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Re: [CLEAR] [EC] Fwd: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member
by fmoose39＠hotmail.com 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

Would it help to show a msds report on coal ash osha believes it is hazardous. sent from my AT&T Smartphone by HTC ----- Reply message ----- From: "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Date: Tue, Feb 15, 2011 2:01 pm Subject: [EC] Fwd: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member To: "James Kotcon" <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu>, <CLEAR(a)cheat.org>, <pbmjwood(a)gmail.com>, <ec(a)osenergy.org> What I didn't know - not only did Stearns of FL put in this amendment - our very own District 1 Congressman McKinley did the same, inserting an amendment of his own to prevent any designation of coal ash as toxic or hazardous. In my view this is an egregious insult to the people of his district - where leaking ash dumps, feared groundwater pollution from ash, and more are already real. I have a call in with his scheduler to see when we can meet with him here in the district. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: CLEAR(a)cheat.org; pbmjwood(a)gmail.com; ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 1:34:58 PM Subject: [EC] Fwd: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member Please forward widely. I sent my e-mail, please send yours today. Jim Kotcon >>> Lisa Graves-Marcucci <lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org> 2/15/2011 1:11 PM >>>>>> Please Excuse Duplications Please Distribute Widely Dear Friend, Unfortunately, Rep. Stearns of Florida has inserted the following amendment into a House appropriations bill - currently on the House floor and likely for vote today or tomorrow. It would withhold funding from US EPA to regulate coal combustion waste as hazardous, putting many Americans' health at risk. Please urge everyone to call their member of Congress today and ask them to: *1. Vote against this egregious amendment * *2. Let** the US EPA protect public health - without interference from special interests and Congress* * * *Locate your member of Congress using the link below - just insert your zip code* *http://www.contactingthecongress.org/* AMENDMENT H.R. 1 OFFERED BY.:MR. STEARNS of FLORIDA At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following:

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Fwd: URGENT: House vote could end coal ash safeguards TODAY - call your Congressional member
by James Kotcon 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

Please forward widely. I sent my e-mail, please send yours today. Jim Kotcon >>> Lisa Graves-Marcucci <lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org> 2/15/2011 1:11 PM >>> Please Excuse Duplications Please Distribute Widely Dear Friend, Unfortunately, Rep. Stearns of Florida has inserted the following amendment into a House appropriations bill - currently on the House floor and likely for vote today or tomorrow. It would withhold funding from US EPA to regulate coal combustion waste as hazardous, putting many Americans' health at risk. Please urge everyone to call their member of Congress today and ask them to: *1. Vote against this egregious amendment * *2. Let** the US EPA protect public health - without interference from special interests and Congress* * * *Locate your member of Congress using the link below - just insert your zip code* *http://www.contactingthecongress.org/* AMENDMENT H.R. 1 OFFERED BY.:MR. STEARNS of FLORIDA At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: 1 SEC. . None of the funds made available by this 2 Act may be used to regulate or classify coal combustion 3 residuals as a hazardous waste or material. *After all our hard work, it would be tragic to have public health protections derailed by an appropriations amendment. Please make these important calls today.* Many thanks, Lisa Graves Marcucci Sam Flenner -- * Lisa Graves Marcucci Environmental Integrity Project PA Coordinator, Community Outreach lgmarcucci(a)environmentalintegrity.org 412-897-0569 (cell) * -- Samuel E. Flenner III Outreach Coodinator Environmental Integrity Project www.environmentalintegrity.org samf.environmentalintegrity(a)gmail.com 317.352.2339 c-317.850.0436

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EPA regulation for toxic chemicals; COMPACT meets Wednesday
by Duane330＠aol.com 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

