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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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from ScienceDaily e-newsletter: Central Appalachia flatter due to mountaintop mining
by Paul Wilson 06 Feb '16

06 Feb '16

Central Appalachia flatter due to mountaintop mining <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160205134955.htm> Posted: 05 Feb 2016 10:49 AM PST Forty years of mountaintop coal mining have made parts of Central Appalachia 60 percent flatter than they were before excavation, researchers say. This study, which compares pre- and post-mining topographic data in southern West Virginia, is the first to examine the large-scale impact of mountaintop mining on landscape topography and how the changes influence water quality. <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> -- 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: [GW-ACT-LEADERS] Fwd: The Next Quantum Leap in Energy Efficiency
by James Kotcon 03 Feb '16

03 Feb '16

This is likely to be the key to our strategy for the IRP, the CPP and energy policy in WV generally. While renewables are cost competitive for new generation, they do not yet compete with old plants that have been mostly paid off. To close these existing facilities, we need to reduce overall demand quickly, and that is what the big utilities are afraid of. Read the report, Click on the webinar. This is the stuff we need to know. Jim Kotcon ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ned Ford <Ned.Ford(a)fuse.net> Date: Wed, Feb 3, 2016 at 12:14 PM Subject: [GW-ACT-LEADERS] Fwd: The Next Quantum Leap in Energy Efficiency To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)lists.sierraclub.org This report by some old friends (The Quantum Leap) addresses how to raise efficiency standards above 2% per year. This goal is an essential component of a strategy which can still, at this date, eliminate fossil fuel generation by about 2030. Without the efficiency savings, the cost of renewables is a high barrier, since what we want is not just renewables at parity with fossil generation (we already have that) but new capital investment to replace existing fully amortized coal, gas and nuclear plants at a rate which hasn't existed in this country since the 1960's. And on a much larger scale than the coal rush in the 1940-1970 era. This report may be useful in regulatory work, but it is certainly a great place to start a conversation about how we cut carbon as fast as possible. - Ned -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: The Next Quantum Leap in Energy Efficiency Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2016 08:26:55 -0800 (PST) From: Regulatory Assistance Project <info(a)raponline.org> <info(a)raponline.org> Reply-To: info(a)raponline.org To: ned.ford(a)fuse.net Can't read or see images? View this email in a browser <http://zc1.campaign-view.com/ua/viewinbrowser?od=11287eca45b58a&rd=18d88732…> [image: RAP Newsletter Heading] <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> *Energy Solutions for a Changing World* *The Next Quantum Leap in* *Energy Efficiency - Game On* *-David Farnsworth* Ten years ago, the most aggressive electric efficiency efforts in the country were achieving first-year electric savings of about 1.0 percent of annual sales. Today, at least five different states have—or plan to—double those levels of savings, achieving between 2.0 and 2.5 percent first-year savings annually. Since 2006, nationwide customer efficiency spending has nearly quadrupled, from $1.6 to $5.9 billion, and substantial additional savings have been realized through federal equipment efficiency standards, building codes, and other regulatory mechanisms. By many measures, we have made solid progress on energy efficiency over the last decade. But there continues to be room for more of this low-cost, high-benefit resource. “It looks like many states are getting the message,” says Rich Sedano, RAP principal and US program director. “Every state may want to take a fresh look at the possibilities for upping their game on energy efficiency—there continues to be considerable space to grow.” We at RAP think that the efficiency bar could be raised substantially. In our recent paper, *The Next Quantum Leap in Efficiency: 30 Percent Electric Savings in 10 Years* <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…>, we examine whether it would be possible to meet 30 percent of electricity system needs in ten years with efficiency. Continue Reading <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> ------------------------------ *Webinar: The Energy Efficiency Quantum Leap * A recent RAP webinar explores the next quantum leap in efficiency savings. Chris Neme of Energy Futures Group (EFG) shared the findings of a study <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> (mentioned above) he co-wrote with Jim Grevatt for RAP demonstrating how states can achieve persistent savings of 30 percent of load over ten years. This quantum leap in efficiency cannot be brought about without major policy changes, including increasing ratepayer funding of energy efficiency, making efficiency more profitable for utilities, aligning efficiency goals with long-term objectives, and creating new models for acquiring efficiency. View Webinar <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> ------------------------------ *Recognizing Early Action Under The Clean Power Plan* *-Ken Colburn* Data suggest that the electric power sector’s long march toward decarbonization <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> was already well underway before the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) rulemaking, let alone the final rule’s compliance period, which doesn’t begin until 2022. If so, then the emissions reduction obligations imposed by the CPP might be characterized as consistent with the dramatic changes already underway within the power sector as much as they are a driver of those changes. This is an encouraging characterization, because it suggests that compliance with the CPP is likely to be accomplished without departing greatly from the utility resource planning and state policy pathways already in motion. Some are concerned, however, that the CPP could temporarily slow the adoption of cleaner, more renewable energy sources and more efficient end-use of energy. Continue Reading <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> ------------------------------ *Webinars* ------------------------------ *Teaching the Duck to Fly - Second Edition * March 3, 2016 1 p.m. EST Join us for a webinar <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> where Jim Lazar shares new insights on opportunities that have arisen and technologies that have evolved since his 2014 paper *Teaching the Duck to Fly <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…>. *Drawing from the soon-to-be-released *Teaching the Duck to Fly - Second Edition*, Mr. Lazar will discuss each of the strategies, how they can be deployed and managed, and how each affects the load shape that remains, thus demonstrating that the amount of flexibility they can provide has increased. Together, these measures enable utilities to adapt to a supply portfolio containing a high level of variable renewable energy resources and still provide adequate, reliable, and economical service to consumers. Register Now <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> ------------------------------ *RAP in Action* ------------------------------ Ken Colburn discusses energy efficiency and state planning requirements <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> during a panel about the Clean Power Plan at the Association of Energy Services Professionals' National Conference and Expo <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> in Phoenix. RAP staff will be attending the 2016 Winter Committee Meetings of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> in Washington, DC, later this month. Find us in the halls, and be sure to stop by our table and pick up copies of our publications, including two hot-off-the-press reports, *The Next Quantum Leap in Efficiency: 30 Percent Electric Savings in 10 Years* <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…>, and *Teaching the Duck to Fly – Second Edition*. Hope to see you there! In early March, Chris James will highlight the role of markets for clean energy <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> under the Clean Power Plan at the Climate Leadership Conference in Seattle <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> . ------------------------------ *Global Highlights* ------------------------------ Demand response is important for Europe to meet clean energy targets reliably and efficiently <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…>, according to a new RAP policy brief. ------------------------------ Manage your Subscription <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/click.zc?od=11287eca45b58a&repDgs=18d88732ee…> This email was sent by info(a)raponline.org to ned.ford(a)fuse.net Not interested? Unsubscribe <http://zc1.maillist-manage.com/ua/optout?od=11287eca45b58a&rd=18d88732ee12d…> Regulatory Assistance Project | 50 State Street, Suite 3 | Montpelier VT 05602 <http://www.raponline.org>www.raponline.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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

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Fwd: FYI If your chapter is fighting gas pipelines, ...
by James Kotcon 02 Feb '16

02 Feb '16

Wow, I knew they were big. But this is bigger than I thought. JBK ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Glen Besa <glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Fri, Jan 29, 2016 at 5:53 PM Subject: FYI If your chapter is fighting gas pipelines, ... To: CONS-FRED(a)lists.sierraclub.org Find report here: Report on climate impacts of pipelines <http://sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce/virginia-chapter/d…> For Immediate Release January 28, 2016 CONTACT: Glen Besa 804-387-6001 *Climate Disrupting Pollution from Atlantic Coast and * *Mountain Valley Pipelines nearly twice that of Virginia power plants and other stationary sources* A new report by the Sierra Club finds that greenhouse gas pollution from the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines would be almost twice the total climate-changing emissions from existing power plants and other stationary sources in Virginia. The report, prepared by Richard Ball, PhD., a retired US EPA and DOE scientist who served as a lead author on the First and Second Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments and is the Energy Chair for the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, estimates total carbon dioxide gas equivalent from each of the two pipelines over the natural gas fuel cycle, including fugitive emissions of methane from fracking in the gas fields, leakage during transmission and storage, and combustion of the delivered gas. It also shows the estimated planetary heating from all four proposed pipelines for Virginia. Last week, the US EPA urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to require applicants for new pipelines to assess a project’s indirect impacts, including potential increases in gas production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions[1]. “Our report provides an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions of the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines as the EPA suggests,” said Dr. Ball. “We urge FERC to consider this report and to require the pipeline developers to address climate concerns in a programmatic environmental impact statement that takes a comprehensive look at impacts from all proposed new or expanded pipelines.” “Statements made by gas industry executives and public officials, including Governor McAuliffe, that natural gas is a clean fuel ignore the significant climate impact of increased reliance on gas,” said Kirk Bowers, an organizer for the Sierra Club working with communities opposing the new natural gas pipelines in Virginia and West Virginia. The report’s emission estimates from production and processing operations, including fracking, are based on a 2013 published analysis by Laurenzi and Jersey, researchers with ExxonMobil. Total pipeline emission estimates in the report include production and processing as well transmission and storage, and combustion of the delivered gas. In addition to emitting large amounts of CO2 when burned, natural gas is a major contributor to climate change in the extraction and transmission stages, where significant amounts of methane escape from wells and pipeline leaks. Methane is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than CO2, and these “fugitive emissions” of methane have emerged as an area of serious concern that undercuts the case for natural gas as a cleaner substitute for coal. “Natural gas only seems like a cheap and easy fix for climate change,” said Glen Besa, Director of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, “In reality, methane pollution is a serious problem that makes natural gas a dead-end solution. We have to stop kidding ourselves. Virginia should be investing in wind and solar and energy efficiency, not expanding infrastructure for more fossil fuel burning.” The lowest estimates of greenhouse gas emissions for Atlantic Coast Pipeline at 40.7 million metric tons per year (MMT/yr) are more than 5 times the annual carbon pollution from Dominion’s Chesterfield Power Station (7.2 MMT/yr), the largest coal fired plant in Virginia, and equal to more than 80% of the total carbon pollution (49.4 MMT) from all 177 stationary sources in the EPA’s 2014 inventory of GHG emissions in Virginia [2]. The larger capacity Mountain Valley Pipeline’s total emissions of 54.3 MMT/yr would be 7.5 times the emissions of Dominion’s Chesterfield Power Station and actually exceed the total 2014 emissions from all of Virginia’s stationary sources as estimated in the EPA’s 2014 inventory. *If both the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines were to be built, their combined climate disrupting pollution would total 192%, of the emissions from Virginia’s existing power plants and other stationary sources.* Emissions from the other two proposed pipelines, the WB Xpress and the Appalachian Connector, would nearly double the total emissions from the ACP and MVP for a total of 185 MMT CO2eq at a GWP of 25 in the base case, the ExxonMobil rates, or 3.7 times the EPA GHGRP (stationary source inventory) total for Virginia. These comparisons illustrate the magnitude of the pollution these pipelines would generate; however, actual pollution from these pipelines would also occur in West Virginia where the natural gas is produced by fracking and in North Carolina as well as Virginia where the gas would be burned. “There are more immediate and familiar concerns with these pipelines including property rights and water pollution,” said Besa, “but climate change impacts should be considered by FERC particularly in light of the recent Paris agreement committing the United States to reducing our total emissions of greenhouse gas pollution.” XXX *Richard Ball has a Ph.D. in physics and worked on scientific research on the planet Earth and on energy issues for 10 years at the Rand Corp. He has 27 years’ experience working on energy policy and technology analysis, atmospheric science of acid precipitation, and climate science at the U.S.EPA and the U.S. Dept. of Energy, including serving as a lead author on the First and Second IPCC assessments of climate change. Now retired, Dr. Ball serves as volunteer Chair of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter's Energy Committee.* ------------------------------ [1] FERC Should Review Indirect Impacts, GHG Emissions From NatGas Projects, EPA Says, NGI’s Shale Daily, Jan 21, 2016; http://www.naturalgasintel.com/articles/105081-ferc-should-review-indirect-… [2] EPA’s “Flight database” from its Greenhouse Gas Reporting system. http://ghgdata.epa.gov/ghgp/main.do Glen Besa, Director Sierra Club-Virginia Chapter 422 E. Franklin St, Suite 302 Richmond, VA 23219 glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org P-804-387-6001 F-804-225-9114 Web: sierraclub.org/virginia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-FRED list, send any message to: CONS-FRED-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/terms

