October 2008 - EC - lists.bikelover.org

Fwd: AP: Future Gen Update
by James Kotcon 31 Oct '08

31 Oct '08

Bad ideas, like Sauron, never truly die. JBK >>> Kathy Andria <kathyandria(a)GMAIL.COM> 10/31/2008 1:48 PM >>> Posted on Fri, Oct. 31, 2008 Coal plant backers see new hope in a new president By DAVID MERCER Associated Press Writer When the U.S. Department of Energy scrapped plans to build an experimental coal-fired power plant in a corn field outside Mattoon, citing ballooning costs, the project appeared dead. But an alliance of power and coal companies that had worked with the government on the project, dubbed FutureGen, stuck together. Their allies in Washington pulled strings to keep the project breathing - though just barely - long enough to let President Bush's successor consider it. Now the FutureGen Alliance, which chose Mattoon over a site in Texas, believes there is a good chance to revive plans to build the plant, which would test whether greenhouse gases could be stored underground instead of sent out smokestacks. "We're awaiting the change of administration, I'll put it that way," said Mike Mudd, chief executive of the FutureGen Alliance. Members talk regularly to policy experts on the campaign staffs for Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain, pushing the idea that FutureGen should be a national priority, Mudd said. "The message that we have been delivering and will just ratchet up is that FutureGen at Mattoon is not just a public works project in Illinois," he said. Sen. Dick Durbin, one of the project's most vocal backers, said he believes Mattoon has a chance with either candidate, "perhaps a little better chance with Sen. Obama." Neither campaign responded to a request for comment from The Associated Press, but Obama and McCain repeatedly talked during their last televised debate about the merits of clean-coal technology to control carbon-dioxide emissions. Obama has expressed support for building FutureGen in his home state, while McCain and running-mate Sarah Palin have pledged to spend billions to develop technology to capture and stores the carbon from coal. That's what FutureGen, launched in 2003 by President Bush, was designed to do. But the plan - which called for building the plant at one site - was falling out of favor with the Energy Department even before Mudd announced in December that Mattoon, a town of 17,000 about 50 miles south of Champaign, had been selected. Then the DOE, which was going to cover 74 percent of the costs, scrapped the project in January, complaining that its projected price tag had increased from $950 million to $1.8 billion. But the project's backers rejected the cost argument, blaming Bush's Texas roots and the snub of two sites in that state. The agency later announced plans to spend $1.3 billion on carbon-capture technology at several still-to-be-selected sites around the country. DOE spokesman John Grasser said the agency is reviewing "several" bids from interested builders and plans to announce the next step for that project in December. Still, Mudd and Mattoon officials believe they could keep the original plan alive. Angela Griffin, the president of the local economic development group Coles Together, says FutureGen and its prospects come up at every business meeting. "Regardless of the nature of the meeting, it always comes up - 'Where are we? What are we doing? What can we expect with the next administration?'" she said. "We've had tremendous optimism in the county and in the region, frankly, for a new administration doing the right thing." One of the reasons they're optimistic is the support they've gotten from Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat. Durbin, who complained bitterly that the decision to shelve the plan to build FutureGen at Mattoon was driven by Bush and other Texans in his administration, convinced the Senate Appropriations Committee to set aside more than $134 million in federal money for FutureGen into 2009. Durbin also threatened to block any nominations the president makes to the Energy Department through the end of Bush's term because of the administration's withdrawal from the project. "I think Sen. Durbin last summer made a very strong case in Illinois and Washington that this project was needed and that he was going to continue to watch what was happening and help," said John Mead, director of the Coal Research Center at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. "Coming from somebody in leadership, that means a lot. I think that's very important." The Illinois congressional delegation and the companies behind the project also gathered congressional and coal-industry allies in key coal states such as Wyoming and Kentucky. Project supporters and outside observers, like Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Howard Herzog, also note that the Mattoon site was already well into the planning stages when the DOE walked away. "The biggest reason I think that FutureGen mattered was it was the most advanced along the way, and I think there is some time urgency," said Herzog, who last year co-authored a study on the future of coal power. "We start hearing from the scientific community that we need to put the technologies in place sooner rather than later." On Oct. 20 the International Energy Agency said the world's most industrialized countries, including the United States, aren't doing nearly enough work on carbon-capture projects to make the technology viable. The agency, which makes energy policy recommendations for its 28 member countries, said the world needs 20 demonstration projects over the next decade. Even if a new president does revive FutureGen, it'll be years before it's up and running. That's why Durbin hopes FutureGen will be in the next president's first budget, something Congress typically gets its initial look at in February. And if all goes well, Mudd would like to start building in 2010 and have the plant running by 2013. Although environmentalists have mixed feelings on clean-coal technology, many say it's clear that coal is not going to disappear as a source of electricity. "Regardless of which candidate receives the majority of votes on November 4th, on November 5th the majority of the United States' electricity is still going to be coming from coal," said John Thompson, a Carbondale, Ill., resident and a member of the Massachusetts-based Clean Air Task Force. "If we don't change the way coal is used, it's gonna' kill us." Associated Press Writer Jim Suhr contributed to this article from St. Louis. (c) 2007 Belleville News-Democrat and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.belleville.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp

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Re: [EC] New Report on Coal Costs
by Michael Price 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

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Re: [EC] Fw: Please sign onto GNEP comment extension letter!
by Michael Price 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

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New Report on Coal Costs
by James Kotcon 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Attached is a new report by Tom Sanzillo of the firm TR Rose Associates done for the Conservation Voters of South Carolina regarding the Santee Cooper power plants in South Carolina. The financial analysis is devastating to coal-fired power plants, with the concern that these plants are being hit by a triple whammy of increased construction costs, long-term increases in fuel costs, and the virtual certainty of carbon mitigation costs. It calls for full disclosure of these costs and financial risks to investors and ratepayers. I suggest that we might want to take this approach with the PSC, provided we get the right consultants, on the PATH hearings. In fact, we might want to launch a pre-emptive strike by getting this issue into the media now, and do whatever we can to force the PSC to deal with it in upcoming proceedings. Whaddya Tink? Jim Kotcon

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Fw: Please sign onto GNEP comment extension letter!
by Jim Sconyers 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Folks - do we want to sign and send this letter? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: John Hartz <Hartzjm1(a)AOL.COM> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 1:37:21 PM Subject: Please sign onto GNEP comment extension letter! FYI ________________________________ -----Original Message----- From: Nickolas Roth <nroth(a)ananuclear.org> To: bananas(a)ananuclear.drizzlehosting.com Sent: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:30 pm Subject: [Bananas] Please sign onto GNEP comment extension letter! To all, Tomorrow is the deadline for signing onto the letter to DOE requesting an extension to the GNEP PEIS comment period. More than local and national 20 groups have signed on. If you have already signed on, YOU ROCK! If you have not yet done so, FOR SHAME. However, there is still time. Be part of a growing movement! Sign today! Thanks, Nick Samuel Bodman Secretary of Energy 1000 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20585 Dear Mr. Bodman, On behalf of our members, the undersigned local and national environmental, peace and security, taxpayer and public health organizations, we request a 120-day extension to the comment period for the Draft Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) programmatic environmental impact statement currently scheduled to end on December 16, 2008, before the final PEIS is released. We believe this extension is warranted because (1) Department of Energy (DOE) failed to provide analysis of nonproliferation impacts within the PEIS even though DOE had indicated that this important assessment would be made available in conjunction with the PEIS, (2) reference materials cited in the PEIS have not been made available for review, (3) the proposal is technically complex with national implications, and (4) the comment period coincides with the upcoming Presidential elections, and holidays, which may make it more difficult for the public to review and comment on the PEIS. Most significantly, DOE has failed to provide any nonproliferation analysis within the EIS. Instead, the PEIS simply states that a separate assessment of the nonproliferation aspects of the programmatic alternatives is being prepared and that it “will be considered by DOE in decisions regarding the GNEP proposal.” No timetable is given for the documents release other than “in the same time frame as this Draft GNEP PEIS.” Given that the nonproliferation impacts of GNEP are one of the most important aspects of the program, the public cannot adequately comment on the GNEP proposal until a complete nonproliferation impact analysis is provided. Once the nonproliferation analysis is released, the public needs adequate time to review and comment. Furthermore, the DOE GNEP website contains a 22-page index to the draft PEIS references (http://www.gnep.energy.gov/peis/Draft_PEIS/ReferenceIndex.pdf), but does not make all of these reference documents accessible to the public. Reference documents should be more than just publicly available; they need to be easily accessible. All of the reference documents cited in the 22-page index need to be posted online. After that, the public will need additional time for the documents to be read. In addition, the comment period is insufficient to enable the public to thoroughly review and comment on this highly technical and enormous document. DOE acknowledges in the Draft PEIS that GNEP affects “the entire United States because facilities associated with the programmatic alternatives could be deployed anywhere in the country” and that the “PEIS involves a technically complex subject matter with unique concepts and terminology.” In 2007, the national scale and complex nature of the GNEP proposal required a scoping period of 151 days, which resulted in an unprecedented 14,000 comments submitted to DOE. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that public scoping comments must be at least 30 days (10 CFR 1021.311(c)) and that public comment on a draft EIS must be at least 45 days (10 CFR 1021.313(a)). The intent of this regulation is that the public comment period for the draft EIS be longer than the scoping comment period. Since the GNEP scoping comment period was 151 days, the public comment period on the draft PEIS should be longer, at least 180 days. Finally, the current period allotted for public comment spans the last few weeks of an historic presidential and congressional election, followed by turbulent period of transition between old and new administrations, and also includes a large part of the holiday season. This is the worst possible time for members of the public and interested agencies to be attempting to review and comment on a complex document such as this, on such a sensitive and controversial subject, and without any of the supporting documentation yet made available to the public. The new teams coming into DOE and other relevant executive agencies, and new members of Congress and their staffs, deserve adequate time to review and comment on the PEIS before the agency moves to a Record of Decision. In order to bring the national public’s attention to the GNEP proposal and allow sufficient time to respond to the draft PEIS, an extension of the comment period is essential. Therefore, we ask that the comment period extend well into the New Year. Failure to provide adequate time for public review and comment on the draft PEIS, nonproliferation impact statement, and all EIS supplementary references would marginalize and compromise the public’s role as an essential participant in the NEPA process. It would have a further negative impact on the Department’s ability to assess the impacts of the vast GNEP proposal. We believe that the requested 120-day extension is necessary and reasonable. It would allow for the distribution of the nonproliferation impact statement, associated reference materials, and provide adequate time for the public to provide comments to DOE. Thank you for your consideration, Nickolas Roth Program Director Alliance for Nuclear Accountability 322 4th Street NE Washington, DC 20002 (p)202-544-0217 (f) 202-544-6143 ________________________________ Plan your next getaway with AOL Travel. Check out Today's Hot 5 Travel Deals!- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fwd: Thursday webinar on coops, munis, and coal financing
by Paul Wilson 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mark Kresowik <mkresowiksc(a)earthlink.net> Date: Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 5:40 PM Subject: Thursday webinar on coops, munis, and coal financing To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org Friends, There is a great opportunity to learn more and hone your activist skills - whether fighting coal plants, promoting clean energy, or encouraging corporate accountability - on Thursday, October 30th at 3 PM EDT. The director of the Sierra Club's National Coal Campaign, Bruce Nilles, and former First Deputy Comptroller for the State of New York Tom Sanzillo will give a webinar on electric cooperatives and public power involvement in the coal rush. They will also go over strategies and tools to target financing and decision-making processes for coops and munis. This webinar is part of the Energy Foundation's series to foster common approaches toward greening Rural Electric Cooperatives, Municipal Utilities and other public entities. The first call on the series (October 14th) can be listened to/viewed at this link: https://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=o26hzy9y. I definitely recommend joining us on Thursday at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. More info and call/online info below: The Coal Rush and Public Power Date/Time: Thursday, October 30th at 2pm Central time (3pm Eastern; 1pm Rocky Mountain, 12pm Pacific). Presenters: Tom Sanzillo and Bruce Nilles of the Sierra Club's National Coal Campaign Duration: 90 minutes. It is not necessary to register. We will be using ReadyTalk web and telephone conference service. ReadyTalk is accessible at: http://www.ReadyTalk.com. The toll-free conferencing number is: 866-740-1260. The access code will be: 6619009 If you have any questions - or can't make this call and would like the link when it is available - please email me at mark.kresowik(a)sierraclub.org. Thanks! Mark Mark Kresowik Corporate Accountability Representative Sierra Club's National Coal Campaign mark.kresowik(a)sierraclub.org 319-621-7393 (cell) 608-257-4994, x118 (work) 608-257-3513 (fax) 122 W. Washington Ave. Suite 830 Madison, WI 53703 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha

