EC June 2007

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

9 participants
20 discussions

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

1 0

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

2 1

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

3 3

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

2 1

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

1 0

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

2 1

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

1 0

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

1 0

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/

1 0

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

3 2

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

EC June 2007