MVCAC October 2019

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Public Meeting on Longview II Power Plant — Thursday, November 7th at 6 pm
by Duane Nichols via MVCAC 30 Oct '19

30 Oct '19

........................... MON VALLEY CLEAN AIR COALITION (MVCAC) .................... To Our Residents and Friends Monongalia County, WV On November 7, 2019, from 6 to 9 pm, the Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition is hosting a public meeting in the Monongalia Arts Center at 107 High Street. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a public forum to discuss the proposed Longview II gas-fired power plant and the tax breaks proposed for a PILOT Agreement (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes). We believe that it is important for the public to be heard on any such huge projects that will affect our county for decades. In addition to financial considerations, there are air quality and public health to consider. And, it is now obvious that greenhouse gases are affecting our way of life here on earth. We are aware of other issues that deserve a hearing. We will publicize the event and encourage members of the public to come to learn more about the proposed plant and to express their views. You will also be invited to speak, if you so wish. We hope to have a good turnout and encourage well-informed discussion. Sincerely, Duane Nichols Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition 330 Dream Catcher Circle Morgantown WV 26508 duane330(a)aol.com

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Public Meeting on Longview II — November 7th at Mon Arts Center
by Duane Nichols via MVCAC 30 Oct '19

30 Oct '19

Public Meeting on Longview II — November 7th Mon Arts Center, 107 High Street, Morgantown, WV ..... 6 PM

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Recent Increase in Fine Particulate Matter Associated With More Premature Deaths in U.S. - Tepper School of Business - Carnegie Mellon University, October 21, 2019
by Duane Nichols via MVCAC 26 Oct '19

26 Oct '19

https://www.cmu.edu/tepper/news/stories/2019/october/muller-clay-research.h… PM 2.5 — Tepper School of Business @ CMU (Pittsburgh) Carnegie Mellon University October 21, 2019 Recent Increase in Fine Particulate Matter Associated With More Premature Deaths in U.S. In the United States, annual average levels of fine particulate matter--PM2.5, a measure of solid particles and liquid droplets that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller found in the air--declined 24% from 2009 to 2016, then increased 5% between 2016 to 2018. In a new study, researchers explored how the increase occurred by looking at economic activity, wildfires, and enforcement of the Clean Air Act during this period. They found that the increase was associated with 9,700 additional premature deaths, and that these deaths represent damages of $89 billion. The study, by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), is published as an NBER working paper. "The health implications of this increase are significant," notes Karen Clay, professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College, who led the study. "The number of deaths and the damages highlight the importance of air pollution as an important and timely policy issue." To learn more about the increase, the researchers used data from the Air Quality System database of daily monitored readings provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA maintains a network of air pollution monitors because PM2.5 is regulated under the Clean Air Act. In total, the researchers studied 653 counties with monitors for fine particulate matter. They also looked at information from the EPA's enforcement database, as well as vital statistics (population and mortality rates) by county. Increases in PM2.5 from 2016 to 2018 were observed in many U.S. counties. In the West and Midwest Census regions, fine particulate matter rose during this period; in the Northeast and South Census regions, it stayed the same. Every year, the EPA designates each county as having met or failed to meet air pollution standards under the Clean Air Act. Increases in fine particulate matter occurred in counties that met the standards as well as in those that failed to meet them, according to the study. The rise in PM2.5 increased the number of premature deaths of adults over age 30 by about 9,700 from 2016 to 2018, with 80% of the premature deaths occurring among the elderly and 20% of the premature deaths among adults ages 30 to 64, the study found. These calculations use the same methods used by the EPA to relate fine particulate matter to mortality. The damages of $89 billion are calculated by multiplying deaths by the EPA's value of a statistical life. Increases in PM2.5 in the air were especially pronounced in California, with 43% of the rise in deaths nationally from 2016 to 2018 occurring in the state. The researchers present evidence on three possible causes for the national increase: Changes in economic activity: Increased use of natural gas in households and industries, and growth in the number of miles traveled by fossil fuel-powered vehicles likely contributed to the rise in PM2.5 in certain counties, while decreases in coal-fired power drove declines in other areas. Increases in wildfires: In parts of the West and Midwest, rising numbers of wildfires during the period studied were associated with increases in fine particulate matter. California experienced numerous wildfires during this period, with the most deadly--the Camp Fire--taking place in November 2018. Decreases in enforcement of the Clean Air Act: Enforcement of this law may influence compliance by firms, and the study found that the most frequent type of enforcement of the Clean Air Act fell from 2009 to 2016 and continued to fall from 2016 to 2018. "This research demonstrates that recent increases in fine particulate matter have appreciable effects on risks of premature mortality," explains Nicholas Muller, associate professor of economics, engineering, and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, who coauthored the study. "These increases are worrisome and should persuade policymakers to take the necessary steps to maintain limits on air pollution."