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Re: [EC] MIC Leak in September
by Regina Hendrix 29 Oct '08

29 Oct '08

Maya: Oh, my God, we have to do something about this. We can't let this pass. We are sitting ducks here in Kanawha Valley. Expendable people. Another Bhopal in the making. Regina Maya Nye wrote: > Bayer Communication Issues Continue, County Officials Say > > Posted: 5:15 PM Oct 27, 2008 > Last Updated: 7:32 PM Oct 27, 2008 > Reporter: Mike Waterhouse > Email Address:mike.waterhouse@wsaz.com > <http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/mailto:mike.waterhouse@wsaz.com?subject=…> > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > A > <http://gray.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Bayer+Commun…> | A > <http://gray.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Bayer+Commun…> | A > <http://gray.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Bayer+Commun…> > > KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Kanawha County's emergency services > director says he should have been informed about a minor situation > involving the chemical MIC at the Bayer CropScience Plant in Institute. > > In fact, county officials say the first they heard about it is when > WSAZ.com contacted them about it. > > > MIC, short for methyl isocyanate, is an extremely toxic chemical used > in the production of some pesticides. > > Tom Dover, spokesperson for Bayer, confirms a tank associated with MIC > storage was opened during inspections in the west side of the plant, > but says the amount of chemical leaked was far below reporting levels. > The situation happened near the end of September. > > Workers took action after smelling the odor of MIC, which Dover says > has a strong smell even at very low levels. Employees then left the > area and several were checked out at the plant's medical facility. One > contractor then decided on his own to go to an outside hospital after > his shift. Dover says he was released with nothing found. > > Dover tells WSAZ.com there was no harmful exposure of MIC to employees > or anyone outside the plant. He called this a "non-incident" because > the levels were not anywhere near dangerous levels. > > "At no point was anyone in danger," Dover said. > > Dover adds that Bayer would have notified county officials "without > hesitation" had the amount of MIC reached reportable levels. > > Dale Petry, Kanawha County Emergency Services Director, says he's a > little disturbed that he didn't know about this situation, even if the > amount of MIC involved did not meet a reportable level. > > "I wish I had known about it," said Petry. "Let me make the decision > whether it should be reported to the public." > > Petry says he doesn't think this latest incident will hurt the > county's relationship with the plant. He wants to continue to work > with Bayer to improve communication. > > Bayer came under fire for its lack of communication to the county > after an explosion at its Larvin unit in early September. Two workers > died as a result of the blast. Kanawha County officials say Bayer > waited hours to release any detailed information about the severity of > the incident. > > As a result of having little information, county officials issued a > shelter-in-place for the western portion of Kanawha County, affecting > thousands of people. > > Bayer later admitted that it should have provided better information > during the explosion and agreed to change its notification system. > > >

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Fwd: please vote for my friend's film...
by Paul Wilson 29 Oct '08

29 Oct '08

Greetings: My friend Kate Watters is the executive director of Crude Accountability. She risks her life to bring information about the pollution and harm to people caused by oil refineries in Kazakhastan. Her organization has made a film and it is an entry in a contest sponsored by the World Bank. *Judging has been extended to this Thursday morning, ending at 9AM*. A lot of these films are focused on Global Warming. But I am aking you to help me to pass the word along to ask for your vote for Kate's film, # 76 .."Silence is Betrayal.." Thank you. Paul Wilson p.s. you will probalby need to cut and paste the web address listed below in Kate's letter. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathleen Watters" < kate(a)crudeaccountability.org> To: <kate(a)crudeaccountability.org> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 7:48 AM Subject: Vote Now for Crude Accountability's New Film "Silence is Betrayal...Voices from a Village" *Vote Now for Crude Accountability's New Film "Silence is Betrayal…Voices from a Village"* Crude Accountability invites you to watch our newly released 5-minute film /Silence is Betrayal…Voices from a Village/, a look at how the villagers of Berezovka, Kazakhstan are risking their lives to meet the world's demand for fossil fuels. The film is an entry in the World Bank's "Vulnerability Exposed: Social Dimensions of Climate Change" Micro-Documentary Contest, which features films from around the globe that highlight the social aspects of climate change. And you can vote the film—listed as Number 76—as your favorite by visiting www.worldbank.org/sdccfilmcontest <http://www.worldbank.org/sdccfilmcontest> (Click on View and Vote). Only the 15 films that receive the most public votes will proceed to the next level of judging, meaning every vote counts! *Voting ends at 9:00 am, Thursday, October 30^th .* As Mark Warford, Director of /Silence is Betrayal/, explains "The brave struggle by the people of Berezovka, Kazakhstan to save their village and culture serves as a strong reminder that pointing to fluctuating weather trends as the primary cause for social displacement belies the true cause of the disintegration of these communities - a global dependence on fossil fuels." Thank you! Crude Accountability -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.549 / Virus Database: 270.8.4/1752 - Release Date: 10/28/2008 10:04 AM -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha

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Re: [EC] MIC Leak in September
by Michael Price 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

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FW: Sierra Club & Jesse Johnson for Governor
by Grubb, Karen 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

From: mountainpartyexcom(a)googlegroups.com [mailto:mountainpartyexcom@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank Young Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 9:05 PM To: JesseForWVGovernorGroup(a)yahoogroups.com; Mt. Party executive committee Subject: Sierra Club & Jesse Johnson for Governor Well, although the WV media has apparently totally boycotted the Sierra Club's endorsement of Jesse, someone noticed: http://cagreening.blogspot.com/2008/10/jesse-johnson-for-governor-of-wv- sierra.html

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Fwd: EPA Must Fight Global Warming Pollution
by Paul Wilson 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

