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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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