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Fwd: [Coal Volunteers List] Mary Anne Hitt's latest: Coal bankruptcies leaving workers, communities behind
by James Kotcon 01 Feb '16

01 Feb '16

Pretty good into to coal bankruptcies. This will be the emerging coal issue of 2016, so we will want to know something about it. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/01/28/1476412/-Coal-Bankruptcy-101-Compa… JBK ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Heather Moyer <heather.moyer(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 3:28 PM Subject: [Coal Volunteers List] Mary Anne Hitt's latest: Coal bankruptcies leaving workers, communities behind To: #Coal <coal-list(a)sierraclub.org>, #Coal-Volunteers < coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org>, #Media <media-list(a)sierraclub.org> Hi friends- Beyond Coal director Mary Anne Hitt's latest column is now live. It's a great piece penned with attorney Peter Morgan about how coal companies that are going bankrupt are leaving many in the lurch, esp as company execs gets millions in bonuses. *Retweet:* https://twitter.com/sierraclub/status/692805692202336257 *Possible Tweets:* Coal Bankruptcy 101: Companies Are Leaving Workers & Communities In the Lurch bit.ly/23wnflZ <https://t.co/1xiVMqxngw> Coal bankruptcy 101: Give execs millions in bonuses, leave workers & communities in the lurch bit.ly/23wnflZ <https://t.co/1xiVMqxngw> *LINKS* *Compass:* bit.ly/23wnflZ <https://t.co/1xiVMqxngw> *Daily Kos: * http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/01/28/1476412/-Coal-Bankruptcy-101-Compa… *Huffington Post:* http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-anne-hitt/coal-bankruptcy-101-compa_b_91… -------- *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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PBS Mine Wars documentary
by Paul Wilson 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

*Photo/Audios/Videos/Books* *PBS “Mine Wars” documentary tells a complex tale* - On Tuesday from 9 to 11 p.m., the Emmy Award-winning PBS history series “American Experience” will premiere a documentary called “The Mine Wars.” The documentary brings the early 20th century history of the conflict into more complete focus, through photos, archival footage (including film unearthed of the aftermath of the Battle of Blair Mountain) and interviews with a raft of historians, miners and others … more <http://listserv.steelworkers.org/t/277340/1028185/152900/18/> -- 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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Supreme Court supports demand response
by frank young 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160125/supreme-court-rules-against-power -suppliers The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a group of power companies and several Republican attorneys general, including West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, in a case that deals with the federal government's ability to regulate regional energy markets. In a 6-2 ruling, the Supreme Court voted to overturn a lower court's opinion that challenged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's ability to regulate what is known in the power industry as demand response. Demand response is a practice that allows large industrial or commercial electric customers - or larger groups of residential customers - to get paid for reducing the amount of power they use when electricity demand is at its highest.

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Fw: [WV Sierra Club Energy Efficiency Leaders] FYI - a major victory for demand-side resources, ...
by James Kotcon 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

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Our Clean Energy Future Moves Closer: D.C. Circuit Denies Petition to Stay the Clean Power Plan
by Duane 23 Jan '16

23 Jan '16

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sierra-club-environmental-law-program/our-cle… Our Clean Energy Future Moves Closer: D.C. Circuit Denies Petition to Stay the Clean Power Plan Sierra Club Environmental Law Program Legal Team, Sierra Club By Joanne Spalding, Sierra Club Chief Climate Counsel and Alejandra Núñez, Sierra Club Staff Attorney, Huff Post, January 22, 2016 Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied a petition by a coalition of fossil fuel industry interests and hostile states to suspend ("stay") implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan (Plan or rule) pending judicial review of its merits. The Clean Power Plan sets the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants, which are responsible for almost 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in our country. EPA anticipates that carbon dioxide emissions from these plants will decrease 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 upon full implementation of these flexible, achievable standards. The standards will also help to significantly reduce the pollutants that cause soot and smog that harm our health. As a result of an unprecedented stakeholder process, the Plan includes important, hard-won provisions aimed at ensuring that minority and low-income communities that have historically been subject to harmful and toxic pollution from power plants do not experience any adverse impacts and that they actually receive the important health and economic benefits that will result from the rule's implementation. The stay was requested by fossil fuel industry interests, including utilities and coal mining companies, and allied states, who argued that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Court did not suspend the effectiveness of the rule; that they were likely to succeed on the merits; and that a stay would be in the public interest, among other requirements set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court under Winter v. NRDC, 555 U.S. 7 (2008). Petitioners submitted reams of briefing and declarations in support of their motions, unpersuasively predicting catastrophic results if the Clean Power Plan remains in place. EPA and numerous intervenors, including a coalition of 17 states and cities led by New York, clean energy interests, and health and environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, opposed these motions, showing that petitioners failed to satisfy every single one of these requirements. The Plan builds on existing trends in the power sector that have allowed many states around the country to reduce pollution at a rapid rate over the last decade. Once in effect, emissions reductions will phase in gradually through 2030, allowing each state to determine an optimal 'glide path' to reduce their carbon pollution. The intervenors also submitted expert declarations that forcefully countered the petitioners' declarations with persuasive evidence that the rule will be a boon not just to fighting climate change in this country and internationally, but also to creating jobs and a just clean energy economy. In one of the many declarations supporting the intervenors' brief, former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright emphasized the international consequences of staying the Plan. A legal stay, she warned, "could derail" and even "irreparably harm" the international momentum to reduce carbon pollution from power plants, the primary driver of dangerous climate change. Black and Latino leaders responded to a report from the fossil fuel backed-National Black Chamber of Commerce that incorrectly alleges that the rule will cause increased poverty in environmental justice communities. On the contrary, these leaders warned that a stay would contribute to the continuation of the dangerous air pollution that causes respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses in their communities, and would prevent early action efforts to help reduce electricity bills and increase good jobs through investments in renewable clean energy and efficiency. Dr. Robert Bullard, Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University, stated, "The Clean Power Plan provides a historic opportunity for the enactment of just laws and regulations that address longstanding disparities . . . . The Clean Power Plan will not only enable our communities to transition toward clean energy; it will also set a precedent on how to integrate environmental justice into rule making and its implementation, both at the federal and state levels of government." Members of coal country communities also urged the Court to preserve the effectiveness of the rule, as its public participation requirements provides an opportunity to advocate for federal and state aid for the transition to clean energy that will improve their health, create good jobs, and allow the diversification of their economies. The Court agreed with EPA and the intervenors, reasoning that petitioners failed to meet the "stringent requirements for a stay pending court review." The parties are now moving on to the fast-track litigation on the merits of the rule, as the Court scheduled oral arguments for June 2, 2016. The D.C. Circuit Court's denial of petitioners' stay motion is fantastic news for the environment, public health, and for our nation. The most important implication of this order is that a procedural cloud of uncertainty over the implementation of the rule has now been lifted and states and utilities will continue their planning efforts to implement the rule. The decision is also a big win for environmental justice communities. The Plan requires states to ensure meaningful participation from communities in the state plan development process. The initial deadline for states to submit their plans is September 6, 2016, and any states seeking an extension beyond that deadline must still submit initial plans by September, demonstrating how they have engaged communities and explaining how they intend to ensure their continued involvement in the planning process. Sierra Club and our many environmental and community allies will be working hard to ensure the development of these plans and implementation of the rule benefits the communities most affected by fossil fuel pollution and by the transition away from coal, both in terms of reduced air pollution and increased economic opportunities. While we still have to wait for the full litigation on the merits to run its course for the success of the rule in the long-term, this is a big, positive development, which will help provide momentum as we accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy.

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Fwd: [Coal Volunteers List] Clean Power Plan stay motion denied! Full steam ahead on implementation!
by Jim Sconyers 21 Jan '16

21 Jan '16

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Mary Anne Hitt" <maryanne.hitt(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Jan 21, 2016 4:25 PM Subject: [Coal Volunteers List] Clean Power Plan stay motion denied! Full steam ahead on implementation! To: "#Coal" <coal-list(a)sierraclub.org>, "#Coal-Volunteers" < coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org> Cc: Hello Beyond Coal team, Fantastic news breaking this afternoon - the federal DC Circuit Court of Appeals has denied an industry-backed motion to stay, or block, the Clean Power Plan while the court reviews the merits of the case. They have also scheduled oral arguments on a fast track, for June 2. This means that a procedural cloud of uncertainty over states is now lifted, and they can proceed full steam ahead with drafting their implementation plans. While we still have to wait for the full litigation to run its course, this is a very big positive development, and will provide more wind at our backs as we accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy. Sample tweets and our press statement are below. If you have any questions, reach out to me or your nearest ELP contact. And give them an high-five while you're at it! Our legal team has been working hard for years to bolster up the Clean Power Plan, and today we are seeing the results of their hard work and dedication. Mary Anne ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Rudhdi Karnik <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org> Suggested tweets: BREAKING: Federal Court Rejects Fossil Fuel Industry Effort to Delay # CleanPowerPlan <https://twitter.com/search?q=%23CleanPowerPlan> Implementation http://bit.ly/1SAb3wB NEWS: Federal Court Rejects Fossil Fuel Industry Effort to Delay # CleanPowerPlan <https://twitter.com/hashtag/CleanPowerPlan?src=hash> Implementation http://bit.ly/1SAb3wB <https://t.co/rVzax2Pmua> # ActOnClimate <https://twitter.com/hashtag/ActOnClimate?src=hash> On Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 4:12 PM, Rudhdi Karnik <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org > wrote: > FYI this just went out to reporters-- woo hoo, big win! > > > ### > > > > > > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE > > Thursday, January 21, 2016 > > Contact: Rudhdi Karnik, Rudhdi.Karnik(a)sierraclub.org, 202-495-3055 > > View as webpage > <https://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/01/federal-court-rejects…> > > Federal Court Rejects Fossil Fuel Industry Effort to Delay Clean Power > Plan Implementation > > Court rejects motions to block nation’s first-ever limits on carbon > pollution > > Washington D.C.-- Today, in a decision applauded by clean energy > companies, public health and environmental groups, and many states, the > D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the fossil fuel industry’s legal > attempt to block the implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection > Agency’s Clean Power Plan (CPP), which sets the first-ever protections > against dangerous carbon pollution from U.S. power plants. > > Under the Clean Power Plan, states will have 15 years to fully implement > the new standards, which incorporate a broad array of flexible, > cost-effective compliance options to reduce dangerous pollution. The CPP > builds on existing trends in the power sector that have allowed many states > around the country to reduce pollution at a rapid rate over the last > decade. > > In response Joanne Spalding, Sierra Club’s Chief Climate Counsel, released > the following statement: > > “We applaud the Court’s denial of polluter-backed efforts to block the > Clean Power Plan. This decision clears the way for states to continue > implementing this common-sense standard. The only people who won’t be > cheering this decision are those who profit from pollution and their > political allies. > > “This is just the latest attack from the fossil fuel industry on the Clean > Power Plan to be rejected by a federal court, and it won’t be the last. The > fact is, the Clean Power Plan is based on legislation passed by Congress, > upheld by the Supreme Court, and implemented by the President. It's a > vital, lifesaving policy that draws on the strength and ingenuity of > American innovation to curb dangerous carbon pollution being dumped into > our air, while driving investment and creating jobs in energy efficiency > and clean energy. In limiting the pollution that is causing climate > disruption, the Clean Power Plan will also reduce pollution that causes > serious respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature death -- > effects that disproportionately burden communities of color and the most > vulnerable members of our society. > > “Today’s decision allows states, power providers, and clean energy > companies to continue building on the momentum from the Paris climate > summit, moving us closer to powering the nation with 100% clean energy.” > > -- > Rudhdi Karnik > Associate Press Secretary, Federal Affairs > Sierra Club, Beyond Coal Campaign > ( <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org>o) 202.495.3055 > > > > > -- Rudhdi Karnik Associate Press Secretary, Federal Affairs Sierra Club, Beyond Coal Campaign ( <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org>o) 202.495.3055 -- [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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Fwd: [Coal Volunteers List] Clean Power Plan stay motion denied! Full steam ahead on implementation!
by James Kotcon 21 Jan '16