I suppose that the case could be made that increasing transmission lines and the assoc. increase in coal fired power plants would fall under the EPA's venue to control Global Warming. paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Patricia Matejcek <patachek(a)juno.com> Date: Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 12:17 AM Subject: EPA Must Fight Global Warming Pollution To: CONS-WPST-MARINE-FORUM(a)lists.sierraclub.org The impacts of climate change are becoming more visible with each passing month. America must take full responsibility for our contribution to global warming... and take real steps to reduce it. The Supreme Court has told the EPA that it can act to cut emissions that are responsible for global warming. It's time for the EPA to act now. Now is the time to join me and Earthjustice and let the EPA know that you support taking real, effective, and practical action to curb global warming. Take action at the link below: http://action.earthjustice.org/campaign/global_warming_1008?rk=i7AW9G71uC18W If you do not wish to receive emails sent from your peers on behalf of this organization, please click this link: http://action.earthjustice.org/earthjusticeaction/opt-out-taf.tcl?friend_em… ****************************** This email is Powered by Convio, Inc. http://www.convio.com ****************************** - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-WPST-MARINE-FORUM list, send any message to: CONS-WPST-MARINE-FORUM-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Fw: EREC-Greenpeace study - "World Can Halt Fossil Fuel Use By 2090"
by Jim Sconyers 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Darrell Clarke <darrclarke(a)GMAIL.COM> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 1:38:06 AM Subject: EREC-Greenpeace study - "World Can Halt Fossil Fuel Use By 2090" http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=6119855&page=1 Greenpeace link: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/energy-revolution-now World Can Halt Fossil Fuel Use By 2090 Report Is One of Few to Examine in Detail How Energy Use Would Be Overhauled to Meet IPCC Recommendations New Scientist staff and Reuters Oct. 27, 2008 The world could eliminate fossil fuel use by 2090, saving $18 trillion in future fuel costs and creating a $360 billion industry that provides half of the world's electricity, the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and environmental group Greenpeace said on Monday. The 210-page study [pdf] is one of few reports – even by lobby groups – to look in detail at how energy use would have to be overhauled to meet the toughest scenarios for curbing greenhouse gases outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "Renewable energy could provide all global energy needs by 2090," according to the study, entitled "Energy (R)evolution." EREC represents renewable energy industries and trade and research associations in Europe. A more radical scenario could eliminate coal use by 2050 if new power generation plants shifted quickly to renewables. Solar power, biomass such as biofuels or wood, geothermal energy and wind could be the leading energies by 2090 in a shift from fossil fuels blamed by the IPCC for stoking global warming. The total energy investments until 2030, the main period studied, would come to $14.7 trillion, according to the study. By contrast, the International Energy Agency (IEA), which advises rich nations, foresees energy investments of just $11.3 trillion to 2030, with a bigger stress on fossil fuels and nuclear power. Rajendra Pachauri, head of the IPCC, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with ex-US Vice President Al Gore, called Monday's study "comprehensive and rigorous." Dangerous change "Even those who may not agree with the analysis presented would, perhaps, benefit from a deep study of the underlying assumptions," Pachauri wrote in a foreword to the report. EREC and Greenpeace said a big energy shift was needed to avoid "dangerous" climate change, defined by the European Union and many environmental groups as a temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius since before the Industrial Revolution. The report urged measures such as a phase-out of subsidies for fossil fuels and nuclear energy, "cap and trade" systems for greenhouse gas emissions, legally binging targets for renewable energies and tough efficiency standards for buildings and vehicles. The report said renewable energy markets were booming with turnover almost doubling in 2007 from 2006 to more than $70 billion. It said renewables could more than double their share of world energy supplies to 30% by 2030 and reach 50% by 2050. The projections are far more optimistic for renewables than the IEA, which foresees just 13% of energy from renewables in 2030 with fossil fuels staying dominant. Sven Teske, Greenpeace's leading author of the report, said the recommendations would involve big job-creating investments that could help counter the worst financial crisis since the 1930s. "The current unstable market situation is a strong argument for our energy evolution concept," said. He said investments would be repaid by savings in fuel costs. "We had a 'dot.com bubble' and a 'finance bubble' - but I'm confident that we will not have a renewables bubble - as the need for energy is real - and growing especially in developing nations," he said. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Van Jones book
by Grubb, Karen 24 Oct '08

24 Oct '08

I'm sure those of you at the Blue-Green Alliance meeting in Pittsburgh remember Van Jones. Green Jobs Book Lands on New York Times Bestseller List <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=OICTjqwksfht3H6C 1FzDgOpssayx2mcH> <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=e50T5MYz4XGi2gWC 3iYaL%2Bpssayx2mcH> Green Collar Economy <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=e50T5MYz4XGi2gWC 3iYaL%2Bpssayx2mcH> <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=e50T5MYz4XGi2gWC 3iYaL%2Bpssayx2mcH> For years, right-wingers have claimed that economic growth and environmental protection are contradictory aims. Imagine their dismay then at this week's bestselling debut of Van Jones' new book: "The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems." Jones, perhaps the most prominent leader in the burgeoning "green jobs <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=CVdTaS0UTmkovWmI %2FYh8fepssayx2mcH> " movement, makes a compelling case that investments in clean energy and efficiency will create millions of jobs and jumpstart the economy. If you're looking for some autumn reading, you can order his book here <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jQeFlht0j8eKczgX nDAhHOpssayx2mcH> . If you like Jones' message, call your member of Congress today at 202-225-3121 and ask him or her to ensure that any stimulus package invests in clean infrastructure and creates green jobs.

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Americans oppose mountaintop removal, according to poll
by Jim Sconyers 24 Oct '08

24 Oct '08

Confirms the 2004 survey, this time nationally. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "jim_scon(a)yahoo.com" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 8:19:10 AM Subject: [ Email Story ] Americans oppose mountaintop removal, according to poll jim_scon(a)yahoo.com sent you this article ----- October 23, 2008 Americans oppose mountaintop removal, according to poll By Ken Ward Jr. Staff writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Americans oppose mountaintop removal coal mining by a wide margin, according to the first nationwide poll on the issue to be made public. Read more ----- send out

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CTL Plant Plan scrapped!
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 23 Oct '08

23 Oct '08

Yeah! http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=45883 -Jonathan

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Fwd: Fw: VA Climate Change Opinion Survey attached
by James Kotcon 23 Oct '08

23 Oct '08

You might appreciate the attached survey results from Virginia. It is always helpful to know how much support there is for various options, if for no other reason than to help frame your message. JBK >>> <Paula.Carrell(a)sierraclub.org> 10/23/2008 12:24 PM >>> thought you might like to know about this ----- Forwarded by Paula Carrell/Sierraclub on 10/23/2008 09:23 AM ----- "Glen Besa" <glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org> 10/22/2008 01:49 PM VA Opinion Survey Attached Poll: Majority of Virginians worried about climate change By Scott Harper The Virginian-Pilot © October 22, 2008 Three out of four Virginians think global warming is real and most want government at all levels - federal, state and local - to take actions to fight it, according to a statewide opinion poll released Tuesday. Authors described the poll of 660 state residents as one of the first and most comprehensive snapshots of how Virginians of all ages, backgrounds and political sympathies feel about one of the great environmental issues of the era. The Virginia Climate Survey was conducted by phone interviews between Sept. 4 and 24 and was financed with grants from private foundations and donors through the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. It has a margin of error of 4 percentage points. Among its findings, 39 percent of respondents think human activity spurs climate change by the burning of fossil fuels, 20 percent think the Earth is simply going through a natural warming cycle, and another 30 percent say a combination of natural and man-made causes are to blame. Among believers, 61 percent think global warming is a "very serious" problem, and 72 percent want government to "take immediate action." The most popular policy option, according to the poll, is requiring power companies to generate electricity with a prescribed percentage of renewable energies, such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. Increased gasoline taxes and a carbon tax finished last on a list of 15 options offered to survey participants. Nuclear energy was fairly popular as an alternative source, with 30 percent "strongly supporting" its expansion in Virginia and 14 percent "strongly opposing" it. Virginia Dominion Power, the state's largest electric utility, is seeking government approval to build at least one new nuclear reactor at its Lake Anna power station northwest of Richmond. Barry Rabe, a visiting scholar at the Miller Center, who helped to oversee the poll, said the results "roughly mirror" those seen nationally. For example, 75 percent of Virginians think global warming is occurring; nationwide, 71 percent think so. Similarly, 13 percent of state residents don't think global warming is really happening; 21 percent nationally feel the same way. During a presentation of the findings Tuesday, Rabe said he was especially struck by the "across-the-board" belief that all levels of government are responsible for fixing the problem. The poll comes as the governor's Commission on Climate Change winds down its yearlong study of how best to reach a key goal established by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's administration - reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025. Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant Jr. said the poll should provide political cover in the state General Assembly, where any Virginia-specific global-warming programs would need to be approved. Showing such widespread support for government action to reluctant state delegates and senators, Bryant said, "hopefully will mean something, that so many Virginians believe this is real and important." The co-author of the poll, Christopher Borick, director of the Institute of Public Opinion at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., said one key question asked of Virginians is why they believe or don't believe in global warming. The No. 1 response among believers is personal experience - "they felt, personally, that things were warmer," Borick said. The second-most popular was evidence that glaciers and polar ice are melting. One percent said they were convinced by former Vice President Al Gore's award-winning documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth." The top reason offered by skeptics is that natural patterns sufficiently explain any fluctuation in temperatures. Twelve percent gave no reason, and 5 percent said the media is misleading the public about the issue. Scott Harper, (757) 446-2340, scott.harper(a)pilotonline.com Highlights of the survey Some highlights of the Virginia Climate Survey, on public opinions of 660 state residents about global warming, as released Tuesday: Q. “From what you’ve read and heard, is there solid evidence that the average temperature on Earth has been getting warmer over the past four decades?” A. Yes, 75 percent; no, 13 percent; not sure, 12 percent Demographic breakdown Republican – 57 percent said yes; 24 percent said no; 19 percent said not sure Democrat – 88 percent yes; 3 percent no; 9 percent not sure Independent – 75 percent yes; 13 percent no; 15 percent not sure Male – 71 percent yes; 16 percent no; 13 percent not sure Female – 78 percent yes; 10 percent no; 11 percent not sure White – 73 percent yes; 14 percent no; 12 percent not sure Non white – 81 percent yes; 9 percent no; 10 percent not sure Education College educated – 71 percent yes; 15 percent no; 14 percent not sure Noncollege – 80 percent yes; 11 percent no; 10 percent not sure 18-44 – 73 percent yes; 11 percent no; 16 percent not sure 45-64 – 77 percent yes; 14 percent no; 9 percent not sure 65 and older – 76 percent yes; 14 percent no; 11 percent not sure Northern VA – 78 percent yes; 13 percent no; 10 percent not sure Tidewater – 75 percent yes; 15 percent no; 10 percent not sure Richmond/Charlottesville – 68 percent yes; 13 percent no; 19 percent not sure Q. “Is the Earth getting warmer because of human activity such as burning fossil fuels or mostly because of natural patterns in the Earth’s environment? A. Human activity, 39 percent; natural patterns, 20 percent; a combination, 33 percent; not sure, 8 percent Q. “In your view is global warming a very serious problem, somewhat serious, not too serious or not a problem?” A. Very serious, 61 percent; somewhat serious, 28 percent; not too serious, 6 percent; not a problem , 4 percent; not sure, 1 percent Q. “Do you or do you not think global warming requires immediate government action?” A. Requires immediate, 72 percent; no, it does not, 19 percent; don’t know/not, 9 percent Q. Most favored policy options? (by level of “strong support”) 1) Creation of renewable portfolio standard, 55 percent 2) Increased support for clean coal technology, 51 percent 3) Increased fuel efficiency standards for automobiles, 49 percent 4) Energy efficiency requirements for residential and commercial buildings, 49 percent 5) Tax reductions for hybrid vehicle purchase, 47 percent Q. Least favored policy options? (by level of “strong opposition”) 1) Increased gasoline tax, 55 percent 2) Increased fossil fuel tax, 37 percent 3) Increased support for ethanol development, 18 percent 4) Restrictions on suburban development, 17 percent 5) Establishment of cap-and-trade program, 15 percent Glen Besa, Chapter Director Sierra Club-Virginia Chapter 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 If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it. -- Margaret Fuller

