and some time Dear PATH opposers, If you haven't been following Ali Haverty and Keryn Newman's challenge to PATH's accounting procedures, see the link below, as it makes great reading and your help to support this challenge is needed. FERC (Federal Energy Regulation Commission) has received Ali & Keryn's formal complaint and we have until noon Feb. 10 to submit our support for FERC to look into the charges raised. Please read Ali's email below and follow her instructions. Please also follow all the PATH news on Bill Howley's blog: http://calhounpowerline.com/ >and Keryn Newman's blog: http://www.stoppathwv.com/ If you have any questions, please direct them to Ali at almahaverty(a)gmail.com Thanks for your "energy"! My best always, Tina Rappaport 304-655-0003 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alison Haverty <almahaverty(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Feb 4, 2011 at 9:46 PM Subject: A PATH/ FERC Comments offer - to save a stamp and some time To: Hello again, There have been many people who have already taken the time to send in their comments to FERC about the PATH Challenge. http://www.stoppathwv.com/documents/formalchallenge.pdf Keryn and I thank every one of you! Just yesterday I found out I could file other folks' comments electronically, saving a long trip to the post office. So for those of you who would still like to speak your mind regarding the millions of dollars PATH has collected from us rate payers to fund their advertising and astroturf campaigns, but have not put their comments in the mail yet here is the offer: Email me your comments making sure to use the FERC address, docket nos, title used in the attached "comment template". Comments need to be as a "word doc" or a "PDF". The way you can sign your doc is - for example /S/ Alison Haverty Alison Haverty address...etc. This will make scanning unnecessary also. One other quick step that you need to take for me to eFile your comments is - you have to eRegister your email address w/FERC. It takes a minute just go to this link! https://ferconline.ferc.gov/eRegistration.aspx That's it - easy as pie, especially with this beautiful weather we have been having! And we might still yet get some one's attention over there at FERC!! DEADLINE for me to receive your comments is before noon on Thurs. FEB.10th Please do forward this offer to anyone it might help! Thank you all, Ali

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fracking shale gas- From hydro-fracking to petro-fracking?
by Frank Young 06 Feb '11

06 Feb '11

----- Original Message ----- From: Beth Little To: WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 2:27 PM Subject: RE: [WVHCBOARD] Wall Street Journal on "The Shale Revolution" E-gads! About the worst part of fracking is that they use diesel fuel or some other form of petroleum distillates in the water, which contain benzene, among other nasties, and benzene is carcinogenic at 5 parts per billion. Now they are going to use just oil? The irony of all this is: we used to be pumping oil out of the ground. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com [mailto:WVHCBOARD@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Shoenfeld Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 7:02 PM To: WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [WVHCBOARD] Wall Street Journal on "The Shale Revolution" I get email every day from stock market touts focused on energy companies. With Marcellus Shale, the environmental problems are generally mentioned as the economic downside. At least one of these guys is now talking about a new process called "petro-fracking" that would replace hydro-fracking and supposedly avoid some of the problems. This process uses oil instead of water as the basic element of the fracking fluid. On Sat, Feb 5, 2011 at 5:44 PM, Hugh Rogers <hugh.rogers(a)gmail.com> wrote: FYI: This opinion piece was forwarded to me by a high school classmate (as an investment opportunity?). Typically for the WSJ, it completely ignores environmental effects, concentrating instead on shale gas development as an example of entrepreneurial bravado. http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB1000142405274870470930457612413348780… -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3426 - Release Date: 02/06/11 __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (3) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group Working since 1967 for the conservation and wise management of West Virginia's natural resources MARKETPLACE Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get great advice about dogs and cats. Visit the Dog & Cat Answers Center. Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest . Unsubscribe . Terms of Use. __,_._,___

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Oil and Gas Group Urges Oscar Judges to Steer Clear of 'Gasland'
by Frank Young 05 Feb '11

05 Feb '11

BlankOil and Gas Group Urges Oscar Judges to Steer Clear of 'Gasland' By MIKE SORAGHAN of Greenwire Greenwire Published: February 1, 2011 The oil and gas industry doesn't want a golden Oscar statuette to grace the mantel of "Gasland" filmmaker Josh Fox. "The filmmaker alternates between misstating and outright ignoring basic and verifiable facts related to the impact of these activities on the health and welfare of humans, wildlife and the environment," said Lee Fuller, executive director of Energy in Depth (EID), in a letter (pdf) today to the academy. Complete article: http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/02/01/01greenwire-ioil-and-gas-group-urge…

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Fwd: Re: polling: Americans Oppose Upton and Gingrich-style Attacks on Pollution Safeguards
by James Kotcon 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

