June 2007 - EC - lists.bikelover.org

6-28-07 SIERRA CLUB - PETITION TO INTERVENE AT PSC IN TRAIL PROCEEDING
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 28 Jun '07

28 Jun '07

EC'ers ATTACHED IS A COPY OF THE SIERRA CLUB PETITION TO INTERVENE IN THE TRAIL PROCEEDING AT THE PSC. I WILL FORWARD A NUMBER OF OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING A LIST OF THE DOCKETED PLEADINGS TOMORROW. FYI, THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR INTERIM STAFF REPORTS TO THE COMMISSION, AND THE PSC ISSUED A FAIRLY BROAD PROCEDURAL ORDER ON 6-11 WHICH I'LL ALSO FORWARD. I PLAN TO USE THE "EC(a)osenergy.org" EMAIL ADDRESS TO COPY EVERYBODY ON FILINGS. IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE COPIED WHO WILL NOT RECEIVE VIA THIS ADDRESS, PLEASE ADVISE. PLEASE CALL IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS. BILL -- William V. DePaulo, Esq. 179 Summers Street, Suite 232 Charleston, WV 25301-2163 Tel: 304-342-5588 Fax: 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com

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[FW]Fwd: Allegheny Transmission Line intervention
by Paul Wilson 28 Jun '07

28 Jun '07

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[FW]Fwd: W. Virginia coal-fired power plant
by Paul Wilson 27 Jun '07

27 Jun '07

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Expert Witness Prospect
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 25 Jun '07

25 Jun '07

Hi, Did anyone contact Robert L. McConnell? He had a guest commentary in yesterday's June 24th Dominion Post. He has the right characteristics; he's a retired associate professor emeritus of electrical engineering from WVU. He explained, "I have not worked with the load-flow analysis programs, however, I have done a lot of modeling and simulation." He prefers small independent systems over large inter-dependent systems, and he also opposes the construction of the transmission lines on the basis of global warming. If nobody has contacted him, I'll try to locate him and find out if he'd be interested. He's in Independence, WV. Also, this Saturday I talked to Edie Jett, she sent us a NIETC Update back on May 22. She'd be very interested in working with us. Jonathan

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FW: Subcommittee on TrAIL
by Grubb, Karen 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

Jim says this is ready to send to national. Let me know if anything else is needed. ________________________________ From: Grubb, Karen Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:54 PM To: 'Paul Wilson' Subject: RE: Subcommittee on TrAIL This is very helpful. Thank you. I am preparing the new matter form and will be sending it to you by tomorrow. Will you take care of getting our legal chair's signature, if needed? Karen ________________________________ From: Barbara Fallon [mailto:brbr_fallon@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 9:48 AM To: Grubb, Karen; James Kotcon; William V. DePaulo, Esq.; wjreilly99(a)yahoo.com; Jonathan Rosenbaum Subject: Re: Subcommittee on TrAIL For the budget write up the language that Paul provided. The Chapter is providing $2500 toward the TrAIL campaign. The SES recently awarded a $5000 grant (pending CGC approval.) The cost for expert witnesses should be minimized because the intention of the energy committee is to share this cost with neighboring environmental groups. The fundraising committee will appeal to donors for contributions through out the campaign. Grant writing will be pursued. Budget Legal Fees.... $5000 Expert Witnesses.... 5000 Publicity expenses.... 1000 Travel, phone and copying costs to committee members.... 1000 Total: $12,000 -----Original Message----- From: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] On Behalf Of James Kotcon Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 8:16 PM To: ec(a)osenergy.org; Barbara Fallon Subject: [EC] Energy Committee Motion and notes Attached are the notes I wrote down of the call tonight. On the call were Barbara Fallon, Jim Kotcon, Duane Nichols , Jonathon Rosenbaum, Will Reilly, Pat Reilly, and Karen Grubb 1. Jim Kotcon moved, Duane Nichols seconded, that the Energy Committee recommend the following to the Chapter ExCom: A. That the Chapter seek approval to intervene in the Allegheny Transmission line case (PSC Case No 07-0508-E-CN) in order to preserve rights for additional participation in the case to the extent funds are available. B. That the Energy Committee allocate $2500 from the 2007 budget for expenses on the case, with additional fundraising to be conducted including grant-writing (Barb Fallon) and direct appeals to donors (Jim Kotcon). C. That the Chapter ExCom authorize use of the Chapter Foundation account, or establish a new Foundation account for purposes of receiving donations for this campaign and related Energy Committee activities. Motion carried. 2. Bill DePaulo will contact Aaron Isherwood, Will Burns in PA (Energy Conservation Coalition of PA), and Rob Marmet in Virginia (Piedmont Environmental Council) to explore opportunities to share expert witnesses. 3. Jim Kotcon will contact additional potential experts to solicit bids for evaluation by the Energy Committee. 4. Karen Grubb will head a subcommittee to draft a more detailed campaign plan. Jim Kotcon, Will Reilly and Jonathon Rosenbaum indicated they would serve, and Barbara will circulate a call for additional volunteers via e-mail. (A date for this subcommittee to meet should be set soon.) 5. Bill says other groups that intervene can decide later to file a joint brief and sponsor testimony with SC. Also, Bill DePaulo will be out of the country from July 1 until after the deadline, so intervention needs to be submitted very soon. JBK P.S. If anyone has any suggestions for names of potential expert witnesses, please send them to me. It is useful for a limited number of people on the Energy Committee (not more than two) to make these initial calls so we do not end up with different experts negotiating with different members of the same committee. _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Gone for a week
by Barbara Fallon 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