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Fw: Fwd: Fw: Reconfiguration of PATH Project
by Jim Sconyers 23 Oct '08

23 Oct '08

So - they heard the resistance from the suburban communities in the E. Panhandle? trying to avoid those backyards? and send the pain to less urbanized/suburbanized parts of WV...? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 9:12:07 PM Subject: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Reconfiguration of PATH Project This came out Friday. It looks like PATH will be delayed till "the first quarter of 2009", and will be shorter than originally planned. Unfortunately, I think this is a political maneuver to avoid the worst of the political opposition, without fundamentally altering the impacts of the line. JBK >>> Letty Butcher <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> 10/17/2008 7:55 PM >>> --- On Fri, 10/17/08, PATH News <askpath(a)pathtransmission.com> wrote: From: PATH News <askpath(a)pathtransmission.com> Subject: Reconfiguration of PATH Project To: multiflora123(a)yahoo.com Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 4:50 PM Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, LLC Announces Reconfiguration of PATH Project GREENSBURG, Pa. and COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 17, 2008 – Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, LLC, a joint venture of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and Allegheny Energy (NYSE: AYE), said today that PJM Interconnection announced a reconfiguration of PATH, a proposed high-voltage transmission line project. PJM, the organization responsible for the transmission grid covering 13 states and the District of Columbia, directed the construction of PATH to ensure the reliability of the region’s transmission grid. The original project configuration included a 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the Amos substation near St. Albans, W.Va., to the Bedington substation near Martinsburg, W.Va., and twin-circuit 500-kV lines from Bedington to the proposed Kemptown substation southeast of Frederick, Md. The reconfiguration is a result of constraints identified as a result of comprehensive siting studies; interaction with government agencies; public input; and a desire to identify a solution that reduces line mileage and minimizes the impact on communities and the environment. The new configuration will: Consist of a single 765-kV line from Amos to Kemptown, Eliminate the connection with the Bedington substation and the twin-circuit 500-kV lines from Bedington to Kemptown, including many previously evaluated routes in that area, and Include a new mid-point substation in the vicinity of eastern Grant County, northern Hardy County, or southern Hampshire County, near existing PATH alternative routes. The substation site has not been determined. Based on the re-configured project, the PATH team is developing new route alternatives between the mid-point substation area and Kemptown. PATH continues to work toward identifying the complete line route and expects to file applications for approval by state regulatory commissions during the first quarter 2009. Additional open houses will be scheduled in areas where the new alternatives are identified. PJM recently confirmed that the reconfigured project addresses its reliability concerns. Allegheny Energy Headquartered in Greensburg, Pa., Allegheny Energy is an investor-owned electric utility with total annual revenues of over $3 billion and more than 4,000 employees. The company owns and operates generating facilities and delivers low-cost, reliable electric service to 1.6 million customers in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, visit our Web site at www.alleghenyenergy.com. American Electric Power American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. This message was sent from PATH News to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. It was sent from: PATH, 800 Cabin Hill Drive , Greensburg, PA 15601 . You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Manage your subscription Share this message with others: del.icio.us Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Fwd: Fw: Reconfiguration of PATH Project
by James Kotcon 22 Oct '08

22 Oct '08

This came out Friday. It looks like PATH will be delayed till "the first quarter of 2009", and will be shorter than originally planned. Unfortunately, I think this is a political maneuver to avoid the worst of the political opposition, without fundamentally altering the impacts of the line. JBK >>> Letty Butcher <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> 10/17/2008 7:55 PM >>> --- On Fri, 10/17/08, PATH News <askpath(a)pathtransmission.com> wrote: From: PATH News <askpath(a)pathtransmission.com> Subject: Reconfiguration of PATH Project To: multiflora123(a)yahoo.com Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 4:50 PM Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, LLC Announces Reconfiguration of PATH Project GREENSBURG, Pa. and COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 17, 2008 – Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, LLC, a joint venture of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and Allegheny Energy (NYSE: AYE), said today that PJM Interconnection announced a reconfiguration of PATH, a proposed high-voltage transmission line project. PJM, the organization responsible for the transmission grid covering 13 states and the District of Columbia, directed the construction of PATH to ensure the reliability of the region’s transmission grid. The original project configuration included a 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the Amos substation near St. Albans, W.Va., to the Bedington substation near Martinsburg, W.Va., and twin-circuit 500-kV lines from Bedington to the proposed Kemptown substation southeast of Frederick, Md. The reconfiguration is a result of constraints identified as a result of comprehensive siting studies; interaction with government agencies; public input; and a desire to identify a solution that reduces line mileage and minimizes the impact on communities and the environment. The new configuration will: Consist of a single 765-kV line from Amos to Kemptown, Eliminate the connection with the Bedington substation and the twin-circuit 500-kV lines from Bedington to Kemptown, including many previously evaluated routes in that area, and Include a new mid-point substation in the vicinity of eastern Grant County, northern Hardy County, or southern Hampshire County, near existing PATH alternative routes. The substation site has not been determined. Based on the re-configured project, the PATH team is developing new route alternatives between the mid-point substation area and Kemptown. PATH continues to work toward identifying the complete line route and expects to file applications for approval by state regulatory commissions during the first quarter 2009. Additional open houses will be scheduled in areas where the new alternatives are identified. PJM recently confirmed that the reconfigured project addresses its reliability concerns. Allegheny Energy Headquartered in Greensburg, Pa., Allegheny Energy is an investor-owned electric utility with total annual revenues of over $3 billion and more than 4,000 employees. The company owns and operates generating facilities and delivers low-cost, reliable electric service to 1.6 million customers in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, visit our Web site at www.alleghenyenergy.com. American Electric Power American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. This message was sent from PATH News to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. It was sent from: PATH, 800 Cabin Hill Drive , Greensburg, PA 15601 . You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Manage your subscription Share this message with others: del.icio.us Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fw: [fom] new website
by Grubb, Karen 22 Oct '08

22 Oct '08

----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Price <mailto:bill.price@sierraclub.org> To: fom(a)lists.riseup.net ; the-alliance-for-appalachia(a)googlegroups.com Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 4:16 PM Subject: [fom] new website I'm not sure this has made the lists yet. If so, sorry for duplication www.coalisnottheanswer.org Bill Price, Sierra Club EJ Program 922 Quarrier Street, Suite 304 Charleston, WV 25311 Phone 304-342-3182 Cell 304-389-8822 Fax 304-342-3183

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More Sadness For Appalachia - MTR in NY Times
by Jim Sconyers 22 Oct '08

22 Oct '08

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Coal River Mountain Watch <coalriver(a)crmw.net> To: amersamiz(a)mindcontrolforums.zzn.com; angie_tinsley(a)msn.com; bhughes2(a)mac.com; c.smithwaugh(a)yahoo.com; crmtnw(a)gmail.com; Daniel Abel <dabel(a)coastal.edu>; danny(a)seac.org; davecooper928(a)yahoo.com; Don Alexander <paradox(a)spectrumz.com>; ecoleman(a)thecolemanfoundation.org; Erin Thomas <ervins32003(a)yahoo.com>; fedorkomr(a)appstate.edu; fom(a)lists.riseup.net; hillary(a)crmw.net; hrohmer(a)earthlink.net; jgg1947(a)aol.com; jim_scon(a)yahoo.com; Julie Phillips <julie(a)thephillipsplace.net>; Justin Weinstein <jweinstein(a)cironline.org>; la110605(a)ohio.edu; LORELEI SCARBRO <CANDLELIGHT29(a)aol.com>; Lorelei Scarbro <candlelight29(a)gmail.com>; marthamaddy(a)hotmail.com; mcfowl(a)wm.edu; mcm(a)agiweb.org; molly_mclaughlin(a)brown.edu; mountainjusticesummer(a)lists.riseup.ne; mountainsidhe(a)gmail.com; ncj(a)schottlegal.com; nirs(a)main.nc.us; richardfry(a)wayne.edu; Samantha McCreery <sam.mccreery(a)gmail.com>; sarah.smith(a)sierraclub.org; stella(a)osorjos.com; wildance(a)windstream.net; wwsvh(a)msn.com Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 11:28:57 AM Subject: More Sadness For Appalachia Link to the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/opinion/21tue2.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=sl -- Coal River Mountain Watch coalriver(a)crmw.net www.crmw.net www.coalriverwind.org www.mountainjustice.org www.penniesofpromise.org

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FW: Public gubernatorial forum in Morgantown
by Grubb, Karen 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

