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Fwd: [Coal Volunteers List] Mary Anne Hitt's latest: The untold Grassroots History of Iowa's Clean Energy Transformation
by James Kotcon 03 May '16

03 May '16

As we gear up to fight FirstEnergy's proposal to buy yet another coal-fired power plant (later this summer), it is helpful to hear what the Club has accomplished in Iowa. Why not West Virginia? Jim Kotcon The Untold Grassroots History of Iowa's Clean Energy Transformation <http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/4/28/1521207/-The-Untold-Grassroots-Hi…> Mark Kresowik will never forget Merle Bell, the Iowa farmer whose property near Waterloo, *which had been in his family for more than 100 years* <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhkPx0STmVo>, was to be the site of a proposed coal plant. “Merle wanted to see his kids and grandkids inherit their farm, but had been told that he had virtually no choice but to sell his property and watch the coal plant developers bulldoze his family’s legacy,” said Mark. “Instead, more than 500 of his friends, neighbors, and supporters banded together to protect their land and their lungs, and prevent the dirty project from ever moving forward.” When Mark was hired by the Sierra Club in 2006 as our first organizer in Iowa fighting the Bush-era new coal rush, 75 percent of Iowa’s electricity came from coal, and there were three more new coal plants on the drawing board, including the project slated for Merle’s farm. Fast forward to earlier this month, when Warren Buffett’s Iowa-based utility*MidAmerican announced* <http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2016/04/14/midamerica…> it will invest $3.6 billion in a 2,000-megawatt wind project that’s the largest economic development project in state history. It will bring the utility to 85 percent wind power by 2020, and it won’t raise electricity rates by one cent. What in the world just happened in Iowa? There’s an untold story here. It begins on that farm in Iowa. Mark had been hired to fight those proposed Iowa coal plants after one had already slipped through the cracks, and the news landed on the desks of Bruce Nilles and Verena Owen, the founders of the Beyond Coal Campaign, who were based in Illinois. It was 2002, and they were astonished to learn that not only had a giant new 800-megawatt coal plant been approved in Iowa – to be built by MidAmerican, no less – but not one single, solitary person or organization had even submitted a comment in opposition to the plant. And so with three more Iowa coal plants on the drawing board, part of a wave of 200 planned coal plants nationwide, they vowed to never again allow a proposed coal plant to be left unopposed. They started in Iowa by hiring a recent college grad, Mark, who had been inspired by a concerned legislator, then state representative Rob Hogg, to organize opposition to the proposed Waterloo coal plant. Mark proceeded to channel his boundless energy into logging thousands of miles and hours crisscrossing his home state, organizing opposition to all the remaining coal plants and supporting clean energy, working with partner organizations large and small. Ultimately, the allies defeated all three, including the plant proposed by Dynegy and LS Power adjacent to Merle’s farm. As Mark remembers it, “More than 300 people turned out to an obscure zoning hearing in Waterloo, dozens testified against coal and in favor of clean energy before the Iowa Utilities Board in Marshalltown, and state officials and electric companies hadn’t seen anything like it before. Merle, his neighbors Gail Mueller and the Shatzers, and advocates like Plains Justice’s Carrie La Seur completely turned the public tide against coal and toward wind and solar power for all Iowans.” All told, around the nation this movement stopped 184 proposed coal plants from being built. Blocking those new coal plants changed everything, in Iowa and nationwide. Specifically, it changed three things: 1) it opened up new market opportunities for renewable energy, 2) it pulled us back from the brink of a massive and irrevocable 50-year investment in our most carbon intensive fossil fuel that would have doomed our climate, and 3) it increased pressure on the remaining coal plants, which weren’t going to be replaced by new coal, and therefore faced investment decisions about whether to modernize or retire. Since then, our Beyond Coal network has grown to include over 100 organizations and thousands of leaders in 50 states. In Iowa, through litigation and grassroots advocacy we have secured the retirement of over 2,100 megawatts of existing coal at 35 coal boilers, including the nation’s *200th coal plant* <http://www.sierraclub.org/compass/2015/07/beyond-coal-milestone-coal-plant-…> to announce retirement, which happened last year. As part of that advocacy, we pushed hard to secure ambitious renewable energy commitments from the state’s utilities as well. In a federal court settlement with MidAmerican, they agreed to one of the state’s first solar projects – a new array at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. And that brings back us to MidAmerican’s recent announcement that it will generate 85 percent of its power from wind energy by 2020 – putting the utility on track to realize its vision of becoming a 100 percent renewable energy utility. As *Bruce Nilles put it* <http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/04/warren-buffet-s-midame…>, “MidAmerican made clean energy history, and raised the bar for every other utility in the United States.” In just over a decade, MidAmerican’s generation of electricity has gone from 70 percent coal to 35 percent coal, and now they’re doubling down again. In Iowa, an astonishing 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy has been installed, clean energy is a bi-partisan issue, and it is entirely possible with a little more prodding that the state’s two utilities, MidAmerican and Alliant Energy, will cease burning coal entirely within the next decade. Here’s the best part – this is the kind of state-by-state transformation we’re working for and realizing all across the country. To be clear, this kind of progress is moving slower in other states, and with 300 coal plants still chugging along and coal country in need of support for an economic transition, we have plenty more work to do. But we’re making progress on the scale that matters. While market pressures, federal policy, and innovation all played a role in that transformation, grassroots advocacy was a critical factor that tipped the scales and made the difference, harnessing all those forces into a smart, sustained campaign that is changing the world. In Iowa there would have been no market opportunity for clean energy investment today if the state had built three additional coal plants a decade ago. Our nation’s climate leadership is built on this solid grassroots foundation, one that is not going to shift with the political winds. With one third of US coal plants announced to retire, renewable energy providing the majority of new power on the grid in 2015, and unlimited opportunity ahead, this clean energy transformation is not just our vision. We’re making it a reality. *Join us* <http://content.sierraclub.org/coal/victories>. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Heather Moyer <heather.moyer(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 4:47 PM Subject: [Coal Volunteers List] Mary Anne Hitt's latest: The untold Grassroots History of Iowa's Clean Energy Transformation To: #Coal <coal-list(a)sierraclub.org>, #Media <media-list(a)sierraclub.org>, #Coal-Volunteers <coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org> Hi folks, Mary Anne Hitt's latest is about the road from coal to clean energy in Iowa - please share it far and wide! *Retweet:* https://twitter.com/sierraclub/status/725782930430251009 *Possible tweet:* The Untold Grassroots History of Iowa's Clean Energy Transformation: bit.ly/1NXNS9F <https://t.co/4RC0VLDkW5> (by @beyondcoal's @maryannehitt) *LINKS* *Compass:* http://bit.ly/1NXNS9F *DailyKos:* http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/4/28/1521207/-The-Untold-Grassroots-Hi… *Huffington Post:* http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-anne-hitt/the-untold-grassroots-his_b_97… -------- *Social media question or request? Please email social-list(a)sierraclub.org <social-list(a)sierraclub.org>* *Heather Moyer* Senior Content Producer 202-675-6276 Sierra Club 50 F Street, 8th Floor Washington, DC 20001 -- To access the Beyond Coal Campaign Resource Portal, go to: https://sites.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/beyond-coal-resource-portal/ To sign up for this list, email neha.mathew(a)sierraclub.org with the subject and message "SUBSCRIBE #coal-volunteer" --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "#Coal-Volunteers" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coal-volunteers-list+unsubscribe(a)sierraclub.org. To post to this group, send email to coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org.