You all need to take a close look at this new report, because many in Congress are moving in a direction opposed by most Americans. Last night's conference call with Executive Director Michael Brune was refreshing in that the Club leadership is finally recognizing the threat of the new Congress and is gearing up to oppose Congressional limits on EPA. But West Virginia's delegation is almost uniformly on the anti-EPA side of this issue, and we need to put some pressure on them, or risk losing to the Friends of Coal. JBK >>> Anne Woiwode <anne.woiwode(a)sierraclub.org> 2/2/2011 4:52 PM >>> --------------------------- cc:Mail Users----------------------------- ** Remember to DELETE the 'Sender: ...' lines above before REPLYing ** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >From Michigan, the state the brought you John Dingell during the auto regulatory era, my profound apologies for now bringing you Mr. Fred "Never Seen a Fossil Fuel I Didn't Like" Upton. Sorry. Anne ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anne Woiwode, State Director Sierra Club Michigan Chapter 109 E. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906 517-484-2372 anne.woiwode(a)sierraclub.org Support Sierra Club Michigan Chapter! Go to <http://tiny.cc/MISierraClubSupport> http://tiny.cc/MISierraClubSupport to make your donation! "Is it fair to call climate denial a form of treason? Isn't it politics as usual? Yes, it is - and that's why it's unforgivable." Paul Krugman, NYT, 6.29.09 _____ From: FRED [mailto:CONS-FRED@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Paula Carrell Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 4:19 PM To: CONS-FRED(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: Fw: polling: Americans Oppose Upton and Gingrich-style Attacks on Pollution Safeguards --------------------------- cc:Mail Users----------------------------- ** Remember to DELETE the 'Sender: ...' lines above before REPLYing ** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- apologies for duplication, but I thought this was useful info for ALL the state lobby corps, not just chapter directors paula -----Forwarded by Paula Carrell/Sierraclub on 02/02/2011 01:18PM ----- FROM Peter Altman, NRDC Climate Campaign Director <http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/paltman/americans_oppose_upton_and_gin.ht ml> http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/paltman/americans_oppose_upton_and_gin.htm l Americans Oppose Upton and Gingrich-style Attacks on Pollution Safeguards There has been a lot of talk - and bills - from politicians who think that the EPA shouldn't be allowed to do its job of protecting our health from air pollution. Last week, <http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/paltman/who_loses_if_gingrich_gets_his.ht ml> Newt Gingrich proposed eliminating the EPA and putting in its place a bureaucracy that would cater to polluters. Some in Congress want to eliminate the EPA's ability to update Clean Air Act standards in order to reduce life-threatening pollution like carbon dioxide, soot, smog and toxic pollution. And today, one of the more anticipated bills is supposed to make its appearance: The Hill reports <http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/141635-upton-inhofe-to-float-p lan-wednesday-that-blocks-epa-climate-rules> today that House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton will unveil a bill to block the Environmental Protection Agency from limiting life-threatenting carbon pollution. Thing is, Americans just don't support the Gingrich - Upton agenda. Public opinion polling released today by the Opinion Research Corporation finds that Americans don't want to eliminate the EPA as Gingrich suggests, nor do they want Congress to stop it from doing its job of protecting public health, as Chairman Upton and others want to do. Health professionals take such proposals seriously. As Health Care Without Harm's Climate Policy Coordinator Brenda Afzal, MS, RN, says: "Chairman Upton's bill, which is expected to block the Environmental Protection Agency from updating the Clean Air Act to limit carbon pollution, puts our nation's health at risk. Leading health organizations and experts consider carbon dioxide pollution to be a wide-ranging threat to public health, which contributes to the same air pollution problems that worsen asthma and other chronic respiratory illnesses that affect millions of Americans and children. Our health should not suffer so that members of Congress can put corporate profits ahead of the public's health." Here's the bottom line: More than three out of four Americans (77 percent) - including a clear majority of Republicans (61 percent) - oppose efforts in Congress to block Clean Air Act updates for carbon, smog and other pollution, according to a national opinion survey by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) International for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). You can find the full report <http://bit.ly/fXmFyX.> here. And here are some more details: * Americans want the EPA to do more, not less. Almost two thirds of Americans (63 percent) say "the EPA needs to do more to hold polluters accountable and protect the air and water," versus under a third (29 percent) who think the EPA already "does too much and places too many costly restrictions on businesses and individuals." Well under half of Republicans (44 percent), less than a third of Independents (29 percent) and under a fifth of Democrats (16 percent) think the EPA is going too far today. * Americans do not want Congress to kill the EPA's anti-pollution updates. Only 18 percent of Americans - including fewer than a third of Republicans (32 percent) -- believe that "Congress should block the EPA from updating pollution safeguards," after being told: "Some members of Congress are proposing to block the Environmental Protection Agency from updating safeguards to protect our health from dangerous air pollution, saying they will cost businesses too much money." By contrast, more than three out of four Americans (77 percent) -- including 61 percent of Republicans - say "Congress (should) let the EPA do its job." * The vast majority of Republicans - and all Americans - oppose the Newt Gingrich plan to dismantle the EPA. Overall, only 25 percent of Americans agree with Newt Gingrich's call to eliminate the EPA. More than two out of three Americans (67 percent) oppose abolishing the EPA, including half (49 percent) who strongly oppose it. Among those opposing the Gingrich plan: 61 percent of Republicans, 57 percent of Independents, and 79 percent of Democrats. You can get the full news release and other materials here. ======================= Peter Altman Climate Campaign Director Natural Resources Defense Council Phone: 202-289-2435 Email: <mailto:paltman@nrdc.org> paltman(a)nrdc.org Blog: <http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/paltman/> http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/paltman/ Twitter: <http://twitter.com/PeteatNRDC> http://twitter.com/PeteatNRDC Web: <http://www.nrdc.org/> http://www.nrdc.org_________________________________________________________ ___ You received this message as a subscriber on the list: stationary-clean(a)lists.usclimatenetwork.org To be removed from the list, send any message to: stationary-clean-unsubscribe(a)lists.usclimatenetwork.org For all list information and functions, see: http://lists.usclimatenetwork.org/lists/info/stationary-clean - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-FRED list, send any message to: CONS-FRED-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To get off this list, send email to: LISTSERV(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Make the message text (not the Subject): SIGNOFF CONS-FRED

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Fw: Southern Calif Edison Buys 20 Years of Solar Power for Less than Natural Gas
by Jim Sconyers 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: F.J. Morris <frankmorris(a)ECOLOGICINVESTOR.COM> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Thu, February 3, 2011 3:35:03 PM Subject: Southern Calif Edison Buys 20 Years of Solar Power for Less than Natural Gas Ed M, Good stuff…Like Ned Ford keeps saying, efficiency with distributed renewables, are competitive now. Good stuff. Get efficient, build distributed renewables, and bankrupt fossil. Money’s like calories, and so are Killowatts. Control the money, control the kws, and control the polluting industries. Frank Morris ________________________________ From:Chp & Grp Global Warming Energy Chairs [mailto:CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Edward Mainland Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 3:05 PM To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: [GW-ACT-LEADERS] SCE Buys 20 Years of Solar Power for Less than Natural Gas Solar panel prices have decreased by about 40% in just the past couple years, a trend that is continuing. Doesn't this call into question outdated assumptions about natural gas being the Club's go-to "transition" or "bridge" fuel? Can NG be a "bridge" to anywhere once it becomes ever more costly (levelized) than renewables? And note how small renewable projects in many cases can now come on stream faster than large central-station, environmentally impactful desert projects. That these small solar projects in California have now broken through the discriminatory (in favor of natural gas) "market price referent" barrier under a "renewable standard contract" is highly significant. -- Ed M. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SCE Buys 20 Years of Solar Power for Less than Natural Gas 1 comment February 1, 2011 in Solar Energy Southern California Edison has selected 250 MW worth of solar bids from companies able to produce solar electricity for 20 years for less money annually than the 20 year levelized cost of energy of a combined-cycle natural gas turbine power plant. SCE’s bidding process for smaller renewable projects is smart. These small projects do not face the multi-year bureaucratic delays for extensive reviews, like most utility-scale solar, so each small unit can be built as quickly as normal commercial rooftop solar projects. They are made up of multiple distributed solar installations of under 20 MW, which in combination total a power plant-sized 250 MW. The utility already gets more than 19% of its electricity from renewable sources, placing it in the lead between California’s three big utilities to reach the Renewable Energy Standard requirement to get 20% of its electricity from renewables (which excludes large hydro and nuclear) by 2013. This year SCE had put out a request for bids to get 250 MW of just solar power, made up of multiple smaller rooftop arrays. Fremont-based Solyndra was one of the early bidders to be accepted. Solyndra will supply 20 years of power , with its unique cylindrical solar panels, to be installed by its subsidiary, Photon Solar. With a bidding process, SCE can save money by making renewable energy companies compete to offer the lowest price for supplying the utility some of its electricity through its Renewable Standard Contract The requirement is that the renewable energy has to be priced to cost no more than the Market Price Referent (MPR) – which is an annual calculation of the 20 year levelized cost of energy of a combined cycle gas turbine. This year, the solar bids are below the MPR, meaning that they cost less than the annual cost of getting the same amount of electricity from natural gas over the same time period. Even more interesting, SCE says that they received over 2.5 GW – 2,500 MW – of offers from solar companies eager and apparently able to supply solar power for less than the cost of gas. I was not able to locate that price in their detailed filing with the California Public Utilites Comission (PDF), a hefty tome. but the MPR for 2010 appears to be in the 11 cent range. According to Adam Browning at Vote Solar, “prices are kept confidential for something like 3 years. All we know is whether it is above or below MPR—and the advice letter says it is below”. Susan Kraemer @Twitter- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-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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Fwd: CoalSwam resources on coal plants
by Paul Wilson 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Lots of information compiled here. Most of it due to the work of the Club's National Coal Campaign. See the credits below. regards, paul w. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ted Nace <ted(a)tednace.com> Date: Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 4:05 AM Subject: CoalSwam resources on coal plants To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com Having trouble viewing this email? Click here <http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=4zpfzucab&v=001UGlpv9WiH…> *~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* *Some useful CoalSwarm coal plant wiki pages and compilation pages -- now with sortable tables and Google search * *~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* Attention coal nerds! Below are some compilations for those doing research on existing and proposed coal plants. I'm happy to report that MediaWiki now allows us to have a sort button for CoalSwarm's wiki tables. This makes all of the tables more useful: for example, now you can sort coal plant retirements by plant name, state, or company. There are also individual profiles, including coordinates and Google maps, for 675 existing U.S. coal plants<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…>. Hopefully we'll soon have profiles for all Australian and Canadian plants as well. (For information on other topics such as mines, coal waste, and protests, see the CoalSwarm portal page.)<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> Another development with the site is that we now have a real Google search bar for CoalSwarm content <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…>-- the most requested feature that was previously lacking. Yay! *Compilations on coal plants:* - Existing U.S. Coal Plants<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Coal plant retirements<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Campus coal plants<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Coal plant conversion projects<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Coal plants near residential areas<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - EPA coal plant settlements<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Scrubber retrofits at existing coal plants<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Proposed coal plants in the United States<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Proposed coal plants (international)<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Coal plant cancellations<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Proposed synfuels plants in the U.S.<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Existing coal plants in Canada<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> - Existing coal plants in Australia<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> *Many thanks** to Adrian Wilson, Bob Burton, Christine Shearer, Joshua Frank, and the experts at the Sierra Club for building this body of information.* *Contact Information* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ phone: 415-206-0906 *Research discussions and questions always welcome!* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Links...* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CoalSwarm website<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> CoalSwarm wiki portal page<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> Climate Hope website<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&et=1104392636319&s=250&e=0018qGY3yp…> Forward email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=4zpfzucab&m=1102356594495&ea=…> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001vbp07uPGAQtP-ATgZtjcDg%3D%3…> <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=news01> This email was sent to pjgrunt(a)gmail.com by ted(a)tednace.com | Update Profile/Email Address<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=001vbp07uPGAQtP-ATgZtjcDg%3D%3…> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001vbp07uPGAQtP-ATgZtjcDg%3D%3…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. CoalSwarm | 1254 Utah Street | San Francisco | CA | 94110 -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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FW: [ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS] Fwd: Call with Michael Brune on Protecting Public Health and Building a Clean Energy Economy Tuesday Feb 1
by Grubb, Karen 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

