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Fw: Natural Gas Initiative
by Jim Sconyers 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Michael Brune <Michael.Brune(a)sierraclub.org> To: HQ-ANNOUNCEMENTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 3:51:25 PM Subject: Natural Gas Initiative ***************************GlobalMessage********************************* THIS MESSAGE IS AN INFORMATIONAL MESSAGE BEING SENT TO ALL SIERRA CLUB STAFF, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MEMBERS OF ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEES, COUNCIL EXCOM, AND MANY OTHER NATIONAL COMMITTEE LEADERS,CHAPTER CHAIRS, CHAPTER CONSERVATION CHAIRS, GROUP CHAIRS, AND CCL DELEGATES. ***PLEASE DO NOT REPLY *** TO SENDER OR FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO LISTS WHO HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE. *********************************************************************** From: Michael Brune June 1, 2010 To: Sierra Club Volunteers and Staff Re: Natural Gas Initiative Friends and Colleagues: In one of my first messages to you as the Sierra Club’s new executive director, I spelled out four matters I consider priorities for my first three months. Today I’d like to discuss our plans for addressing one of those priorities: the regulation of natural gas. The topic has come up often in my travels and it is important that we address it even as we focus so much attention on the disaster BP has created in the Gulf. As the recent natural gas boom changes the energy landscape, new production techniques raise environmental concerns about this fuel. Let me repeat now what I have been telling those of you who fear that your favorite landscapes and the communities you love may be at risk: The Sierra Club has your back. We will stand with you to ensure that natural gas extraction is effectively regulated and that the industry employs the safest and most environmentally sound techniques. We stand at a crossroads today. The time is coming when coal and oil will be the energy of the past. Over the past five years Sierra Club has led a nationwide effort with our chapters and local allies that prevented the construction of more than 125 coal-fired power plants. Just two weeks ago the Mississippi Chapter won a David-versus-Goliath battle to block Southern Company’s proposal to build a massive new coal plant. On the horizon are the predominance of new clean-energy projects and the country’s reliance on wind and solar. The only question is how long it will take (and what we’ll lose as many of our leaders dither). As the Sierra Club works hard to stop the worst of the worst, we have to fight equally hard to promote the best of the best, starting with energy efficiency and moving on to the range of renewables, from responsibly sited wind and solar projects to distributed generation in communities across the country. During the transition from old to new, we acknowledge that some fuels will remain in use, even though they should have no place in our long-term energy vision. Several years ago the Sierra Club, using its standard democratic processes and taking into account the best scientific evidence, acknowledged that natural gas will be part of the transition from far dirtier energy sources—particularly coal—to a clean-energy future (http://bit.ly/SCnaturalgaspolicy). This policy was born of the Club’s realization that the threat of climate disruption is severe and that we need an immediate solution to get off coal on a massive scale. A commitment to problem solving is one of our organization’s great strengths. The responsible use of natural gas will help the nation address the complex problem of climate change, but only if we do it right. We must be clear that energy efficiency, distributed solar and wind, and appropriately sited large-scale wind, solar and geothermal projects are true clean-energy solutions and should be at the front of the line for new energy investments. Indeed, it is a priority for the Club to build a package of grassroots campaigns so that we can more effectively build a movement and make dramatic progress at the local, state and federal levels to stabilize energy demand and create a larger share of the pie for clean energy. We must also wrestle with the environmental challenges raised by the use of natural gas. Modern natural gas production techniques can cause significant environmental damage, and the risks are multiplied by the increasing use of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) technology that allows for recovery of gas from deep in shale formations. Expanded natural gas production without adequate regulation has led to serious problems, from fouled well water in Wyoming, to polluted rivers in the Northeast, to air-pollution in Texas. These problems are exacerbated by legal loopholes that exempt the industry from basic environmental laws, by outdated state regulations that do not fully control modern gas-production practices, and by the limited capacity of authorities to enforce those laws on the books. A volunteer-led task force has developed a policy calling for the strict regulation of natural gas fracturing (http://bit.ly/frackingpolicy). Among the types of drilling projects the Club opposes are those in which the contents of fracking fluids are not disclosed to the public or contain an unacceptable toxic risk, and those that fail to protect drinking and surface water or violate air-quality standards. To implement this policy, the Club recently formed the Hydraulic Fracture Implementation Task Force and the Hydrofracking Team on the Activist Network (http://bit.ly/activistnetworkgasfrack). The task force is developing model regulatory standards based on detailed best management practices, overseeing an effort to push for them in pilot states, and guiding the identification of areas that should be off-limits to natural gas production. It has already worked with chapters and coalition partners to submit extensive technical and legal comments on numerous state and federal regulatory proposals governing natural gas production. It has also joined with several groups to form a team of attorneys and experts to develop model regulations. The growing team will include engineering, hydrology and toxicology specialists and other technical experts. Grassroots advocacy for natural gas regulation is essential. That’s why we’re launching a natural gas campaign to coordinate hard-hitting efforts across the country to make sure that this industry is regulated and using best practices. Watch for upcoming opportunities to get involved. I applaud the excellent work our chapters and activists have already done, and I encourage those of you involved in these efforts to keep pushing for environmental safeguards. Doing sophisticated campaign work on efficiency and renewables is critical to our success. Getting it right on natural gas is also essential as we move toward a clean-energy future. The Sierra Club has experienced tremendous success in recent years in our efforts to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate disruption. Securing major improvements in natural gas extraction practices and regulation is a top priority. I’m looking forward to working with you to get this crucial work done. I welcome your feedback and ideas. To let me know what you think please visit: www.sierraclub.org/ed/memos And next Monday, June 7, at 5 p.m. Pacific, I will host a call with all volunteers and staff to talk about our natural gas campaign and policies and answer questions (1 866-501-6174; Code 223-9223#). Onward, Michael Brune Executive Director Sierra Club 415-977-5662 Follow on Facebookand Twitter www.sierraclub.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the HQ-ANNOUNCEMENTS list, send any message to: HQ-ANNOUNCEMENTS-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: NRDC on nuclear provisions in American Power Act
by Jim Sconyers 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: dave o'leary <dave.oleary(a)MDSIERRA.ORG> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 3:12:45 AM Subject: NRDC on nuclear provisions in American Power Act Here is write-up of many of the issues with the nuclear provisions in the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill. It is a little long, but that's only because there are so many opportunities for improvement in the bill in ways that strengthen our arguments for more emphasis on efficiency and renewables programs. http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/cpaine/packing_the_nuclear_pork_barre.html Those concerned about nuclear waste and taxpayer money waste can both find appalling aspects of the bill. Those who are interested in good government issues, or who are expressing outrage over lack of regulatory oversight in the BP gulf oil disaster should also read through this and take note of the proposals for further "streamlining" of the licensing process. One thing that is not mentioned in this summary is the relative job creation potential of energy efficiency spending vs. construction and operation of nuclear plants. I encourage you to read through this and find at least a couple of things that will resonate with your Senators, then call and suggest that they work to improve the bill - thanks - David O'Leary Sierra Club - Maryland Chapter - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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: You have been invited to Organizing the Team.
by Jim Sconyers 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Sierra Club Online Communities <community.manager(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> To: CONS-CHAPTER-CONS-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 11:39:35 AM Subject: You have been invited to Organizing the Team. Sierra Club Online Communities Bob has invited you to Organizing the Team We need to recruit people who want to take direct action in response to the BP oil disaster. Message: This is our kickoff event. It starts now and everyone is a part of the event. Let's see how many people we can find who want to take action to repair or mitigate BP's injury to our ecosystem. Click here to view event details Note: Please do not reply to this message. This system message was sent from a notification-only email address. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-CHAPTER-CONS-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-CHAPTER-CONS-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: NYT #2 (Friedman -- Maila for President)
by James Kotcon 31 May '10