21 Jan '16

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mary Anne Hitt <maryanne.hitt(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 4:25 PM Subject: [Coal Volunteers List] Clean Power Plan stay motion denied! Full steam ahead on implementation! To: #Coal <coal-list(a)sierraclub.org>, #Coal-Volunteers < coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org> Hello Beyond Coal team, Fantastic news breaking this afternoon - the federal DC Circuit Court of Appeals has denied an industry-backed motion to stay, or block, the Clean Power Plan while the court reviews the merits of the case. They have also scheduled oral arguments on a fast track, for June 2. This means that a procedural cloud of uncertainty over states is now lifted, and they can proceed full steam ahead with drafting their implementation plans. While we still have to wait for the full litigation to run its course, this is a very big positive development, and will provide more wind at our backs as we accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy. Sample tweets and our press statement are below. If you have any questions, reach out to me or your nearest ELP contact. And give them an high-five while you're at it! Our legal team has been working hard for years to bolster up the Clean Power Plan, and today we are seeing the results of their hard work and dedication. Mary Anne ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Rudhdi Karnik <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org> Suggested tweets: BREAKING: Federal Court Rejects Fossil Fuel Industry Effort to Delay # CleanPowerPlan <https://twitter.com/search?q=%23CleanPowerPlan> Implementation http://bit.ly/1SAb3wB NEWS: Federal Court Rejects Fossil Fuel Industry Effort to Delay # CleanPowerPlan <https://twitter.com/hashtag/CleanPowerPlan?src=hash> Implementation http://bit.ly/1SAb3wB <https://t.co/rVzax2Pmua> # ActOnClimate <https://twitter.com/hashtag/ActOnClimate?src=hash> On Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 4:12 PM, Rudhdi Karnik <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org > wrote: > FYI this just went out to reporters-- woo hoo, big win! > > > ### > > > > > > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE > > Thursday, January 21, 2016 > > Contact: Rudhdi Karnik, Rudhdi.Karnik(a)sierraclub.org, 202-495-3055 > > View as webpage > <https://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/01/federal-court-rejects…> > > Federal Court Rejects Fossil Fuel Industry Effort to Delay Clean Power > Plan Implementation > > Court rejects motions to block nation’s first-ever limits on carbon > pollution > > Washington D.C.-- Today, in a decision applauded by clean energy > companies, public health and environmental groups, and many states, the > D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the fossil fuel industry’s legal > attempt to block the implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection > Agency’s Clean Power Plan (CPP), which sets the first-ever protections > against dangerous carbon pollution from U.S. power plants. > > Under the Clean Power Plan, states will have 15 years to fully implement > the new standards, which incorporate a broad array of flexible, > cost-effective compliance options to reduce dangerous pollution. The CPP > builds on existing trends in the power sector that have allowed many states > around the country to reduce pollution at a rapid rate over the last > decade. > > In response Joanne Spalding, Sierra Club’s Chief Climate Counsel, released > the following statement: > > “We applaud the Court’s denial of polluter-backed efforts to block the > Clean Power Plan. This decision clears the way for states to continue > implementing this common-sense standard. The only people who won’t be > cheering this decision are those who profit from pollution and their > political allies. > > “This is just the latest attack from the fossil fuel industry on the Clean > Power Plan to be rejected by a federal court, and it won’t be the last. The > fact is, the Clean Power Plan is based on legislation passed by Congress, > upheld by the Supreme Court, and implemented by the President. It's a > vital, lifesaving policy that draws on the strength and ingenuity of > American innovation to curb dangerous carbon pollution being dumped into > our air, while driving investment and creating jobs in energy efficiency > and clean energy. In limiting the pollution that is causing climate > disruption, the Clean Power Plan will also reduce pollution that causes > serious respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature death -- > effects that disproportionately burden communities of color and the most > vulnerable members of our society. > > “Today’s decision allows states, power providers, and clean energy > companies to continue building on the momentum from the Paris climate > summit, moving us closer to powering the nation with 100% clean energy.” > > -- > Rudhdi Karnik > Associate Press Secretary, Federal Affairs > Sierra Club, Beyond Coal Campaign > ( <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org>o) 202.495.3055 > > > > > -- Rudhdi Karnik Associate Press Secretary, Federal Affairs Sierra Club, Beyond Coal Campaign ( <rudhdi.karnik(a)sierraclub.org>o) 202.495.3055 -- [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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Fwd: From ClimateWire -- EXCLUSIVE: In the heart of coal country, calls for carbon trading
by James Kotcon 21 Jan '16

21 Jan '16

I got a call from this E&E reporter late yesterday, they had done a records request at DEP and got the comments filed on the CPP. Here is the story they ran today. http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060030942 Of greatest interest to me is the side bar, which has links to the comment letters posted by the utilities, the WV Dept of Commerce, UMWV and the Attorney General. I would really love to see what the WV Coal Association filed, but it is not up there. Most feel (and Tom Clarke of DEP says) that DEP cannot go outside the fenceline and therefore cannot file a compliant SIP without changes to HB 2004. That sounds like they agree with Mark Kresowick's interpretation of the language, although I still think the word "may" means it is discretionary, not restrictive. I am swamped today, but will read through these tomorrow. Jim Kotcon ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: eharball <email_this(a)eenews.net> Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 9:21 AM Subject: From ClimateWire -- EXCLUSIVE: In the heart of coal country, calls for carbon trading To: jkotcon(a)gmail.com In the heart of coal country, calls for carbon trading *This ClimateWire story was sent to you by:* eharball(a)eenews.net *Personal message:* Here you go! Thanks again for your time yesterday. We will definitely be in touch. [image: ClimateWire] <http://www.eenews.net/cw> AN E&E PUBLISHING SERVICE EXCLUSIVE: In the heart of coal country, calls for carbon trading Elizabeth Harball <http://www.eenews.net/staff/Elizabeth_Harball> and Emily Holden <http://www.eenews.net/staff/Emily_Holden>, E&E reporters Published: Thursday, January 21, 2016 Major electricity providers and some government officials in West Virginia, the state leading the charge against federal climate change regulations, want to use carbon trading to meet their greenhouse gas reduction targets, according to public records obtained by *ClimateWire*. More than a dozen documents reveal for the first time that despite political pushback against U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan, key interests in the state are searching for ways to comply in case legal challenges fail. Image removed for email: E&E Power Plan Hub Logo West Virginia's politicians are among the loudest critics of the climate regulation. The state attorney general, Patrick Morrisey (R), is leading a 24-state lawsuit to kill it, and the state Legislature last year passed a law <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=HB2004%20SU…> that limits the kind of plan that the state's environment agency, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), can write to meet federal goals. But comments filed to the agency show that important players in West Virginia -- including utilities and a member of the governor's Cabinet -- want the flexibility to use carbon trading to comply. They say trading is the cheapest option for companies and consumers, and argue that they cannot meet EPA's goals under the current state law. "If the [Clean Power Plan] is implemented in West Virginia, credits or allowances will be required for coal plants to continue to operate," said Longview Power LLC, which boasts it owns the cleanest coal plant in the state, during a December presentation. Longview Power CEO Jeff Keffer said in an interview that feedback the environment agency has received from power companies likely reflects broad agreement from the power sector that the state can't meet EPA's targets without legislative changes. "The first step DEP has is to develop a feasibility study," said Keffer. "I suspect that feasibility study will highlight the conflicts between the preparation of a [state compliance plan] and that state statute and the limitations that they have enacted." 'We just can't get there' The missives come as West Virginia, many other states and numerous trade groups are fighting in court to stall or nix the Clean Power Plan. They show how companies affected by the rule are encouraging entrenched opponents of EPA to make backup plans to comply in case legal attacks don't succeed. EPA requires states to cut their power plant carbon dioxide emissions rates by varying amounts by 2030. West Virginia -- which relies almost entirely on coal power and also depends on mining to drive the state's economy -- must make a reduction of 37 percent. EPA's rule allows states to ramp up renewable energy and natural gas usage to reach goals. It also lays out guidelines for carbon trading, which lets power generators buy allowances or credits from cleaner electricity sources to meet required CO2 levels. Power companies in many states are looking to use carbon trading to comply (*ClimateWire* <http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/01/19/stories/1060030764>, Jan. 19). But opponents, including Morrisey and members of West Virginia's Legislature who crafted H.B. 2004, argue that EPA legally can only require specific changes to make coal plants run more efficiently. The law restricts West Virginia's environment agency to writing a carbon-cutting plan based on efficiency improvements that can be made at plants. It calls on DEP to analyze the Clean Power Plan and tell legislators whether the standards are feasible in light of the law's restrictions. DEP finished collecting comments late last month to conduct that analysis. Inspired by the American Legislative Exchange Council, the law also requires the Legislature to approve any plan before state officials send it to EPA (*ClimateWire* <http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060014519>, March 5, 2015). Asked if West Virginia's coal units can meet EPA's carbon targets under the state law, DEP senior policy adviser and counsel Thomas Clarke said, "We just can't get there." "Other than capturing carbon, which has yet to be shown to be feasible ... there's really not anything else you can do at the unit," Clarke said. West Virginia's power companies agreed. Utility American Electric Power said "the obvious conclusion" is that developing a state plan to meet EPA standards is "not feasible given the constraints imposed by H.B. 2004." "The legislation limits West Virginia's ability to craft an implementation plan that would meet the targets in the Clean Power Plan and be approved by the EPA," AEP spokeswoman Tammy Ridout said in an emailed statement. "The state could then be subjected to a federal plan, which if finalized as proposed, would take a 'one size fits all' approach that will not be tailored to the unique infrastructure, economic needs or policy objectives of individual states." Opponents call Clean Power Plan 'illegal' Power company Dominion, which operates three coal-fired units subject to the Clean Power Plan in West Virginia, recommended that the state develop a carbon-cutting plan that uses interstate trading. Officials argued that there are "very limited economically viable options for achieving the CPP standards" otherwise. And "in general, market-based approaches are the most cost effective if properly constructed," said holding company FirstEnergy Corp. on behalf of its subsidiaries Monongahela Power Co., Potomac Edison and Allegheny Energy Service Corp. FirstEnergy spokeswoman Jennifer Young said in an emailed statement, "responding to West Virginia's questions regarding West Virginia House Bill 2004 was the first step in what will likely be a lengthy process and conversation about the state's implementation plan." West Virginia's attorney general interpreted the comments to DEP as evidence that the state can't comply with EPA's rule without changing state laws and reaching beyond the coal plant "fence line," allowing for carbon trading or relying on cleaner sources of power. Morrisey said in an emailed statement that the comments to DEP "further demonstrate the need for an immediate stay of the illegal Power Plan, a plan already causing real and irreversible changes on the ground in the states." State Sen. Gregory Boso (R), chairman of the West Virginia Senate's Energy, Industry and Mining Committee, did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication, and neither did other members of the West Virginia Legislature, including co-sponsors of H.B. 2004. Even mine workers union calls to study trading Despite current law, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) is requiring that the state write a blueprint to cut emissions, rather than be forced to comply with a federal version (*ClimateWire* <http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060027050.>, Oct. 28, 2015). To retain West Virginia's role as an electricity exporter to other states, to limit job losses and to keep power prices low for customers, the state should "maximize whatever flexibility is offered under the Clean Power Plan," stated comments from Commerce Department Secretary J. Keith Burdette, who works under the governor. That flexibility should include allowing utilities to purchase allowances in a carbon trading system, Burdette wrote. [image: Miner statue] As West Virginia battles federal climate change regulations in court, its utilities and coal miners -- made famous in this state sculpture -- are quietly seeking ways to comply. Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Legislature. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), which is also suing EPA, said it is confident that legal challenges will halt the rule. The union doubts the merits of interstate trading but nonetheless called for more comprehensive analysis into various compliance approaches "to determine the best course for West Virginia in the event that it must comply with the final rule." UMWA President Cecil Roberts wants the state to seek a two-year extension to submit a plan, which means filing a status report to EPA in September. "This would allow WV DEP to proceed with stakeholder meetings in the meantime to assess the merits of alternative compliance pathways," Roberts wrote to the state. Greens blast 'war on coal' rhetoric Meanwhile, environmental advocates with the Sierra Club's West Virginia Chapter interpreted the law differently than both the power companies and DEP. In their comments, activists said that while H.B. 2004 requires "unit-specific" standards for coal plants, that does not prohibit carbon emissions trading. "We recommend that DEP conclude that compliance is technically feasible, because it is," the Sierra Club said. The West Virginia Chapter's Energy Committee chairman, Jim Kotcon, acknowledged in an interview that other legal experts might disagree. "If read in its most restrictive way, then DEP is probably unable to construct a [state plan] that would comply with EPA's rule," Kotcon said. "I certainly do not want to discount the political influence of our utilities and electric generating industries with the Legislature -- they far exceed my limited influence," Kotcon said. "At the same time, so many of our West Virginia legislators have been so locked onto the friends of coal and the 'EPA war on coal' rhetoric that it is going to be interesting to see if they can backpedal enough to actually vote for a [state implementation plan]." But DEP senior policy adviser and counsel Clarke said in a December interview that the law's language may leave it open to changes down the road. H.B. 2004 "asks us to analyze the need for legislative or other changes to state law. And so what we may do is tell the Legislature, 'Gee, if you want to submit a plan, some of these things that you've put in House Bill 2004 that limit what we can do in a state plan need to come out of state law,'" Clarke said. Want to read more stories like this? Click here <http://www.eenews.net/trial?r=emailed_story_1060030942> to start a free trial to E&E -- the best way to track policy and markets. ABOUT CLIMATEWIRE – The politics and business of climate change ClimateWire is written and produced by the staff of E&E Publishing, LLC. It is designed to provide comprehensive, daily coverage of all aspects of climate change issues. From international agreements on carbon emissions to alternative energy technologies to state and federal GHG programs, ClimateWire plugs readers into the information they need to stay abreast of this sprawling, complex issue. [image: E&E Publishing, LLC] <http://www.eenews.net/> E&E Publishing, LLC 122 C St. NW, Ste. 722, Wash., D.C. 20001 Phone: 202-628-6500 Fax: 202-737-5299 www.eenews.net All content is copyrighted and may not be reproduced or retransmitted without the express consent of E&E Publishing, LLC. Click here <http://www.eenews.net/eep/learn_more/privacy_policy> to view our privacy policy.