Reminder: debate tonight at South Middle School in Morgantown at 6:30. The Sierra Club endorsed Jesse Johnson for governor, and he will be there. From: Grubb, Karen Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 7:46 PM To: WV Chapter Energy Committee Subject: FW: Public gubernatorial forum in Morgantown Let's get a lot of us out to support Jesse at the debate in Morgantown October 21. ----- Original Message ----- From: Randy Vealey <mailto:rvealey@dominionpost.com> To: 'jesse(a)mtparty.org' ; 'info(a)mtparty.org' ; 'Russ(a)russweeks2008.com' Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 12:04 PM Subject: RE: Public gubernatorial forum in Morgantown Jesse and Russ, I wanted to make sure you all have decent directions on how to get to next Tuesday's debate at South Middle School. Just to be clear it starts at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 21) and should not run over 90 minutes. I have enclosed the debate's format in an attachment. It's standard and you are probably familiar with it. We will be prompt with the time apportioned to each candidate in the interest of fairness. Obviously, anyone can answer questions in less time that is prescribed. As for the directions: Take Interstate 68 East off Interstate 79 North at the 148 mile marker. Next take Exit 1 the University Avenue exit off I-68 East. At the end of the exit ramp take a left on U.S. 119. You will travel no more than a few miles on this road 2-3 at best. You will pass a Go-Mart, then a small community park called Dorsey's Knob and then descend a steep hill toward Morgantown's University Avenue. Take the first right at a traffic light near the bottom of this hill onto Green Bag Road (W.Va. 857). You will travel on this road no more than 2-3 miles, also. You will drive by the entrance to the Mountaineer Mall and a large Giant Eagle supermarket. This road is temporarily a two-lane road and then narrows into a one-lane one. After it becomes one-lane road in less than a mile make a left onto M-TEC Drive or Road (can't remember) (there's also a sign there for an ice rink and White Park, too). Bear right on this road until it dies out and you will be next to the parking area for South Middle School. There's a large vocational school directly before you get to South Middle School, so don't confuse the two. If you would need anything just call me up until about 5 p.m. here at the DP at 291-9470. Otherwise call the front desk of our newspaper at 292-6301 and ask for David Beard or call him at 291-9436 or Pam Queen at 291-9433. And if all that fails just ask for anyone in the newsroom to help you with directions. I would recommend you try to get there by 6 p.m. I know the governor's staff plan to have him there by 5:45 p.m. We don't have a holding room, per se, for you all to relax or put yourself together, but of course there are nearby rest rooms and large open area throughout the school if you need to do some preparation. Hope this helps. Randy Randy B. Vealey Opinion Page editor The Dominion Post 1251 Earl L. Core Road Morgantown, WV 26505 Phone: (304) 291-9470 Email: opinion(a)dominionpost.com ________________________________ From: Geri Ferrara Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 9:28 AM To: Randy Vealey Subject: Forum --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mountain Party Executive Committee" group. To post to this group, send email to mountainpartyexcom(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to mountainpartyexcom+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/mountainpartyexcom?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

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FW: NYT editorial on SBZ rule -TAKE ACTION-
by Grubb, Karen 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/opinion/21tue2.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&ore f=sl From: Announcements from the National Coal Campaign team. [mailto:COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Verena Owen Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 11:06 AM To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: Re: NYT editorial on SBZ rule -TAKE ACTION- Thanks for sending the article, Bill. It tells what all is wrong with the Office of Surface Mining's recommendation. Here is what you all can do. Send a note to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson via our already updated Action Alerts website: Don't Repeal the Stream Buffer Zone Rule Take Action <https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=11 35> Protect streams and waterways -- don't allow the Office of Surface Mining to repeal the Stream Buffer Zone Rule. If you want to do more, please use the action alert talking points to write a letter to the editor asking others to urge Johnson to reject the rule change. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson USEPA Headquarters Ariel Rios Building 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W. Mail Code: 1101A Washington, DC 20460 Thanks! Verena Owen -----Original Message----- From: Bill Price <bill.price(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 8:59 am Subject: NYT editorial on SBZ rule http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/opinion/21tue2.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&ore f=sl Bill Price, Sierra Club EJ Program 922 Quarrier Street, Suite 304 Charleston, WV 25311 Phone 304-342-3182 Cell 304-389-8822 Fax 304-342-3183

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Fw: Fwd: [energy activists] New Reports and National Environmental Scorecards
by Jim Sconyers 19 Oct '08

19 Oct '08

FYI - note enviro scorecard Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Stephen Crowley <scrow(a)SOVER.NET> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2008 9:22:27 PM Subject: Fwd: [energy activists] New Reports and National Environmental Scorecards Subject: [energy activists] New Reports and National Environmental Scorecards From: Christina.Yagjian(a)sierraclub.org To: Christina.yagjian(a)sierraclub.org Cc: Allison.forbes(a)sierraclub.org Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:33:32 -0400 X-Mailer: Lotus Domino Web Server Release 6.5.6FP3 March 27, 2008 X-MIMETrack: Serialize by Notes Server on Jenkins/Sierraclub(Release 6.5.6FP3|March 27, 2008) at 10/19/2008 08:33:32 PM, Serialize complete at 10/19/2008 08:33:32 PM, Itemize by Notes Server on Jenkins/Sierraclub(Release 6.5.6FP3|March 27, 2008) at 10/19/2008 08:33:32 PM, Serialize by Router on Jenkins/Sierraclub(Release 6.5.6FP3|March 27, 2008) at 10/19/2008 08:33:56 PM, Serialize complete at 10/19/2008 08:33:56 PM X-Notes-Item: scrow(a)sover.net; name=AltBlindCopyTo X-Bayes-Prob: 0.0001 (Score 0) X-Spam-Score: 1.10 (*) [Tag at 5.00] HTML_MESSAGE,HTML_MIME_NO_HTML_TAG,MIME_HTML_ONLY,NO_REAL_NAME X-Spam-Milter-Status: No, hits=1.10 required=5.00 l=75 f=1 st=1 tests=HTML_MESSAGE,HTML_MIME_NO_HTML_TAG,MIME_HTML_ONLY,NO_REAL_NAME X-CanItPRO-Stream: sovernet:01_Basic (inherits from sovernet:default) X-Canit-Stats-ID: Bayes signature not available X-Scanned-By: CanIt (www . roaringpenguin . com) on 209.198.112.38 In the past month, a number of new reports have been released on issues related to climate change. Below are links to recent reports on green jobs, national security, and climate change science. Also find the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) 2008 National Environmental Scorecards to see how your members of Congress voted on energy and environmental issues in 2008. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> As a reminder, there will not be another energy activist call until after the November 4th elections. Hope all is well in the field! Warm Regards, Christina Marie Yagjian National Conservation Organizer Sierra Club, Global Warming and Energy 202.675.7911 New Resources 2008 National Environmental Scorecards (LCV) http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/ The Age of Consequences: The Foreign Policy and National Security Implications of Global Climate Change (CSIS) http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/global-warming/CSIS-age… Global Warming Science Update: September 2008 (NRDC) http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/global-warming/NRDC%20G… US Metro Economies: Current and Potential Green Jobs in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><?xml:namespace prefix = u1 />U.S. Economy (USCM & Global Insight) http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/global-warming/Green%20… - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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FW: Public gubernatorial forum in Morgantown
by Grubb, Karen 18 Oct '08

18 Oct '08

Let's get a lot of us out to support Jesse at the debate in Morgantown October 21. From: mountainpartyexcom(a)googlegroups.com [mailto:mountainpartyexcom@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank Young Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 11:52 PM To: JesseForWVGovernorGroup(a)yahoogroups.com; Mt. Party executive committee Subject: Fw: Public gubernatorial forum in Morgantown Jesse, This looks important- see below. Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: Randy Vealey <mailto:rvealey@dominionpost.com> To: 'jesse(a)mtparty.org' ; 'info(a)mtparty.org' ; 'Russ(a)russweeks2008.com' Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 12:04 PM Subject: RE: Public gubernatorial forum in Morgantown Jesse and Russ, I wanted to make sure you all have decent directions on how to get to next Tuesday's debate at South Middle School. Just to be clear it starts at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 21) and should not run over 90 minutes. I have enclosed the debate's format in an attachment. It's standard and you are probably familiar with it. We will be prompt with the time apportioned to each candidate in the interest of fairness. Obviously, anyone can answer questions in less time that is prescribed. As for the directions: Take Interstate 68 East off Interstate 79 North at the 148 mile marker. Next take Exit 1 the University Avenue exit off I-68 East. At the end of the exit ramp take a left on U.S. 119. You will travel no more than a few miles on this road 2-3 at best. You will pass a Go-Mart, then a small community park called Dorsey's Knob and then descend a steep hill toward Morgantown's University Avenue. Take the first right at a traffic light near the bottom of this hill onto Green Bag Road (W.Va. 857). You will travel on this road no more than 2-3 miles, also. You will drive by the entrance to the Mountaineer Mall and a large Giant Eagle supermarket. This road is temporarily a two-lane road and then narrows into a one-lane one. After it becomes one-lane road in less than a mile make a left onto M-TEC Drive or Road (can't remember) (there's also a sign there for an ice rink and White Park, too). Bear right on this road until it dies out and you will be next to the parking area for South Middle School. There's a large vocational school directly before you get to South Middle School, so don't confuse the two. If you would need anything just call me up until about 5 p.m. here at the DP at 291-9470. Otherwise call the front desk of our newspaper at 292-6301 and ask for David Beard or call him at 291-9436 or Pam Queen at 291-9433. And if all that fails just ask for anyone in the newsroom to help you with directions. I would recommend you try to get there by 6 p.m. I know the governor's staff plan to have him there by 5:45 p.m. We don't have a holding room, per se, for you all to relax or put yourself together, but of course there are nearby rest rooms and large open area throughout the school if you need to do some preparation. Hope this helps. Randy Randy B. Vealey Opinion Page editor The Dominion Post 1251 Earl L. Core Road Morgantown, WV 26505 Phone: (304) 291-9470 Email: opinion(a)dominionpost.com ________________________________ From: Geri Ferrara Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 9:28 AM To: Randy Vealey Subject: Forum --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mountain Party Executive Committee" group. To post to this group, send email to mountainpartyexcom(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to mountainpartyexcom+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/mountainpartyexcom?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