31 May '10

From:JClaussJr@aol.com [mailto:JClaussJr@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2010 1:58 PM To: csueclauss(a)aol.com Cc: rdelliott(a)socal.rr.com Subject: NYT #2 (Friedman -- Maila for President May 28, 2010 Malia for PresidentBy THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN ( http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/oped/columnists/tho… ) It took almost the entire press conference at the White House on Thursday for President Obama to find his voice in responding to the oil disaster in the gulf — and it is probably no accident that it seemed like the only unrehearsed moment. The president was trying to convey why he takes this problem so seriously, when he noted: “When I woke this morning and I’m shaving and Malia knocks on my bathroom door and she peeks in her head and she says, ‘Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?’ Because I think everybody understands that when we are fouling the Earth like this, it has concrete implications — not just for this generation, but for future generations. I grew up in Hawaii where the ocean is sacred. And when you see birds flying around with oil all over their feathers and turtles dying, that doesn’t just speak to the immediate economic consequences of this; this speaks to how are we caring for this incredible bounty that we have. And so sometimes when I hear folks down in Louisiana expressing frustrations, I may not always think that their comments are fair. On the other hand, I probably think to myself, ‘These are folks who grew up fishing in these wetlands and seeing this as an integral part of who they are.’ And to see that messed up in this fashion would be infuriating.” And a child shall lead them. ... This oil leak is not President Obama’s fault. Stopping the spill is BP’s responsibility; it both caused it and it has the best access to the best technology to plug it. Of course, as the nation’s C.E.O., Mr. Obama has to oversee the cleanup, and he has been on top of that. His most important job, though, is one he has yet to take on: shaping the long-term public reaction to the spill so that we can use it to generate the political will to break our addiction to oil. In that job, the most important thing Mr. Obama can do is react to this spill as a child would — because it is precisely that simple gut reaction, repeated over and over, speech after speech, that could change our national conversation on energy. You see, right now our energy conversation is dominated by three voices. There are the “petro-determinists,” who never tire of telling us that we’ll be dependent on oil for a “long, long time.” That is true. The problem is, these same people have been telling us that ever since the first oil crisis in 1973, and their real objective in doing so is not to help us understand that breaking our oil addiction is difficult, but to make us think that it is impossible — so don’t bother. Then there are the “eco-pessimists,” who argue that it is probably already too late. We are toast. Unless we rewire human beings to want less growth — not only ourselves but the millions in China and India who aspire to live like us — the end is nigh. The eco-pessimists may be right, and they are certainly sincere, but they have little respect for the power of innovation, the power of six billion minds all trying to solve one problem. Finally, we have the “Obama realists.” These are the political pros who whisper to him every day that this is not the time to lay out a big new “Obama End to Oil Addiction Act.” The Democrats, they contend, are suffering from “legislative fatigue.” After casting a hard vote for health care, they don’t want to be asked to cast a supposedly hard vote for a price on carbon — the essential first step in getting off oil. And, they rightly add, the G.O.P. today is so cynical, so bought and paid for by Big Oil, that only a couple of Republican senators would have the courage and vision to vote for a price on carbon. So Democrats would be out there alone. The Obama realists make sure that the president is always careful to talk in vague terms about how he stands behind “Waxman-Markey” and “Kerry-Lieberman” — sterile Washington-speak for the House and Senate bills that attempt to put a small price on carbon. I am glad he is behind them; I just wish he were in front of them. I am glad the president passed health care for the nation. But healthy to do what? To go where? To grasp what dream? Answering those questions is the president’s great opportunity here, but he has to think like a kid. Kids get it. They ask: Why would we want to stay dependent on an energy source that could destroy so many birds, fish, beaches and ecosystems before the next generation has a chance to enjoy them? Why aren’t we doing more to create clean power and energy efficiency when so many others, even China, are doing so? And, Daddy, why can’t you even mention the words “carbon tax,” when the carbon we spill into the atmosphere every day is just as dangerous to our future as the crude oil that has been spilling into the gulf? That is what a child would want to know if he or she could vote. That is the well of aspiration for a game-change on energy that Mr. Obama can tap into. And he could even rip off BP for his moon shot motto: Let’s get America “Beyond Petroleum.” As you would say, Mr. President, this is your time, this is your moment. Seize it. A disaster is an inexcusable thing to waste.