-----Original Message----- From: National Hydrofracking Team [mailto:ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Oliver Bernstein Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 10:30 AM To: ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: [ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS] Fwd: Call with Michael Brune on Protecting Public Health and Building a Clean Energy Economy Tuesday Feb 1 FYI ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Subject: Call with Michael Brune on Protecting Public Health and Building a Clean Energy Economy Friends, Please join us for an activist call with Executive Director Michael Brune on Protecting Public Health and Building a Clean Energy Economy. This call is open to all Sierra Club volunteers. WHAT: Call to Action: Protecting Public Health and Building a Clean Energy Economy WHEN: Tuesday, February 1st at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT HOW: Dial (866) 501-6174; when prompted enter access code 223 9223 # AGENDA: 1.) Vision: Protecting Public Health and Building a Clean Energy Economy - Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director 2.) Health Campaign Overview - Mary Anne Hitt, National Beyond Coal Campaign Director 3.) Defending the Clean Air Act - Melinda Pierce, Deputy Director of National Campaigns 4.) Questions and Answers 5.) Your Charge: Translating this Work to the Local Level 6.) Questions and Answers Please submit questions that you have for Michael Brune to energy.intern(a)sierraclub.org by 5:00pm ET on Tuesday with the subject line: "Question for Michael Brune." Hope you can make it. -- Oliver Bernstein Senior Communications Strategist Sierra Club Phone: 512.477.2152 Cell: 512.289.8618 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS list, send any message to: ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To subscribe to the ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS list, or one of the Sierra Club's other lists, visit us at http://lists.sierraclub.org

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Fwd: SNL Energy News interview with Deb Nardone
by Paul Wilson 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