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Today's Editorial in WVU Daiily Athenaeum
by James Kotcon 15 Jan '16

15 Jan '16

This may be a sign for the Power Plus campaign. JBK http://www.thedaonline.com/opinion/article_698b302e-bb37-11e5-9cfc-97286551… [http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/thedaonline.com/content/tncms/a…]<http://www.thedaonline.com/opinion/article_698b302e-bb37-11e5-9cfc-97286551…> Securing W. Va.'s economic future<http://www.thedaonline.com/opinion/article_698b302e-bb37-11e5-9cfc-97286551…> www.thedaonline.com With decreasing profits from prominent industries like natural gas and coal, Tomblin urged people to consider reinvesting in West Virginia's mining communities. Like President Barack Obama, West Virginia governor Earl Ray Tomblin is reaching the end of his second and final term. In his final State of the State address on Wednesday, Tomblin addressed current issues in West Virginia and offered potential solutions to the problems. With decreasing profits from prominent industries like natural gas and coal, Tomblin urged people to consider reinvesting in West Virginia's mining communities. He also advocated for an increase in taxes, as the state continues to see budget gaps that are projected to only increase in size over time. Though coal is West Virginia's most notable industry, it's no surprise that this state will eventually run out of all minable resources. The decline in both the national gas and coal industries in the state indicates the beginning of what can only be a continuous economic fall. Without any other industry to support this state's residents, families will end up in poverty if an alternate source of jobs for unskilled workers isn't found. West Virginia is too mountainous to hold any true farmland, and though the tourism industry draws many fisherman, hikers and whitewater rafters, it may not be enough to support this state's economy. However, If miners can currently remove entire mountaintops as a way to harness energy, building wind turbines on untouched mountaintops and training workers to maintain them should solve both our energy needs and create new sources of jobs and revenue in West Virginia. In 2014, West Virginia only had 327 wind turbines while Pennsylvania had 720. Wind energy jobs are already found in every state, and looking into the possibility of expanding our wind energy output may be the start of a slow transition away from relying upon mining onto permanently utilizing renewable energy. Tomblin should stop hanging onto the ways of the past and start spearheading the search for new industries and livelihoods able to support West Virginians permanently. Getting this process started for our next governor to continue during his or her time in office is critical in ensuring the protection of West Virginia's economic future.

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Fw: Sign up for our Webinar on home energy efficiency Jan. 20
by James Kotcon 14 Jan '16

14 Jan '16

________________________________ From: Autumn Long <autumnlong11(a)gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2016 3:28 PM To: Laura Yokochi; John Bird; David Sturm; James Kotcon Subject: Sign up for our Webinar on home energy efficiency Jan. 20 Thought the EE team might be interested in this. I'm signing up for it. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Elizabeth Payne <lee.payne(a)appvoices.org> Date: Thursday, January 14, 2016 Subject: Sign up for our Webinar on home energy efficiency Jan. 20 To: autumnlong11(a)gmail.com [http://appvoices.org/images/AppVoicesemailheader.jpg]<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=6xg52fT6LSwb5FBZtMBu%2BwBHlc4M…> [http://appvoices.org/images/uploads/2016/01/webinar2016_energyefficiency.jpg]<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=AqofcVUxxbgPbgPZsshYvfhOHf36FO…> Dear Autumn, Appalachian Voices will host the first in our free four-part webinar series about environmental issues facing the Appalachian region on Wednesday, January 20, at 2 p.m. "Improve the Efficiency of Your Home" will focus on energy efficiency since waste is a key source of energy usage. Most homes use - and pay for - at least 20% more electricity than they need to due to energy lost through such things as inefficient appliances and drafty windows. >> Register for the webinar now!<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=7j3EerRmdoWmMxrjZ7mXJPhOHf36FO…> Energy efficiency provides a way to use less energy without changing your lifestyle, because it reduces the amount of electricity wasted in our daily lives. And by using less electricity you can lower your utility costs, while reducing your consumption of fossil fuels. This means more money in your pocket and less pollution in our air and water! This webinar will provide information about the importance of energy efficiency, offer suggestions for how you can improve the efficiency of your homes, and introduce programs that can help finance and promote greater energy efficiency. Join our discussion and share your questions with our featured panelists: [http://appvoices.org/images/uploads/2016/01/webinar2016_1.jpg] * Jennifer Alldredge, the education program manager for the Alliance to Save Energy, a national coalition advocating energy efficiency as a solution to global energy needs. * Marcus Renner, owner and project manager of Conservation Pros, an Asheville-based business that specializes in providing energy efficiency and weatherization solutions for homeowners and businesses in western North Carolina. * Rory McIlmoil, the energy policy director for Appalachian Voices, an environmental nonprofit focused on reducing the impact of coal in central and southern Appalachia and working toward a * cleaner energy future. Learn more and register now!<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jfJoO7oJ9YrD1GsC0%2FY70wBHlc4M…> [http://appvoices.org/images/staff/lee_payne_sm.jpg] Thanks and I hope you'll be able to join us! [http://appvoices.org/images/staff/lee_sig.jpg] Elizabeth E. Payne AmeriCorps Project Conserve Communications Associate [Facebook]<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=F79f5WCKImxZ1UTJ4AtTVfhOHf36FO…> [Twitter] <http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ff8ucTjWLgTt3g%2F5aP3kfPhOHf36…> You are receiving this message because you signed up to receive general email alerts from Appalachian Voices. AppVoices.org<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KHOLdlDx0txKS8l6T7l7l%2FhOHf36…> | Contact Us<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BY%2BTizJWg9fXCe9VOWEmEPhOHf…> | Unsubscribe<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BlaELPw9ZNTIuUayMEd49PhOHf36…> -- Autumn

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Re: [EC] [Coal Volunteers List] Helpful post on "self-bonding" by coal companies, by Peter Morgan
by Paul Wilson 13 Jan '16