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AEP to run 10 old coal units part-time due to economy
by Frank Young 27 May '10

27 May '10

This is kind of odd news. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2710347720100527?type=marketsNews AEP to run 10 old coal units part-time due economy * AEP to reduce costs by running units part-time * Units to remain available for peak summer/winter months * Units did not run much over past few years NEW YORK, May 27 (Reuters) - American Electric Power Co Inc (AEP.N) planned to run 10 small coal-fired power units on a part-time basis starting in June as the weak economy reduced demand and low natural gas prices have made the use of some coal units less profitable, a company spokesman said Thursday. The spokesman, Pat Hemlepp, said AEP, of Columbus, Ohio, would place the coal units, which are older, smaller and less efficient, in "extended start-up" status beginning June 1 and redeploy some employees. With the federal government looking to impose a cost on carbon emissions to combat global warming and environmental regulations becoming increasingly stringent year over year, several power companies, including Exelon Corp (EXC.N) and Progress Energy Inc (PGN.N), have already announced plans to retire some older, less efficient coal plants. Hemlepp said this was part of AEP's effort to reduce costs after the recession reduced consumer power demand and a decline in natural gas prices made gas plants less expensive than the older coal units in the company's Eastern footprint. In April, AEP said it would launch a companywide buyout program to cut its workforce by 1,000 to 2,000 jobs, or 5 percent to 10 percent, as the poor economy continued to squeeze power demand. [ID:nN15255252] Together the units, which Hemlepp said have not run much over the past few years, can generate close to 2,000 megawatts - only a small sliver of AEP's 38,000 MW generating capacity. One megawatt powers about 1,000 homes. AEP plans to make the old coal units available during the peak summer months of July and August when consumers crank up their air conditioners and January when they turn up their heating systems. During the other months, Hemlepp said the units would be available to run with about four days notice. The units include: Unit Size Year Town/County State Picway 5 100 MW 1955 Pickaway County OH Muskingum River 4 215 MW 1958 Beverly OH Clinch River 3 235 MW 1961 Carbo VA Tanners Creek 1 145 MW 1951 Lawrenceburg IN Tanners Creek 2 145 MW 1952 Lawrenceburg IN Glen Lyn 5 95 MW 1944 Glen Lyn VA Glen Lyn 6 240 MW 1957 Glen Lyn VA Philip Sporn 3 150 MW 1951 New Haven WV Philip Sporn 4 150 MW 1952 New Haven WV Philip Sporn 5 450 MW 1960 New Haven WV Hemlepp noted that some of the plants have larger, more efficient units that will remain available for service all year. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino) Check out the Valley Watch website at: http://valleywatch.net John Blair "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Mahatma Gandhi 800 Adams Avenue Evansville, IN 47713 812-464-5663 In accordance with title 17 U. S. Code, Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes. _______________________________________________ No New Coal Plants! (nonewcoalplants(a)energyjustice.net) Energy Justice Network http://www.energyjustice.net Un/Subscribe, change your settings or access the archives at: http://mail.energyjustice.net/mailman/listinfo/nonewcoalplants_energyjustic…

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Fw: Environmental Law Institute
by Jim Sconyers 24 May '10

24 May '10

Ash panel talk. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Sam Flenner <samf.environmentalintegrity(a)GMAIL.COM> To: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Mon, May 24, 2010 9:33:05 AM Subject: Environmental Law Institute New EPA Coal Ash Rules: Understanding the Options WHEN: June 17, 2010, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Speaking will begin promptly at 12:15 PM) WHERE: Environmental Law Institute 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 620 (Sixth Floor) Washington, DC 20036 Click here for directions. RSVP: To reserve, e-mail mcmurrin(a)eli.org. Please reserve by June 15. There is no charge for ELI members to attend or participate by teleconference, but you must RSVP. Non-members must pay $25, Students are $10. Non-members must download and return this form. Conference call information will be emailed out one business day prior to the event. On May 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced for comment the first-ever federal ruleto ensure the safe disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants. The rule requires protective controls and oversight at landfills and surface impoundments, and is intended to promote environmentally safe and desirable forms of recycling coal ash. The proposal suggests two approaches for addressing coal ash management risks under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). One would classify coal ash as nonhazardous waste, which may help promote recycling and keep storage costs lower. The second approach would classify coal ash as hazardous waste, requiring measures to minimize health risks from heavy metals and other contaminants. The panel will discuss the background and features of the rule, possible benefits and drawbacks of each option, and the role of recycling. This is a brown-bag lunch event. Please check back later for confirmed faculty! -- Samuel E. Flenner III Outreach Associate Environmental Integrity Project samf.environmentalintegrity(a)gmail.com 317.352.2339 c-317.850.0436 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp

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Fw: Fwd: Do they know?
by Jim Sconyers 21 May '10

21 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> To: Melissa Boyer <uniquemo77(a)yahoo.com>; Tom Baughman <tbaughman(a)netscape.com>; grafforcongress(a)gmail.com; Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Fri, May 21, 2010 10:33:07 AM Subject: Fwd: Do they know? here's some info on Operation Free and the Truman Project. One organization Veterans Green Jobs has received a grant from Sierra Club. their link is www.veteransgreenjobs.org Operation Free has a postcard campaign targeting senators. You can get postcards from this guy Jonathan. best, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jonathan Murray, Operation Free <opfreeinfo(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, May 20, 2010 at 11:47 AM Subject: Do they know? To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com Paul, You know we could keep $100 million away from Iran every day by passing the American Power Act. You know that energy, climate, and national security are inextricably linked - and so do 79% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. But does your Senator know? Does your neighbor? We've got a way for you to make sure both know. Take real grassroots action and make sure they know. We've ordered thousands of petition postcards and we're ready to put some in the mail for you to share with your family, friends and neighbors. Here's how it works: We send you pre-stamped blank petition postcards, your friends fill them out and drop them in the mail, and we'll have a veteran deliver them to your Senator all at one time. Simple, right? If every one of our supporters requested 15 post cards, we could deliver an impressive stack to all 100 Senators. This is your chance to become part of the team. Request as many postcards as you want and we'll rush them to you immediately. 15, 30… maybe even 100! If you can get your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to fill them out, we'll send 'em. Are you ready to take that next step and become one of our most important local organizers? Things happen in Washington when Americans across the country step up and push back against business-as-usual and well-funded lobbyists. This is how we do it - with your help. Join the veterans who are taking a stand to protect our energy security and start helping today. Welcome to the Team, Jonathan Murray Click here to unsubscribe -- 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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Temporary Job Announcement: ARC Research Intern
by Frank Young 18 May '10