EPA TO REGULATE PERCHLORATE AND 16 OTHER TOXIC CHEMICALS TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER EPA announced that based on new scientific evidence, the agency will regulate perchlorate to reduce its prevalence in the nation’s water and to protect human health. In a separate action, the agency is also seeking to establish a new drinking water strategy to address as a group up to 16 toxic chemicals (volatile organic compounds) to protect public health and well being. For more information, go to _http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/unregulated/perchlorate.cfm_ (http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/unregulated/perchlorate.cfm) Visit the drinking water strategy at _http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/dwstrategy/index.cfm_ (http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/dwstrategy/index.cfm) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NOTE: The Sixth Meeting of the WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact is set for the Morgantown Airport Annex at 1 pm this Wednesday, February 16th. A two hour agenda is planned. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> WV/PA MONONGAHELA AREA WATERSHEDS COMPACT POSITION STATEMENTS ADOPTED JANUARY 5, 2011 1. LEGISLATION IS NEEDED. As participants of the WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact, we recognize the urgent need for State-wide legislation to limit the negative impacts of Marcellus Shale natural gas development in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. 2. WATERSHED CRISIS EXISTS. The Monongahela River watershed and other watersheds in West Virginia and Pennsylvania are in a long-term crisis condition as a result of increasing levels of total dissolved solids and other effluents. Some of these streams have already been recognized as “impaired” and in need of comprehensive protection plans. The WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact herewith requests that all the citizens of these States participate with us in contacting our Governor(s), our Legislators, and the various agencies of government to enact needed legislation, establish needed regulations and enforce the laws to conserve and protect our drinking water, our agricultural water, our industrial water, our aquatic life, as well as our recreational and commercial waterways. 3. THREAT DUE TO MARCELLUS BOOM. The current “boom” in natural gas development in West Virginia and Pennsylvania is a tremendous economic benefit to our States. This “boom” can and should provide the financial resources to maintain and protect the public roads, the public and private lands, the waterways and the atmosphere throughout the States. The public health is at risk in some areas as are the drilling team workers and the supporting work force personnel. We call upon state and federal governmental bodies to address these problems. In addition to legislation and regulations, an adequate number of inspectors and enforcement staff must be assigned to these problems as soon as it is possible to do so. 4. HIRE LOCAL WORKERS. The drilling, transportation and processing of Marcellus Shale gas in West Virginia and Pennsylvania will require the investment of billions of dollars and result in billions of dollars worth of gas being produced while generating thousands of jobs in both States. In order to ensure that the process is accomplished in an environmentally sound and safe manner that benefits the people and the economies of both WV and PA, the WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact herewith endorses and promotes the hiring of fully-trained local workers with competitive wages and full benefits for work in Marcellus related projects. The Compact further supports apprenticeship and training programs for workers and contractors and for programs to ensure the health and safety of the workers involved. NOTE: Five public meetings have been organized and conducted in Morgantown by the representatives of some 47 watershed and conservation groups in cooperation with the Upper Monongahela River Association. Contacts: Barry G. Pallay, Co-Chair (_bpallay(a)comcast.net_ (mailto:bpallay@comcast.net) ) or Duane G. Nichols, Co-Chair (_duane330(a)aol.com_ (mailto:duane330@aol.com) ), 330 Dream Catcher Circle, Morgantown, WV 26508. Telephone: 304-216-5535. See also: _www.uppermon.org_ (http://www.uppermon.org/) , _www.wcag-wv.org_ (http://www.wcag-wv.org/) , _www.frackcheckwv.net_ (http://www.frackcheckwv.net/) , _www.wvsoro.org_ (http://www.wvsoro.org) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Have you contacted your legislators, your Governor, your Senate and House Members, the WV-DEP, the US-EPA, the Office of the President? We had a disaster on 38 miles of Dunkard Creek, we have a watershed wide crisis with TDS in the Monongahela River watershed, we have mini-crisis situations at each drill pad and local stream where Marcellus well fracking is taking place; and, these Marcellus activities are projected to increase greatly in the years ahead. Duane Nichols, 330 Dream Catcher Circle, Morgantown, WV 26508.

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Fwd: Power Plant Pollution strategy meeting February 12
by James Kotcon 08 Feb '11