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Re: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands
by Jim Sconyers 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Excellent. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> To: "William V. DePaulo, Esq." <william.depaulo(a)gmail.com> Cc: Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>; James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu>; WV Chapter Energy Committee <EC(a)osenergy.org>; Abby Chapple <abbychapple(a)aol.com> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 8:32:43 PM Subject: Re: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands fyi: from the CAP (Citizens Against PATH) here in the EP. cheers, paul We attended the Jefferson Co. Comm. meeting this morning and they voted unanimously to file as an intervenor for PATH. They are also going to re-do the map/numbers to expand the right-of-way to 400 feet, just to see what the effect will be if we end up with the "twin" parallel line. We expect most of the numbers will at least double (number of properties affected, value of properties). Keryn On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 2:29 PM, William V. DePaulo, Esq. <william.depaulo(a)gmail.com> wrote: Jim In some, maybe most, cases, I would agree. I am hesitant to involve McGraw right now because I don't think that this Court will accord much, if any, weight to whatever he might say in his brief, and I have no reason to believe he'd file a particularly effective brief. We're either going to win or lose on the merits of the administrative law issues presented or not, and the involvement of a highly political AG would constitute legal parsley at best, in my view. And, worse, the Court might require us to reduce any argument time to accommodate the AG's argument, since he would be aligned with us. I would not want to do that. However, please note that San Francisco has, as of this date, not approved OUR participation in an appeal, or intervention in the PATH case that will be here shortly. I believe our "sales" efforts should focus on SF. Bill On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 1:23 PM, Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Excellent idea - TrailCo is as much a consumer issue as an environmental one. Shall we draft a letter? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:02:52 AM Subject: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands A good review of the latest news in the TrAIL case from our friends in Virginia. I am interested in the idea of asking the Attorney General to intervene/appeal in this case. The AG has limited authority, but consumer protection is one of the areas he still controls. It would, however, be a potential conflict of interest for him if it means he is appealing a state agency decision that the AG's Office may have to defend. Whaddya Tink? JBK -----Inline Message Follows----- #yiv1969909341 .bodybold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .body8px {font-size:8px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body9px {font-size:9px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body10px {font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body11px {font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body14px {font-size:14px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body16px {font-size:16px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body18px {font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodyunderline {text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1969909341 .bodyitalic {font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .none {list-style-type:none;} #yiv1969909341 .titleitalic {font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .titlebold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold16px {font-weight:bold;font-size:16px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold17px {font-weight:bold;font-size:17px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold18px {font-weight:bold;font-size:18px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold19px {font-weight:bold;font-size:19px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold20px {font-weight:bold;font-size:20px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold21px {font-weight:bold;font-size:21px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold22px {font-weight:bold;font-size:22px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold23px {font-weight:bold;font-size:23px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold24px {font-weight:bold;font-size:24px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold25px {font-weight:bold;font-size:25px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold26px {font-weight:bold;font-size:26px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold27px {font-weight:bold;font-size:27px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold28px {font-weight:bold;font-size:28px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold29px {font-weight:bold;font-size:29px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold30px {font-weight:bold;font-size:30px;} #yiv1969909341 .flashtitle {font-family:Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .monospace {font-family:Courier, monospace;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .roll {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:black;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 a.roll:hover {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:D10000;} Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 ________________________________ Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. ________________________________ This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). --- On Wed, 10/15/08, Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> wrote: From: Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> Subject: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands To: "Rebecca Foley" <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 3:56 PM #yiv1969909341 , #yiv1969909341 P, #yiv1969909341 TD, #yiv1969909341 TD P, #yiv1969909341 TD UL, #yiv1969909341 TD BLOCKQUOTE, #yiv1969909341 BLOCKQUOTE { color:black;font-family:Verdana, "Trebuchet MS" , sans-serif;font-size:10pt;} #yiv1969909341 A:link {color:#003366;} #yiv1969909341 A:visited {color:#003366;} #yiv1969909341 A:active {color:#0000FF;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .body8px {font-size:8px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body9px {font-size:9px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body10px {font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body11px {font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body14px {font-size:14px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body16px {font-size:16px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body18px {font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodyunderline {text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1969909341 .bodyitalic {font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .none {list-style-type:none;} #yiv1969909341 .titleitalic {font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .titlebold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold16px {font-weight:bold;font-size:16px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold17px {font-weight:bold;font-size:17px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold18px {font-weight:bold;font-size:18px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold19px {font-weight:bold;font-size:19px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold20px {font-weight:bold;font-size:20px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold21px {font-weight:bold;font-size:21px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold22px {font-weight:bold;font-size:22px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold23px {font-weight:bold;font-size:23px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold24px {font-weight:bold;font-size:24px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold25px {font-weight:bold;font-size:25px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold26px {font-weight:bold;font-size:26px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold27px {font-weight:bold;font-size:27px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold28px {font-weight:bold;font-size:28px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold29px {font-weight:bold;font-size:29px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold30px {font-weight:bold;font-size:30px;} #yiv1969909341 .flashtitle {font-family:Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .monospace {font-family:Courier, monospace;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .roll {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:black;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 a.roll:hover {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:D10000;} Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). --- On Wed, 10/15/08, Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> wrote: From: Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> Subject: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands To: "Rebecca Foley" <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 3:56 PM Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 ________________________________ Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. ________________________________ This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). -- 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 _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: DEP hearing on TrAILCo power line
by James Kotcon 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

I was unaware that a DEP hearing had been scheduled. I am also unclear as to what permits DEP would offer on this, other than the stormwater/construction permits. Any thoughts? JBK >>> Letty Butcher <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> 10/16/2008 8:44 AM >>> --- On Fri, 10/10/08, Thomas and Kathy Hildebrand <owner(a)goetc.com> wrote: From: Thomas and Kathy Hildebrand <owner(a)goetc.com> Subject: Re: please vote in the poll about the power line To: "Wojtowicz, Ralph" <wojtowicz(a)metsci.com>, "John Balasko" <mjmb(a)westco.net>, WVBiker98(a)aol.com, "Letty Butcher" <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com>, "Bill Golemon" <billgolemon(a)frontiernet.net>, "Mr H.J. Wratchford" <hjwratchford(a)yahoo.com> Date: Friday, October 10, 2008, 8:44 PM Get this. We heard there was going to be a hearing held in Moorefield last night by the WV DEP to take public comment on granting environmental permits for TrAIL. I watched the kids and Kat drove 2 hours and made a speech and she was the only person. There were 7 people in the audience. Three were DEP employees, one was a court reporter, and 3 were AE employees. DEP told her this was the one hearing for the entire State. Evidently, they thought they (DEP) placed an ad in the newspaper but Jean Flanigan told us they never did. She should know since she's the news editor. What a joke. We need to complain and ask for another hearing. Had any of you heard about this? Thom ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wojtowicz, Ralph" <wojtowicz(a)metsci.com> To: <michael(a)troutdesign.com>; <joe_vac(a)yahoo.com>; <cdewitt(a)erols.com>; <roecalvert(a)hughes.net>; <p.bp(a)Verizon.net>; <abbychappel(a)aol.com> Cc: <mjmb(a)westco.net>; <owner(a)goetc.com> Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 8:20 PM Subject: FW: please vote in the poll about the power line Please forward. Best wishes, Ralph Wojtowicz Yellow Spring, WV -----Original Message----- From: Cameron Eaton [mailto:cesunlight@earthlink.net] Sent: Fri 10/10/2008 3:59 PM To: The Powerful Ones Subject: Fw: please vote in the poll about the power line Poll is on the lefthand coloum of the page. http://www.tv3winchester.com/ Question: Do you think Virgina should have approved the multistate power line? So far it is 50% yes and 50% no. ----- Original Message ----- From: Evan Clark To: Work Evan TRS Clark Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 12:09 PM Subject: please vote in the poll about the power line

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Re: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands
by Jim Sconyers 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Excellent idea - TrailCo is as much a consumer issue as an environmental one. Shall we draft a letter? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:02:52 AM Subject: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands A good review of the latest news in the TrAIL case from our friends in Virginia. I am interested in the idea of asking the Attorney General to intervene/appeal in this case. The AG has limited authority, but consumer protection is one of the areas he still controls. It would, however, be a potential conflict of interest for him if it means he is appealing a state agency decision that the AG's Office may have to defend. Whaddya Tink? JBK -----Inline Message Follows----- #yiv1969909341 .bodybold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .body8px {font-size:8px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body9px {font-size:9px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body10px {font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body11px {font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body14px {font-size:14px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body16px {font-size:16px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body18px {font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodyunderline {text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1969909341 .bodyitalic {font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .none {list-style-type:none;} #yiv1969909341 .titleitalic {font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .titlebold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold16px {font-weight:bold;font-size:16px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold17px {font-weight:bold;font-size:17px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold18px {font-weight:bold;font-size:18px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold19px {font-weight:bold;font-size:19px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold20px {font-weight:bold;font-size:20px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold21px {font-weight:bold;font-size:21px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold22px {font-weight:bold;font-size:22px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold23px {font-weight:bold;font-size:23px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold24px {font-weight:bold;font-size:24px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold25px {font-weight:bold;font-size:25px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold26px {font-weight:bold;font-size:26px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold27px {font-weight:bold;font-size:27px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold28px {font-weight:bold;font-size:28px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold29px {font-weight:bold;font-size:29px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold30px {font-weight:bold;font-size:30px;} #yiv1969909341 .flashtitle {font-family:Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .monospace {font-family:Courier, monospace;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .roll {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:black;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 a.roll:hover {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:D10000;} Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 ________________________________ Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. ________________________________ This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). --- On Wed, 10/15/08, Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> wrote: From: Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> Subject: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands To: "Rebecca Foley" <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 3:56 PM #yiv1969909341 , #yiv1969909341 P, #yiv1969909341 TD, #yiv1969909341 TD P, #yiv1969909341 TD UL, #yiv1969909341 TD BLOCKQUOTE, #yiv1969909341 BLOCKQUOTE { color:black;font-family:Verdana, "Trebuchet MS" , sans-serif;font-size:10pt;} #yiv1969909341 A:link {color:#003366;} #yiv1969909341 A:visited {color:#003366;} #yiv1969909341 A:active {color:#0000FF;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .body8px {font-size:8px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body9px {font-size:9px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body10px {font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body11px {font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body14px {font-size:14px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body16px {font-size:16px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body18px {font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodyunderline {text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1969909341 .bodyitalic {font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .none {list-style-type:none;} #yiv1969909341 .titleitalic {font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .titlebold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold16px {font-weight:bold;font-size:16px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold17px {font-weight:bold;font-size:17px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold18px {font-weight:bold;font-size:18px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold19px {font-weight:bold;font-size:19px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold20px {font-weight:bold;font-size:20px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold21px {font-weight:bold;font-size:21px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold22px {font-weight:bold;font-size:22px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold23px {font-weight:bold;font-size:23px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold24px {font-weight:bold;font-size:24px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold25px {font-weight:bold;font-size:25px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold26px {font-weight:bold;font-size:26px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold27px {font-weight:bold;font-size:27px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold28px {font-weight:bold;font-size:28px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold29px {font-weight:bold;font-size:29px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold30px {font-weight:bold;font-size:30px;} #yiv1969909341 .flashtitle {font-family:Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .monospace {font-family:Courier, monospace;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .roll {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:black;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 a.roll:hover {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:D10000;} Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). --- On Wed, 10/15/08, Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> wrote: From: Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> Subject: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands To: "Rebecca Foley" <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 3:56 PM Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 ________________________________ Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. ________________________________ This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line).