18 May '10

Summer Position Announcement: ARC Research Intern, Research and Planning Division Closing Date: June 1, 2010. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local governments. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts. ARC funds economic development projects that address the four goals identified in the Commission's strategic plan: 1. Increase job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia to reach parity with the nation. 2. Strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy. 3. Develop and improve Appalachia's infrastructure to make the Region economically competitive. 4. Build the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia's isolation. Each year ARC provides funding for several hundred projects in the Appalachian Region, in areas such as business development, education and job training, telecommunications, infrastructure, community development, housing, and transportation. These projects create thousands of new jobs; improve local water and sewer systems; increase educational opportunities; expand access to health care; assist local communities with strategic planning; and provide technical and managerial assistance to emerging businesses. The Research and Planning Division compiles and analyzes socioeconomic data for the Appalachian Region, creating technical maps and reports and supervising original research of key economic, demographic, and quality of life factors that affect economic development prospects in the region. Our data, maps, reports, and research studies are available at www.arc.gov/research. The Division is currently undertaking a project to improve the quality and efficiency of the performance evaluation and reporting process related to ARC-supported projects, with a long-term goal of enhancing the agency’s reporting capabilities to the federal government and the public. We are seeking a summer intern who is organized, detail-oriented, and highly proficient in Microsoft Excel to assist with this effort. The intern will review ARC projects and systematically assess their impact on quality of life measures for individuals, households, and communities throughout Appalachia. Applicants should be knowledgeable about data management and quality control issues. Background in economic development and the Appalachian region would be helpful. Familiarity with Microsoft Access is a big plus, and the ideal candidate would be able to create or support database-driven solutions and applications. The position is full-time, M-F 8:30-5:00, and will extend up to 12 weeks, beginning as soon as possible. The position is open to recent college graduates and graduate students. Pay is $16-20 per hour depending on qualifications. The position is located at our Washington DC office near Dupont Circle. How to Apply. Applicants should email a resume and a cover letter addressing the specific qualifications outlined above to Human Resources at: hr(a)arc.gov or fax your application to (202)884-7691. Closing Date: June 1, 2010. The Appalachian Regional Commission is an equal opportunity employer -- Janet Keating, Executive Director Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition P.O. Box 6753 Huntington, WV 25773-6753 304.522.0246 phone 304.522.4079 fax www.ohvec.org www.sludgesafety.org www.wvoter-owned.org

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Fw: Fwd: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes
by Jim Sconyers 17 May '10

17 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "pastdjlj(a)aol.com" <pastdjlj(a)aol.com> To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 7:56:41 PM Subject: Fwd: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes -----Original Message----- From: pastdjlj(a)aol.com To: jim(a)aol.com; scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 7:53 pm Subject: Fwd: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes -----Original Message----- From: pastdjlj(a)aol.com To: jimscon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 7:52 pm Subject: Fwd: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes -----Original Message----- From: pastdjlj(a)aol.com To: jim(a)aol.com; scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 7:49 pm Subject: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes Dear Sir, We are hearing that Consol Coal is planning to purchase our homes on Mozart Meadows to expand their gob pile that they reclaimed years ago. Apparently they need this expansion to go with the increased production from their shoemaker mine in Benwood WV. They have already destroyed much of the hilltop above Bogge Run and now they seem to be planning to run off all of us that live on the hilltop on the other side. We are hearing that not only are they looking at our lane but two other lanes as well. They seem to be only talking to individuals one on one and keeping everyone else in the dark. Does your organization have any information on this? Looking down on the old gob pile that now is a meadow and a home to wildlife it is hard to believe that it and our beautiful neighborhood could soon become an ugly gob pile and disgusting waste pond that swallowed up wildlife and family pets in the past. Any information would be helpful. Thank you, John M. Pastorius 30 Mozart Meadows Wheeling, WV 26003

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Fw: ALERT! Defend West Virginia's Waterways
by Jim Sconyers 17 May '10

17 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Chris Craig <ccraig(a)laurellodge.com> To: Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net>; Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>; Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 1:20:43 PM Subject: FW: ALERT! Defend West Virginia's Waterways National Audubon Society This was the first I’d heard of this, though I’m probably behind the times. Have we taken any action on it? Chris Craig ________________________________ From:Audubon [mailto:audubonaction@audubon.org] Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 11:23 AM To: ccraig(a)laurellodge.com Subject: ALERT! Defend West Virginia 's Waterways Trouble reading this e-mail? View it online. The Dunkard Creek Tragedy Need Never Happen Again Comments Needed to Protect our Streams and Creeks Dear Chris, Fish and mussels were wiped out by the golden algae bloom. Send a letter to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and demand clean water protections. Photo courtesy of Deborah Fulton In September 2009, disaster struck West Virginia . That’s when golden algae (Prymnesium parvum) struck Dunkard Creek, a stream which meanders along the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border roughly 90 miles south of Pittsburgh . A massive fish kill and complete kill of mussels resulted. The loss of food and habitat is also affecting birds and other wildlife. This was the first case of golden algae in the mideastern U.S. The algae, typically a marine organism, produces a toxin that kills gill-breathing organisms. State agencies which investigated the fish kill are in agreement that high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) discharged from Consol coal mines, created the brackish environment which allowed the algae to thrive in what had been a freshwater stream. Please send an email to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) today. Let them know you care about West Virginia 's creeks and streams, and the fish, birds and other wildlife that depend on them. Tell them allowing companies to pollute our streams is unacceptable. Since the Dunkard Creek event, golden algae has been discovered in Whitely Creek in PA and several other streams in WV. Twenty streams and rivers in WV have golden-algae-friendly high TDS levels and the algae may potentially be carried to other streams by human activity and by wildlife. Eradication of golden algae is not possible, as the organism can lie dormant until conditions are once again favorable for growth. The only known means of control is to improve water quality by limiting algae-friendly TDS levels. WVDEP recently announced that they are considering establishment of a long overdue TDS standard for streams in West Virginia and are soliciting public comment. Please contact WVDEP now and ask them to implement water pollution control standards that will protect all our streams, and the fish, birds, wildlife — and communities — that depend upon a healthy environment. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, in a series of extensions starting in 2002, allowed Consol to avoid compliance with in-stream limits on chloride levels required under the Clean Water Act — pollution that caused the disastrous collapse of Dunkard Creek. It could have been averted had the Clean Water Act standards been enforced. ________________________________ Do you know someone else who cares about protecting West Virginia 's waterways and the wildlife that depend on it? Help us to spread the word: Tell-a-friend! Trouble with the "Take Action" links in the message? Try cutting-and-pasting this link into your web browser: www.audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?id=851 National Audubon Society Public Policy Program 1150 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600 , Washington , DC 20036 (202) 861-2242 | audubonaction(a)audubon.org Change your contact information | Unsubscribe