08 Feb '11

The WV Chapter of Sierra Club recently filed a Notice of Intent to sue Allegheny Energy over pollution discharges from their Albright power plant. The initial issue deals with water pollution violations from their coal ash impoundments, resulting in excessive discharges of arsenic into tributaries of the Cheat River. While a few of us have been discussing this quietly for a couple weeks, now that the NOI is public, we want to expand our interest group, and identify what issues and opportunities could be obtained to improve our air and water. Coal ash activists will recognize this as another ash impoundment in our back yards. We are also collecting data on mercury emissions. There are issues related to new fine particulate and toxics emissions rules. Oh, and did we mention global warming, and more. This region is home to one of the largest concentrations of Sierra Club members in West Virginia. The meeting Saturday is intended to set goals and start planning for what will almost certainly be major issues in the next year or two regarding Albright. The Albright Power plant is one of the oldest and dirtiest in the Allegheny Energy fleet. No scrubbers, limited emissions controls, etc. Yet Allegheny is proposing to use this plant to meet its requirements for "Renewable and Alternative Energy" under former Governor Manchin's Alternative and Renewable energy standard. But retrofitting this plant would be enormously expensive, and the most fiscally sound option for ratepayers may well be to shut it down and invest in energy efficiency instead. At a minimum, we want Allegheny to clean up their arsenic discharges to the Cheat. But that is not likely to be the last issue for this old plant. Please plan to join us if you are in the region Saturday. If so, bring a friend. If not, please suggest names of others who might want to get involved. Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home) >>> Sally Wilts <sallywilts(a)yahoo.com> 2/6/2011 10:55 AM >>> WV Chapter of Sierra Club will hold a strategy meeting about our campaign on pollution from Albright Power Station on Saturday February 12 at 1 pm. We have reserved a room in the basement of the Morgantown Public Library (no food or drinks allowed). The library is located on Spruce Street with parking across the street. We apologize for the short notice. Jim Sconyers and Jim Kotcon will be coming loaded with information.

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Information on Marcellus Gas Development
by Duane330＠aol.com 07 Jan '11