in case you missed this.... paul w ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Oliver Bernstein <oliver.bernstein(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 2:36 PM Subject: SNL Energy News interview with Deb Nardone To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org FYI http://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/article.aspx?CDID=A-12249018-12850&KPLT=2 Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:06 PM ET Sierra Club's natural gas reform campaign to focus on industry accountability By Bryan Schutt The newly appointed director of the Sierra Club's natural gas reform campaign said that the group will be focused on safeguarding communities from the potential hazards associated with shale gas development and that the campaign will strive to hold industry accountable for its actions. The campaign supports natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil but advocates strong federal and state oversight of hydraulic fracturing to ensure that extraction of the fossil fuel does not come at the expense of land, water and community health. Deborah Nardone, whose appointment as director was announced on Jan. 25, said her role will be to advance that mission. "The overall goal is to protect our communities, our land, our air and our water," she said. "The strength of the Sierra Club is our members. They are well-informed, incredibly organized, and they are pushing to hold the industry accountable to higher standards." To increase accountability, the campaign will push a myriad of measures. First and foremost, Nardone said, the industry should be held to the same environmental laws all other industries are required to adhere to. "It's pretty unacceptable that they're exempt from [multiple] federal regulations," she said. Nardone said it will also be vital for adequate resources to be appropriated at all levels of government to provide for more thorough oversight and enforcement. Speaking of oversight, she noted that drilling should never be considered appropriate in certain areas, a point many in New York City have been adamant about. "Our more sensitive wild lands, our drinking water source watersheds ... and other significant natural resources should be left off limits to drilling," she said. The Sierra Club's overall mission of increasing energy efficiency and reliance on renewable energy will play a large part of the campaign, too. "As natural gas is being pushed to play a larger role on the scene, we're seeing that reliance on renewables and efficiency is starting to decline," Nardone said. "We should also be looking at pushing renewable energy sources." Nardone's comments about clean energy were echoed by President Barack Obama during his State of the Union address Jan. 25. Some in the fossil fuels industry pounced on the president's remarks, saying a focus on clean energy should not compromise the economic engine of the exploration and production industry. While the oil and gas industry is able to tout the economic benefits and jobs created by drilling, Nardone said, that boom cannot be used as an excuse to ignore environmental stewardship. "If we can't protect our communities and we can't protect our natural resources, than we shouldn't drill for gas," she said. "The argument of jobs versus the environment, they're not opposite each other. If you don't have a healthy community ... then you can't have jobs." Nardone joins the Sierra Club after working with the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. With Trout Unlimited, Nardone served as a coldwater resource specialist developing conservation plans to protect the headwaters of streams. She has also worked on watershed protection for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area. Sierra Club Director of Conservation Sarah Hodgdon hailed the announcement. "Deb has been a leader in protecting watersheds throughout Pennsylvania from unsound development," she said in a statement. "We look forward to her bringing her wealth of experience and successful campaigns to this huge challenge on the national stage." -- Oliver Bernstein Senior Communications Strategist Sierra Club Phone: 512.477.2152 Cell: 512.289.8618 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fw: [WVFirstCongressionalOFA] Fwd: HB2025 Energy Efficiency
by Jim Sconyers 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Denise Binion <dbinion(a)gmail.com> To: WVFirstCongressionalOFA <WVFirstCongressionalOFA(a)groups.barackobama.com> Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 9:53:03 AM Subject: [WVFirstCongressionalOFA] Fwd: HB2025 Energy Efficiency >From our friend Mike Harman. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mike Harman <mph1946(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 9:42 AM Subject: Fwd: HB2025 Energy Efficiency To: Dear friends, Now is the time to take action in support of HB 2025, the Energy Efficiency bill introduced in the House of Delegates and referred to the Government Organization Committee. Sponsors are Mike Manypenny and Barbara Fleischauer. This bill establishes specific energy savings targets to be met by utilities over the next 15 years, with incentives as well as penalties, and an option for large industrial customers to achieve comparable savings under their own plans (a "self-direct" provision). Attached is everything you need to help get started. Feel free to spread the word by sharing this email! The attached "Fact Sheet" describes HB2025 and how it will help. Be sure your legislator gets a copy of it, along with a request to support the bill. The "Talking Points" is an outline of points for advocates to use in conversation with legislators. On the reverse is a roster of the Gov Org committee. We did not include email addresses in the roster, but you can easily obtain them by going to http://www.legis.state.wv.us/ The Government Organization Committee must take up the bill and vote to send it out to the floor for a vote. This is our top concern for now. We need for at least half the members to support the bill. If you have a representative on this committee, it is urgent that you connect with them ASAP. Note that home telephone numbers are included for most members. We have found that calls to their homes on the weekend are usually more productive than trying to reach them at the Capitol. Keep in mind that legislators are paid for 60 consecutive days! Most will welcome hearing from concerned citizens. Democracy only works when we all participate. Try to get specific feedback from your representative! Ask if they will support this bill. Will they vote to report it out? If not, then what specifically are their concerns? What information do they need about the bill? We need to have your feedback from your contacts. Please send any feedback, questions or concerns to John Christensen, WV Environmental Council, at 410-499-4873, email jbc329(a)earthlink.net. Many thanks to John for his help at the Capitol, and to Cathy Kunkel who has written our materials. Mike Harman ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to 17 members of WVFirstCongressionalOFA This email was sent from Denise Binion dbinion(a)gmail.com Listserv email address: WVFirstCongressionalOFA(a)groups.barackobama.com Your reply will be sent to: WVFirstCongressionalOFA(a)groups.barackobama.com Unsubscribe or change your email settings: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/WVFirstCongressionalOFA/listserv-unsub -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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USE OF DIESEL AS PART OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PROCESS SAID TO VIOLATE SAFE WATER DRINKING ACT
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

Gas Drilling Technique Is Labeled Violation By TOM ZELLER Jr.<http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/z/tom_jr_zell…> Published: January 31, 2011 Oil and gas service companies injected tens of millions of gallons of diesel fuel into onshore wells in more than a dozen states from 2005 to 2009, Congressional investigators have charged. Those injections appear to have violated the Safe Water Drinking Act, the investigators said in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/e/environ…>on Monday. The diesel fuel was used by drillers as part of a contentious process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which involves the high-pressure injection of a mixture of water, sand and chemical additives — including diesel fuel — into rock formations deep underground. The process, which has opened up vast new deposits of natural gas<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/energy-environment/natural-gas/…>to drilling, creates and props open fissures in the rock to ease the release of oil<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/energy-environment/oil-petroleu…>and gas. But concerns have been growing over the potential for fracking chemicals — particularly those found in diesel fuel — to contaminate underground sources of drinking water. “We learned that no oil and gas service companies have sought — and no state and federal regulators have issued — permits for diesel fuel use in hydraulic fracturing,” said Representative Henry A. Waxman<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/w/henry_a_waxman…>of California and two other Democratic members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, in the letter<http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?q=news/waxman-markey-an…>. “This appears to be a violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.” Oil and gas companies acknowledged using diesel fuel in their fracking fluids, but they rejected the House Democrats’ assertion that it was illegal. They said that the E.P.A. had never properly developed rules and procedures to regulate the use of diesel in fracking, despite a clear grant of authority from Congress over the issue. “Everyone understands that E.P.A. is at least interested in regulating fracking,” said Matt Armstrong, a lawyer with the Washington firm Bracewell & Giuliani, which represents several oil and gas companies. “Whether the E.P.A. has the chutzpah to try to impose retroactive liability for use of diesel in fracking, well, everyone is in a wait-and-see mode. I suspect it will have a significant fight on its hands if it tried it do that.” Regardless of the legal outcome, the Waxman findings are certain to intensify an already contentious debate among legislators, natural gas companies and environmentalists over the safety of oil and gas development in general, and fracking in particular. Oil services companies had traditionally used diesel fuel as part of their fracturing cocktails because it helped to dissolve and disperse other chemicals suspended in the fluid. But some of the chemical components of diesel fuel, including toluene, xylene and benzene, a carcinogen, have alarmed both regulators and environmental groups. They argue that some of those chemicals could find their way out of a well bore — either because of migration through layers of rock or spills and sloppy handling — and into nearby sources of drinking water. An E.P.A. investigation in 2004 failed to find any threat to drinking water from fracking — a conclusion that was widely dismissed by critics as politically motivated. The agency has taken up the issue again in a new investigation started last year, although the results are not expected until 2012 at the earliest. The House committee began its own investigation in February last year, when Democrats were in the majority. In Monday’s letter, Mr. Waxman, along with Representatives Edward J. Markey<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/edward_j_marke…>of Massachusetts and Diana DeGette of Colorado, said that they were so far “unable to draw definitive conclusions about the potential impact of these injections on public health or the environment.” Still, the investigators said that three of the largest oil and gas services companies — Halliburton<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/halliburton_company/i…>, Schlumberger<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/schlumberger_ltd/inde…>and BJ Services — signed an agreement with the E.P.A. in 2003 intended to curtail the use of diesel in fracking in certain shallow formations. Two years later, when Congress amended the Safe Water Drinking Act to exclude regulation of hydraulic fracturing, it made an express exception that allowed regulation of diesel fuel used in fracking. The Congressional investigators sent letters to 14 companies requesting details on the type and volume of fracking chemicals they used. Although many companies said they had eliminated or were cutting back on use of diesel, 12 companies reported having used 32.2 million gallons of diesel fuel, or fluids containing diesel fuel, in their fracking processes from 2005 to 2009. The diesel-laced fluids were used in a total of 19 states. Approximately half the total volume was deployed in Texas, but at least a million gallons of diesel-containing fluids were also used in Oklahoma (3.3 million gallons); North Dakota (3.1 million); Louisiana (2.9 million); Wyoming (2.9 million); and Colorado (1.3 million). Where this leaves the companies in relation to federal law is unclear. Mr. Waxman and his colleagues say that the Safe Drinking Water Act left diesel-based hydraulic fracturing under the auspices of E.P.A.’s “underground injection control program,” which requires companies to obtain permits, either from state or federal regulators, for a variety of activities that involve putting fluids underground. No permits for diesel-based fracking have been sought or granted since the Safe Drinking Water Act was amended in 2005. Lee Fuller, a vice president for government relations with the Independent Petroleum Association of America, said that was because the E.P.A. had never followed up by creating rules and procedures for obtaining such permits and submitting them for public comment. The agency did quietly update its Web site last summer with language suggesting that fracking with diesel was, indeed, covered as part of the underground injection program, which would suggest that permits should have been obtained. But Mr. Fuller’s organization, along with the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, has gone to court to challenge the Web posting, arguing that it amounted to new rule-making that circumvented administrative requirements for notice and public commentary. The E.P.A. said Monday that it was reviewing the accusations from the three House Democrats that the companies named were in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. “Our goal is to put in place a clear framework for permitting so that fracturing operations using diesel receive the review required by law,” Betsaida Alcantara, an E.P.A. spokeswoman, said in an e-mail message. “We will provide further information about our plans as they develop.” -- 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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Fw: Fw: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE!
by Allan Tweddle 30 Jan '11