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Re: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands
by Jim Sconyers 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

OK Bill - I accept your wisdom on this. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: "William V. DePaulo, Esq." <william.depaulo(a)gmail.com> To: Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>; James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu>; WV Chapter Energy Committee <EC(a)osenergy.org> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 2:29:45 PM Subject: Re: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Jim In some, maybe most, cases, I would agree. I am hesitant to involve McGraw right now because I don't think that this Court will accord much, if any, weight to whatever he might say in his brief, and I have no reason to believe he'd file a particularly effective brief. We're either going to win or lose on the merits of the administrative law issues presented or not, and the involvement of a highly political AG would constitute legal parsley at best, in my view. And, worse, the Court might require us to reduce any argument time to accommodate the AG's argument, since he would be aligned with us. I would not want to do that. However, please note that San Francisco has, as of this date, not approved OUR participation in an appeal, or intervention in the PATH case that will be here shortly. I believe our "sales" efforts should focus on SF. Bill On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 1:23 PM, Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Excellent idea - TrailCo is as much a consumer issue as an environmental one. Shall we draft a letter? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:02:52 AM Subject: [EC] Fwd: Fw: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands A good review of the latest news in the TrAIL case from our friends in Virginia. I am interested in the idea of asking the Attorney General to intervene/appeal in this case. The AG has limited authority, but consumer protection is one of the areas he still controls. It would, however, be a potential conflict of interest for him if it means he is appealing a state agency decision that the AG's Office may have to defend. Whaddya Tink? JBK -----Inline Message Follows----- #yiv1969909341 .bodybold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .body8px {font-size:8px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body9px {font-size:9px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body10px {font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body11px {font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body14px {font-size:14px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body16px {font-size:16px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body18px {font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodyunderline {text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1969909341 .bodyitalic {font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .none {list-style-type:none;} #yiv1969909341 .titleitalic {font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .titlebold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold16px {font-weight:bold;font-size:16px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold17px {font-weight:bold;font-size:17px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold18px {font-weight:bold;font-size:18px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold19px {font-weight:bold;font-size:19px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold20px {font-weight:bold;font-size:20px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold21px {font-weight:bold;font-size:21px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold22px {font-weight:bold;font-size:22px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold23px {font-weight:bold;font-size:23px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold24px {font-weight:bold;font-size:24px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold25px {font-weight:bold;font-size:25px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold26px {font-weight:bold;font-size:26px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold27px {font-weight:bold;font-size:27px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold28px {font-weight:bold;font-size:28px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold29px {font-weight:bold;font-size:29px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold30px {font-weight:bold;font-size:30px;} #yiv1969909341 .flashtitle {font-family:Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .monospace {font-family:Courier, monospace;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .roll {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:black;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 a.roll:hover {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:D10000;} Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 ________________________________ Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. ________________________________ This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). --- On Wed, 10/15/08, Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> wrote: From: Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> Subject: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands To: "Rebecca Foley" <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 3:56 PM #yiv1969909341 , #yiv1969909341 P, #yiv1969909341 TD, #yiv1969909341 TD P, #yiv1969909341 TD UL, #yiv1969909341 TD BLOCKQUOTE, #yiv1969909341 BLOCKQUOTE { color:black;font-family:Verdana, "Trebuchet MS" , sans-serif;font-size:10pt;} #yiv1969909341 A:link {color:#003366;} #yiv1969909341 A:visited {color:#003366;} #yiv1969909341 A:active {color:#0000FF;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodybold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .bodybold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .body8px {font-size:8px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body9px {font-size:9px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body10px {font-size:10px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body11px {font-size:11px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body14px {font-size:14px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body16px {font-size:16px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .body18px {font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .bodyunderline {text-decoration:underline;} #yiv1969909341 .bodyitalic {font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .none {list-style-type:none;} #yiv1969909341 .titleitalic {font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold {font-weight:bold;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .titlebold10px {font-weight:bold;font-size:10px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold11px {font-weight:bold;font-size:11px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold12px {font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold13px {font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold14px {font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold15px {font-weight:bold;font-size:15px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold16px {font-weight:bold;font-size:16px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold17px {font-weight:bold;font-size:17px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold18px {font-weight:bold;font-size:18px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold19px {font-weight:bold;font-size:19px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold20px {font-weight:bold;font-size:20px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold21px {font-weight:bold;font-size:21px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold22px {font-weight:bold;font-size:22px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold23px {font-weight:bold;font-size:23px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold24px {font-weight:bold;font-size:24px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold25px {font-weight:bold;font-size:25px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold26px {font-weight:bold;font-size:26px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold27px {font-weight:bold;font-size:27px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold28px {font-weight:bold;font-size:28px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold29px {font-weight:bold;font-size:29px;} #yiv1969909341 .titlebold30px {font-weight:bold;font-size:30px;} #yiv1969909341 .flashtitle {font-family:Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif;font-size:18px;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .monospace {font-family:Courier, monospace;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 .roll {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:black;}#yiv1969909341 #yiv1969909341 a.roll:hover {text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;color:D10000;} Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). --- On Wed, 10/15/08, Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> wrote: From: Bri West, PEC <pecnews(a)pecva.org> Subject: Where the Transmission Line Case Stands To: "Rebecca Foley" <multiflora123(a)yahoo.com> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 3:56 PM Where the Transmission Line Case Stands Dear Rebecca, A lot of you are asking me where the transmission line case stands --what does the Virginia decision mean? will there be an appeal? what's going on in Pennsylvania? what's going on with NIETC? and is there anything we can do to help? Here's my attempt at answering some of these questions: VA Decision Puts Environment, Landowners and Ratepayers Last I think the Virginia State Corporation Commission stuck their head in the sand on this one, ignoring alternatives, environmental concerns, and economic realities --placing the desires of a private company above the rights of Virginians. The SCC handed over their regulatory authority to PJM, a group of utilities that, by their own admission, can only propose transmission solutions. In their decision, the Virginia Commissioners state that the current process "clearly tilts the field towards PJM recommending more and more new transmission lines when other options might be a more efficient use of capital and much less intrusive on the landscape." We think that their decision to approve the line does a disservice to Virginia and should be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. Ask our Attorney General to Appeal the Decision Urge the VA Attorney General to Appeal Last week both Delegate Bob Marshall of Prince William and Congressman Wolf (R-10) contacted the Virginia Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, asking him to appeal the SCC Decision. We support Delegate Marshall and Congressman Wolf's call to action, and urge you to contact the Attorney General as well. Use the following link to access Congressman Wolf and Delegate Marshall's letter, and to send your own note to the Attorney General today! PA May Turn Down the Line, WV Approval Not Yet Final The Virginia SCC conditioned their approval on approval from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia initially approved the line, but conditioned approval on a number of things (including approval in Pennsylvania). We put in a call to the staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission on Tuesday, and they described the case as "still open". The final decision in Pennsylvania is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Utility Commissioners, and they are reviewing the case now. TrAILCo has offered Greene County (Pennsylvania) money and returned right-of-ways in exchange for the County's support for a 1.2 mile segment of the line. Greene County accepted the offer. It is still unknown what, if any, effect this backroom deal will have on the PA Commissioners' decision. It doesn't look like Pennsylvania will be making any decision until the end of the month, at the earliest. NIETC is Still Out There If PA turns down the line, the utilities may appeal to the federal government. If Pennsylvania turns their segment of the line down, it is likely that Dominion and Allegheny will try to use the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) process to get the line approved. They would do so by applying directly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Piedmont Environmental Council has two separate federal appeals going on, one in the 4th circuit in Richmond contesting FERC's interpretation of the NIETC statute and another appeal in the 9th Circuit related to DOE's implementation of NIETC. I apologize for the number of acronyms in the previous sentence. At the end of last month we went down to Richmond to hear oral arguments on our 4th Circuit case. The New York Attorney General's office spoke on our behalf. Initial briefs are due on our 9th Circuit case by the end of the year, with a decision expected some time late next year. If you have questions about either of these cases, please contact Rob Marmet at rmarmet(a)pecva.org . Please take a couple of minutes to send the Attorney General a quick email requesting his participation in an appeal. While PEC will be appealing, we could use a friend. Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council bwest(a)pecva.org 1-540-347-2334 ________________________________ Get a Farmland Lost is Farmland Lost Forever Bumper Sticker. Please Support PEC with a Donation. ________________________________ This message was sent to multiflora123(a)yahoo.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from The Piedmont Environmental Council, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). -- 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: Breaking: Florida Releases State Climate Plan: Huge Economic Gains, Redefines National Discussion
by Jim Sconyers 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Ned Ford <Ned.Ford(a)FUSE.NET> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 1:29:55 AM Subject: Breaking: Florida Releases State Climate Plan: Huge Economic Gains, Redefines National Discussion Florida Releases State Climate Plan: Huge Economic Gains, Redefines National Discussion Florida today is releasing its plan of action to address climate change, and the news is good and big. Fifty separate policy recommendations pave the way for Florida to realize $28 billion in net economic savings between now and 2025, and to significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The report's executive summary, posted today here, calculates that emissions would be reduced 64% from business-as-usual projections by 2025 if all fifty policy recommendations are implemented. That translates into a 51% reduction of emissions below 2005 levels, and a 33% reduction below 1990 levels. The reductions blow past the targets Governor Crist asked the Action Team to hit. Florida's fuel consumption would also decline dramatically and lessen its dependence on both dirty and foreign sources of fossil energy -- a projected total fuel savings of 53.5 billion gallons of petroleum, 200.2 million short tons of coal, and 6.394 billion cubic feet of natural gas during the period of 2009 through 2025. What is particularly noteworthy is that this plan emerges from the Republican stronghold of Governor Charlie Crist's administration, a man who was on the short list for Vice-Presidential nominee. Secretary of Florida's Department of Environmental Protection Michael Sole headed up Crist's Action Team on Energy and Climate Change which produced the plan. He was deputy secretary of the department under former governor Jeb Bush. Kathleen Shanahan, who was Jeb Bush's chief of staff, also served on the Action Team. She also served as Chief of Staff for Vice President-elect Dick Cheney during the 2000 presidential campaign and transition. Also on the action team was Mark Kaplan, who also served in the capacity of Chief of Staff for Jeb Bush when he was governor. Rick Baker, Republican Mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida also helped produce the plan. All 50 recommendations were adopted unanimously by the 27 members of the action team...... rest of the story here: http://solveclimate.com/blog/20081015/florida-releases-state-climate-plan-h… - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fw: Plugged In: The Most Energy Efficient States Revealed
by Jim Sconyers 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