I am leaving for Seattle and won't be back until July 2. Keep up the very good work Barbara ____________________________________________________________________________________ Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us. http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7

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Re: [EC] Fw: WV grant - SES meeting outcome
by Barbara Fallon 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

I will be on the intervention sub-committee. I will be the fundraiser person. ----- Original Message ---- From: "Grubb, Karen" <kgrubb(a)fairmontstate.edu> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Cc: mdavis(a)hsc.wvu.edu Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 2:33:03 PM Subject: Re: [EC] Fw: WV grant - SES meeting outcome That’s wonderful Barbara! Now, who wants to be on the intervention subcommittee and when and where can we meet? Subcommittee members please see http://nyri.info/info.htm for inspiration, sent to me by Jonathan. Paul said he wanted the completed New Matter Form to submit by Friday. I assume he meant June 22. That is two days from now. I am pretty much free this week, but planned to go to DC this weekend. We need a budget, expert witnesses, co-plaintiffs, and what cooperation we can expect from VA and PA attorneys. Am I right in thinking these all need to be accomplished this week? I am attaching my new matter form document with updates from tonight’s call in bold. Thanks, Karen From: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org ] On Behalf Of Barbara Fallon Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 9:26 AM To: ec(a)osenergy.org Cc: mdavis(a)hsc.wvu.edu Subject: [EC] Fw: WV grant - SES meeting outcome Well, well, well..... ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Jason Marsden <jcmarsden(a)gmail.com> To: Barbara Fallon <brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com> Cc: Stephen Crowley <scrow(a)sover.net> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 6:58:28 PM Subject: WV grant - SES meeting outcome Hello Barbara, The Smart Energy Solutions CIC just completed its monthly meeting and we did approve the $5,000 grant to the West Virginia chapter toward expert witnesses as proposed. This grant will also require the CGC's approval, and they may or may not concur with our recommendation, but in either case you should be hearing from them soon, as they are scheduled to meet June 28. I have copied Steve Crowley, SES-CIC chair, on this message since I will be out of the country for the next 29 days and unable to stay abreast of CGC's decision. Best of luck and a pleasure getting acquainted this past week! Best wishes, Jason -- Jason Marsden Executive Director Wyoming Conservation Voters www.wyovoters.org (307) 265-0870 PO Box 2664 Casper , Wyo. 82602-2664 _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec ____________________________________________________________________________________ Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow

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Energy committee fundraising
by Barbara Fallon 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