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Louisiana CPP meeting
by James Kotcon 28 Apr '16

28 Apr '16

Seems to me we did this back in December with our Solar Summit. Perhaps we should do one where we invite the media? JBK A small group of energy efficiency and environmental justice representatives met Thursday to begin putting together a plan that the state of Louisiana could institute to meet requirements of the federal Clean Power Plan <https://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-existing-power-plants>. The Clean Power Plan went into effect October 2015 and is meant to help reduce the release of carbon dioxide from power plants. The plan has been... Full story is at: http://theadvocate.com/news/15630527-81/environmental-groups-gather-to-cons…

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Fwd: FW: See the Climate Hustle movie next Monday, May 2, 7:00 PM Regal Theaters, Morgantown
by James Kotcon 28 Apr '16

28 Apr '16

See thread below. Should we plan an action? JBK ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Matthew Golub <msgolub(a)mix.wvu.edu> Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 12:00 PM Subject: Re: FW: See the Climate Hustle movie next Monday, May 2, 7:00 PM Regal Theaters, Morgantown To: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> Cc: wvussc(a)googlegroups.com It seems that the professor who sent the email made a special arrangement with the Regal in Morgantown to have a screening, but it doesn't appear to be on the website yet. On Apr 28, 2016 11:57 AM, "James Kotcon" <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> wrote: > Thanks for catching this. According to their website, it is being shown > May 2 in Nitro and Bridgeport. > > > Is there a Morgantown showing? Is this something for a protest action? > > > Jim Kotcon > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* wvussc(a)googlegroups.com <wvussc(a)googlegroups.com> on behalf of > Matthew Golub <msgolub(a)mix.wvu.edu> > *Sent:* Thursday, April 28, 2016 11:23 AM > *To:* wvussc(a)googlegroups.com > *Subject:* Fwd: FW: See the Climate Hustle movie next Monday, May 2, 7:00 > PM Regal Theaters, Morgantown > > This email was just sent to all Engineering majors. I checked the film's > website, and found this interesting tidbit: "CLIMATE HUSTLE will be in > theaters for a one-night event on Monday, May 2nd, and will include an > exclusive panel discussion following the film *featuring Gov. Sarah Palin*..." > I expect credibility to be at an all-time high for this nationwide > screening. If it were free, I would consider going. I could sure use a good > laugh to get me through the end of the semester. > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Statler-StudentServices <Statler-StudentServices(a)mail.wvu.edu> > Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 10:29 AM > Subject: FW: See the Climate Hustle movie next Monday, May 2, 7:00 PM > Regal Theaters, Morgantown > To: CEMR-STUDENTS(a)listserv.wvu.edu > > > Students and Faculty: > > > > While I was in Washington DC two weeks ago I had a chance to review the > substance of the movie Climate Hustle. It was shown in the Whitehouse and > in a variety of forums in Congress. Since we as engineers are often asked > to opine on situations that relate to the environment and energy production > and more importantly we are required to implement solutions that come from > the policies that are passed based on the current understanding of the day, > I felt it important to provide this same movie in the area for your > edification. I asked the manager at Regal to provide the film for a 7:00 > PM showing this coming Monday May 2nd. This film will be shown once at > hundreds of theaters across the country. I hope you will take the > opportunity to go and see this documentary on Climate Change. Thanks. > > > > Jim Smith > > Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering > > > > ******** > > > > > *Climate Hustle* Be sure to see this movie Monday, May 2 – during its > one-night nationwide engagement > > Without presenting it to the US Senate, as required by the Constitution, > President Obama has signed the Paris climate treaty. He is already using it > to further obligate the United States to slash its fossil fuel use, carbon > dioxide emissions and economic growth … control our lives, livelihoods, > living standards and liberties … and redistribute our wealth. Poor, > minority and working class families will suffer most. > > China, India and other developing economies are under no such obligation, > unless and until it is in their interest to do so. For them, compliance is > *voluntary* – and they cannot afford to eliminate the fossil fuels that > supply 85% of all global energy, generate some 90% of developing nations’ > electricity, and will lift billions of people out of abject poverty. That’s > why these countries have built over 1,000 coal-fired power plants and are > planning to build 2,300 more – while unaccountable EPA bureaucrats are > shutting down US coal-fired generators, and getting ready to block natural > gas production and use. > > *What if the entire foundation for this energy and economic insanity were > erroneous, groundless, fabricated … a climate con job – **a Climate > Hustle? * > > That is exactly what CFACT’s new movie demonstrates is actually going on. > > *Climate Hustle* is the perfect antidote to the destructive, demoralizing > climate alarmism that dominates political decisions and obsesses the Obama > White House and EPA. You owe it to yourself to see it. > > *It’s coming to a theater near you on Monday, May 2, for a special > one-night engagement. * > > I saw *Climate Hustle* April 