30 Jan '11

Why not WV? From: fmoose39(a)hotmail.com Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2011 5:54 PM To: Jim Sconyers ; ec(a)osenergy.org Subject: Re: [EC]Fw: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE! Solar is basic free in many states now. Take the instance Ohio has carbon credits when one takes these in conjunction with tax credits by its self and not including cost savings from the electric bill the payback is less then one year in many cases. sent from my AT&T Smartphone by HTC ----- Reply message ----- From: "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Date: Sun, Jan 30, 2011 11:03 am Subject: [EC] Fw: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE! To: <ec(a)osenergy.org> Awesome!! Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Peter Gollon <PGollon(a)AOL.COM> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Sun, January 30, 2011 8:53:22 AM Subject: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE! HomeSun offers free solar panels to UK homes UK company HomeSun is offering free solar panels to homes with south-facing roofs in return for receiving the Government’s feed-in-tariff. The company says it will provide and install 2..5 kWh- 4 kWh systems, which typically cost £11,000-15,000 for free on homes with optimally sited and sized roofs. Households will be able to benefit from the free electricity generated to lower their household energy bills, while HomeSun will receive the feed-in tariff over its 25 year guaranteed lifetime. At any time, households will be able to buy the system from HomeSun on a straightline depreciation basis and start receiving the feed-in tariff themselves. Homes with less optimal positions can also benefit from the scheme, but for a one-off fee of £500 and a £5 per month maintenance and repair charge. HomeSun says it plans to install 100,000 systems over the next three years. “Our SolarShare offer is all about making renewable energy more affordable to more people,” says Daniel Green, from HomeSun. “We believe it is precisely the kind of enterprise-inspired solution that the Government is looking for to drive the green agenda.” (taken from http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/policy/i/3291/) For further information: www.homesun.com/- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Re: [EC] Fw: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE!
by fmoose39＠hotmail.com 30 Jan '11

30 Jan '11

Solar is basic free in many states now. Take the instance Ohio has carbon credits when one takes these in conjunction with tax credits by its self and not including cost savings from the electric bill the payback is less then one year in many cases. sent from my AT&T Smartphone by HTC ----- Reply message ----- From: "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Date: Sun, Jan 30, 2011 11:03 am Subject: [EC] Fw: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE! To: <ec(a)osenergy.org> Awesome!! Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Peter Gollon <PGollon(a)AOL.COM> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Sun, January 30, 2011 8:53:22 AM Subject: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE! HomeSun offers free solar panels to UK homes UK company HomeSun is offering free solar panels to homes with south-facing roofs in return for receiving the Government’s feed-in-tariff. The company says it will provide and install 2..5 kWh- 4 kWh systems, which typically cost £11,000-15,000 for free on homes with optimally sited and sized roofs. Households will be able to benefit from the free electricity generated to lower their household energy bills, while HomeSun will receive the feed-in tariff over its 25 year guaranteed lifetime. At any time, households will be able to buy the system from HomeSun on a straightline depreciation basis and start receiving the feed-in tariff themselves. Homes with less optimal positions can also benefit from the scheme, but for a one-off fee of £500 and a £5 per month maintenance and repair charge. HomeSun says it plans to install 100,000 systems over the next three years. “Our SolarShare offer is all about making renewable energy more affordable to more people,” says Daniel Green, from HomeSun. “We believe it is precisely the kind of enterprise-inspired solution that the Government is looking for to drive the green agenda.” (taken from http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/policy/i/3291/) For further information: www.homesun.com/- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fw: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE!
by Jim Sconyers 30 Jan '11

30 Jan '11

Awesome!! Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Peter Gollon <PGollon(a)AOL.COM> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Sun, January 30, 2011 8:53:22 AM Subject: Free Solar Panels in UK - THIS is What We Need HERE! HomeSun offers free solar panels to UK homes UK company HomeSun is offering free solar panels to homes with south-facing roofs in return for receiving the Government’s feed-in-tariff. The company says it will provide and install 2.5 kWh- 4 kWh systems, which typically cost £11,000-15,000 for free on homes with optimally sited and sized roofs. Households will be able to benefit from the free electricity generated to lower their household energy bills, while HomeSun will receive the feed-in tariff over its 25 year guaranteed lifetime. At any time, households will be able to buy the system from HomeSun on a straightline depreciation basis and start receiving the feed-in tariff themselves. Homes with less optimal positions can also benefit from the scheme, but for a one-off fee of £500 and a £5 per month maintenance and repair charge. HomeSun says it plans to install 100,000 systems over the next three years. “Our SolarShare offer is all about making renewable energy more affordable to more people,” says Daniel Green, from HomeSun. “We believe it is precisely the kind of enterprise-inspired solution that the Government is looking for to drive the green agenda.” (taken from http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/policy/i/3291/) For further information: www.homesun.com/- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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WSJ ARTICLE: ALPHA NATURAL RESOURCES TO ACQUIRE MASSEY ENERGY CO FOR 7 BILLION DOLLARS
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 29 Jan '11