An estimated budget for the TrAIL Allegheny campaing is $12,000. Depending on how the campaign goes this expense can and will escalate. So far we have $7500. The Chapter budget affords us $2500 and we recently received a $5000 grant from National SES sources (pending CGC approval.) I am the chair of the energy committee, but I am also forming a fundraising sub-committee. Now that we have gotten approval from the Chapter to intervene before the PSC we have to make haste and raise funds to meet the financial challenges ahead. Currently Karen Grubb and Jim Kotcon are completing the New Matters Form. This document will be sent to National for their approval of our intervention. We have a deadline of July 11 to file for intervention, but our councel, Bill DePaulo needs to have the paperwork completed and signed by him by June 29. We cannot begin our fundraising until we have been given approval to intervene by National. The is fothcoming. Now I am looking for a few people to serve on the fundraising committee with me. We will primarily be soliciting funds from doners, writing grants, having bake sales! and anything else the committee agrees to do. National provides fundraising training. I will look into this training. Perhaps a few people can attend. With fundraising there are lots of rules. Right now I need a few volunteers. I am not a fundraiser. I am a grant writer. I know that the campaign needs funds, so this is why I heading the fundraising committee. You do not have to be an experienced fundraiser to be on this committee. You will however, be an experienced fundraiser when we are done. best Regards, Barbara ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/

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Fw: WV grant - SES meeting outcome
by Barbara Fallon 20 Jun '07

20 Jun '07

Well, well,well..... ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Jason Marsden <jcmarsden(a)gmail.com> To: Barbara Fallon <brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com> Cc: Stephen Crowley <scrow(a)sover.net> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 6:58:28 PM Subject: WV grant - SES meeting outcome Hello Barbara, The Smart Energy Solutions CIC just completed its monthly meeting and we did approve the $5,000 grant to the West Virginia chapter toward expert witnesses as proposed. This grant will also require the CGC's approval, and they may or may not concur with our recommendation, but in either case you should be hearing from them soon, as they are scheduled to meet June 28. I have copied Steve Crowley, SES-CIC chair, on this message since I will be out of the country for the next 29 days and unable to stay abreast of CGC's decision. Best of luck and a pleasure getting acquainted this past week! Best wishes, Jason -- Jason Marsden Executive Director Wyoming Conservation Voters www.wyovoters.org (307) 265-0870 PO Box 2664 Casper, Wyo. 82602-2664 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/

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FW: Energy Committee Motion and notes
by Grubb, Karen 19 Jun '07

19 Jun '07

Just this: Bill says other groups that intervene can decide later to file a joint brief and sponsor testimony with SC. Also, Bill DePaulo will be out of the country from July 1 until after the deadline, so intervention needs to be submitted very soon. I attached the latest version of my notes. I didn't know I volunteered to head the subcommittee, but I guess I can. Karen -----Original Message----- From: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] On Behalf Of James Kotcon Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 8:16 PM To: ec(a)osenergy.org; Barbara Fallon Subject: [EC] Energy Committee Motion and notes Attached are the notes I wrote down of the call tonight. On the call were Barbara Fallon, Jim Kotcon, Duane Nichols, Jonathon Rosenbaum, Will Reilly, Pat Reilly, and Karen Grubb 1. Jim Kotcon moved, Duane Nichols seconded, that the Energy Committee recommend the following to the Chapter ExCom: A. That the Chapter seek approval to intervene in the Allegheny Transmission line case (PSC Case No 07-0508-E-CN) in order to preserve rights for additional participation in the case to the extent funds are available. B. That the Energy Committee allocate $2500 from the 2007 budget for expenses on the case, with additional fundraising to be conducted including grant-writing (Barb Fallon) and direct appeals to donors (Jim Kotcon). C. That the Chapter ExCom authorize use of the Chapter Foundation account, or establish a new Foundation account for purposes of receiving donations for this campaign and related Energy Committee activities. Motion carried. 2. Bill DePaulo will contact Aaron Isherwood, Will Burns in PA (Energy Conservation Coalition of PA), and Rob Marmet in Virginia (Piedmont Environmental Council) to explore opportunities to share expert witnesses. 3. Jim Kotcon will contact additional potential experts to solicit bids for evaluation by the Energy Committee. 4. Karen Grubb will head a subcommittee to draft a more detailed campaign plan. Jim Kotcon, Will Reilly and Jonathon Rosenbaum indicated they would serve, and Barbara will circulate a call for additional volunteers via e-mail. (A date for this subcommittee to meet should be set soon.) JBK P.S. If anyone has any suggestions for names of potential expert witnesses, please send them to me. It is useful for a limited number of people on the Energy Committee (not more than two) to make these initial calls so we do not end up with different experts negotiating with different members of the same committee. P.P.S. Please let me know if I missed anything, or if anyone has other recollections of our actions tonight. _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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FW: New Matter Form - AP TrAIL
by Grubb, Karen 19 Jun '07