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Fw: need fly ash samples
by Jim Sconyers 17 May '10

17 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Lisa Graves-Marcucci <lisagmarcucci(a)GMAIL.COM> To: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 10:14:28 AM Subject: need fly ash samples Hi all, I am working with a team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health. The research team is looking to obtain (5) fly ash samples from various sites throughout the country. If you have a fly ash sample - or are able to obtain one - please let me know and I will put you in touch with the research team. Many thanks, LGM -- Lisa Graves Marcucci Environmental Integrity Project PA Coordinator, Community Outreach 123 Oakwood Drive Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 412-655-0261 412-897-0569 (cell) lisagmarcucci(a)gmail.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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: Emergency Action: Fire Don Blankenship
by Paul Wilson 15 May '10

15 May '10

here's something everyone can do to put a little pressure on the Massey stock holders. best, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Manny Herrmann, American Rights at Work < action(a)americanrightsatwork.org> Date: Sat, May 15, 2010 at 9:06 AM Subject: Emergency Action: Fire Don Blankenship To: Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> <http://www.americanrightsatwork.org> Dear Paul, *The West Virginia miners didn't have to die. * We know it – and at Massey Energy's annual meeting this *Tuesday,* we have a chance to do something about it. *Tell Massey shareholders: Fire Don Blankenship!<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/campaign/fire_blankenship/3ui55un9l7…> * Last month, 29 miners died in a tragedy that was completely preventable. *That should have been reason enough to fire CEO Don Blankenship immediately.* But he's still at the helm of Massey Energy, and every day he stays on, he continues to endanger his workers. So this Tuesday, at Massey's annual shareholder meeting, mineworkers, union leaders, and community leaders will be protesting Don Blankenship's callous disregard for human life. *We've put together a petition to send a strong message to Massey Energy shareholders and corporate leaders when they meet Tuesday. Can you help us collect at least 10,000 signatures by MIDNIGHT MONDAY? **Sign now: Tell Massey shareholders to fire Don Blankenship!*<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/campaign/fire_blankenship/3ui55un9l7…> Don Blankenship's track record includes: ignoring safety regulations, intimidating workers, and spending millions to elect *judges* who will protect his interests. And he even helps lead the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in its anti-worker campaigns!1,2 *He clearly put profits before safety. That should have been reason enough for Massey's board to find a new CEO.* But since the blood of 29 miners wasn't enough for Massey's board to take immediate action to fire him, hopefully the 30% drop in Massey's stock will give them another reason. That's right – Massey's stock is down more than 30% since the Upper Big Branch disaster, and Blankenship is *still *CEO. That's why – in addition to hundreds of mine workers, union leaders, and allies – big institutional shareholders are speaking up, too. Will you add your voice? *Tell Massey shareholders: Do the right thing and fire Don Blankenship!<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/campaign/fire_blankenship/3ui55un9l7…> * While firing Blankenship won't give even a measure of justice to the families who lost loved ones in this horrific tragedy, every day he stays as CEO is a slap in the face – a painful reminder of the human cost of corporate greed. We can hold him accountable. *Tell Massey Energy: Blankenship has to go!*<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/campaign/fire_blankenship/3ui55un9l7…> Thanks so much for all you do for workers' rights. Sincerely, Manny, Liz, and the American Rights at Work team P.S. If Don Blankenship loses his job as the CEO of Massey, he'll almost certainly lose his seat on the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, too. That'll send a powerful message that corporate America can't ignore: a callous, low-road, anti-worker approach to management is not the way to go. Please *take action now – call on Massey's board to fire Don Blankenship and replace him with someone who cares about worker safety.*<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/campaign/fire_blankenship/3ui55un9l7…> 1 http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/40533<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/ct/c1vCFl11rBMA/> 2 http://www.uschamber.com/about/board/all.htm<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/ct/cdvCFl11rBMM/> This message was sent to pjgrunt(a)gmail.com. Visit your subscription management page<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/aaraw/smp.tcl?nkey=3ui55un9l7mxb8it&>to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop receiving American Rights at Work E-Activist Alerts, click to unsubscribe<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/aaraw/remove-domain-direct.tcl?ctx=s…>. To stop ALL email from American Rights at Work, click to remove<http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/aaraw/remove-domain-direct.tcl?ctx=c…>yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" 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: Our Work Starts Now!
by Jim Sconyers 14 May '10