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Modern life is killing our children: Cancer rate in young people up 40 per cent in 16 years
by Duane Nichols via MVCAC 22 Oct '19

22 Oct '19

Sent out by Jan Milburn, Westmoreland County, PA, October 22, 2019 So concerning. ""Dr Denis Henshaw, Professor of Human Radiation Effects at Bristol University, the scientific adviser for Children with Cancer UK, said air pollution was by far the biggest culprit, accounting for around 40 per cent of the rise, but other elements of modern lifestyles are also to blame. Among these are obesity, pesticides and solvents inhaled during pregnancy, circadian rhythm disruption through too much bright light at night, radiation from x-rays and CT scans, smoking during and after pregnancy, magnetic fields from power lines, gadgets in homes, and potentially, radiation from mobile phones." https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/09/03/modern-life-is-killing-our-c… Sent from my iPad, DGN

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CLIMATE CHANGE position of Mon Co Comm
by Duane Nichols via MVCAC 16 Oct '19

16 Oct '19

Climate Change Has Come Home to Roost This Fall We Cannot Say “Not in My Backward” About Climate Change,It’s Already Here>>> From the Editorial of the Morgantown DominionPost, October 6, 2019 <<<Perpetual heatwaves and severe drought are a big issue. Unlike some issues, fear of climatechange is as real as the threat it poses.Theenormity of climate change demands a sense of urgency to address but is yetdifficult to comprehend and respond to effectively. For many in north-centralWest Virginia it’s obvious our climate is increasingly hotter and drier. Septemberwas one of the warmest and driest on record. Less than an inch of rain wasrecorded in the month.Thoughheat waves were never uncommon in West Virginia, in recent years episodes ofsuch intense hot spells are almost the new norm. Despite our current respitefrom the heat, drought conditions are worsening statewide that make the loss ofcrops and water shortages likely.The U.S.Drought Monitor map classified large parts of southern West Virginia in asevere drought while the entire northern swath of the state was labeledabnormally dry. Recent unusual mild winters with little snowfall and averagetemperatures far above average, though welcomed by many, have left that seasonout of balance, too.We haveyet to see 90 degree days in January, but it’s increasingly possible as ourstate’s climate no longer aligns with any calendar or past weather trends.Other signs of climate change that some of us have observed for several yearsare also making headlines now.Accordingto one major study, the total bird population in the United States and Canadahas declined by 29% since 1970 — t h at ’s 3 billion birds. That loss is notlimited to several threatened species, either. Indeed, it is spread across awide array of birds, from migratory to backyard.The studywas primarily a census and did not attempt to determine the causes of thesedeclines. Some are obvious, such as buildings and wind turbine collisions anddisease outbreaks. But since bird population health truly is the canary in thecoal mine regarding environmental health, this fact alone is reason for graveconcern.We may bewasting our breath asking state and federal governments to commission furtherdetailed studies to more aptly address the issues this decline of birdsportends.But in the spirit of theSeptember 20th Global Climate Strike, we demand ourleaders do more to combat these changes that are no longer just in the public’sconsciousness, but are in its backyard. Talk of the planet’s warmingoften causes many to freeze up. What can one person do to stop something thataffects us on a global scale. Consequently, this issue must be elevated to atop priority much like our national security and public safety. Defense of our planet is just asimportant as defense of our country or our home. As some have said, otherwise,what is there to defend? It’s notunusual when forecasts turn out to be wrong. But there’s something wrong withthe weather and the birds. Something that should be a major concern beyond justthe Weather Channel and the Audubon Society.#########################See this report: North America Has Lost More Than 1 in4 Birds in Last 50 Years, New Study Says | Audubon Society,September 19, 2019See also: Plummeting insect numbers ‘threatencollapse of nature’| Environment | The Guardian, February 10, 2019 Submitted to the MonongaliaCounty Commission by Duane Nichols, Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition, 330 DreamCatcher Circle, Morgantown, WV 26508 on October 16, 2019.

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Public Meetings on the Longview Power Plant(s)
by Duane Nichols via MVCAC 11 Oct '19

11 Oct '19

NOTE: Longview is proposing to continue to run the existing coal fired coal power and install a waste stream pipeline into Robinson Run and/or the Monongahela River. Also, proposed is Longview II — a gas fired power plant — which will emit thousands of tons of carbon dioxide each day along with nitrogen oxides, particulates and other pollutants. ATTN: Longview Working Group-Planning meeting Sunday > > We have reservations for a large public meeting on Nov. 7 (6-9 PM at the MAC on High Street), and our goal is to get 100 people there. > > So we will hole our next planning meeting this Sunday (Oct. 13) at the Suncrest Panera's at 6:30 PM. The room holds 15, so if each person brings a friend, we can fill the space. > > Can we count on you? > > Thanks to Justin, here's the Facebook event for Sunday's meeting, if everyone could share that out and invite friends. > > https://www.facebook.com/events/1383548498460251/ > > Jim Kotcon

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MVCAC October 2019