07 Jan '11

Urge Lawmakers to Pass Marcellus Shale Drilling Bill Out of Subcommittee Last month, the Joint Legislative Interim Judiciary Subcommittee A took no action on a draft bill establishing a new regulatory program for gas wells utilizing horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, because of the lack of a quorum. The subcommittee is slated to discuss this important bill this Monday January 10th at the last Interim committee meeting prior to the beginning of the regular Legislative Session on Wednesday January 12th. A preliminary reading of this draft legislation shows that it contains some good things and some not-so-good things, and unfortunately omits some needed controls altogether. Getting this bill out of the subcommittee is an important start, so that the full legislature will have a comprehensive draft bill to consider when they convene on January 12th. Please contact the members of Interim Judiciary Subcommittee A before they meet this Monday and urge them to pass this comprehensive draft legislation out of subcommittee and on to the full legislature for further consideration. It is imperative that a bill is passed as soon as possible outlining the details of gas drilling regulation due to the negative impacts of Marcellus shale fracturing. Urge them to attend and educate themselves on an issue that can’t wait—we are observing harmful pollution enter our surface water and air in addition to flagrant dredge and fill practices like those seen in Wetzel County (Check out _http://www.wetzelchronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/503953/Chesapeake-Fa… (http://www.wetzelchronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/503953/Chesapeake-Fac… -Of-Fines.html) ). Below is a list of Judiciary A Subcommittee members and their contact information. If you have friends or family that live within their districts please urge them to contact them as well. They will be home and much more accessible this week before the Interim session starts this coming Sunday, January 9th. You can also try to contact and leave messages for members at the Capitol using the Toll Free phone number: 1-877-565-3447. If you have any questions, please email Amanda Pitzer, Executive Director for Friends of the Cheat: _amanda(a)cheat.org_ (mailto:amanda@cheat.org) , or Duane Nichols, Co-Chair, WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact. Thanks for your help! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Judiciary A Subcommittee Senate Members Senator Herb Snyder - Chair (D - Jefferson) District 16 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7957 Home Phone: (304)725-4529 E-mail: _herb.snyder(a)wvsenate.gov_ (mailto:herb.snyder@wvsenate.gov) Capitol Address: Room 217W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Clark S. Barnes (R - Randolph) District 15 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7973 Home Phone: not available; residence is Rt. 2, Box 12-C, Beverly, WV 26253 E-mail: _clark.barnes(a)wvsenate.gov_ (mailto:clark.barnes@wvsenate.gov) Capitol Address: Room 203W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Richard Browning (D - Wyoming) District 9 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7807 Home Phone: (304) 682-4643 E-mail: _richardbrowning(a)verizon.net_ (mailto:richardbrowning@verizon.net) Capitol Address: Room 204W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Frank Deem (R - Wood) District 3 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7970 Home Phone: (304) 295-6593 E-mail: _fdeem(a)mail.wvnet.edu_ (mailto:fdeem@mail.wvnet.edu) Capitol Address: Room 217W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Dan Foster (D - Kanawha) District 17 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7866 Home Phone: (304) 344-1060 E-mail: _daniel.foster(a)camc.org_ (mailto:daniel.foster@camc.org) Capitol Address: Room 223W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Mike Hall (R - Putnam) District 4 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7901 Home Phone: (304) 757-8249 E-mail: _delegate200(a)hotmail.com_ (mailto:delegate200@hotmail.com) Capitol Address: Room 245M, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator William R. Laird IV (D - Fayette) District 11 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7849 Home Phone: (304) 469-8055 E-mail: _william.laird(a)wvsenate.gov_ (mailto:william.laird@wvsenate.gov) Capitol Address: Room 229W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Joseph M. Minard (D - Harrison) District 12 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7904 Home Phone: (304) 622-6488 E-mail: _joe.minard(a)wvsenate.gov_ (mailto:joe.minard@wvsenate.gov) Capitol Address: Room 206W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Ron Stollings (D - Boone) District 7 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7939 Home Phone: (304) 369-6194 E-mail: _ron.stollings(a)verizon.net_ (mailto:ron.stollings@verizon.net) Capitol Address: Room 229W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Jack Yost (D - Brooke) District 1 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7984 Home Phone: (304) 737-2720 E-mail: _jack.yost(a)wvsenate.gov_ (mailto:jack.yost@wvsenate.gov) Capitol Address: Room 213W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Senator Jeffrey V. Kessler (D - Marshall) District 2 (Senate Judiciary Chairman, Ex Officio member of Subcommittee A) Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7880 Home Phone: (304) 843-1386 E-mail: _jeff.kessler(a)wvsenate.gov_ (mailto:jeff.kessler@wvsenate.gov) Capitol Address: Room 210W, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Judiciary A Subcommittee House Members Delegate William R. Wooton - Chair (D - Raleigh) District 27 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3164 Home Phone: (304) 252-5808 E-mail: _william.wooton(a)wvhouse.gov_ (mailto:william.wooton@wvhouse.gov) Capitol Address: Room 476M, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Larry W. Barker (D - Boone) District 18 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3149 Home Phone: (304) 369-3367 E-mail: _larry.barker(a)wvhouse.gov_ (mailto:larry.barker@wvhouse.gov) Capitol Address: Room 224E, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Mike Caputo (D - Marion) District 43 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3249 Home Phone: (304) 278-5419 E-mail: _mike.caputo(a)wvhouse.gov_ (mailto:mike.caputo@wvhouse.gov) Capitol Address: Room 246M, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Michael T. Ferro (D - Marshall) District 04 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3111 Home Phone: (304) 233-4729 E-mail: _mike.ferro(a)wvhouse.gov_ (mailto:mike.ferro@wvhouse.gov) Capitol Address: Room 222E, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Mike Ross (D - Randolph) District 37 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3145 Home Phone: (304) 636-4398 E-mail: _mike.ross(a)wvhouse.gov_ (mailto:mike.ross@wvhouse.gov) Capitol Address: Room 224E, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Robert A. Schadler (R - Mineral) District 49 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3191 Home Phone: (304) 788-4024 E-mail: _rschadler(a)comcast.net_ (mailto:rschadler@comcast.net) Capitol Address: Room 6R, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Patti Eagloski Schoen (R - Putnam) District 14 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3141 Home Phone: (304) 415-0411 E-mail: _pschoen(a)mail.wvnet.edu_ (mailto:pschoen@mail.wvnet.edu) Capitol Address: Room 150R, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Danny Wells (D - Kanawha) District 30 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3287 Home Phone: (304) 542-0284 E-mail: _danny.wells(a)wvhouse.gov_ (mailto:danny.wells@wvhouse.gov) Capitol Address: Room 208E, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Tim Manchin (D - Marion) District 43 - Nonvoting member Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3166 Home Phone: (304) 363-5613 E-mail: _tmanchin(a)manchin-aloi.com_ (mailto:tmanchin@manchin-aloi.com) Capitol Address: Room 212E, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305 Delegate Tim Miley (D - Harrison) District 41 (House Judiciary Chairman, Ex Officio member of Subcommittee A) Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3252 Home Phone: (304) 848-0102 E-mail: _tim.miley(a)wvhouse.gov_ (mailto:tim.miley@wvhouse.gov) Capitol Address: Room 418M, Building 1, State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305