29 Jan '11

Alpha CEO: Premium for Massey Well Worth It By KRIS MAHER<http://online.wsj.com/search/term.html?KEYWORDS=KRIS+MAHER&bylinesearch=true> Alpha Natural Resources<http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=ANR>Inc. CEO Kevin Crutchfield said Massey Energy <http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=MEE>Co. has been at the top of Alpha's list of companies to acquire for a while because the combination would create a global leader in metallurgical coal reserves, production and sales. He said the 21% premium Alpha had agreed to pay for Richmond, Va., based Massey is well worth it. With the announcement Saturday that Alpha reached an agreement to acquire Massey in a cash and stock deal valued at $7.1 billion, Alpha is now poised to become the world's third-biggest producer of coal used by steelmakers just when global demand for the resource is growing and supplies are increasingly scarce. The combined company will have more than 110 miles and 5 billion tons of coal reserves, including reserves of high quality metallurgical coal used in steelmaking. More - * Alpha Reaches Deal to Buy Massey<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703956604576110702830808140.h…> * "We've always thought the combination between Massey and Alpha could be very compelling," Mr. Crutchfield said in an interview Saturday evening. "We were fundamentally convinced that the world was going to remain fundamentally under-supplied for metallurgical coal for the foreseeable future." Alpha, based in Abingdon, Va., announced that it expects to gain $150 million in synergies within the second year of operations of the combined company. Mr. Crutchfield said that is likely a conservative estimate, as he ran through a list of potential synergies: the combined company will produce a broader range of coal qualities that can be blended into new products to market to steel makers. He also expects savings on production and transportation. In the past, Alpha often trucked its coal past Massey coal preparation plants in Central Appalachia to get to its own facilities. Mr. Crutchfield said Alpha will also be better able to take advantage of long-term export opportunities for U.S. coal producers as demand in China and India and short-term supply disruptions like recent massive flooding in Australia and other countries. He said the combined company will have 25 million tons of port capacity. He said port capacity wasn't a big deal for coal producers until recently. "Now, it's a hot commodity." Mike Quillen, Alpha's chairman, and Kurt Kost, Alpha's president, will fill those posts at the combined company, said Mr. Crutchfield, who will be CEO. He said he expects that Massey's current CEO, Baxter Phillips, who has extensive knowledge of the industry and Massey, will have some kind of advisory role. "I can't imagine going at this without Baxter," he said. Mr. Phillips said in a statement Saturday, "This transaction represents a tremendous opportunity for Massey to partner with our Central Appalachian neighbor, Alpha, to create a new industry leader." Mr. Crutchfield said that Massey's longtime CEO Don Blankenship, who opposed a sale and retired at the end of the year, will not be part of the new company. "We certainly wish him the best of luck in his ongoing endeavors," Mr. Crutchfield said. Some coal industry watchers have wondered whether a Massey-Alpha linkup could run into anti-trust issues. But Mr. Crutchfield said he does not expect any headwinds. "Our sense is … that the customers are going to be pretty receptive to this," he said. "We're very confident that we'll clear the (Federal Trade Commission)." Rather than shut mines or sell off assets, Alpha is more likely to ramp up production to take advantage of the current hot international market for metallurgical coal. It will be looking to optimize equipment and personnel to increase margins, but Mr. Crutchfield said, "There's the possibility that we actually stoke production, which is our thinking now based on what we're seeing in the marketplace." It's not clear how Alpha will approach some of the problems that plagued Massey since the accident last April at its Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, W.Va., that killed 29 miners -- from litigation to contentious relations with federal mine regulators. The families of two miners have sued Massey for wrongful death under state law, and federal and state investigations, including a criminal probe into the accident, are ongoing. Mr. Crutchfield said he believes the combined company will eventually enjoy the same good relationship Alpha has with regulators currently, and he hopes that some issues related to the disaster are resolved prior to when the acquisition closes. "The industry and family, everybody, needs closure on it," he said. Mr. Crutchfield noted that during Alpha's past effort to acquire Massey several years ago "the stars just didn't align." But he added, "Sometimes things that make sense take some time to happen and we're thrilled that this one finally got to the finish line." *Write to * Kris Maher at kris.maher(a)wsj.com

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Alpha to Buy Massey Energy in $7.1 Billion Deal
by Frank Young 29 Jan '11

29 Jan '11

Blank January 28, 2011, 9:44 pm Mergers & Acquisitions Alpha to Buy Massey in $7.1 Billion Deal By MICHAEL J. DE LA MERCED Jon Bolt/The Daily Telegraph, via Associated Press Massey Energy’s chief executive, Don L. Blankenship. 3:57 p.m. | Updated Alpha Natural Resources announced on Saturday that it has agreed to buy Massey Energy, the embattled coal mine operator, for about $7.1 billion in cash and stock in a deal that creates a new giant in coal production. http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/alpha-nears-deal-to-buy-massey-for-a…

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EPA: Methane emissions from Marcellus wells greater than previously reported.
by James Kotcon 29 Jan '11

29 Jan '11

The initial press story I saw was Tuesday, but it appears the story may be a couple months old by now. It suggests that methane emissions from Marcellus wells may be 9000 times greater than previously estimated. Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated by Abrahm Lustgarten ProPublica, Jan. 25, 2011, 8:34 a.m. The United States is poised to bet its energy future on natural gas as a clean, plentiful fuel that can supplant coal and oil. But new research by the Environmental Protection Agency—and a growing understanding of the pollution associated with the full “life cycle” of gas production—is casting doubt on the assumption that gas offers a quick and easy solution to climate change. More available at: http://www.propublica.org/article/natural-gas-and-coal-pollution-gap-in-dou… The actual EPA report (Technical Support Document: Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems) was apparently released in November and is available at: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads10/Subpart-W_TSD.pdf In particular, Tables 1 and 2 (pages 8-10) describe the updates to the emissions factors. Those referencing "unconventional wells" represent some changes that are truly astronomical. If each Marcellus well is, in fact, leaking 177 tons of methane per well each time they hydro-frack, then that makes them significant sources of emissions. Finally, the story is explained in more lay terms in the blog at the site below: http://theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/48209/epa-confirms-high-natural-… I recommend reading all three of these, as I think this is a game changer for the natural gas industry. It certainly changes the game on the Wetzel air permit appeal. Jim Kotcon

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Re: [EC] from Center for Media and Democracy; "Clean Natural Gas?" Not So Fast.
by Paul Wilson 28 Jan '11