14 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> To: Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Thu, May 13, 2010 7:35:44 AM Subject: Fw: Our Work Starts Now! Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "Sarah Hodgdon, Sierra Club" <membership.services(a)sierraclub.org> To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wed, May 12, 2010 8:30:36 PM Subject: Our Work Starts Now! Sierra Club View a web version of this email. Dear Jim, The oil disaster in the Gulf… the coal-mining disaster in West Virginia… enough is enough! Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard Demand that Your Senators Lead the Way to Pass Strong Climate and Energy Legislation. Over the past two weeks, we have all watched the BP oil disaster unfold in the Gulf Coast, and Americans across the country have shown their solidarity with coastal communities grappling with the devastation to their economy and environment. We must break our addiction to the dirty, dangerous fossil fuels that led to the tragedy in the Gulf. Tell your senators we need to put America back in control of our energy future by ending our reliance on dirty, dangerous, and deadly fossil fuels. Today, Senators Kerry and Lieberman introduced a climate proposal that can serve as the foundation on which to build a clean energy economy that no longer relies on oil and coal -- but only if the bill is substantially improved and strengthened. Our leaders in the Senate must seize this opportunity to strengthen their draft legislation into a final bill that will unchain us from dirty energy sources. Demand that your senators lead the effort to move us toward a clean energy future. Last month's coal mine tragedy in West Virginia and the oil disaster in the Gulf make it clear -- we cannot allow dirty energy companies to continue setting the agenda in Washington while putting our health, our safety, our economy, and our national security at risk. Our work starts now -- contact your senators today and tell them to stand up to pressure from the dirty energy lobby and end our reliance on oil and coal. Thanks for all that you do to protect our environment. Sarah Hodgdon Sierra Club Conservation Director P.S. Please forward this message and help spread the word to your friends and family! If you do not wish to receive future emails like this, click here to be removed from this type of email contact. Update My Profile| Manage My Email Preferences | Update My Interests Sierra Club 85 Second St. San Francisco, CA 94105

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Fwd: Fw: Since spill, feds have given 27 waivers to oil companies in gulf | McClatchy
by James Kotcon 11 May '10

11 May '10

This is an on-going news story. Although Obama says there is a moratorium on oil leasing, it does not appear that the Mineral Management Service has gotten the memo. JBK

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Fwd: Fw: We Can't Fight Global Warming Blindfolded
by James Kotcon 11 May '10

11 May '10

To: Energy Committee This is a pretty important initiative, one that could go a long way toward solving many of our energy issues. I recommend that someone take a look at this and try drafting a response letter. I am very interested and will assist, but this is an opportunity for someone who wants to step up their involvement. It is a short-term project, but one with a potentially big impact. Who wants to "Take It To The Next Level!"? JBK

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Fw: We Can't Fight Global Warming Blindfolded
by Jim Sconyers 11 May '10

11 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "Mary Anne Hitt, Sierra Club" <membership.services(a)sierraclub.org> To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 10, 2010 9:03:03 PM Subject: We Can't Fight Global Warming Blindfolded Sierra Club View a web version of this email. Jim, Tell CEQ it's Time for Federal Agencies to Start Factoring Climate into their Decisions. Environmental impacts studies are a key tool that federal agencies use to evaluate the possible environmental costs of the permits they issue and the work they do. However, climate change is rarely factored into these decisions, allowing projects like coal power plants and mega-highways to move forward without owning up to their real impacts. But the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is working to change this, and they need your help. Let CEQ know that you support their work to make climate change a factor in the decision making process by sending a public comment today. Environmental disasters happen because we turn a blind eye to the risks. The BP oil disaster that is unfolding in the Gulf? The Deepwater Horizon was exempted from a detailed environmental impact study because three reviews concluded that a spill was "unlikely."1 We cannot allow an oversight like this to occur again, and yet they happen every day because federal agencies are allowed to ignore the greatest threat to our environment -- global warming. Tell CEQ we cannot wait any longer for new guidance requiring agencies to evaluate the risk to our climate when making decisions. The new guidance that CEQ proposed isn't perfect. It exempts land management decisions from climate analysis, meaning efforts to cut forests or plow under prairies can move forward without addressing the critical role our wild places play in trapping carbon pollution. Thank CEQ for starting the process by proposing to require climate be included in the decision making process, and tell them to finish the job by closing the loophole for land management. Thanks for all that you do to protect the environment. Mary Anne Hitt Sierra Club Big Picture Campaign P.S. Please forward this message and help spread the word to your friends and family! [1] "U.S. exempted BP's Gulf of Mexico drilling from environmental impact study," Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post: May 10, 2010. If you do not wish to receive future emails like this, click here to be removed from this type of email contact. Update My Profile| Manage My Email Preferences | Update My Interests Sierra Club 85 Second St. San Francisco, CA 94105

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NYTimes: In Backing Clean Energy Start-Ups, Fund Looks for Longer Résumés
by William DePaulo 11 May '10

11 May '10

From The New York Times: In Backing Clean Energy Start-Ups, Fund Looks for Longer Résumés Virgin Green Fund, an investment firm backed by Richard Branson, is investing in established companies, with better odds, instead of looking for home runs. http://nyti.ms/akOzvH 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: EPA announces coal ash rule today!
by Paul Wilson 07 May '10

07 May '10

might be worthwhile to get out a chapter alert on either CONVIO or just on the Chapter website? best, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Lyndsay Moseley <Lyndsay.Moseley(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Tue, May 4, 2010 at 2:39 PM Subject: EPA announces coal ash rule today! To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org All: EPA finally proposed new safeguards for toxic coal ash today! After a quick review, EPA has proposed two options for regulation of coal ash under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and is seeking public comment on both options. The first option designates coal ash as a "special waste" under Subtitle C of RCRA and would provide the kind of federally enforceable safeguards we've been advocating for to adequately protect the public from toxic coal ash. The other option regulates coal ash under Subtitle D of RCRA and the other treats toxic coal ash (which contains potentially dangerous levels of arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals) less stringent than household garbage. Both the science and past failures of the patchwork of state-based regulations call for the stronger, federal protections. There will be a 90-day public comment period during which Sierra Club will be working hard to call on EPA to adopt the most protective safeguards. Stay tuned! Here is a link to the proposed rule: http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/ccr-rule/ccr-rule-p… Best, Lyndsay Lyndsay Moseley Washington Representative Sierra Club, Beyond Coal Campaign 408 C St. NE Washington, DC 20002 tel: 202-548-4581 fax: 202-547-6009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/ -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "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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Coal CEO''s swagger .... strong-interesting piece by Susanna Rodell
by Frank Young 06 May '10