19 Jun '07

The items in 5 were not listed in any order, and won't necessarily all apply. They are some ideas Jim had on the drive back to Fairmont from DOE, and I don't think will be included on the New Matter Form. Here is the list amended based on Jonathan's comments. Did I get the gist of your comments correctly? Karen ________________________________ From: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] On Behalf Of Jonathan Rosenbaum Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 3:49 AM To: Energy Committee Subject: Re: [EC] New Matter Form - AP TrAIL I realize this was thrown together quickly, but, in 5, I would like some enlightenment about the details of what these minimum conditions imply in a compromise. Would all these conditions have to apply? "H" should be at the top of the list of compromises, though maybe that's why it's at the bottom, however, is "H" really a compromise, or more along the lines of what we should minimally expect from WV power companies (and every power company) regardless of whether we are pursuing the Trail Co case or not? Based on what I heard at the public meeting here in Morgantown, it sounds very unlikely that buried lines would be an option in a compromise. If any power line is going to be built as a result of a compromise using existing routes, conservation is definitely going to have to be part of the package deal, and I would suggest that the recipients of this electricity are either going to have to conserve or pay up for that privilege, i.e. "D" could be amended to reflect that recipients in congested areas get to pay for the "cheap energy" infrastructure we've built for them "by them" here in WV if they choose to use electricity that a carbon tax could be applied to. Just like a toll road, those who use it, get to pay for its creation and upkeep. However, if the recipients choose to receive clean "renewable" energy via these lines, then any extra costs to them would be waived. Jonathan Grubb, Karen wrote: Jim suggested I write these down and send them out as a starting point for what needs to be accomplished before intervention can be approved. Karen _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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conference cal tonight
by Barbara Fallon 18 Jun '07

18 Jun '07

Sorry for the short notice. Please call in to a conference call tonight at 7:00. We need to talk about the New Matters Form, Funding, and what our discussion will entail for the ExCom confernece call on Tuesday night. Re: Allegheny Number 866.501.6174 Conference Code: 1005700 Hope you can join us... Barbara ____________________________________________________________________________________ Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC

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New Matter Form - AP TrAIL
by Grubb, Karen 18 Jun '07

18 Jun '07

Jim suggested I write these down and send them out as a starting point for what needs to be accomplished before intervention can be approved. Karen

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Re: [EC] Allegheny Transmission line deadline
by Barbara Fallon 13 Jun '07