14, at its U.S. premiere on Capitol Hill in > Washington. The film is informative and entertaining, pointed and humorous. > As meteorologist Anthony Watts > <https://wattsupwiththat.com/2016/04/25/my-review-skeptic-film-climate-hustl…> > says, it is wickedly effective in its using slapstick humor and the words > and deeds of climate alarmists to make you laugh at them. > > It examines the science on both sides of the issue … presents often > hilarious planetary Armageddon prophecies of Al Gore, Leonard Nimoy and > other [image: > https://gallery.mailchimp.com/8fe89cf100dfd0bf13664d610/images/25e3c393-4e0… > … and lets 30 scientists and other experts expose the climate scares and > scams, explain Real World climate science, and delve deeply into the > politics and media hype that have surrounded this issue since it was first > concocted several decades ago > > Sizzling temperatures. Melting ice caps. Destructive hurricanes, > tornadoes, floods and droughts. Disappearing polar bears. The end of > civilization as we know it! The end of Planet Earth! > > Emissions from our power plants, cars, factories and farms are causing > catastrophic climate change! > > Or are they? Is there really a “97% scientific consensus” on this? Or is > “dangerous manmade climate change” merely the greatest overheated > environmentalist con-job and shell game ever devised to advance the Big > Green anti-energy agenda? > > See this amazing film on May 2, and find out for yourself. To learn where > it’s showing near you, and to buy tickets, visitwww.ClimateHustle.com > > You’ll be glad you did. > > > > *Climate Hustle* is hosted by award-winning investigative journalist Marc > Morano. A former communications director for the U.S. Senate Committee on > Environment and Public Works, Morano is publisher of CFACT’s > ClimateDepot.com. The film is a production of the Committee For A > Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) and CDR Communications. See the movie. Bring > your friends. Make it a party. www.ClimateHustle.com > > Paul Driessen > > > > > > -- > "Harmony with land is like harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his > right hand and chop off his left." ~ Aldo Leopold > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "WVU Sierra Student Coalition" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to wvussc+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/wvussc. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- "Harmony with land is like harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his right hand and chop off his left." ~ Aldo Leopold --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "WVU Sierra Student Coalition" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to wvussc+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/wvussc. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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Fw: WV Team call today at 10:30AM
by James Kotcon 27 Apr '16

27 Apr '16

________________________________ From: Rudhdi Karnik <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 5:20 PM To: Seth Long Cc: Bill Price; James Kotcon; Laura Yokochi; Liz Wiles; David W. Sturm; David Muhly; Nachy Kanfer; Bridget Lee Subject: Re: WV Team call today at 10:30AM Clip from today's event! http://www.statejournal.com/story/31831308/firstenergy-customers-ask-psc-to… [http://wvstate.images.worldnow.com/images/10423601_G.jpg]<http://www.statejournal.com/story/31831308/firstenergy-customers-ask-psc-to…> FirstEnergy customers ask WV PSC to enforce aggressive energy efficiency targets<http://www.statejournal.com/story/31831308/firstenergy-customers-ask-psc-to…> www.statejournal.com FirstEnergy customers are taking a stand to drive the electric utility to shift away from coal-fired power toward cleaner energy. On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 11:04 AM, Seth Long <seth.long(a)sierraclub.org<mailto:seth.long@sierraclub.org>> wrote: Here are the edited and unedited letters from the online petition. 145 unedited and about 15 edited. I noticed that there's some extra blank pages at the bottom of the docs, so you may want to delete those to save time and paper when printing. On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 8:25 AM, Bill Price <bill.price(a)sierraclub.org<mailto:bill.price@sierraclub.org>> wrote: Hi all, We will have our regular WV Team call today at 10:30. Please let me know of any agenda items other than final prep for the PSC event tomorrow. I know we need to discuss that. Call in number 866-501-6174<tel:866-501-6174> Access code 33907431892 Bill Price, Senior Organizing Representative Sierra Club Environmental Justice Program Beyond Coal to Clean Energy Campaign 922 Quarrier Street, Room 206 Charleston, WV 25301 Phone 304-389-8822<tel:304-389-8822> (cell) Email: bill.price(a)sierraclub.org<mailto:bill.price@sierraclub.org> "If there's no struggle, there's no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet renounce controversy are people who want crops without plowing the ground..." Frederick Douglass 1817-1895 -- Thanks, Seth --- Seth Long - Regional Online Organizer Beyond Coal Campaign, Sierra Club Work: 202-675-6693 | Cell: 603-852-3622<tel:603-852-3622> Email: seth.long(a)sierraclub.org<mailto:seth.long@sierraclub.org> | URL: http://www.sierraclub.org<http://www.sierraclub.org/> Regional Online Organizers' Resource Center<https://sites.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/regional-online-organizing-resour…> Represented by John Muir Local 100 -- Rudhdi Karnik Associate Press Secretary, Federal Affairs Sierra Club, Beyond Coal Campaign (<mailto:rudhdi.karnik@sierraclub.org>o) 202.495.3055