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Monongahela River is impaired says PA-DEP
by Duane330＠aol.com 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

Pennsylvania DEP to EPA: Monongahela River is impaired Pittsburgh Business Times - by Anya Litvak Date: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has submitted its _assessment of water quality_ (http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/water_quality_stan… 010/682562) to the Environmental Protection Agency, asking the federal government to categorize as impaired about 68 miles of the Monongahela River, among other water bodies. The DEP _signaled the move earlier this month_ (http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2010/12/02/dep-might-want-mon-la…) when it informed the Allegheny Conference on Community Development that it would be seeking the impairment status because of high total dissolved solids and sulfates in the river. Impairment is a label given to parts of streams or lakes that either aren’t attaining water quality standards or won’t be doing so in the future without changes. The highest category of impairment warrants the DEP to study the area’s discharge sources and come up with a total maximum discharge limit, or TMDL, to improve water quality. A TMDL plan involves surveying the sources that discharge into the impaired water and adjusting their discharge permits to achieve the desired water content, a move that could mean new restrictions for businesses. The DEP completed 110 such plans in 2008 and 2009. Parts of streams and lakes can be considered impaired for several uses, including aquatic life, recreation, water supply and fish consumption. The DEP found that: * More than 10,000 miles of streams have been deemed impaired as a result of the statewide assessment over the past two years. * Pennsylvania has 5,546 miles of waters impaired as a result of abandoned mine drainage, another 5,380 miles impaired by agriculture and 2,302 miles by urban runoff/storm sewers. * The presence of metals in streams account for 5,060 of impaired miles, while siltation, the largest cause of impairment, affects 8,274 miles. Total dissolved solids and chlorides account for 198 miles of impaired stream miles. * A survey of Pennsylvania lakes revealed that more than 40,000 acres were impaired for fish consumption as a result of high mercury counts. * About 68 miles of the Monogahela River were added to the list of stream miles impaired for potable water supply. The sources listed were abandoned mine drainage, industrial point sources and subsurface mining, with the polluting element identified as “other inorganics.” * Dunkard Creek had about 35 miles categorized as impaired for aquatic life because of salinity, TDS, chlorides, exotic species and osmotic pressure associated with subsurface mining. * Anywhere from a handful to more than a dozen miles of the following creeks were newly listed as impaired for either aquatic life or recreation because of high pathogen levels in the water: Jacks Run, Chartiers Creek, Sewickley Creek, Raccoon Creek, Connoquenessing Creek, Slippery Rock Creek on the Mon River, and Crooked Creek and Dunlap Creek on the Allegheny River. * About 9 miles of the Allegheny River also got the designation for recreational use because of pathogens. * The DEP added 3.2 miles of the Stoneycreek River to the impaired list because of salinity, total dissolved solids or chlorides associated with acid mine drainage. * Siltation from road runoff impaired about 3 miles each of Montour Run and Pucketa Creek on the lower Allegheny River. The complete list of waters designated as impaired and requiring a survey and plan to manage discharges is available on the DEP's website at _streams_ (http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/Drinking%20Water%20and%20Facility%20Regu lation/WaterQualityPortalFiles/2010%20Integrated%20List/Category5Streams.pdf ) and _lakes_ (http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/Drinking%20Water%20and%20Facility%20Regu… ory5Lakes.pdf) .