13 Jun '07

I agree with Jim taht we need a strategy to win this thing. We need a strategy in order to get foundation funding for that matter. In the mean time we need to convice the ExCom that we have money to engage in effective intervention. Right now we don't have that. Paul, How do I get on to the Sierra Clubhouse? I thought I would look around there for some mini-grants that could show good effort to the ExCom. It is hard to get foundation money for expert witnesses. Grant making foundations want to give money for educational purposes generally . Barbara ----- Original Message ---- From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: Glen Besa <glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org>; James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> Cc: aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org; Mike Town <michael.town(a)cavtel.net>; dave.muhly(a)sierraclub.org; Paul Wilson <pjpaulgrunt(a)gmail.com>; bfallon(a)fairmontstate.edu; Peter.Martin(a)sierraclub.org; ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 5:05:54 PM Subject: Re: [EC] Allegheny Transmission line deadline Glen, et al.: The major players in Virginia are with the Piedmont Environmental Council. Several attended a regional strategy meeting in Cumberland MD last week and we are collaborating on joint letters to Congress regarding the Hinchey-Wolfe bill. But there was no discussion of cost-sharing, other than discussion of the concept that expert witnesses in one state could likely testify in other states at a much lower cost, since much of the analytical work would not need to be repeated. The main players in PA are the Pennsylvania ECO, as well as a grassroots coalition called "Stop The Towers". They also are participating in what is currently being called the Mid Atlantic Energy Coalition. This entity apparently just was formed in the last month. As Bill DePaulo stated, it will cost as much as we are willing to spend. We could intervene for a negligible cost, but getting the expert witnesses and spending the time to develop all the legal documents to win could cost $10,000 to $100,000, and if we had $200,000, we could spend all of that too. I believe that this will require both the legal PSC intervention, as well as a political strategy, and a state legislative strategy, and a federal Congressional strategy to win. So if we are serious about winning, we should be developing a longer-range plan. JBK >>> "Glen Besa" <glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org> 6/12/2007 8:25 AM >>> Jim, Contact Aaron Isherwood on this powerline matter. Also, have any folks in the VA horse country expressed an interest in supporting a WV challenge to the power line? Do we have any idea of the cost? It is possible that VA folks concerned about the power line thru their lands might desire to help fight it in WV as well. Glen Glen Besa, Regional Director Sierra Club Appalachian Region (DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) 422 East Franklin Street, Suite 302 Richmond, VA 23219 O-804-225-9113 x 104 F-804-225-9114 C-804-387-6001 glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org -----Original Message----- From: James Kotcon [mailto:jkotcon@wvu.edu] Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:09 PM To: duane330(a)aol.com; KenW; BarbaraF; Rodger Dotson; William DePaulo; Mary Rehmann; Paul Wilson; allantweddle; Nate Parr; James Kotcon; Sally Wilts; brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com Cc: JonathonR; Beth Little; Karen Grubb; Stephen M. Walker; Autumn Bryson; Mary Davis; Bill Price; Dave Muhly; Glen Besa; Regina Hendrix; Jim Kotcon Subject: Allegheny Transmission line deadline The scheduling order came out from the WV Public Service Commission today. It specifies that petitions to intervene must be submitted within 30 days, hence July 11 is the deadline if the Chapter wants to intervene. I think we need a detailed plan for how to win this campaign if we are to move forward. There is an emerging regional coalition (the Mid-Atlantic Energy Coalition) which has representation from 4 states. Paul and I attended a meeting last week, and there seems to be a consensus to oppose the line, but the West Virginia portion of the case will need to be fought by West Virginians. JBK _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec ____________________________________________________________________________________ Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC

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Fwd: RE: Allegheny Transmission line deadline
by James Kotcon 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

FYI: At Aaron's request, I took the liberty of contacting Erin Chalmers to give him a status report on this issue. Erin indicated that we could file a New Matter Form before the Chapter ExCom approves intervention. This way, we could be working with National concurrently to relieve some of the time constraints from doing it sequentially. If the National Litigation Committee approves it, we would still need the Chapter ExCom's approval before proceeding, but we do not need to have these approvals in any specific order. We do not need approval from other Chapters to intervene in the WV case, but since these cases are proceeding simultaneously in PA and VA, notification and collaboration would be useful and appropriate. JBK >>> <aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org> 6/12/2007 1:59 PM >>> Actually, for efficiency's sake, please call my colleague, attorney Erin Chalmers **as soon as possible** at 415-977-5765. Thanks, Aaron Aaron Isherwood Senior Staff Attorney Sierra Club Environmental Law Program 85 Second Street, 2d Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-3441 Phone: (415) 977-5680 Fax: (415) 977-5793 CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL COMMUNICATION/WORK PRODUCT This e-mail may contain privileged and confidential attorney-client communications and/or attorney work product. If you receive this e-mail inadvertently, please reply to the sender and delete all versions on your system. Thank you. "Glen Besa" <glen.besa@sierra club.org> To "'James Kotcon'" <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> 06/12/2007 05:25 cc AM "Paul Wilson" <pjpaulgrunt(a)gmail.com>, <dave.muhly(a)sierraclub.org>, <aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org>, <Peter.Martin(a)sierraclub.org>, <Peter.Martin(a)sierraclub.org>, "'Mike Town'" <michael.town(a)cavtel.net> Subject RE: Allegheny Transmission line deadline Jim, Contact Aaron Isherwood on this powerline matter. Also, have any folks in the VA horse country expressed an interest in supporting a WV challenge to the power line? Do we have any idea of the cost? It is possible that VA folks concerned about the power line thru their lands might desire to help fight it in WV as well. Glen Glen Besa, Regional Director Sierra Club Appalachian Region (DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) 422 East Franklin Street, Suite 302 Richmond, VA 23219 O-804-225-9113 x 104 F-804-225-9114 C-804-387-6001 glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org -----Original Message----- From: James Kotcon [mailto:jkotcon@wvu.edu] Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:09 PM To: duane330(a)aol.com; KenW; BarbaraF; Rodger Dotson; William DePaulo; Mary Rehmann; Paul Wilson; allantweddle; Nate Parr; James Kotcon; Sally Wilts; brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com Cc: JonathonR; Beth Little; Karen Grubb; Stephen M. Walker; Autumn Bryson; Mary Davis; Bill Price; Dave Muhly; Glen Besa; Regina Hendrix; Jim Kotcon Subject: Allegheny Transmission line deadline The scheduling order came out from the WV Public Service Commission today. It specifies that petitions to intervene must be submitted within 30 days, hence July 11 is the deadline if the Chapter wants to intervene. I think we need a detailed plan for how to win this campaign if we are to move forward. There is an emerging regional coalition (the Mid-Atlantic Energy Coalition) which has representation from 4 states. Paul and I attended a meeting last week, and there seems to be a consensus to oppose the line, but the West Virginia portion of the case will need to be fought by West Virginians. JBK