13 Jan '16

Tomorrow's Diane Rehm Show on NPR will have a "Future of Coal Industry" discussion on the first hour. IF you do not get that show on your NPR station. listen online at drshow.org or wamu.org. fyi, paul w. On Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 5:06 PM, Mary Anne Hitt < maryanne.hitt(a)sierraclub.org> wrote: > Hello all, > > In the wake of the Arch Coal bankruptcy announcement today, I wanted to be > sure everyone had seen this blog post by our very own Peter Morgan, with > the Environmental Law Program, which explains the racket that is > "self-bonding" by coal mining companies. It's a very concise, accessible > summary of how we taxpayers may be left footing the bill for the mess these > companies leave behind. > > I always found this whole process rather confusing, and this post is one > of the most clear explanations of how it works that I've come across, so I > wanted to pass it along. We're lucky to have Peter and Aaron Isherwood > navigating us through the murky world of coal company bankruptcies. > > Mary Anne > > > http://www.sierraclub.org/planet/2016/01/big-coal-mining-companies-want-gam… > > January 6, 2016 > Big Coal Mining Companies Want to Gamble on the Coal Market -- Using Your > Money > By Peter Morgan <http://www.sierraclub.org/other/authors/peter-morgan> > > [image: Mountaintop removal coal mining at Berry Branch Mine, Ohio.] > *Berry Branch Mine, West Virginia. Photograph by Vivian Stockman, Ohio > Valley Environmental Coalition <http://ohvec.org/>.* > > The coal mining industry in the United States is undergoing a historic > shift. Coal prices, and coal production, continue to decrease. Major mine > operators, many of whom over-leveraged and took on massive debt when the > coal market was at its peak just a few years ago, are being swept up in a > wave of bankruptcies. Rather than give in to these market conditions and > fold, some mine operators are seeking to reorganize and emerge from > bankruptcy. How do they plan to do this? By underwriting their risky > gambles with taxpayer money -- *your* money –- in the form of > self-bonding. > > One of the major contributors to the downward force pressing on the coal > industry is the continuing oversupply of coal. A recent report from > McKinsey consultants dubbed this phenomenon "zombie mines": mines that lose > money, but that keep operating because it is too expensive to shut them > down. But the cost of shuttering these mines isn't the only factor in play. > Each of the major mine operators wants to be the last man standing. Some > market for coal will persist in the U.S., and each company wants to secure > the major share of that market. > > But how can a bankrupt coal company hope to scrape together the funding > necessary to emerge from their dire financial straits and gamble on future > coal mining profits? Easy: they'll use your money. One of the most > fundamental components of state and federal surface mining laws is the > requirement that before coal removal can start, a mine operator must post a > bond sufficient to cover the costs of reclaiming the site should it go out > of business. That reclamation cost can be in the tens of millions of > dollars for a single site. For big companies that hold a lot of permits –- > like Alpha Natural Resources and Arch Coal –- the total reclamation > obligation is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. So what does a mine > operator do if it doesn't have hundreds of millions of dollars to secure > those bonds? It convinces state regulators to let it off the hook from > these reclamation bonding obligations by authorizing the use of > "self-bonds" –-essentially an unenforceable promise from the company to the > regulator that the company will complete reclamation. That means that if > the company liquidates or abandons a mine site before it completes > reclamation there will be no money left to pay for the cleanup. Instead, > taxpayers –- you and me –- will shoulder that cost. > > This exact scenario is playing out right now. In August, Alpha Natural > Resources –- one of the largest coal producers in the country –- filed for > Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Despite the significant decline of the > coal industry and Alpha's plummeting stock value, state regulators in > Wyoming and West Virginia had allowed Alpha to keep operating its mines > under self-bonds. In Wyoming, Alpha's self-bonded reclamation liability is > $411 million. In West Virginia, the self-bonded liability is $244 million. > When the inevitable came to pass and Alpha filed for bankruptcy, state > regulators opted to allow Alpha to keep operating under its now worthless > self-bonds rather than require the company or its funders to provide > substitute bonds. This means the state regulators are choosing to place the > risk on the backs of their own citizens rather than on the company or the > big banks currently propping it up. > > Alpha and the state regulators claim that continued self-bonding is > necessary only during the bankruptcy process itself and that Alpha will > substitute those reclamation bonds when it emerges from bankruptcy. Neither > Alpha, the regulators, or anyone else has made any attempt to explain where > the bankrupt company will come up with the more than $650 million in > funding that would be required to provide complete and secure reclamation > bonds. Much more likely, and consistent with recent events, is that the > regulators will allow Alpha to keep mining based on less-than-complete > reclamation bonding. In other words, Alpha will be mining -– disturbing > more land that will need to be reclaimed –- while taxpayers bear the risk > of paying for that reclamation. Because Alpha will be operating in the > current market of low coal prices and high production costs, the chance of > further defaults and a return to bankruptcy are quite high. And when that > happens, the company will be forced to liquidate its assets and will cease > to exist. But Alpha need not worry about that: once it's time to pay for > the reclamation, Alpha won't be around anymore. You and I will be the ones > left holding the bill. > > -- > [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. > -- 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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IRP Review
by James Kotcon 10 Jan '16

10 Jan '16

Here is my quick summary of the Mon Power, ApCo, and Wheeling Power IRPs Top Ten Talking Points on Mon Power & Potomac Edison's IRP 1. MP/PE ignores the CPP. No specific plans until DEP imposes requirements. 2. Since Mon Power provides all generation for PE, these are combined under Mon Power. 3. MP projects a capacity shortfall by 2016, with the shortfall growing to 850 MW by 2027. 4. Propose two options: A) Purchase 850 MW of new capacity in 2017, or B) Retrofit existing plants (Harrison and Fort Martin) to co-fire with up to 30 % gas. Cost of conversion would be $55-80 million at each plant.. (What happened? I though the purchase of Harrison was supposed to provide excess capacity for decades!) 5. Current Capacity is 1984 MW from Harrison, 1098 MW from Fort Martin, 488 MW from Bath County pump-storage ; 50 MW from MEA, 80 MW from Grant Town, and 31 MW from New Martinsville Hannibal Hydro Project. 6. Actual peak growth 2010-2014 was 3.1 %, mostly from growth in the natural gas drilling and processing sector. Projected peak load forecast is 2.2 % per year for 2015-2020. 7. Mon Power apparently did not consider ANY new EE or DR options for meeting new capacity needs. Existing Phase I and Phase II EE Plans will reduce energy use by cumulative 1 % by 2018. 8. Claims the Mercury rule was a key factor in closing Albright, Rivesville and Willow Island Sept. 1, 2012. 9. Concludes that solar, geothermal, and new hydro are not cost-effective, but wind or biomass co-firing are most viable options for renewable generation. 10. New generation could be acquired by building or buying an additional power plant. Co-firing would add "fuel diversity" at existing plants. (It is not clear to me how co-firing helps resolve the capacity shortfall?) Top Ten Talking Points on ApCo's IRP (Based on a review of the Executive Summary) 1. ApCo Ignores the CPP. No specific plans until DEP imposes requirements. Models assume a "cost of carbon dioxide" of $15-20/ton over a 30-year period. 2. FERC Capacity requirements (Peak Demand & Reliability assurance) differ from expected generation (actual energy requirements of customers), both will be important. Intermittent sources such as wind and solar will have limited "capacity" potential, driving ApCo to retain more base load and peaking facilities. ApCo expects a slight capacity shortfall between available generation versus expected demand by 2021, based on PJM's Capacity Performance rule (reserve margin requirements). 3. ApCo assumes average growth in demand of 0.3%, with peak demand increasing 0.2 % annually. 4. ApCo continues operation of Amos and Mountaineer plants. 5. Convert Clinch River Units 1 & 2 from coal to gas, but retires them in 2026. 6. Additional Demand side resources in the form of EE and Volt-Var Optimization = 3.1 % of energy needs, reducing capacity requirements by 118 MW by 2025. 7. Add 10 MW of large-scale solar by 2018. 8. Add 150 MW in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2025 (750 MW total). 9. Assumes customers add distributed solar increasing by 5 % annually, totaling 14 MW by 2025. (The analysis assumed the ITC expired in 2016, so I think we can expect faster growth. For example, the average growth rate in residential solar for the last 10 years has been around 40 % per year, so continuing that rate should get us over 200 MW). 10. Adds 10 MW of battery storage by 2025. Four Talking Points on Wheeling Power's IRP Based on a review of the Executive Summary) 1. Ignores CPP 2. Assumes growth in demand of 0.4 % and in peak Demand of 0.5 % per year. 3. All of WPCo's capacity comes from 50 % ownership in Mitchell plant. 4. No new resources are proposed, but some demand-side management options may be proposed in the future.

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Fw: Links to IRPs
by James Kotcon 06 Jan '16

06 Jan '16

A few more filings, including the original order can be found by searching for General Order # 184.35 The links from Dave below take you to the actual cases filed by the utilities. To see the filing, click on the case number, then click on "Activities" at the top of the page. To find the complete listing of filings for a case: Go to the PSC web page, then click on "Case Information" in the column on the left side of the page. This opens the "web Docket" page. Then click on "Case: under "Search by" on the left side. Enter the case number (e.g. 15-2002) in the box after "Case Number contains" and click "Search" This takes you to the Case List. Click on "Activities" and a full listing of all filings under that case will appear. The actual IRP will open in a new page and is fairly large, so it will take a few minutes to download. JBK ________________________________ From: David Sturm <davidsturm(a)ymail.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 5, 2016 10:00 PM To: James Kotcon Subject: Links to IRPs These are from the Activities pages (where filings are kept), from links on the case number pages. With my browser, Download is much quicker. 15-2002-E-P<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/viewCaseForWebViewForm.cfm?Cas…> 12/30/2015 Incoming Document View PDF<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…> / Text<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewText.cfm?CaseActivityID=44…> / Download<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDownload.cfm?CaseActivityI…> Monongahela Power Company and The Potomac Edison Company 15-2003-E-P<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/viewCaseForWebViewForm.cfm?Cas…> 12/30/2015 Incoming Document View PDF<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…> / Text<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewText.cfm?CaseActivityID=44…> / Download<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDownload.cfm?CaseActivityI…> Appalachian Power Company 15-2004-E-P<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/viewCaseForWebViewForm.cfm?Cas…> 12/30/2015 Incoming Document View PDF<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…> / Text<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewText.cfm?CaseActivityID=44…> / Download<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDownload.cfm?CaseActivityI…> Wheeling Power Company 15-2004-E-P<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/viewCaseForWebViewForm.cfm?Cas…> 12/30/2015 Incoming Document View PDF<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…> / Text<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewText.cfm?CaseActivityID=44…> / Download<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDownload.cfm?CaseActivityI…> Wheeling Power Company 15-2009-E-P<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/viewCaseForWebViewForm.cfm?Cas…> 12/31/2015 Incoming Document View PDF<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…> / Text<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewText.cfm?CaseActivityID=44…> / Download<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDownload.cfm?CaseActivityI…> City of New Martinsville 15-2010-E-P<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/viewCaseForWebViewForm.cfm?Cas…> 12/31/2015 Incoming Document View PDF<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…> / Text<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewText.cfm?CaseActivityID=44…> / Download<http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDownload.cfm?CaseActivityI…> Harrison Rural Electrification Association, Inc.