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EPA In Service To America
by Duane330＠aol.com 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

_EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation _ (http://fuelfix.com/blog/2010/12/20/epa-greenhouse-gas-regulation-won’t-caus…) Won’t Cause the Sky to Fall Posted on December 20, 2010 at 3:05 pm by _Victor Flatt_ (http://fuelfix.com/blog/author/victorflatt/) in _Climate_ (http://fuelfix.com/blog/category/climate/) , _Climate Change_ (http://fuelfix.com/blog/category/climate/climate-change/) , _Efficiency_ (http://fuelfix.com/blog/category/efficiency/) , _Electricity_ (http://fuelfix.com/blog/category/electricity/) , _Environment_ (http://fuelfix.com/blog/category/environment/) With the DC Circuit finding that those opposed to greenhouse gas regulation by the EPA have not shown irreparable harm if it goes forward, and with the withdrawal of Senator Rockefeller’s proposal to delay implementation, come Jan. 2, 2011, the EPA will officially begin regulation of greenhouse gases as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act. Since every state has received authority to implement the Clean Air Act’s requirements within the state, this means that all fifty states need to be ready and able to begin permitting of major sources of greenhouse gases at this time. As of this time, the EPA estimates that all states (except Texas, which has refused) will be ready to implement the requirements by January 2 or shortly thereafter. Perhaps now that the actual limited regulation will begin, those who have been saying that the regulation will be incredibly complex and harm the economy and energy sources can finally stop crying wolf and move on to their jobs of securing permits for needed sources. Because the truth is that the permitting sources should be able to implement the program without much difficulty. First of all, the scope is limited. Initially, it only applies to large sources that would already undergo PSD permitting. Moreover, the EPA has been relatively clear through guidance about what kind of Best Available Control Technology (BACT) it expects from sources that must be permitted. More or less, the EPA is asking that any power generation boilers be ultra efficient, that the use of lower carbon impact fuels be employed where feasible, and that any technology that is necessary for the ultimate implementation of carbon capture be considered. Each of these decisions will be made in a one on one negotiation with the state that is permitting the source. Though the states have themselves been nervous about coming up to speed, the procedure is no different from the BACT requirements that they already impose. In fact, because of its limited scope, there won’t be very many permit applicants, meaning that these first few should not be that difficult to implement, if the sources themselves are reasonable and negotiate in good faith. If any attorneys want to continue to cry wolf and make this more difficult than it has to be, they can do so, but they do so at the risk of hurting their clients’ interests. You can continue objecting all you want and try to continue to paint the EPA as the bad guy, but in the next few months, you will be proven wrong. So my advice is to get down to business. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> EPA LAUNCHES WEBSITE INFORMING THE PUBLIC ON EPA REGULATIONS EPA has launched Reg Stat, a new website that provides information on the number, type, and range of regulatory documents developed each year by the agency, and the important role the EPA regulatory system plays in addressing the nation's environmental problems. Based on EPA documents published in the Federal Register between 2005 and 2009, both summary graphics and searchable data tables can be downloaded and sorted based on categories of interest. Complex terminology is explained. For more information, go to Reg Stat _http://www.epa.gov/regstat_ (http://www.epa.gov/regstat) .

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Temporary ban on FRACKING in NY State
by Duane330＠aol.com 11 Dec '10