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First Energy Rejects Calls for Public Hearing
by James Kotcon 25 Apr '16

25 Apr '16

First Energy says 7 utilities filed IRPs, but theirs is the only one being picked on! This looks like an opportunity to expand the news attention, and emphasize our message.. http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160423/first-energy-says-15-year-plan-d… Should we plan a call Monday to get our action in order? JBK

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Earth Day- Environmental advocates sue WVDEP to urge mine cleanup
by James Kotcon 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

Great story in WV State Journal. JBK http://www.statejournal.com/story/31792677/environmental-advocates-sue-wvde… A coalition of environmental and community groups are taking legal action to hold West Virginia accountable for cleaning up abandoned coal mine sites. In two separate lawsuits, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, West Virginia Rivers Coalition and Sierra Club allege West Virginia is violating the Clean Water Act by allowing excessive amounts of pollutants to discharge from former coal mine sites in Barbour, Nicholas and Preston counties. When mine operators in West Virginia go out of business before they complete all of the reclamation required by law, the groups explained, the state becomes responsible for finishing the cleanup, including managing any water pollution coming from the site. However, many coal mines in the state continue to generate harmful water pollution long after the mines are shut down, they continued. “It is by now beyond question that coal mines — even reclaimed mines or mines in the process of reclamation — discharge harmful mining pollutants into West Virginia streams,” said Liz Wiles, Chair of West Virginia Sierra Club. “When the State of West Virginia takes responsibility for these toxic sites, it needs to do everything in its power to prevent them from threatening our communities and our clean water.” The lawsuits, filed in two U.S. District Courts for West Virginia’s Northern and Southern districts April 20, allege seven former mine sites in the state are discharging excessive pollutants into various creeks and streams in the state. The groups say this underscores the need for the DEP to require mine operators to pledge additional funds to cover the costs of reclamation or water treatment, in light of the recent, dramatic downturn of the coal industry that has thrown many mining companies into bankruptcy. “By burying their heads in the sand these past two decades and ignoring how the looming crisis of bankrupt coal companies would further deplete the state's inadequate Special Reclamation Fund, West Virginia lawmakers have virtually guaranteed that citizens and taxpayers will be the ones responsible for cleaning up these coal company messes,” said Cindy Rank of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. However, DEP officials have previously told The State Journal <http://www.statejournal.com/story/31283157/wv-environmentalists-plan-to-sue…> that the high rate of bankruptcy filings does pose a threat to the state’s reclamation funds, but they’re not panicking yet. “We have several companies in bankruptcy right now in West Virginia. Bankruptcy is a very complicated situation, but the fact that the company has filed for bankruptcy does not mean they’re forfeiting bonds,” said Harold Ward, acting mining director for the DEP's Division of Land Restoration. “We have bankruptcies more frequently than we would like to see, but we generally see a restructuring plan worked out.”

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New McKibben article
by Jim Sconyers 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Have you seen Bill McKIbben's article "Global Warming's Terrifying New Chemistry" in *The Nation*? http://www.thenation.com/article/global-warming-terrifying-new-chemistry/ The layperson's take-away: We all, including EPA, have been badly under-reporting methane emission. New data suggests that rather than reducing greenhouse gas effects in recent years, they may have actually increased. Conclusion: every bit of fosil fuels - including coal, oil, and now most notably natural gas - must stay in the ground. Conclusion: referring to gas as a "bridge fuel" is absurd at best, subversive at worst. I would love to see how we can reboot some of our energy work in West Virginia to reflect this "terrifying new chemistry." -- Jim Sconyers jimscon(a)gmail.com 304.698.9628 Remember, Mother Nature bats last.

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Maryland passes 25 % RPS Jobs Bill
by James Kotcon 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

"As much a jobs bill as clean energy legislation, Maryland's new expanded RPS not only targets solar and wind energy but also seeks to bolster minority- and women-owned energy businesses. ... Supporters of Maryland's higher RPS say the move ensures 1,300 MW of new clean energy will be generated, and 1,000 solar jobs and 4,600 wind positions created. Maryland's solar industry currently employs 4,300." I think we should start now and begin pushing something similar for WV. We should emphasize the need to transition coal-field economies. And we should make it clear that any politician whose only campaign pitch is to rail about "Obama's War on Coal" is simply not helpful to WV. Full story at: http://www.utilitydive.com/news/maryland-senate-passes-25-rps-in-clean-ener… Thanks to Sally Wilts for posting this first. Jim Kotcon

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from ScienceDaily e-newsletter: Oil and gas wastewater disposal may harm West Virginia waterways
by Paul Wilson 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Oil and gas wastewater disposal may harm West Virginia waterways <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160407150800.htm> Posted: 07 Apr 2016 12:08 PM PDT Unconventional oil and gas operations combine directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' to release natural gas and oil from underground rock. Studies have centered on potential water pollution from this process that may increase endocrine disrupting chemicals in surface and ground water. Now, researchers report high levels of EDC activity in the surface water near a hydraulic fracturing wastewater disposal facility in West Virginia. <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=yaV…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=yaV…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=yaV…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=yaV…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=yaV…> I posted this on the WV Marcellus group facebook page... -- Paul Wilson Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing Sierra Club Military Outdoors 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

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Major Companies Back Obama's Climate Regulations In Court
by frank young 04 Apr '16

04 Apr '16

"Four big companies have joined the legal battle in favor of the Obama administration's signature climate change regulations that would curb emissions from coal-fired power plants. "Software maker Adobe, candy company Mars, furniture giant IKEA, and insurance behemoth Blue Cross Blue Shield filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., in support of the Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce climate change-causing pollution." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/companies-climate-regulations_us_56fee2f ee4b083f5c607c33d?utm_hp_ref=business