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Could the Hatfield's Ferry plant see a reboot?
by Duane 05 Jan '16

05 Jan '16

http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2016/01/05/Hatfie… Could the Hatfield's Ferry plant see a reboot? By Anya Litvak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 5, 2016 Although few in the electric power industry could believe that FirstEnergy Corp. would follow through on its promise to close Hatfield’s Ferry — a huge coal power plant in Greene County with $700 million worth of relatively new pollution control equipment — the company shut the doors in October 2013 and stamped the plant retired. But quietly, the Ohio-based utility has been making plans for a possible reboot. In a process begun in 2014, FirstEnergy is now asking the region grid operator for permission to start supplying power from Hatfield’s back into the grid in summer 2019. The future of the 1,700-megawatt plant may depend on the price of natural gas, or how the current menu of environmental regulations shakes out in court, or on any other factors currently being considered by engineers and number crunchers to determine if restarting the plant makes sense. Hatfield’s Ferry is the only shuttered plant out of 11 that FirstEnergy has closed across Appalachia since 2011 that the company is evaluating for a restart and it’s the one with the most potential for future use, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Young. She said FirstEnergy is working through an engineering study to, once again, consider retrofitting Hatfield’s Ferry to burn natural gas along with coal. If it decides to go through with that plan, the plant won’t be ready until June 2019. The company is also studying restarting it as a coal plant or converting it entirely to gas. “This really was about keeping the options open,” Ms. Young said. “We haven’t done any work to restart that plant.” Hatfield’s, near Masontown, was shuttered at the same time as a smaller, 370-megawatt Mitchell Power Station in Courtney, with FirstEnergy blaming low electricity demand, cheap natural gas and environmental compliance costs for the closures. About 380 people lost their jobs at the facilities, though the company found many of them replacement work at other sites. Andy Sinclair was one of them. He worked as an instrument controls technician at Hatfield’s before it shut down. He now works at West Penn Power, which is also owned by FirstEnergy. A few months ago, when Mr. Sinclair was invited to have breakfast with FirstEnergy’s CEO Chuck Jones, he said he asked Mr. Jones what the company had in mind for Hatfield’s and was told there were no plans to reopen the power station. He didn’t know about the company’s current studies or about its request to the grid operator. “I can’t believe I didn’t hear about this until today,” Mr. Sinclair said. But he had heard of rumors of engineers wandering through the plant last winter to assess the possibility of restarting it to run on coal and gas. “I heard they got up to so much money that it was out of control,” he said. FirstEnergy said as much two years ago. Jim Lash, president of FirstEnergy Generation, told legislators in 2013 that the company had already evaluated adding natural gas to the mix at Hatfield’s and determined it wouldn’t be economical. On at least one occasion, Mr. Lash said it would be cheaper to build natural gas power plants from scratch than to convert a coal plant to co-fire with gas. “That was a snapshot in time and things do change over time,” Ms. Young said this week. It could be that retrofitting makes more sense now, she said, but the company isn’t far enough along in its evaluation to make that call. “It’s been three years now and market conditions have changed,” she said. What also changed was how PJM Interconnection Inc., the regional grid operator that coordinates the flow of electricity for 13 states including Pennsylvania, ensures that there is enough generation in the grid to feed demand in future years. After a push by generators, with FirstEnergy at the front of the pack, PJM revamped its process to favor more predictable, baseload generation. The PJM changes are a positive for FirstEnergy, but Ms. Young said that hasn’t been enough to compel the company to buy new generation or think about restarting shuttered plants quite yet. Hatfield’s Ferry was outfitted with scrubbers before it was acquired by FirstEnergy in 2011 as part of the Ohio company’s takeover of Greensburg-based Allegheny Energy Inc. The scrubbers were designed to keep sulfur dioxide emissions from the air and have the added effect of reducing mercury emissions. Ms. Young said that in order to comply with the mercury emissions rules that went into effect last year, the plant would need additional investment. She said an exact figure isn’t available. “Conversion to another fuel type would require significant investments as well,” she said. “It’s too soon to speculate what future operation of the plant might entail.” www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Fw: [WV Sierra Club Energy Efficiency Leaders] This doesn't really fit into this group, since...
by James Kotcon 17 Dec '15

17 Dec '15

This is important. I am reminded of a story last year when football practice had to be cancelled in Chicago due to high heat in August. When climate change starts to interfere with the WVU Mountaineer football team, we will start to see action on climate change in West Virginia! Jim Kotcon ________________________________ From: Emmett Pepper <notification+zlrdzo1f(a)facebookmail.com> Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2015 10:12 AM To: WV Sierra Club Energy Efficiency Leaders Subject: [WV Sierra Club Energy Efficiency Leaders] This doesn't really fit into this group, since... Emmett Pepper posted in WV Sierra Club Energy Efficiency Leaders . Emmett Pepper December 17 at 10:12am This doesn't really fit into this group, since this is focused on efficiency, not climate change, but I don't know what the best WV-based climate Facebook group is. Charleston, WV is slated to have the most "danger days" by 2050, due to climate change, according to a report from August comparing 144 cities across the country. I don't remember seeing it in my feed in August, though I may have just not been paying attention. http://grist.org/climate-energy/top-10-cities-facing-the-most-danger-days-d… Top 10 cities facing the most "danger days" due to climate change grist.org Climate change will make danger days a lot more common over the next 15 years. Like Comment Share [https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yk/r/_2faPUZhPI6.png]<https://www.facebook.com/n/?groups%2F273746069448855%2Fpermalink%2F55516804…> Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/n/?groups%2F273746069448855%2Fpermalink%2F55516804…> Emmett Pepper<https://www.facebook.com/n/?emmett.poivre&aref=1450365137249134&medium=emai…> posted in WV Sierra Club Energy Efficiency Leaders<https://www.facebook.com/n/?groups%2F273746069448855%2F&aref=14503651372491…>. [https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xft1/v/t1.0-1/p100x100/123…]<https://www.facebook.com/emmett.poivre> Emmett Pepper<https://www.facebook.com/emmett.poivre> December 17 at 10:12am This doesn't really fit into this group, since this is focused on efficiency, not climate change, but I don't know what the best WV-based climate Facebook group is. Charleston, WV is slated to have the most "danger days" by 2050, due to climate change, according to a report from August comparing 144 cities across the country. I don't remember seeing it in my feed in August, though I may have just not been paying attention. http://grist.org/climate-energy/top-10-cities-facing-the-most-danger-days-d… [https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCbyEHmnM798uNg&w=158&h…]<http://l.facebook.com/l/rAQGT2xJMAQE2L_RfXhlOpFYhEn7aaiFuYf18j9e58CoTMg/gri…> Top 10 cities facing the most "danger days" due to climate change<http://l.facebook.com/l/QAQECZYHvAQEq6QqzAjFdIQyGv2jZxy9HluusG0Q3suz2Gw/gri…> <http://l.facebook.com/l/QAQECZYHvAQEq6QqzAjFdIQyGv2jZxy9HluusG0Q3suz2Gw/gri…> grist.org Climate change will make danger days a lot more common over the next 15 years. <https://www.facebook.com/n/?email%2Fufi%2Fclick&action=like&target=55516804…> [https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yM/r/aL-TjjYppK9.png] Like<https://www.facebook.com/n/?email%2Fufi%2Fclick&action=like&target=55516804…> <https://www.facebook.com/n/?email%2Fufi%2Fclick&action=comment&target=55516…> [https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/pydUbhpFodk.png] Comment<https://www.facebook.com/n/?email%2Fufi%2Fclick&action=comment&target=55516…> <https://www.facebook.com/n/?email%2Fufi%2Fclick&action=share&target=5551680…> [https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yU/r/1xTlxxl7Lck.png] Share<https://www.facebook.com/n/?email%2Fufi%2Fclick&action=share&target=5551680…> <https://www.facebook.com/n/?groups%2F273746069448855%2Fpermalink%2F55516804…> <https://www.facebook.com/n/?groups%2F273746069448855%2Fpermalink%2F55516804…> View on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/n/?settings&aref=1450365137249134&medium=email&mid…> <https://www.facebook.com/n/?settings&aref=1450365137249134&medium=email&mid…> Edit Email Settings Reply to this email to comment on this post. This message was sent to jkotcon(a)wvu.edu<mailto:jkotcon@wvu.edu>. If you don't want to receive these emails from Facebook in the future, please unsubscribe<https://www.facebook.com/o.php?k=AS3f6chL3nIXRexi&u=1081364345&mid=52719293…>. Facebook, Inc., Attention: Community Support, Menlo Park, CA 94025 [https://www.facebook.com/email_open_log_pic.php?mid=527192936e09cG40744f79G…]

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Rare earth elements from coal mining waste
by James Kotcon 16 Dec '15

16 Dec '15

FYI. Acid Mine Drainage may be valuable feedstock. JBK See more at: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2015/12/14/wvu-leads-efforts-to-study-recovery-of… West Virginia could become one of the country's significant sources for rare earth elements, the "vitamins of modern industry," without the expense or environmental cost of opening new mines. Last week, the United States Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, or NETL, selected West Virginia University to conduct a $937,000 research project in support of DOE's program to Recover Rare Earth Elements from Coal and Coal Byproducts. Rare earth elements, or REEs, are chemical elements in Earth's crust that are essential ingredients in modern technologies such as cell phones, rechargeable batteries, DVDs, GPS equipment, medical equipment and many defense applications. Conventional rare earth extraction grinds large volumes of hard rock and removes rare earths through acid extraction. The process is energy intensive, disturbs large areas of pristine land, and generates large volumes of toxic tailings. Because of this and the cost of developing domestic sources, the U.S. imports nearly all of its REEs. There are other methods for obtaining REEs. Some coal-related waste streams are enriched with REEs, sparking interest in evaluation of these wastes as a potential domestic supply. WVU's project, "Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Mine Drainage," brings together academia, state regulators and industry to collaborate on finding a successful recovery technology for total REEs from acid mine drainage, or AMD. Paul Ziemkiewicz, director of the West Virginia Water Research Institute and principal investigator for the project, and co-investigators Xingbo Liu, professor of mechanical engineering, and Aaron Noble, professor of mining engineering, will test different sources of AMD solids and methods for extracting valuable REEs. The team has already identified solids precipitated during treatment of AMD, as an enriched source of REEs, particularly the more valuable, heavy elements. AMD is a waste stream generated by Appalachian coal mining that is created when sulfide minerals in rocks are exposed to air and water. Active coal mines are required to treat this water resulting in the precipitation of AMD solids which must be disposed of. In Pennsylvania and West Virginia alone, it is estimated that AMD generates more than 45,000 tons of total REEs per year or about three times the current U.S. demand for total REEs. The team will work with industry partners Mepco Inc., Consol Energy and Rosebud Mining as well as the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Special Reclamation to not only identify enriched AMD solids but to develop ways to integrate rare earth extraction with their current mine drainage treatment operations. WVU's approach capitalizes on the fact that acid mine drainage is an existing source of acid which extracts rare earths from coal-related rock. As the coal industry treats this acid water to meet regulatory requirements it generates huge volumes of solids which require disposal. "Those solids are our feedstock," Ziemkiewicz said. "And in a sense, it's already pre-processed." Liu and Noble will develop ways to further concentrate REEs so that it can supply the metal refining industry. No new mines will be needed to generate this domestic supply of rare earths, and rejects will be returned to the AMD treatment plant's disposal system requiring a negligible environmental footprint. -

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from ScienceDaily e=newsletter: Fracking plays active role in generating toxic metal wastewater, study finds
by Paul Wilson 16 Dec '15

16 Dec '15

Fracking plays active role in generating toxic metal wastewater, study finds <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151215134653.htm> Posted: 15 Dec 2015 10:46 AM PST The production of hazardous wastewater in hydraulic fracturing is assumed to be partly due to chemicals introduced into injected freshwater when it mixes with highly saline brine naturally present in the rock. But a new study investigating the toxic metal barium in fracking wastewater finds that chemical reactions between injected freshwater and the fractured shale itself could play a major role. <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=e40…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=e40…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=e40…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=e40…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=e40…> I posted this on the Marcellus Campaign Facebook page, but think it is important enough to spread around via other lists etc. 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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from Jim Hightower in Otherwords
by Paul Wilson 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