28 Jan '11

Jonathan: think you can get this on the facebook page? cheers,paul Spins Of The Week "Clean Natural Gas?" Not So Fast.<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=OXjJdW6wxvr39E%2BsHq…> Source: ProPublica, January 25, 2011 Acquiring "clean natural gas"<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=PmPGjUWzZ6IXUApLCknt…>and "getting off of foreign oil"<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=kqwgjNCRumQKF7bb80Ch…>are pitched as reasons to continue natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RopcAjP5O0wEqUEqCtGh…>. And yet, beyond all the problems associated with fracking<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=w2dPNkX0mz78FqAtYM%2…>, Pro Publica<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=0XVtUXNfGWwrWfV%2Fj9…>'s Abrahm Lustgarten revealed in a January 25, 2011 article<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zDuQhD%2FPocQX8ioWVp…>that "clean natural gas" isn't all that clean after all. Lustgarten<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=xWXW3gE5oXPLg%2FHxUg…> writes<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KNgAdDQVFVz%2FITi2rj…> , The United States is poised to bet its energy future on natural gas as a clean, plentiful fuel that can supplant coal and oil. But new research by the Environmental Protection Agency ... is casting doubt on the assumption that gas offers a quick and easy solution to climate change ... Advocates for natural gas routinely assert that it produces 50 percent less greenhouse gases than coal and is a significant step toward a greener energy future ... The EPA now reports that emissions from conventional hydraulic fracturing are 35 times higher than the agency had previously estimated. It also reports that emissions from the type of hydraulic fracturing being used in the nation's bountiful new shale gas reserves, like the Marcellus, are almost 9,000 times higher than it had previously calculated ... Environmental groups say we should be certain of the factual data about emissions and environmental effects of shale gas drilling before making major policy decisions that push the nation into dependence on methane gas obtained through drilling. Read the rest of this item<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KQzgYrZNSdspR3pUT0Kj…> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Exxon projections on use of shale gas worldwide increase significantly, passing coal use. Exxon bought XTO -- innovator of fracking -- to become largest gas producer in world.
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 27 Jan '11

27 Jan '11

- JANUARY 27, 2011 Exxon Predicts Gas Use Will Surpass Coal's By ANGEL GONZALEZ<http://online.wsj.com/search/term.html?KEYWORDS=ANGEL+GONZALEZ&bylinesearch…> In Exxon Mobil<http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=XOM>Corp.'s crystal ball, the future of natural gas is looking increasingly rosy. Global demand for natural gas, commonly used for heating homes and businesses and for generating electricity, will increase 2% a year through 2030, the Texas oil giant says, raising the 1.8% estimate it made last year. This is no small change. It means that Exxon expects the world in 2030 to burn seven quadrillion British thermal units of gas more than the company predicted a year ago. That's about the same amount of energy consumed by California in a year. While oil will remain the dominant fuel, even in 2030, gas will have surpassed coal to become the world's second-largest source of energy, supplying 26% of world needs to oil's 32%, according to Exxon's annual Outlook for Energy, scheduled to be released Thursday. Gas usage is expected to grow three times as fast as that of oil and coal as developing countries scramble to bring electricity to billions of people and rich nations replace aging coal-fired power plants with gas-fired facilities, the report says. Clean-burning natural gas represents less of a global warming threat than coal or oil. Other low-emitting forms of energy, such as nuclear and renewable power, also are expected to expand their share of the world's energy pie. Exxon's Outlook for Energy is closely watched, as it underpins the strategy of the world's largest publicly-traded oil company. "It provides the foundation for the different [Exxon] businesses to present their investment plans," says Bill Colton, Exxon's vice president for corporate strategic planning. It's no surprise that Exxon is enthusiastic about natural gas. The company last year became the largest gas producer in the U.S. when it bought XTO Energy Inc. for $25 billion. XTO was one of several North American companies that perfected a method to extract gas economically by fracturing tight rock formations called shales. Exxon also bought small shale producer Ellora Inc. for $695 million and natural-gas shale assets from Petrohawk Energy<http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=hk>Corp. for $575 million. Experience WSJ professional<https://buy.wsj.com/shopandbuy/order/subscribe.jsp?trackCode=aaad7qvo&extHe…> Editors' Deep Dive: Natural Gas Grows in Importance<http://professional.wsj.com/professional-search/search.html?ar=1&dt=4&mf=0&…> - ENERGY WASHINGTON WEEK<http://professional.wsj.com/professional-search/search.html?ar=1&dt=4&mf=0&…>Impact of Cheap Natural Gas <http://professional.wsj.com/article/TPIEPA000020110125e71q00005.html?mod=ws…> - Economist Intelligence Unit - Business Middle EastIsrael Banks on Natural Gas - Natural Gas IntelligenceGlobal Sales of NGVs Set to Jump Access thousands of business sources not available on the free web. Learn More<https://buy.wsj.com/shopandbuy/order/subscribe.jsp?trackCode=aaad7qvo&extHe…> But Exxon's optimism comes amid some Wall Street criticism of its recent bets on natural gas, which has traded cheaply since the financial crisis started, while oil has surged of late and thus has been more profitable. Other energy forecasts aren't as bullish about natural gas as Exxon's. The International Energy Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration put natural gas's global market share at slightly above 22% in 2030, behind oil and coal in supplying the world's needs. Natural-gas prices have fallen to about $4.49 a million BTUs this month from above $13 a million BTUs in mid-2008. Oil prices, on the other hand, were trading as low as $40 a barrel in early 2009 as a result of the recession, but have recovered steadily. On Wednesday, crude futures in New York settled at $87.33 a barrel, up $1.14. Nonetheless, Exxon, which has its roots in John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, believes the world is tilting toward a natural-gas dominated future and is preparing to embrace it. Some other large Western energy companies are heading that direction. Earlier this month, Royal Dutch Shell<http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=RDSB>PLC Chief Executive Peter Voser <http://topics.wsj.com/person/v/peter-voser/495> said in an internal publication the Anglo-Dutch oil giant in 2012 would for the first time produce more natural gas than oil. Mary Barcella, a consultant with IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, says that new technology making shale-gas discoveries economic "is a game changer" that revolutionized the once waning U.S. natural-gas business; Exxon and others intend to take that expertise to other regions of the globe. Exxon's Mr. Colton says shale and other unconventional types of gas began playing a prominent role in the company's predictions about three years ago, when it realized that a major technological shift had occurred. Exxon forecasters say that the world will consume about 35% more energy in 2030 than in 2005, driven by population growth and the rapid enrichment of developing nations, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Colton's team analyzed statistics for 100 countries and Exxon scientists gauged potentially disruptive technologies, such as electric-car batteries. Natural gas will quench 26% of the world's demand, up from about 21% in 2005, the report says. That means that gas usage will double from 2000 levels, but a supply crunch is unlikely, due to the newfound abundance of the fuel, says Mr. Colton. "The world is looking at a very robust supply of natural gas," he said. —Russell Gold contributed to this article. *Write to * Angel Gonzalez at angel.gonzalez(a)dowjones.com -- 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: FW: [ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS] FW: Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated
by James Kotcon 25 Jan '11

25 Jan '11

Check out the story form this link, it is a real game-changer! Methane levels from hydraulic fracturing of shale gas were 9000 times the previous estimates. Gas drilling emissions alone account for at least one-fifth of human-caused methane in the world’s atmosphere, studies show that maintaining and installing equipment to capture the leaking emissions pays for itself within 24 months. JBK >>> "Grubb, Karen" <Karen.Grubb(a)fairmontstate.edu> 1/25/2011 12:19 PM >>> From: National Hydrofracking Team [mailto:ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Deb Nardone Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:47 AM To: ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: [ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS] FW: Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated by Abrahm Lustgarten<http://www.propublica.org/site/author/Abrahm_Lustgarten/> ProPublica, Jan. 25, 2011, 8:34 a.m. The United States is poised to bet its energy future on natural gas as a clean, plentiful fuel that can supplant coal and oil. But new research by the Environmental Protection Agency-and a growing understanding of the pollution associated with the full "life cycle" of gas production-is casting doubt on the assumption that gas offers a quick and easy solution to climate change. MORE<http://www.propublica.org/article/natural-gas-and-coal-pollution-gap-in-dou…> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS list, send any message to: ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS-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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Alternative and Renewable Energy Plans
by James Kotcon 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