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from Washington Post: Can coal companies afford to clean up coal country?
by Paul Wilson 02 Apr '16

02 Apr '16

Can coal companies afford to clean up coal country? <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6422318.174542/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGl…> A wave of bankruptcies is stoking concern that taxpayers could be stuck with billions of dollars in cleanup costs across a landscape of shuttered mines stretching from Appalachia to the northern Plains. By Steven Mufson and Joby Warrick • Read more » <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6422318.174542/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGl…> -- Paul Wilson Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing Sierra Club Military Outdoors 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

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Another Climate Change Denier on Big Coal’s Payroll
by James Kotcon 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

This would be a long shot, and likely would mostly grab headlines, but what if we launched a "claw back" suit to recover those ill-gotten gains for the benefit of Alpha's environmental legacies and miner pension funds? http://www.triplepundit.com/2016/04/another-climate-change-denier-cashes-co… The guy's take may be only $30,000, but this is clearly money spent to deceive and mislead investors (not to mention political leaders, etc.) Perhaps we could do the same with campaign contributions. (there may be all kinds of laws against it, but a guy can dream, and today is April Fools!). JBK

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from the United Steel Workers e-newsletter: Scotland's Last Coal Plant Shut Down
by Paul Wilson 30 Mar '16

30 Mar '16

*Photo/Audios/Videos/Books* *Watch The Final Moments Before Scotland's Last Coal Plant Shut Down* - For the first time in more than a century, no power produced in Scotland will come from burning coal … more <http://listserv.steelworkers.org/t/283285/1028185/153415/31/> -- Paul Wilson Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing Sierra Club Military Outdoors 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

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April 8: National Energy Conference 2016 @ WVU
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

http://energy.law.wvu.edu/events/conference2016 Coal communities in the Central Appalachian region are bearing the consequences of a global energy transition. Demand for coal continues to decline as utilities switch to natural gas-fired generation and renewable energy resources, while regulation of fossil fuel pollutants has become more stringent due to concerns about public health and the global climate. Policymakers at the federal level are recognizing the pressing need for addressing the devastating impacts being borne by coal communities arising from this “clean energy” transition. The fifth annual National Energy Conference, hosted by the West Virginia University College of Law, will examine the cause and effect of these trends in the coal industry, the economy-wide repercussions within Central Appalachia, and possible solutions for West Virginia that would put the state on a more resilient path. This free, one-day conference features speakers from industry, academic institutions, public policy organizations, and environmental groups, highlighted by keynote speaker Senator Jay Rockefeller. Other featured speakers include Charles Patton of Appalachian Power, Adele Morris of the Brookings Institution, Michael Gerrard of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, and John Deskins of the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research. -Jonathan

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Fw: Registration Open: Renewable Energy in West Virginia Conference
by James Kotcon 23 Mar '16

23 Mar '16

I won't be able to make it, but is there someone in the WV Chapter we might send? JBK ________________________________ From: wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com <wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com> on behalf of Angie Rosser arosser(a)wvrivers.org [wvec-board] <wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2016 11:11 AM To: 'wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com' Subject: [wvec board & supporters] Registration Open: Renewable Energy in West Virginia Conference egistration now open! [http://files.ctctcdn.com/37865898201/2ffa0ad0-57f5-44e5-a517-3e9f1ef523fb.p…] Thursday, May 12, 2016 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall Marshall University 519 John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25703 [http://files.ctctcdn.com/37865898201/f7467fea-5fa2-423d-8450-68b2f62e1b0e.g…]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001iuIGjpv-2JRlmukTBls89BZiX6Ngmsu9YCPD8zIUzbd6…> The Renewable Energy Conference will bring together organizations and individuals with experience implementing and managing renewable energy projects in West Virginia. This event will feature presentations from West Virginia-based business, research and project development leaders in the realm of renewable energy. Attendees will hear about a wide variety of projects underway in the areas of hydropower, solar, enhanced geothermal, biomass, CO2 uptake by forests and production of CO2 offsets through reforestation. Projects include current production and development efforts as well as ideas to expand future resource utilization. [http://files.ctctcdn.com/37865898201/e7c69df8-f057-45e7-969c-97f41fbf95ea.j…]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001iuIGjpv-2JRlmukTBls89BZiX6Ngmsu9YCPD8zIUzbd6…>[http://files.ctctcdn.com/37865898201/d7eee367-7f2f-453d-9379-90bca299259c.p…] Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER), 907 Third Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701 SafeUnsubscribe(tm) arosser(a)wvrivers.org<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001q3uXgJtd8jcTeB5uwEeE6Q%3D%3…> Forward this email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=td9kyekab&m=1110408783987&ea=…> | Update Profile<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=001q3uXgJtd8jcTeB5uwEeE6Q%3D%3…> | About our service provider<http://www.constantcontact.com/legal/service-provider?cc=about-service-prov…> Sent by cbowden(a)njrati.org<mailto:cbowden@njrati.org> in collaboration with [Constant Contact]<http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=PM_B2BC> Try it free today<http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=PM_B2BC> __._,_.___ ________________________________ Posted by: Angie Rosser <arosser(a)wvrivers.org> ________________________________ Reply via web post<https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/messages/5428;…> * Reply to sender <mailto:arosser@wvrivers.org?subject=Re%3A%20Registration%20Open%3A%20Renewable%20Energy%20in%20West%20Virginia%20Conference> * Reply to group <mailto:wvec-board@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20Registration%20Open%3A%20Renewable%20Energy%20in%20West%20Virginia%20Conference> * Start a New Topic<https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/newtopic;_ylc=…> * Messages in this topic<https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/topics/5428;_y…> (1) ________________________________ <https://yho.com/13fl5l> Save time and get your email on the go with the Yahoo Mail App Get the beautifully designed, lighting fast, and easy-to-use, Yahoo Mail app today. Now you can access all your inboxes (Gmail, Outlook, AOL and more) in one place. Never delete an email again with 1000GB of free cloud storage. <https://yho.com/13fl5l> ________________________________ Visit Your Group<https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/info;_ylc=X3oDMTJmcDI5Y2IyBF…> [Yahoo! Groups]<https://groups.yahoo.com/neo;_ylc=X3oDMTJlaGEwcm5nBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkA…> * Privacy<https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/groups/details.html> * Unsubscribe<mailto:wvec-board-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> * Terms of Use<https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/> . __,_._,___