Put This Coal Kingpin in the Stocks Disgraced CEO Don Blankenship won’t serve more than a year for effectively killing 29 of his workers. By Jim Hightower <http://otherwords.org/authors/jim-hightower/> [image: Jim Hightower] <http://otherwords.org/authors/jim-hightower/> Disgraced coal baron Don Blankenship didn’t get what he deserves in his recent federal trial. But he richly deserves what he got. “Guilty <http://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20151203/GZ15/151209810/1419>,” declared all 12 West Virginia jurors, who convicted this arrogant and avaricious former CEO of Massey Energy of willfully conspiring to violate America’s mine safety laws. As a result of that conspiracy, 29 miners were essentially murdered by the corporation in a horrific explosion deep inside Massey’s Upper Big Branch coal mine back in 2010. Blankenship — a multimillionaire right-wing ideologue, union-buster, and political heavyweight — ran the doomed mine as a lawless operation. This kingpin of King Coal relentlessly put profit over people, recklessly endangering miners. He made Upper Big Branch one of the most dangerous workplaces in the country, [image: Powered by Pollution, an OtherWords cartoon by Khalil Bendib] Powered by Pollution, an OtherWords cartoon by Khalil Bendib But coal is indeed king in West Virginia, where the royals can count on being coddled <http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/09/blankenship-trial-king-coal-wes…>. Thus, Blankenship faces a maximum of just one year in prison. And his diamond-studded legal team intends to have the jury’s unanimous verdict tossed down the dark shaft of judicial favoritism for the rich. What the mining baron deserved was to be put in stocks and subjected to a steady stream of derision from the families of mineworkers who were hurt, sickened, and even killed to haul up coal so Blankenship could live in luxury. He escaped that justice, but he’ll never shake off the guilty judgment of the jurors. The month-long, widely covered trial fully documented the rank immorality of this man and his ill-gotten fortune. Blankenship undoubtedly thinks he got away with murder. But in the court of public opinion, he’s turned his name into a four-letter word. OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and public speaker. He’s also the editor of the populist newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown <http://www.hightowerlowdown.org/>, and a member of the Public Citizen board. OtherWords.org <http://otherwords.org/>. Tagged: coal <http://otherwords.org/tag/coal/>, corporate crime <http://otherwords.org/tag/corporate-crime/>, Corporate Greed <http://otherwords.org/tag/corporate-greed/>, Massey coalmine <http://otherwords.org/tag/massey-coalmine/>, West Virginia <http://otherwords.org/tag/west-virginia/>, workplace safety <http://otherwords.org/tag/workplace-safety/> -- 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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Fw: Invitation to Webinar: Energy Efficiency and the Clean Power Plan
by James Kotcon 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

I will be at a Marcellus workshop, but ti would be great if someone form the EECT could participatye in this webinar and report back what you learned. Synapse Energy is a consulting firm we have used in some past PSC cases, and they are rapidly gaining a national reputation as the go-to guys for this kind of stuff. It is credible, detailed, and very specific technical information delivered in a format that is easy for lay people like us to use. JBK ________________________________ From: Synapse Energy Economics <messenger(a)webex.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 11:45 AM To: James Kotcon Subject: Invitation to Webinar: Energy Efficiency and the Clean Power Plan [https://synapse-energy.webex.com/ec3000/downloadServlet/emailImage?USID=5a4…] Energy Efficiency and the Clean Power Plan Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Time: 2 PM EST Duration: 1 hour Energy efficiency is widely recognized as an abundant and low-cost option for complying with the requirements of EPA's Clean Power Plan. Whether states choose a mass-based or a rate-based approach to compliance, energy efficiency should be the primary strategy for complying with the Clean Power Plan.<http://synapse-energy.com/about-us/blog/does-energy-efficiency-have-role-ma…> However, concerns about fairness between customer types-those who participate in programs and see immediate reductions in bills and those who do not-create a barrier to widespread implementation of efficiency programs. Synapse will release a factsheet and accompanying report next week that discuss strategies to increase customer participation, enhancing fairness. [http://www.synapse-energy.com/sites/default/files/synapse-header-logo.png]<http://synapse-energy.com/about-us/blog/does-energy-efficiency-have-role-ma…> Does Energy Efficiency Have a Role in Mass-Based Clean ... Yes, it does. Unfortunately, some confusion persists about how energy efficiency measures can be applied to mass-based compliance within the Clean Power Plan. Read more...<http://synapse-energy.com/about-us/blog/does-energy-efficiency-have-role-ma…> We invite you to join us for a webinar discussing these strategies and how states can leverage funds generated by Clean Power Plan compliance to further implement efficiency. Jennifer Kallay and Kenji Takahashi, Synapse experts on energy efficiency, will present and answer questions from participants. This webinar is free and open to the public. To register for the online event: ------------------------------------------------------- 1. Go to https://synapse-energy.webex.com/synapse-energy/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb66d4e4… 2. Click "Register." 3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit." Once the host approves your registration, you will receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event. Please note: The webinar software does not support computer audio on Mac computers. If you plan to use a Mac, please call into the conference line provided when you join the event. When calling in to the conference line, please enter the attendee number displayed under the access code. ------------------------------------------------------- For assistance ------------------------------------------------------- You can contact Synapse at: webinar(a)synapse-energy.com

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from ScienceDaily e-newsletter: Benefits and trade-offs of low-carbon energy
by Paul Wilson 02 Dec '15

02 Dec '15

Benefits and trade-offs of low-carbon energy <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151130125019.htm> Posted: 30 Nov 2015 09:50 AM PST Policymakers, industry and government officials will have to invest US $2.5 trillion for electricity generation over the next 20 years. A new report presents the environmental costs and benefits linked to different renewable energy sources, and makes one thing abundantly clear: anything is better than coal. <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=V7O…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=V7O…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=V7O…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=V7O…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=V7O…> -- 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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McKinsey's take on the future of mining......dim.....but then, that's good if you're speculating for a possible big gain on future market changes
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 19 Nov '15