Allegheny Energy on Dec. 30 filed with the WVC PSC their "Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Compliance Plan" as specified in Governor Manchin's bill mandating an "Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard". As we suspected, this provided relatively little actual incentive to promote renewable energy. Their report states: "Mon Power and Potomac Edison anticipate they will generate enough credits based upon currently available resources for the 15-year term that no additional development, purchase or procurement will be necessary." All I can add is to say: "See We Told You So!" The plan is available at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket' Jim Kotcon

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Albright and Allegheny's Alternative and Renewable Energy Plan
by James Kotcon 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

Mike, Josh, et al. In 2009, then Governor Manchin pushed through what he called an "Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard". This allowed utilities to claim various coal and gas facilities as "alternative fuels. At the time, we criticized the bill because it was so weak that we did not think it required utilities to do anything. Allegheny Energy on Dec. 30 filed their "Plan" with the WV PSC which states: "Mon Power and Potomac Edison anticipate they will generate enough credits based upon currently available resources for the 15- year term that no additional development, purchase or procurement will be necessary." (See We Told You So!) The report lists the following as producing alternative energy credits: "The generating units identified for the production of credits include units owned by Mon Power including Bath County Pumped Hydro, Albright #3 and Willow Island #2 all of which have been, or will be, submitted for certification in accordance with Section 5 of the Order. Additionally, Mon Power takes service from three (3) Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (“PURPA”) facilities including the Grant Town project (“Grant Town”), the West Virginia University project (‘WVU”) and the Hannibal Lock & Dam project (“Hannibal”)." As you can see, all of Allegheny's credits will be coming from coal-fired plants. No actual renewables are involved. Later in the Plan, Allegheny does describe some minimal energy efficiency efforts and they indicate they plan to get these certified for credits under WV's requirements. I am curious why Albright Unit 3 qualifies as an "Alternative" source. The bill does allow some generation from "Supercritical" as well as "Advanced supercritical" and "Ultrasupercritical" boilers to qualify as "Alternative" fuels. Is it worth intervening before the PSC to argue that Albright is likely to be shut down, and that Allegheny needs to make "real" investments in renewables and energy efficiency? Deadline to Intervene is Feb. 7. Intervenor testimony is due May 3. Jim Kotcon Allegheny's Plan is available at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket' The PSC Order giving Public Notice is at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket'

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Fwd: [Charleston Newspapers] Article - Bonds approved for John Amos plant upgrades
by James Kotcon 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

These new bonds for "landfill improvements" appear to be for the coal ash landfill. As I understand it, the bonds approved for the John Amos (AKA Big Scary) power plant do not directly incur a cost for state taxpayers, but do provide tax exemptions for those who provide the financing. Thus the state does not assume any direct costs, but loses some income tax revenue to help subsidize these. We need to start paying more attention to the welfare that taxpayers are providing for coal. JBK >>> <articles(a)cnpapers.com> 1/22/2011 8:18 AM >>> jkotcon(a)wvu.edu sent you this article ----- January 20, 2011 Bonds approved for John Amos plant upgrades ( http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201101201265 ) By Staff reports The Charleston Gazette P>CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Economic Development Authority authorized Appalachian Power Thursday to issue up to $95 million in bonds to finance landfill improvements at the John Amos Power Plant near Winfield. Authority memb ... Read more ( http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201101201265 ) -----

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Fw: EPA Administrator Jackson to Speak at 2011 Green Jobs Conference
by Jim Sconyers 21 Jan '11

21 Jan '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: 2011 Green Jobs Conference <event-information(a)certain.com> To: Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Fri, January 21, 2011 4:34:52 PM Subject: EPA Administrator Jackson to Speak at 2011 Green Jobs Conference Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference and Expo 2010 EPA Administrator Jackson to Speak at 2011 Green Jobs Conference The 2011 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference — February 8-10 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. — will bring together thousands of union members, environmentalists, community and business leaders from all over the country to share ideas and strategies to build a sustainable economy that creates good jobs and protects our environment for future generations. And now, an exciting speaker has been added to the agenda. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will speak at the morning plenary on Tuesday, February 8. In addition, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will speak Wednesday morning, February 9, followed by a discussion on sustainable communities, moderated by WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi and featuring U.S. Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota. Also, don’t forget about the extensive and informative workshops available during the Conference. Today, we’re highlighting two more exciting workshops. In The Global Clean Energy Race: Policy Matters, listen and participate as leaders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries talk about the Pew Environmental Group’s latest report projecting global clean energy investments. Find out how federal policies can create good jobs in energy efficiency in Capturing Building Energy Efficiency Potential: Creating New Jobs and Markets through Federal Policies. Register todayfor the 2011 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference— the leading forum for sharing ideas and strategies on how to create good, green jobs across the United States. Don’t forget to visit www.greenjobsconference.org for updates, and follow the Conference on Twitter or Facebook for the latest news about this great event. Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation Registration Powered by Certain Meetings Event Management Software :: Online Event Management :: Online Registration Meeting Management Software :: Conference Registration :: Event Planner Software © 2009 Certain Software ®, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.

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EPA right says WVU student paper
by Frank Young 21 Jan '11

21 Jan '11

Michael Levy writes: "Of course the industry is going to resent and resist any new regulation. It is the most predictable response in the world. Corporations exist for a single purpose : to maximize profits. Not just to make money, but to maximize how much they make. It turns out Arch Coal had an alternate plan from the engineering firm Morgan Worldwide that would have reduced the amount of stream buried by Spruce No. 1 by more than half. But it would have increased costs by 1 percent of the final sale price of the coal, so they buried it. The EPA, rightly in revoking the permit, cited Arch Coal's "failure to adequately evaluate less environmentally damaging alternatives." But that should surprise no one. Arch Coal is from St. Louis. The destruction of Appalachian watersheds and communities means nothing to them. Only their bottom line matters and that's exactly why strong regulation is necessary. Regulation, brought about via the democratic process, is one of the primary tools the public has at its disposal to protect itself against the interests of the powerful - those who seek to exploit us and our land base to enrich themselves. They have the power in the market. We can take power through policy. But to do that we have to see clearly who's on whose side. The coal industry gave $4 million to political candidates in the 2010 election cycle, and they've spent over $63 million on lobbying in the last five years. Manchin is in their pocket and so is Tomblin. It's time we find out who's really there for us, who will stand up for our mountains, our health, our communities and support them and give everyone else the boot. " Complete editorial article at: http://www.thedaonline.com/opinion/epa-was-right-to-revoke-mountaintop-remo…

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