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Life-cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from Compressed gas vehicles
by James Kotcon 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

Compressed natural gas in vehicles yields no significant reductions, compared to .buses or diesel, but did reduce emissions when substituted for coal in electricity generation. Int. J. of Global Warming, 2016 Vol.9, No.2, pp.254 - 273 http://www.inderscience.com/info/inarticle.php?artid=74960 JBK

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Article from the Rhodium Group: The Hidden Cause of America's Coal Collapse
by Paul Wilson 28 Feb '16

28 Feb '16

Thought this may be of use to some folks. fyi, paul w. -- Paul Wilson Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing Sierra Club Military Outdoors 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

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Fwd: [wvec board & supporters] Good News? LEEP Bill passes Committee vote.
by Vickie Wolfe 26 Feb '16

26 Feb '16

You are welcome to use the WVEC's handy contact page for the EIM cmte, which has all the e-dresses, phone nos. etc, on one page, and all the e-dresses in one place for copy-and-paste! http://wvecouncil.org/aa-boilerplate/senate-energy/ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: 'frank young' fyoung(a)mountain.net [wvec-board] < wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com> Date: Thu, Feb 25, 2016 at 10:41 PM Subject: [wvec board & supporters] Good News? LEEP Bill passes Committee vote. To: wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com *From WVEC board member Jim Kotcon:* *From:* ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] *On Behalf Of *James Kotcon *Sent:* Thursday, February 25, 2016 9:59 PM *To:* ec(a)osenergy.org *Subject:* [EC] LEEP Bill passes Committee vote. I was in the Senate EIM meeting when the LEEP bill passed out. Unanimously! It is in the Senate Rules Committee which could schedule it for a floor vote as early as this Sunday, The bill must pass the Senate by Wednesday in order to be considered in the House. Can someone help prepare an e-mail alert to our members to ask for calls to all Senators. The message is simple, please ask that SB 370 be put on the agenda for a vote, and then vote for SB 370. And for those writing to Senators on the EIM Committee, add a 'Thank you' for voting to pass the bill out of Committee. EIM COMMITTEE MEMBERS Senator Boso <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Boso>- *Chair * Senator Blair <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Blair>- *Vice-Chair * Senator Boley <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Boley> Senator Facemire <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Facemire> Senator Gaunch <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Gaunch> Senator Kirkendoll <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Kirkendo…> Senator Maynard <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Maynard> Senator Mullins <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Mullins> Senator Snyder <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Snyder> Senator Sypolt <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Sypolt> Senator Williams <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Williams> Senator Woelfel <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Woelfel> Senator Yost <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Yost> Jim Kotcon __._,_.___ ------------------------------ Posted by: "frank young" <fyoung(a)mountain.net> ------------------------------ Reply via web post <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/messages/5349;…> • Reply to sender <fyoung@mountain.net?subject=Re%3A%20Good%20News%3F%20%20LEEP%20Bill%20passes%20Committee%20vote%2E> • Reply to group <wvec-board@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20Good%20News%3F%20%20LEEP%20Bill%20passes%20Committee%20vote%2E> • Start a New Topic <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/newtopic;_ylc=…> • Messages in this topic <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/topics/5349;_y…> (1) Visit Your Group <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/info;_ylc=X3oDMTJmdGk2MWtqBF…> [image: Yahoo! Groups] <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo;_ylc=X3oDMTJlMDVla2FoBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkA…> • Privacy <https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/groups/details.html> • Unsubscribe <wvec-board-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> • Terms of Use <https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/> . __,_._,___ -- ```````````````````````````````````````````````````` Vickie L. Wolfe E-MAIL: IBTreehugger(a)gmail.com ```````````````````````````````````````````````````` "It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save our environment." -Ansel Adams Read *Hot, Flat and Crowded* by Tom Friedman.

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LEEP Bill passes Committee vote.
by James Kotcon 25 Feb '16

25 Feb '16

I was in the Senate EIM meeting when the LEEP bill passed out. Unanimously! It is in the Senate Rules Committee which could schedule it for a floor vote as early as this Sunday, The bill must pass the Senate by Wednesday in order to be considered in the House. Can someone help prepare an e-mail alert to our members to ask for calls to all Senators. The message is simple, please ask that SB 370 be put on the agenda for a vote, and then vote for SB 370. And for those writing to Senators on the EIM Committee, add a 'Thank you' for voting to pass the bill out of Committee. EIM COMMITTEE MEMBERSSenator Boso <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Boso>- *Chair * Senator Blair <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Blair>- *Vice-Chair * Senator Boley <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Boley> Senator Facemire <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Facemire> Senator Gaunch <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Gaunch> Senator Kirkendoll <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Kirkendo…> Senator Maynard <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Maynard> Senator Mullins <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Mullins> Senator Snyder <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Snyder> Senator Sypolt <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Sypolt> Senator Williams <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Williams> Senator Woelfel <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Woelfel> Senator Yost <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Yost> Jim Kotcon