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Re: [EC] Allegheny Transmission line deadline
by James Kotcon 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

Glen, et al.: The major players in Virginia are with the Piedmont Environmental Council. Several attended a regional strategy meeting in Cumberland MD last week and we are collaborating on joint letters to Congress regarding the Hinchey-Wolfe bill. But there was no discussion of cost-sharing, other than discussion of the concept that expert witnesses in one state could likely testify in other states at a much lower cost, since much of the analytical work would not need to be repeated. The main players in PA are the Pennsylvania ECO, as well as a grassroots coalition called "Stop The Towers". They also are participating in what is currently being called the Mid Atlantic Energy Coalition. This entity apparently just was formed in the last month. As Bill DePaulo stated, it will cost as much as we are willing to spend. We could intervene for a negligible cost, but getting the expert witnesses and spending the time to develop all the legal documents to win could cost $10,000 to $100,000, and if we had $200,000, we could spend all of that too. I believe that this will require both the legal PSC intervention, as well as a political strategy, and a state legislative strategy, and a federal Congressional strategy to win. So if we are serious about winning, we should be developing a longer-range plan. JBK >>> "Glen Besa" <glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org> 6/12/2007 8:25 AM >>> Jim, Contact Aaron Isherwood on this powerline matter. Also, have any folks in the VA horse country expressed an interest in supporting a WV challenge to the power line? Do we have any idea of the cost? It is possible that VA folks concerned about the power line thru their lands might desire to help fight it in WV as well. Glen Glen Besa, Regional Director Sierra Club Appalachian Region (DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) 422 East Franklin Street, Suite 302 Richmond, VA 23219 O-804-225-9113 x 104 F-804-225-9114 C-804-387-6001 glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org -----Original Message----- From: James Kotcon [mailto:jkotcon@wvu.edu] Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:09 PM To: duane330(a)aol.com; KenW; BarbaraF; Rodger Dotson; William DePaulo; Mary Rehmann; Paul Wilson; allantweddle; Nate Parr; James Kotcon; Sally Wilts; brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com Cc: JonathonR; Beth Little; Karen Grubb; Stephen M. Walker; Autumn Bryson; Mary Davis; Bill Price; Dave Muhly; Glen Besa; Regina Hendrix; Jim Kotcon Subject: Allegheny Transmission line deadline The scheduling order came out from the WV Public Service Commission today. It specifies that petitions to intervene must be submitted within 30 days, hence July 11 is the deadline if the Chapter wants to intervene. I think we need a detailed plan for how to win this campaign if we are to move forward. There is an emerging regional coalition (the Mid-Atlantic Energy Coalition) which has representation from 4 states. Paul and I attended a meeting last week, and there seems to be a consensus to oppose the line, but the West Virginia portion of the case will need to be fought by West Virginians. JBK

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FW: [energy activists and chapters] URGENT: MN NH AR KS IN OR MO WV
by Grubb, Karen 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