19 Nov '15

Is there hidden treasure in the mining industry? Low equity prices may offer important M&A opportunities for the mining industry. November 2015 | byMichael Birshan, Guillaume Decaix, Nelson Ferreira, and Harry Robinson *Where is the mining industry* headed? Commodity prices are now far below their 2011 peaks—metallurgical coal by more than 70 percent, seaborne iron ore by more than 65 percent, and copper and gold by more than 30 percent—and the mining industry’s stock-market valuation has followed prices down. The big mining houses have been working hard on cutting costs, reducing capital expenditures, and boosting productivity. Still, the specter of a return to the bleak pre-China-boom period of sustained low profitability hangs over the industry. Amidst this gloom, there is an alternative reading of the industry’s mid- to long-term prospects. Our commodity-by-commodity modeling suggests that stock-market sentiment may have overshot—once again. In many commodities, declining ore quality and limited accessibility of new deposits will squeeze supply in coming years, potentially driving a commodity-price rebound as global demand continues to rise. If lessons of previous cycles hold, mining equity prices could be expected to spike as well. Such an outlook provides a moment of real opportunity. Growth is the big strategic conundrum in the mining sector. Exploration productivity has underperformed expectations for a full decade, project execution has been slow and costly, and government interventions to increase the take from new-project revenues has caused substantial slowdowns or outright withdrawal from prospective geographies. For mining leaders looking to grow or reposition their portfolios, current low equity prices could represent an important opportunity. We do not know exactly when the mining sector will rebound, and our analysis suggests the outlook is not equally rosy for all commodities, but the recent sparks of M&A interest indicate that some industry participants have a similar view and suggest that more of this kind of activity is likely as bid-ask spreads narrow. Building a picture of the industry’s prospects Equity prices are down . . . The metals and mining industry has a history of large swings in capital-market performance (Exhibit 1). From 1973 to 2000, industry total returns to shareholders (TRS) were low—below cost of capital in many years—and volatility was high. Exhibit 1 - Enlarge This pattern changed dramatically in the first decade of the new millennium, the China-driven “supercycle.” TRS doubled, while volatility increased further. From 2012 onward, however, slower demand growth in China has triggered a steep fall in the mining industry’s TRS. Mining and steel depart from comparable capital-intensive peers, overperforming in the boom periods and underperforming at other times, but always with substantially higher volatility than these other sectors. Valuing cyclical companies is challenging, because swings in product price radically affect profitability.1 <http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Energy_Resources_Materials/Is_there_hidden…> The mining sector is no exception; extreme commodity-price movements during the supercycle have made the sector very difficult to value. As a result, the market heavily weights the short term, and equity prices largely track commodity prices. Indeed, our analysis shows that the correlation between the two is significantly higher for mining companies than for similarly capital-intensive industries, such as oil and gas (Exhibit 2). Exhibit 2 - Enlarge . . . but demand and production continue to grow A look at mining fundamentals offers a less gloomy view. Demand for metals continues to grow worldwide, albeit at a slower pace, as does production. For almost all commodities, production is at record levels. For example, since 2003, copper production grew by almost 40 percent, coal by 55 percent, and seaborne iron-ore production by 70 percent. The slower rate of demand growth in China has let growing supply overtake demand in a number of commodities, and this overcapacity has pulled prices down—for now. Our analysis suggests that the steadily deteriorating quality of accessible resources, combined with the current cuts in new mine investment, will likely squeeze supply in the face of slow, steady demand growth, causing prices to rebound. So where is the industry really headed? To get beyond generalizations, we have developed a new approach to modeling the industry. This approach combines insights from three areas: drivers of supply and demand, mining cost and capital expenditure (capex) inflation, and pricing regimes and price premiums. Supply and demand Projecting out both supply and demand drivers over the next decade, we conclude that geological shortage is likely to be a stronger determinant of future price movements than variations in demand. We examined geological factors such as grade erosion and depletion on a mine-by-mine basis, and the combination of declining resource levels and delays in new projects raises the likelihood of increasingly severe shortages. The commodities likely to be most severely affected by ore-quality decline are copper, gold, and phosphate rock. (We also looked at how competitive behaviors among producers and substitution patterns for different metals could affect the supply-demand balance, but these generally have less impact than the geological factors constraining supply.) Cost inflation The principal drivers of cost inflation vary by commodity, so we have identified and projected the most important costs for each commodity. In the 2000 to 2013 period, cash cost inflation for the marginal producer has been close to 20 percent annually for copper, iron ore, and potash (coal has been lower at around 11 percent), primarily due to the geological factors just described. Inflation is influenced by external factors (for example, local consumer prices, increase in wages and diesel prices, and local-currency appreciation versus the US dollar) and internal ones (for example, productivity, metal grade, and geological mine conditions). Assuming a scenario of lower oil and diesel prices and a strengthening US dollar versus the local currencies of mining producers, our analysis suggests that external cost factors will be flat, or even negative, for most commodities. Inflation due to internal factors, however, is here to stay. Even with productivity gains, mines will increasingly suffer from declining ore grades and deteriorating mine conditions, such as deeper shafts, worsening stripping ratios, and longer hauling distances. We expect the level of geological cost inflation will continue to be the main determinant of cost increases, and that total inflation will average 4 to 7 percent per year going forward. Price regimes Price projections in minerals are typically based on reversion to historical price levels at a pace derived from supply and demand projections, plus political and environmental factors. Taking this approach has shortcomings. First, it does not take account of geological inflation. Second, these elements give an incomplete picture of margin evolution, which is crucial to capital-investment decisions—decisions that can substantially change the future balance of supply and demand. To fill this gap, our modeling looks separately at the two building blocks of commodity pricing. The first is the evolution of the cash cost of each commodity’s marginal producer, explicitly considering geological inflation per commodity. The second is the “price regime”—that is, the margin over cash cost that marginal producers will earn—which marries a commodity’s historical price dynamics with our simulation of its future supply-demand balance. There are four basic price regimes. The lowest is cash cost: price levels are close to the cash cost of the marginal producer, and there is minimal incentive to invest. The next one is brownfield inducement pricing, with prices high enough to justify extending the life of existing mines. More attractive to miners is greenfield inducement pricing, which would justify investing in new greenfield projects. The final regime is fly-up pricing, where demand grows so fast and capacity utilization is so tight that prices temporarily soar well above levels dictated by the cost curve. Mapping the price regimes for each commodity over the past 20 years, as well as the price premiums associated with those regimes (that is, the commodity’s price minus the cost of the marginal producer), can indicate what might lie ahead. Our analysis shows that while a single commodity can go through different price regimes, the price premiums associated with each regime are much more stable than commodity prices themselves. Better insights can therefore come from exploring the structural factors that influence which price regime will be in place than from attempting to predict actual commodity prices. The expected future price regime, the associated price premium, and our view on future costs can then be used to simulate industry cash flows for each commodity. By aggregating this information across mining commodities, we have developed an overall outlook for the industry—and the picture it reveals is not as bleak as current equity prices would suggest. The road to recovery Indeed, when all drivers are considered, our analysis suggests that after a 6 percent per year decline between 2011 and 2014, industry-wide mining revenues could grow at around 4 to 6 percent over the next decade. EBITDA performance for the industry overall is also projected to rebound over the same period, at 3 to 4 percent per year, held back by steady cost increases. So the mining industry will likely continue growing, albeit with lower margins. The outlook for different commodities clearly varies significantly, but applying this modeling approach to 11 important metals and minerals suggests that several of them are well positioned to achieve attractive returns again (Exhibit 3). Exhibit 3 - Enlarge Phosphate and some base metals such as zinc and copper seem to have a more attractive short-term outlook. Prices of bulk minerals, the stars of the previous boom decade, are nowadays close to cash-cost regimes. In any case, our analysis shows more than half the mining commodities studied in healthier, greenfield price regimes by the end of the decade; the exceptions include aluminum, nickel, iron ore, and potash. Building an action plan Investing countercyclically, whether in M&A or organic growth, is an often-stated mantra that is rarely executed. Today’s relatively low share prices for metals and mining companies and the expectation of increased commodity prices over the medium to long term should encourage miners to pursue M&A now. For those who do, here are three points to consider. 1. Weigh the merits of diversification Whether diversification across commodities provides benefits to mining companies—and their shareholders—has been debated over the years. In 2008, for instance, miners with precious metals or oil in the portfolio were buoyed despite the falloff in most mining commodities. However, achieving effective diversification has become more difficult. Commodities closely tied to the build-out of China’s infrastructure have become more tightly correlated. With such a high degree of correlation between commodities, many companies cannot convincingly claim to have a diversified portfolio. True diversification involves finding exposure to commodities that counterbalance one another or at least move in ways that are uncorrelated. Two opportunities for diversification are still open to the major mining houses. The first is fertilizer, where prices move differently from those of other mining products, driven by food consumption rather than infrastructure investment. The second is precious metals, where prices demonstrate limited correlation with those of other commodities during times of economic crisis. 2. Consider nonoperating stakes Miners should consider whether the split-ownership model prevalent in oil and gas could provide opportunity. Indeed, some mining companies active in the oil sector are already involved in such partnerships on oil-production assets. These smaller nonoperating stakes are less common in the mining industry, and a broader uptake could offer mining companies two advantages. First, they reduce risk, as the minority owner can rely on the expertise of an operator with greater local knowledge. Second, they potentially allow greater diversification faster and more cost-effectively, since the same amount of capital can buy multiple minority participations without paying control premiums. 3. Act while the stars are aligned Mining companies are currently well resourced for M&A. As Exhibit 4 shows, the financial capacity of mining companies relative to asset prices is starting to increase again. While the ratio is far away from the 2011 peak, when many players took advantage of the opportunity to acquire distressed assets from cash-strapped players, it is gradually increasing above historical average values. Exhibit 4 - Enlarge The mining industry has a history of procyclical investments, which have in many cases ended with disappointing shareholder returns. While it’s well recognized that swimming against the tide of the cycle is difficult, the companies that are able to move successfully today could reverse that record. About the authors *Michael Birshan* is a principal in McKinsey’s London office, *Guillaume Decaix* is a principal in the Rio de Janeiro office, *Nelson Ferreira* is a principal in the São Paulo office, and *Harry Robinson* is a director in the Southern California office and global head of the Metals & Mining Practice. The authors wish to thank Marcelo Azevedo, Tiago Berni, Henrique Ceotto, Friso De Clercq, Mark Dominik, Alessandro Mady, and Siddharth Periwal for their contributions to this article. - PDF - Print - E-mail <http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Energy_Resources_Materials/Is_there_hidden…> - Share Related articles [image: Productivity-in-mining-operations_1536x1536_Thumbnail] <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/productivity_in…> article Productivity in mining operations: Reversing the downward trend <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/productivity_in…> May 2015—A new metric shows just how far mining productivity has declined. It also points to ways to improve productivity more effectively.more <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/productivity_in…> [image: Riding-the-resource-wave_1536x1536_Thumbnail] <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/sustainability/riding_the_resource_wave> article Riding the resource wave: How extractive companies can succeed in the new resource era <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/sustainability/riding_the_resource_wave> August 2014—With economic and social expectations rising in resource-rich countries, extractive companies must re-think how they do business.more <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/sustainability/riding_the_resource_wave> [image: MGIResourceDrivenEconomiesC_1536x1152_Thumbnail] <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/reverse_the_cur…> report Reverse the curse: Maximizing the potential of resource-driven economies <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/reverse_the_cur…> December 2013—In 20 years, almost half of the world’s countries could depend on their resource endowments for growth. These economies have a huge opportunity to transform their prospects, and a new model could help governments capture the coming resource windfall instead of squandering it. more <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/reverse_the_cur…> - includes: - [image: MGIResourceRevol2013_LargeFeature_1536x1152_Thumbnail] <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/resource_revolu…> report Resource revolution: Tracking global commodity markets <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/resource_revolu…> September 2013—Commodity prices, though off recent peaks, still reflect emerging-market demand, a challenging geology, innovative technology, and improved resource productivity.more <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/energy_resources_materials/resource_revolu…> - includes: - - PDF - Print - E-mail <http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Energy_Resources_Materials/Is_there_hidden…> - Share McKinsey Insights [image: McKinsey Insights] <http://www.mckinsey.com/features/ipad_and_android_app> Get our latest thinking on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. more <http://www.mckinsey.com/features/ipad_and_android_app> For iOS <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id674902075?mt=8> For Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mckinsey.mckinseyinsights> About this content The material on this page draws on the research and experience of McKinsey consultants and other sources. To learn more about our expertise, please visit the Metals & Mining Practice <http://www.mckinsey.com/client_service/metals_and_mining>. Most Popular 1. The new consumer decision journey <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/marketing_sales/the_new_consumer_decision_…> 2. What it takes to deliver breakthrough customer experiences <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/organization/what_it_takes_to_deliver_brea…> 3. A better way to understand internal rate of return <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/corporate_finance/a_better_way_to_understa…> 4. The digital future of consumer-packaged-goods companies <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/consumer_and_retail/the_digital_future_of_…> - includes: - 5. Five myths about the Chinese economy <http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/winning_in_emerging_markets/five_myths_abo…> Stay connected - E-mail alerts <http://www.mckinsey.com/user_registration/edit_subscriptions> - Twitter <https://twitter.com/McKinsey> - Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/mckinsey> - LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/mckinsey-&-company> - McKinsey Insights <http://www.mckinsey.com/features/ipad_and_android_app> - YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/mckinsey> - RSS <http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/rss.aspx> About Insights & Publications - The creation of knowledge supports McKinsey’s core mission: helping our clients achieve distinctive, lasting, and substantial performance improvements. We publish our insights and those of external experts to help advance the practice of management and provide leaders with facts on which to base business and policy decisions. Views expressed by third-party authors are theirs alone. - Contact us <http://www.mckinsey.com/contact_us> - Frequently asked questions <http://www.mckinsey.com/frequently_asked_questions> - Site map <http://www.mckinsey.com/site_map> - Terms of use <http://www.mckinsey.com/terms_of_use> - Local language information <http://www.mckinsey.com/local_language_information> - Privacy policy <http://www.mckinsey.com/privacy_policy> - © 1996-2015 McKinsey & Company William V. DePaulo, Esq. 122 N Court Street, Suite 300 Lewisburg, WV 24901 Tel 304-342-5588 Fax 866-850-1501 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com www.casasanta.org

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from Jim Hightower: Will This Lord of the Manor Get Locked Up?
by Paul Wilson 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

Will This Lord of the Manor Get Locked Up? Former coal CEO Don Blankenship is in the hot seat for putting money above everything else. By Jim Hightower <http://otherwords.org/authors/jim-hightower/> [image: Jim Hightower] <http://otherwords.org/authors/jim-hightower/> Don Blankenship had it all. The West Virginia coal baron had personal wealth, absolute control over his workers, and unmatched political power that extended through every branch of state government — and deep into the back rooms of Washington policymakers. In the house of Big Coal, Master Blankenship lorded over the manor. But soon, he could be moving into an even bigger house — as in “the big house.” The former Massey Energy CEO is presently on trial for intentionally neglecting mine safety laws, conspiring to cover up the violations, and effectively causing an explosion of methane and coal dust that killed 29 miners in Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine in 2010. It was the worst mine disaster in modern American history. [image: Powered by Pollution, an OtherWords cartoon by Khalil Bendib] <http://otherwords.org/powered-by-pollution/> Powered by Pollution, an OtherWords cartoon by Khalil Bendib In a rare turn of events for the corporate world, the boss himself has now been brought before a jury of common West Virginians to answer criminal charges that could put him in prison for 31 years. This is no mere formality. Already, four of Blankenship’s top assistants have been convicted for criminally risking the miners’ lives. And federal prosecutors have testimony, documents, and audio recordings <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/17/us/coal-barons-trial-may-turn-on-his-secr…> revealing that the CEO himself was “plainly cheating” on rules to protect workers. Blankenship bares his soul on one tape, declaring that it’s OK to demand that miners increase production of coal at the expense of their own safety. “This game is about money,” he explained. Quite a few other gamers ought to be in the dock with Don — George W. Bush, for example, along with the bipartisan bunch of Congress critters who took Big Coal’s campaign cash in exchange for defunding, denigrating, and discouraging the federal regulators who dared to stand up to Blankenship. Those for-hire political fixers are co-conspirators in Massey Energy’s corporate murders. OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and public speaker. He’s also the editor of the populist newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown <http://www.hightowerlowdown.org/>, and a member of the Public Citizen board. OtherWords.org <http://otherwords.org/>. Tagged: coal <http://otherwords.org/tag/coal/>, corporate crime <http://otherwords.org/tag/corporate-crime/>, Massey coalmine <http://otherwords.org/tag/massey-coalmine/>, West Virginia <http://otherwords.org/tag/west-virginia/> -- 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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