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Clean Power Plan ahead of schedule
by James Kotcon 24 Feb '16

24 Feb '16

This article suggests that the combined imopact of efficiency and renewables has already gotten the US over half way to meeting CPP targets, and continued tax credits will likely get us there 14 years ahead of schedule. Renewables are already cost competitive with both coal and gas,. The good news is that the solar industry already employs more people than the gas and pipeline industries combined. Now all we have to do is to keep the fossil industry from taking us down with them as they go under. JBK http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/270544-achieving-c…

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Science Teachers Confused About Climate Change
by James Kotcon 12 Feb '16

12 Feb '16

This is troubling, particularly in light of the on-going debates over climate education in state science education standards. Most middle and high school science teachers appear to be unaware of the overwhelming scientific consensus, or want to teach "both sides of the issue" (ever have anyone want to "teach both sides" of the Law of Gravity?). Nearly one-third of teachers emphasize that recent global warming is likely due to natural causes-and tell their students that many scientists say the same thing. Even among teachers who agree that human activities are mainly to blame for climate change, almost half could not name the percentage of scientists (81 to 100 percent) who share their view. http://www.newsweek.com/science-teachers-confused-climate-change-425650 Jim Kotcon

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Talk Line comments on the Supreme Court stay of the CPP
by James Kotcon 11 Feb '16

11 Feb '16

Here is part of what was said on Hoppy's show this morning. A key point Hoppy raised (although it did not make it into this article) is that the CPP would reduce global CO2 emissions by 0.2 %, so why do something so economically devastating for so little gain? I have heard that one before, including from Congressman McKinley, so we should identify a short sound-bite rebuttal. Suggestions? JBK Full story at: http://wvmetronews.com/2016/02/10/murray-ceo-supreme-court-stay-portends-ep… The president and CEO of Murray Energy Corporation is taking Tuesday’s decision from the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily halt the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan as a sign that the entire plan will eventually be tossed. “It portends that we will overturn the illegal climate change agenda of the destructive Obama Administration,” predicted Bob Murray on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline,” a day after the Supreme Court granted an emergency request for a delay until legal challenges are resolved. Three years ago, Murray Energy filed the lawsuit against the EPA’s proposed emission limits for existing coal-fired power plants and, at that time, Murray said he knew would be “an uphill fight.” Later, 29 states, including West Virginia, joined the effort. “It is our case and I’m very happy that we’ve been able to stay this illegal government overreach for our coal miners and for the state of West Virginia,” Murray told Hoppy Kercheval. The temporary stay may be an indication a majority of justices are skeptical about the Clean Power Plan’s legality, according to court observers. Those in the majority with the 5-4 decision were Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito. All were appointed by Republicans. “It’s good news and, good heavens, we need some good news. There’s no question about that,” said Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, of the stay. “Anything like this is a good, positive story — an arm of the federal government has, all of the sudden, had a positive decision about something that is so devastating and that we’ve been dealing with for years here.” ... “This rule would destroy so many lives,” Murray said. “We are fighting for our survival here.”

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Fwd: [Coal Volunteers List] Supreme Court stay of Clean Power Plan - statement tonight, more resources tomorrow morning
by James Kotcon 10 Feb '16

10 Feb '16

In case you have not seen it, here are talking points from the Club. I already had one press call, More to come soon, I'm sure. JBK ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mary Anne Hitt <maryanne.hitt(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Tue, Feb 9, 2016 at 9:01 PM Subject: [Coal Volunteers List] Supreme Court stay of Clean Power Plan - statement tonight, more resources tomorrow morning To: #Coal <coal-list(a)sierraclub.org>, #Coal-Volunteers < coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org> Beyond Coal team, This evening, the Supreme Court announced it would temporarily stay the Clean Power Plan. Our Sierra Club statement is below. While this is a disappointing development, we don't believe it reflects on our likelihood of prevailing on the merits of the case. The DC Circuit has put this case on an expedited hearing schedule, with oral arguments beginning June 2. Tomorrow morning, we will provide you with talking points and a frequently asked questions document, to guide your conversations with local supporters, allies, and reporters. In the meantime, please re-direct all media inquiries to Trey Pollard and Brian Willis in our Communications Department. We will also provide you with social media guidance tomorrow. Tonight, our team is burning the midnight oil to make sure our view of this is covered in the press - Joanne Spalding has been on the phone with reporters all evening. Thanks to everyone who is working so hard tonight! Let us know if you have any questions. Mary Anne http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/02/sierra-club-statement-… *Sierra Club Statement on Supreme Court Delay of Clean Power Plan* Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Contact: Brian Willis: 202.675.2386, Brian.Willis(a)sierraclub.org WASHINGTON, DC - Tonight, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a temporary stay on the implementation of the historic Clean Power Plan. *Joanne Spalding, the Sierra Club’s Chief Climate Counsel, Released the Following Statement in Response:* “We are disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision today to delay the job-creating, life-saving Clean Power Plan. However, the court’s decision does not overturn the historic policy or decide its legal merits. This is a pause, and we are confident the Clean Power Plan and all of its benefits ultimately will be implemented across the nation. In fact, the Clean Power Plan follows trends that are already occurring in the electric sector and we are already dramatically reducing carbon pollution as we transition to clean, renewable energy. Large majorities of Americans support those efforts and the Clean Power Plan. “The Supreme Court has already upheld the EPA’s authority to limit carbon pollution from power plants under the Clean Air Act and we believe that the Clean Power Plan is a valid exercise of that authority. We fully expect the Clean Power Plan to ultimately prevail in the courts.” -- [image: photo] *Mary Anne Hitt* Director, Beyond Coal Campaign Office: 304-876-7064 Cell: 540-239-0073 Twitter: @maryannehitt <https://twitter.com/maryannehitt> www.sierraclub.org -- To access the Beyond Coal Campaign Resource Portal, go to: https://sites.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/beyond-coal-resource-portal/ To sign up for this list, email neha.mathew(a)sierraclub.org with the subject and message "SUBSCRIBE #coal-volunteer" --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "#Coal-Volunteers" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coal-volunteers-list+unsubscribe(a)sierraclub.org. To post to this group, send email to coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org.