06 May '10

This was one of the posts in Vivian Stoickman's daily list for OVEC website. Many of us remember Susanna Rodell from her former work with the Charleston (WV) Gazette...... http://www.ajc.com/opinion/the-swagger-behind-a-520788.html The swagger behind a mining tragedy By Susanna Rodell 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2010 After I signed on as editorial page editor of the Charleston Gazette, West Virginia’s premier newspaper, the first visitor to the editorial board was Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. I arrived in 2003, and I’d been mostly delighted with this quirky, gorgeous and still isolated piece of America. But I quickly bumped up against West Virginia’s dark side: the ravages of coal mining. The mountains were being raped. Mountaintop removal was destroying much of the last wild landscape in the eastern U.S. “Mountaintop removal,” by the way, is a terrible misnomer, since it creates the impression that it’s simply a matter of slicing the tops off some remote peaks. In fact, the practice systematically destroys entire mountains, reducing them to rubble that then chokes the surrounding valleys, creating thousands of acres of decimated, dead landscape. And the main character in this ongoing drama, I was informed — a man who could have come from Central Casting in the role of old-fashioned mustachioed Bad Guy — was Blankenship. He arrived at our office with a PR guy in a green suit and regaled our little gathering with his Local Boy history: childhood in rural Mingo County, graduation from West Virginia University, working his way up from the bottom of the industry. He then told us he thought it would be only fitting for us to give him a regular column. We didn’t do that. We told him we’d be happy to treat him as any other member of the community and consider any contribution to our op-ed page, but that we weren’t in the habit of handing out weekly space to anyone who asked for it. To him, I’m sure, it only seemed fair that he should have his own regular forum in the paper to “balance” the aggressive and dedicated reporting of our coal beat reporter, Ken Ward. What I remember most about the encounter, however, was Blankenship’s quiet arrogance: He was clearly a man used to getting what he wanted and utterly convinced of his right to walk into the local newspaper and demand a forum. Once he figured out that wasn’t going to happen, we paid a price: He slapped the paper with a $300 million defamation suit. He lost the suit eventually, but it cost our little paper dearly in legal fees. And in the intervening time, he would ruin the career of a state Supreme Court judge who ruled against his company in environmental suits, spending millions to promote the election of an unknown lawyer who then ruled in his favor. For a while, it seemed Blankenship would have his way. The Bush administration had stacked the Mining Safety and Health Administration and the EPA with industry-friendly types who weren’t much interested in enforcing environmental or safety regulations. Ward’s reporting at the Gazette doggedly pointed this out, along with the tragic results. >From time to time, as in 2007 with the Sago disaster, national attention would briefly be focused on West Virginia. But only briefly. And in my subsequent forays into the world beyond those mountains, I found it nearly impossible to get anyone to listen to the story. Beyond the mountains, West Virginia seemed to exist only as an amusing stereotype: pretty scenery and poor people, some of them coal miners. Not really a part of 21st-century America. That isolation helped Blankenship. For years it seemed no one outside the state cared that he had succeeded in buying his own justice. It also helped the man to believe in his own mythology. For a few years, he seemed invincible. Then two things happened: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that Brent Benjamin, the judge elected with the benefit of Blankenship’s largesse, should have recused himself from ruling in a suit involving Massey. Then came the explosion at Montcoal, killing 29 miners, the worst U.S. coal-mining disaster in 40 years, and subsequent revelations about Massey’s safety record. And now the FBI has opened a criminal investigation into the Massey tragedy; several news outlets report that it includes allegations of bribery of state and federal inspectors. Blankenship is not the only character in this story. Last week, two miners were killed in a roof collapse at a mine in Kentucky. The Kentucky mine belongs to another company, and the neglect of Appalachia is a theme in American history. But the Massey CEO’s aggressive tactics, combined with the recent anti-regulatory atmosphere in Washington, helped perpetuate both environmental and human disasters. West Virginia’s coal industry likes to tout itself as the lifeblood of the state’s economy. Too much government interference, the coal apologists love to assert, will cripple a state whose economy is already close to the weakest in the nation. But as a former colleague reminded me this week, there are now more nurses in the state than coal miners. This year, with a nonfarm work force of about 730,000, mining and forestry combined only employed 27,900. Coal only accounts for about 7 percent of the gross state product. In fact, coal is probably more important to the rest of the country than it is to West Virginians. Most of the relatively cheap electricity we depend on comes from coal. Thanks to automation (including the scary, stories-high machines that efficiently chew up the mountains), more coal is mined today with fewer workers. All those “clean” cars we intend to plug in will have to get their power from somewhere: chances are, from coal-fired plants. So yes, while the swaggering Blankenship deserves considerable blame, there’s another enemy in this story: the one we see in the mirror. The least we can do, as participants in this drama, is to remember who’s risking their lives to keep our lights on, and encourage our lawmakers to keep up the pressure on Big Coal and its enablers to clean up their act. Make sure they can’t hide behind the mountains any more. Susanna Rodell lives in Milton.

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NYTimes.com: No Fooling Mother Nature
by william.depaulo＠gmail.com 05 May '10

05 May '10

This page was sent to you by: william.depaulo(a)gmail.com. OPINION | May 05, 2010 Op-Ed Columnist: No Fooling Mother Nature By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN After the oil spill in the gulf, an energy/climate/jobs bill is needed more than ever. America has to stop messing around with the environment's future. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/opinion/05friedman.html?emc=eta1 ---------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS E-MAIL This e-mail was sent to you by a friend through NYTimes.com's E-mail This Article service. For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help(a)nytimes.com. NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company

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FW: EPA announces coal ash rule today!
by Grubb, Karen 04 May '10