11 Dec '10

HISTORIC VICTORY FOR THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK STATE In an amazing victory for the citizens of New York State, Governor David A. Paterson has issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct further comprehensive review and analysis of high-volume hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale. The Executive Order requires that, if approved, high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing would not be permitted until July 1, 2011, at the earliest. New York State becomes the first state to have a formal prohibition on high volume horizontal hydrofacking because of concerns about environmental impacts. Regretablly instead of signing the "Moratorium Bill" legislation sent to him that included a prohibition on vertical hyrdofracking that was passed by on overwhelming bi partisan majority in both houses of the State government he decided instead to succumb to industry pressure and issue the Executive Order that eliminates vertical wells from the prohibition. While the Executive Order is historic and proves that our concerns over hydrofracking are legitimate it is also a disappointment because vertical wells are also dangerous. The gas and oil industry lobby deliberately misinterpreted a section of the Moratorium Bill claiming it would bring all gas drilling in New York State to a halt. The bill only specified a moratorium on drilling for wells using hydrofracking, whether they are vertically or horizontally drilled. A moratorium banning the fracking of vertical wells is very important for several reasons: 1. Gas companies have been clear that they plan to drill vertical wells in the Utica and Marcellus shale with the intention of converting them to horizontal wells. 2. While the State Senate was considering a two-year moratorium on horizontal wells the gas industry threatened to drill and frack 16 vertical wells every square mile in retribution if a moratorium on fracked horizontal wells was passed. 3. Some of the worst water contamination problems, such as in Dimock, PA came from vertical wells drilled and fractured in the Marcellus Shale. We now look to Governor Elect Andrew Cuomo to protect the Citizens of New York from the dangers of hydro fracking by any method including vertical drilling and horizontal drilling and including all shale formations. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BELOW IS THE GOVERNORS PRESS RELEASE <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Governor Paterson Issues Executive Order on Hydraulic Fracturing * by _New York State Office of the Governor_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izqu84bab&et=1104061578432&s=10856&e=001nTcH8… Y7CFk06387yENFfa9EOPcA4mG3gDvRFfGW6J-Hy2lkv0Rw3ItnIdcLWr5jj0xAD5Al1NIcDYjgme tOIFUjRx0bUBp37NYP_v27f) ALBANY, NY (12/11/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson has issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct further comprehensive review and analysis of high-volume hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale. The Executive Order requires that, if approved, high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing would not be permitted until July 1, 2011, at the earliest. This should allay any fears that high-volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling under study by DEC will commence without assurances of safety. "We in government must always focus on protecting the well-being of those whom we represent and serve, but we also have an obligation to look to the future and protect the long-term interests for our State and its residents," Governor Paterson said. "Therefore, I am proud to issue this Executive Order, which will guarantee that before any high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing is permitted, the Department of Environmental Conversation will complete its studies and certify that such operations are safe." Permits for high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing can not be issued until the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) completes a Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS), which is currently being developed. As a result, there is already in place a de-facto moratorium on such permits. The Governor issued the Executive Order contemporaneously with his veto of S.8129-B/A.11443-B, which would have suspended the issuance of new oil and gas drilling permits through May 15, 2011, including all conventional, low-volume, vertical oil and gas wells. "This legislation, which was well intentioned, would have a serious impact on our State if signed into law. Enacting this legislation would put people out of work - work that is permitted by the Department of Environmental Conservation and causes no demonstrated environmental harm, in order to effectuate a moratorium that is principally symbolic," Governor Paterson said. "Symbols can have great importance, but particularly in our current terrible economic straits, I cannot agree to put individuals out of work for a symbolic act." "I am sympathetic to the sponsors' desire to protect the environment and public health, and I respect the concerns that produced this legislation," the Governor continued. "But this legislation does not accomplish this purpose, since the activities at the heart of the moratorium are not currently taking place, and would not take place until well after the legislation's proposed moratorium." The bill goes well beyond high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing and effectively would result in a moratorium on all new oil and gas well drilling in this State. The cessation of such new activity, even for a limited period, would have substantial negative financial consequences for the State, local governments, landowners and small businesses involved in conventional oil and gas production. The Division of the Budget estimates that the bill would cause a substantial reduction in State revenues from the loss of permit fees and tax revenue. With a $315 million budget gap in the current fiscal year, and a projected gap of over $9 billion in the 2011-12 State fiscal year, New York simply cannot afford to send hundreds and perhaps thousands of jobs, and millions of dollars in capital investment to Pennsylvania and other states to our south.

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......... Happy Birthday to EPA........40 yoa
by Duane330＠aol.com 08 Dec '10

08 Dec '10

GEOLOGIC SEQUESTRATION REPORTING RULES ENSURE SAFETY AND USE OF THE TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS On Nov. 22, EPA finalized two rules for large emitters of greenhouse gases such as coal fired plants to foster the use of an environmentally safe geologic sequestration/storage technology in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One rule ensures drinking water protection during the carbon sequestration process, the other tracks the amount of carbon dioxide that is stored underground for long-term storage. For more information on the geologic sequestration rule, go to _http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/wells_sequestration.cfm_ (http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/wells_sequestration.cfm) More information on the greenhouse gas reporting final rule: _http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html_ (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS Happy 40th Birthday, EPA - What do you think EPA's priorities for the future should be? Help shape the next 40 years of environmental protection! Visit the Healthy Waters Web site at _http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/_ (http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/)

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!!!!!.......Foom..........!!!!
by Duane330＠aol.com 30 Nov '10

30 Nov '10

1 0

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