________________________________ From: Allison.Forbes(a)sierraclub.org [mailto:Allison.Forbes@sierraclub.org] Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 9:31 AM To: michael.oleary(a)sierraclub.org; jan.oconnell(a)sierraclub.org; spease4kc(a)everestkc.net; kathyandria(a)gmail.com; nwrpaladin(a)yahoo.com; glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org; Murphydalzell(a)aol.com; fbdrinkwine(a)msn.com; jsaxe(a)suscom-maine.net; standish7(a)yahoo.com; Bob.Bingaman(a)sierraclub.org; robinmann(a)earthlink.net; APickel(a)aol.com; massen(a)pacbell.net; linda.c.modica(a)mac.com; darrclarke(a)gmail.com; bdfrank(a)centurytel.net; james.irwin(a)sierraclub.org; Ned.Ford(a)fuse.net; blossomhoag(a)gmail.com; nancylaplaca(a)yahoo.com; dczamanske(a)hotmail.com; boba(a)openaccess.org; jlasturner(a)socket.net; alsattler(a)igc.org; Eadie2Act4Water(a)aol.com; stacey.kawakami(a)gmail.com; willtoole(a)sbcglobal.net; Zichella(a)sierraclub-sac.org; fleslie(a)fit.edu; lglustrom(a)gmail.com; bruce(a)chesdata.com; pjwray(a)verizon.net; rainerd(a)gmail.com; jlindop(a)gmail.com; dennis.winters(a)verizon.net; FRANKZAS(a)aol.com; BobFusinato(a)tx.rr.com; shirleyf(a)theriver.com; Nmiller285(a)aol.com; patrea(a)execpc.com; rainmt(a)rochester.rr.com; jerryhinkle(a)sbcglobal.net; becca.glenn(a)sierraclub.org; shannon.harps(a)sierraclub.org; scrow(a)sover.net; Dave.Hamilton(a)sierraclub.org; Jessica.Hodge(a)sierraclub.org; janefeldman(a)earthlink.net; Jim(a)EarthDayLA.org; donna.hoffman(a)sierraclub.org; jrclark(a)radiks.net; dmayhue(a)gmail.com; alanskoalas(a)yahoo.com; ctwiliams(a)yahoo.com; kathyseal(a)gmail.com; jonibosh(a)fastq.com; tmatteson1(a)mindspring.com; randy.francisco(a)sierraclub.org; mark.bettinger(a)sierraclub.org; chris.carney(a)sierraclub.org; DScott1575(a)aol.com; daveol(a)earthlink.net; karen.woodsum(a)sierraclub.org; Cesia.Kearns(a)sierraclub.org; rob.smith(a)sierraclub.org; p.morse(a)sbcglobal.net; bob.muldoon(a)mindspring.com; Energy.Intern(a)sierraclub.org; glc44(a)aol.com; jim_scon(a)yahoo.com; jim_scon(a)yahoo.com; scott.elkins(a)sierraclub.org; sharonstephens(a)earthlink.net; ktharder(a)efg.com; worldgarden(a)igc.org; emmapeel13(a)aol.com; toys(a)ritternet.com; yvonne.cather(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; craig.lubow(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; frank.drinkwine(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; bill.griffith(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; thomas.kneil(a)wichita.edu; craig.lubow(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; haydenb(a)bloomington.in.us; peterfritz(a)hoosier.sierraclub.org; workmanjm(a)aol.com; jerry.sutherland(a)comcast.net; phred(a)sunlightdata.com; jlasturner(a)socket.net; dardenne(a)charter.net; hrbtsn(a)aol.com; pjgrunt(a)gmail.com; regina1936(a)verizon.net; Grubb, Karen; duane330(a)aol.com; roy.hengerson(a)sierraclub.org; Ron McLinden Cc: scrow(a)sover.net; Dave.Hamilton(a)sierraclub.org Subject: [energy activists and chapters] URGENT: MN NH AR KS IN OR MO WV Importance: High Energy Activists and Chapter staff in MN NH AR KS IN OR MO WV: BEFORE 2pm TODAY: Ask your Senator to oppose amendments that undermine Senator Bingaman's Renewable Electricity Standard and derail America's path to renewable energy. The Senate begins debate on energy legislation today. We need you to call your Senator BEFORE 2pm Eastern. Please use the talking points below to engage grassroots and grasstops. The vote on the amendment will happen today. Talking points: * Hi, my name is XXXX and I'm calling from [city, state]. * I'm calling to ask Senator XXXX to oppose Senator Domenici's amendment to the national renewable electricity standard. * The amendment would weaken the deployment of truly clean and renewable electricity sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal. * The renewable standard is intended to promote our development of clean, new energy sources, not give more subsidies to the coal and nuclear industries. * The renewable standard provides a way to save consumers like me money on their utility bills by increasing the competition from renewable energy sources and reducing the demand for natural gas * Thank you. MN Coleman 202.224.5641 NH Gregg 202.224.3324 AR Pryor 202.224.2353 Lincoln 202.224.4843 KS Brownback 202.224.6521 IN Bayh 202.224.5623 OR Smith 202.224.3753 MO McCaskill 202.224.6154 WV Rockefeller 202.224.6472 America's use of truly clean and renewable energy could get a historic boost from the Senate today [June 12th], but the bill is threatened by an amendment allowing nuclear, coal and other so-called "clean" energy sources. Senator Bingaman's (D-NM) renewable electricity standard would require utilities to acquire 15 percent of their energy from the wind, sun, energy crops and the heat of the earth's core by 2020. Please call your today senator to oppose amendments that undermine Senator Bingaman's standard and derail American's path to renewable energy. Please call now as the vote on the amendment will happen today! Next energy activist call: Tuesday, June 12, 8:30pm Eastern - 1-866-501-6174 - 2239223# Find resources at: clubhouse.sierraclub.org/energy/grassroots Allison Forbes National Conservation Organizer Sierra Club Global Warming and Energy Program (202) 548-6583