04 May '10

Should we do a future Convio on this topic? -----Original Message----- From: Announcements from the National Coal Campaign team. [mailto:COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Lyndsay Moseley Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 2:39 PM To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: EPA announces coal ash rule today! All: EPA finally proposed new safeguards for toxic coal ash today! After a quick review, EPA has proposed two options for regulation of coal ash under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and is seeking public comment on both options. The first option designates coal ash as a "special waste" under Subtitle C of RCRA and would provide the kind of federally enforceable safeguards we've been advocating for to adequately protect the public from toxic coal ash. The other option regulates coal ash under Subtitle D of RCRA and the other treats toxic coal ash (which contains potentially dangerous levels of arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals) less stringent than household garbage. Both the science and past failures of the patchwork of state-based regulations call for the stronger, federal protections. There will be a 90-day public comment period during which Sierra Club will be working hard to call on EPA to adopt the most protective safeguards. Stay tuned! Here is a link to the proposed rule: http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/ccr-rule/ccr-rul e-prop.pdf Best, Lyndsay Lyndsay Moseley Washington Representative Sierra Club, Beyond Coal Campaign 408 C St. NE Washington, DC 20002 tel: 202-548-4581 fax: 202-547-6009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/

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Fwd: WVNS story: When Out-Of-State Companies Drill For Gas, What Does WV Get?
by Paul Wilson 03 May '10

03 May '10

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public News Service <wvns(a)newsservice.org> Date: Mon, May 3, 2010 at 5:58 AM Subject: WVNS story: When Out-Of-State Companies Drill For Gas, What Does WV Get? To: PaulWilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> Public News Service-WV May 03, 2010 When Out-Of-State Companies Drill For Gas, What Does WV Get? CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Workers and residents are asking how much West Virginia is getting out of the drilling boom in the huge Marcellus Shale natural gas field. Three union locals - operating engineers, pipeline welders and laborers - are picketing a Marshall County processing station. Donnie Huff with Local 132 of the *International Union of Operating Engineerssays* says it's part of an enormous pipeline system being built by a Texas company, Caiman Energy, along the Ohio valley. It's supposed to employ thousands, but so far, Huff says, the jobs are going to workers from Texas and Oklahoma. "Like the timber industry, they raped West Virginia, exported everything. Same thing happened with the coal industry - 90 percent of it is going out of state. It's time West Virginia gets something for our natural resources." An official with a natural gas trade group says many of the Marcellus jobs are going to West Virginians, and that Caiman has used West Virginia contractors in the past. But in some cases, he says, the jobs require special skills that the local workforce lacks. Huff disagrees, saying highly skilled local workers could fill all the jobs. "Pipeline welders, UA tradespeople, pipeline operators, station operators, building trade operators - yeah, we could man all their work." The gas drilling boom also strains resources in rural counties, and it's unclear how much it adds to the tax base. Ray Renaud, with the *Wetzel County Action Group*, is also a volunteer firefighter. He says they've had good results talking to Chesapeake Energy about some transportation issues, but the boom definitely adds to the need for emergency services. "Now, our call volumes have increased rather dramatically. With all this road volume, our accident rates are very high and there are also accidents on well sites that we have to respond to." Caiman Energy did not return a call requesting comment. 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/13747-1<http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/13747-1> --- 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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Fwd: WVNS story: Miners Claim Massey Safety Priority is "The Big Lie"
by Paul Wilson 29 Apr '10

29 Apr '10

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public News Service <wvns(a)newsservice.org> Date: Thu, Apr 29, 2010 at 3:57 AM Subject: WVNS story: Miners Claim Massey Safety Priority is "The Big Lie" To: PaulWilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> Public News Service-WV April 29, 2010 *Miners Claim Massey Safety Priority is "The Big Lie"* CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A member of the Massey Energy board of directors says the charge that the company trades safety for profit is "the big lie" being told by unions and trial lawyers. But in the month since 29 miners died in Massey's Upper Big Branch mine, dozens of current and former company employees have criticized the company in the press and in testimony to Congress. Many have refused to give their names, but some, like former Massey miner Chuck Nelson of Glen Daniel, are speaking publicly. Nelson worked at six different Massey mines over seven years, and he says safety practices were the same in all of them. "They broke every law in the book. They kept their men in a dead run to produce as much coal as they could. It was always production first, and safety, I would rate it way down the line." Mine safety officials say methane probably played a part in the Upper Big Branch explosion. Nelson claims he was regularly told to dismantle ventilation controls used to reduce methane concentrations. "Every day, first thing that we did was we destroyed our ventilation system by taking our line curtain down, what directs the air flow up to the miner. If you have a concentration of methane, that's what that air's for." Some miners say Massey punishes those who speak up about safety issues, which is why they refuse to give their names when speaking to reporters. Nelson confirms what they say. "Workers not allowed to complain about safety issues? That's a very accurate statement. If they do speak out, there will be repercussions took against them." Massey spokesmen insist the company emphasizes safety and follows all regulations, but figures show that in the last decade, the company has had more than twice as many fatal accidents as any other mine operator. Massey has not responded specifically to Nelson's allegations. A *West Virginia News Service* reporter first spoke to Nelson about the breaking of black lung rules on Dec. 9, 2009. A copy of that story is available at www.publicnewsservice.org<http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/11703-1>. 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/13708-1<http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/13708-1> --- -- 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: Failure Is Not an Option
by William DePaulo 29 Apr '10

29 Apr '10

From The New York Times: OP-ED COLUMNIST: Failure Is Not an Option While our lawmakers in Washington are stalling on a bipartisan climate/ energy/jobs bill, Beijing is celebrating. http://nyti.ms/aT0U6i 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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Vivian Stockman vs. Don Blankenship on MTR
by Frank Young 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

I am not sure when this took place. Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zshEKrYkC3Y Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgcqAZpc_3c Peace, Maria Gunnoe HELP NOW @ www.mtrstopshere.com www.ohvec.org www.southwings.org www.goldmanprize.org www.ilovemountains.org "Contemplating the use of mountains and hillsides as symbols in Holy Scripture, underscores what a special gift our mountains are for the people of West Virginia. Majestic, inspiring, and, at times, intimidating, our mountains remind us of the glory of the view after the challenge of the climb. Perhaps that is why West Virginians retain a stalwart and independent character, always inspired by possibilities and undaunted by difficulties." Robert C. Byrd

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