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Supreme Court Blocks Clean Power Plan
by James Kotcon 09 Feb '16

09 Feb '16

I did not expect this. JBK http://news.yahoo.com/u-supreme-court-blocks-obama-carbon-emissions-plan-23… Supreme Court blocks Obama carbon emissions plan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a major blow to President Barack Obama by blocking federal regulations to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, the centerpiece of his administration's strategy to combat climate change. On a 5-4 vote, the court granted a request made by 27 states and various companies and business groups to block the administration's Clean Power Plan. The move means the regulations will not be in effect while litigation continues over whether their legality. The brief order from the justices said that the regulations would be on hold until the legal challenge is completed. The court's five conservatives all voted to block the rule. The order noted that the four liberals would have denied the application. A U.S. appeals court in Washington had turned away a similar request on Jan. 21. The states, led by coal producer West Virginia and oil producer Texas, and several major business groups in October launched the legal challenges seeking to block the Obama administration's plan. More than a dozen other states and the National League of Cities, which represents more than 19,000 U.S. cities, filed court papers backing the Environmental Protection Agency's rule. The appeals court still must hear oral arguments on June 2 and decide whether the regulations are lawful.

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AEP and FE (et al.) comments on CPP feasibility and SIP
by James Kotcon 09 Feb '16

09 Feb '16

I finally got around to reading the comments submitted by utilities to DEP's request for input on their CPP feasibility study and SIP. Here are some notes. These documents are posted at: .http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060030942 In summary, everyone agrees that WV should seek a 2-year extension, and utilities see trading emissions credits as the main way to comply, unless HB 2004 is amended. Note: It appears the utilities got the input request Aug. 18, with supplemental request Sept. 18. Comments were filed Nov. 6. That may explain the timing of Patton's remarks last fall. Our letter from DEP was dated Oct. 7, so they got a two-month head start. *AEP* AEP says that a SIP is not feasible under HB 2004 because "may' is interpreted to mean "may only" consider inside the fence controls, etc. The only option is to trade ERCs with other states. But 22-5-18 which authorizes trading is limited to criteria pollutants and would not authorize a trading program for CO2. Existing statutes, 22-5-4(a)(15) and (16), limit ability of DEP to require monitoring of EE or renewables on homeowners. AEP says they cannot give specific details on costs without knowing what will be required from DEP. AEP says none of their units (Amos, Mitchell or Mountaineer) will retire before 2030 deadline for the CPP. Recommends changes to HB 2004 and prefers a SIP to a FIP. *FE*: FE cites Texas study to say rates will increase, but has no WV-specific information. FE cites NY study that higher electric rates negatively affect health of low-income populations (Children's Health Watch, "The Impacts of Increasing Household Energy Prices on Health and Health Care Cost in New York State," May 2013. ) FE says costs cannot be predicted until state rules have been established. FE (and AEP) says many plants have shifted from base-load operation to :"load-following" which adversely affects heat rate. FE says their pants typically have a 70-year lifespan. (But Hatfields Ferry closed at 43 years old, Albright and Willow Island closed at 63). FE currently operates Pleasants, Harrison and Fort Martin plants in WV (currently 35-45 years old). FE says the emissions rates are not feasible, but WV should seek an extension to 2018. *Dominion* Operates Mount Storm plant.(3 units- 42-50 years old) Says HB 2004 precludes outside the fence controls. Would need to rely on ERCs from trading. Increasing costs and lower utilization increases likelihood of plant closings. Closings will lead to higher "Capacity" costs. Recommends trading with other states and multi-year averaging of emissions. WV should allow fuel switching etc. *Longview* Currently operates newest and lowest heat rate of any WV plant (8700 btu/kwh). Would need to acquire ERCs to keep operating. Recommends they be allocated to EGUs "without cost". Since Longview transports coal via conveyor belt, not trucks, that )house load" electricity would count against its calculated generation and point of transmission,effectively penalizing Longview for avoiding impacts of truck traffic. No comments on limits of HB 2004, or on preference for SIP versus FIP. *UMWA (Cecil Roberts)* Recommends DEP seek 2-year extension and avoid a FIP. Recommends state use bonding authority through PEA to create new base-load gas-coal co-fired plants. Also wants legislation to assure cost recovery for developers. Prefers mass-based approach to take advantage of coal plant retirements since 2012.. Recommends "in-state" trading and renewables to meet targets. Says HB 2004 imposes "constraints" on fuel switching, etc. Says legislature should beef up EE programs for utilities. Says the endangerment finding means a lower carbon future regardless of which party wins the White House. *Dept. of Commerce (Keith Burdette)* Developers are bringing gas plants on-line that will meet CPP standards. But America will need WV's existing base load power for the foreseeable future. Estimates that compliance will reduce WV generating capacity by 4200 MW and cost 435 power plant job and 3770 mining jobs. Low electric rates is one of the advantages WV has to recruit new industry. Recommends allowances be allocated to EGUs based on current generation. Recommends using credits form CEI program and EE from Low Income EE programs. Rate increases will incentivize EE and RE. Recommends using forests for carbon mitigation. Existing forests take up 10 % of CO2 emitted, and SIP should take advantage of this. *Attorney General Morrisey* WV should seek 2-year extension, "under protest" as CPP is unlawful. Repeated their legal objections. Jim Kotcon

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