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FW: Allegheny proposes rate increase for proposed transmission line
by Grubb, Karen 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

________________________________ From: Frank Young [mailto:fyoung@mountain.net] Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:10 PM To: Lew; WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com Cc: Jim Kotcon; Bill DePaulo; Dave Saville; Grubb, Karen Subject: Allegheny proposes rate increase for proposed transmission line Allegheny proposes rate increase for proposed transmission line CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Allegheny Energy wants a rate increase for the West Virginia piece of a proposed 240-mile interstate transmission line after all. The Greensburg, Pa.-based electric company asked the Public Service Commission for a 4.2 percent rate hike last week because of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision, Allegheny spokesman Allen Staggers said. Allegheny did not ask for an increase in March, when it filed for PSC approval of the West Virginia portion of the transmission line. Since then, however, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has reconsidered the allocation of construction costs for the project, prompting Allegheny to seek the rate increase, Staggers said. Construction is expected to cost about $1.3 billion. Allegheny's 492,000 residential customers in the state would see their bills increase about 90 cents a month if the rate hike is approved. Allegheny plans to build the transmission line with Richmond, Virginia-based Dominion Energy. The line would begin in Washington County, Pa., move into Greene County, Pa., and cross West Virginia to Loudoun County, Va. ------ Information from: The Dominion Post, http://www.dominionpost.com

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back from florida
by Barbara Fallon 11 Jun '07

11 Jun '07

Everyone, My florida trip took a couple of turns. First I did not have Internet access and so I have to catch up on emails today. Second, I was in Florida longer than expected because I had to rush my mother to the emergency room for atrila fribulation. She is fine now, just a serious scare. I am back in my office today and I will catch up with all of you. Barbara ____________________________________________________________________________________ Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/

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NIETC Pittsburgh Public Meeting on June 13
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 11 Jun '07

11 Jun '07

The Pittsburgh meeting is next week on Wednesday. I was intrigued to find out that you can attend it via a web cast by registering at http://www.iian.ibeam.com/events/ener001/22727/ . Jim is providing carpooling as well. Important links: Pittsburgh Meeting Info - http://www.energetics.com/NIETCpublicmeetings/june13.shtml Comment Submission (deadline July 6) - http://nietc.anl.gov/involve/comments/index.cfm NIETC Homepage - http://nietc.anl.gov/involve/comments/index.cfm Jonathan

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