2008 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard West Virginia tied for 43rd. http://www.aceee.org/pubs/e086.htm Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Sierra Club <global.warming(a)sierraclub.org> To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 1:39:50 PM Subject: Plugged In: The Most Energy Efficient States Revealed Sierra Club Having trouble receiving our e-mail? Try adding us (global.warming(a)sierraclub.org) to your Address Book. Find out how. View a web version of this newsletter. In this Edition Federal:State Energy Efficiency Ranked, Higher Heating Costs Expected International: China Drops Liquid Coal In the States: UT Coal Plant Back on the Ballot, NM Promotes Clean Energy News and Resources:Green Job Markets, Coal River Mountain, and Ike’s Environmental Toll FederalState Energy Efficiency Rankings Released Earlier this month the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) revealed its state rankings on energy efficiency. The 2008 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard rates and ranks state-level action on model energy efficiency policies, programs, and practices. Here are the top ten U.S. states "employing energy efficiency to grow their economies while meeting electricity demand, combating global warming, and contributing to U.S. energy security:" 1. California 2. Oregon 3. Connecticut 4. Vermont 5. New York 6. Washington 7. Massachusetts 8. Minnesota 9. Wisconsin 10. New Jersey Download the report and executive summary on the ACEEE website. ________________________________ International China Drops Coal-to-Liquids Last week, China's National Development and Reform Commission announced that, besides two projects, it is effectively halting all coal-to-liquids projects "due to environmental and economic concerns." The agency calls the technology risky both financially and environmentally. This is a major decision and China is making a tremendous statement -- the same one we've been making about the 10 proposed coal-to-liquid plants in the U.S: Liquid coal is not a viable option for our energy needs. Learn more about liquid coal on the coal campaign website. ________________________________ In the States Utah Coal Plant Back on the Ballot Our state activists are thrilled with last week’s Utah Supreme Court decision to allow a coal-fired power plant issue back on the ballot in Sevier County. A coalition of clean energy groups including our state chapter had fought for a referendum allowing the county’s citizens to vote on permits for new coal-fired power plants in the county. The move was in response to a planned 240-megawatt coal-fired power plant. "A 6th District judge last month halted (the) citizen referendum, saying the initiative intended for the Nov. 4 ballot didn't comply with a new law prohibiting initiatives on changes to land-use ordinances." The Utah Supreme Court disagreed, and said the referendum must go back on the ballot. Now county residents get to vote down this latest coal plant. Congrats, Utah! New Mexico Promotes Clean Energy The Sierra Club is a proud supporter of Dooda Desert Rock (DDR), a Navajo grassroots organization dedicated to stopping the proposed Desert Rock coal-fired power plant in New Mexico. From Oct. 3-5, the Sierra Club helped DDR at the local Shiprock Fair both staffing a booth, helping with a parade, and supporting a music festival. Andy Bessler of the Sierra Club's Tribal Partnerships Program said the time at the booth also garnered them many more signatures on a petition opposing the Desert Rock plant. The parade float featured a wind turbine and many clean energy supporters from three states who are working with DDR. "There was a huge crowd," said Bessler. "I would estimate the crowd along the two-mile parade route packed shoulder-to-shoulder for the full two-mile route at 60,000. DDR hosted a 3-day music festival at the fair as well and educated thousands of local residents about the dangers of building another coal plant in the four-corners region." Congrats! ________________________________ News and Resources -- America’s Hottest Green Job Markets (Forbes) -- The Battle Over Coal River (CNN) -- Hurricane Ike Environmental Toll Apparent (AP) ________________________________ Plugged In, your source for the latest happenings with the Sierra Club's Smart Energy Solutions Campaign. Subscribe to Plugged In. Unsubscribe to Plugged In. View previous editions of Plugged In. Become a Sierra Club Member. Want to keep up with the Sierra Club's latest activities and news? Sign up to receive Sierra ClubInsider, the Sierra Club's flagship e-newsletter sent out twice a month. The Insider provides everything from information on new reports and issues to planning great hiking trips to how you can help change environmental policy. View recent editions of the Insider. Sierra Club | 85 Second St., San Francisco, CA 94105 | sierraclub.org/globalwarming | global.warming(a)sierraclub.org Update My Profile | Manage My Email Preferences | Update My Interests

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Jesse Johnson Fundraiser
by Regina Hendrix 12 Oct '08

12 Oct '08

Ladies and gentlemen, I need your help to publicize the fund raiser event for Jesse Johnson. (See attached.) For the first time ever, I believe, (in WV I'm sure and maybe nationally) the Sierra Club is endorsing a third party candidate. There's such a short lead time that I need my friends to help get the word out. (There's a Word document attached and I will paste the body of the text below just in case anyone has trouble opening it.) Would you mind putting it on your E-mail list serve and asking anyone else who might have a large circle of friends to do the same. I am strongly motivated to help Jesse bring in as large a vote total as possible, especially after attending the hearing before Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker last week. She took the PC and easy way out when she denied Jesse's request for an injunction and ruled for the Broadcast Association and the Clay Center. Attorney Barnett from Jackson & Kelly tried to intimate that we really don't have a campaign going and he tried to belittle our efforts. He intimated that Jesse is not serious and "just craves publicity." Well, we do all "crave publicity" for our issues. Jesse is on the ballot in all 55 counties and he has been waging a statewide campaign on a shoestring. He needs help NOW with funds to get his office open and to get literature printed. He has been traveling statewide--we all know how expensive that is. He has some good plans to bring attention to our issues right before the election. Governor Manchin's arrogance in totally blowing away our issues and ordering those head bashing arrests last March should not be tolerated by any of us. I feel we should have gone back to the Capitol right away. We just couldn't get it together quick enough and several people actually have (or had) serious injuries to deal with after that melee. So here we are in October asked to listen to a "debate" between two candidates who've sold their soul to the coal barons. (I plan to boycott the "debate") Two-thirds of the citizens in WV want to ban mountaintop removal and in Jesse we finally have a candidate who supports us. We need to support him. Thanks for your help. Please call me if you have any questions. I also need a couple of volunteers to help me during the fund raiser event. Regina Hendrix (304) 343-5211 *WV CHAPTER SIERRA CLUB AND CITIZENS ACTION FUND * *are jointly sponsoring a **Jesse4WVGov **Fundraiser **for Jesse Johnson, Mountain Party Candidate for Governor,** on:* * * *Date: Friday, 17 October 2008 * * * *Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.* * * *Location: Citizen Action Group Headquarters, * *1500 Dixie Street, Charleston, WV* * * *Refreshments: WVSC PAC will supply finger foods and wine and music. **Please come out to support the candidate and BYOB and a dessert, if you like.* * * * * WV Sierra Club announced their endorsement of Jesse Johnson (Mountain Party) for West Virginia Governor on October 3 and Citizen Action Fund will be announcing their endorsement at this fundraising event. Our candidates support clean air and water, protection of the mountains and forests and social justice connected to environmental issues, so we need to support them. Electing environment-friendly officials takes money. Jesse needs $$’s for printing, stamps, office supplies, newspaper ads and other expenses incidental to the statewide campaign he has been conducting. In these final weeks he needs your help more than ever. Please come and bring your checkbook or, if you cannot attend, please mail contributions to: *Jesse4WVGov, P. O. Box 814, Charleston, WV 25323.* If you have questions or need directions, please call or email Regina Hendrix at 304-343-5211 or regina1936(a)verizon.net. * * * * *Thi*

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[Fwd: [fom] More from BBC: Surface tension]
by Regina Hendrix 11 Oct '08

11 Oct '08

FYI.

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Re: [EC] Fwd: NEWS ADVISORY: Renewable Electricity Surges by 32%--Provides 11% of U.S. Net Generation
by Jim Sconyers 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

And renewables were 11% of the total - awesome! Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ________________________________ From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 11:46:51 AM Subject: [EC] Fwd: NEWS ADVISORY: Renewable Electricity Surges by 32%--Provides 11% of U.S. Net Generation If total electricity sales go up 3 %, while nukes drop 1 %, and renewables increase by 32%, that tells me the marketplace is speaking about the future of energy. Those who think nukes are the way of the future need to pay attention. Enjoy. JBK >>> Kenneth Bossong <sustainableenergy_news(a)yahoo.com> 10/10/2008 11:02 AM >>> SUN DAY Campaign 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite #340; Takoma Park, MD 20912 301-270-6477 x.23 sun-day-campaign(a)hotmail.com Media Advisory U.S. RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GENERATION SURGES BY 32%; SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACCOUNTS FOR 11% OF TOTAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY WIND, SOLAR, HYDROPOWER ALL EXPERIENCE DRAMATIC INCREASES AS NUCLEAR POWER’S SHARE DIPS For Immediate Release: October 9, 2008 Contact: Ken Bossong 301-270-6477 x.23 Washington DC -- According to the latest "Monthly Electricity Review" issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (October 3, 2008), net U.S. generation of electricity from renewable energy sources surged by 32 percent in June 2008 compared to June 2007. Renewable energy (biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) totaled 41,160,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) in June 2008 up from 31,242,000 MWh in June 2007. Renewables accounted for 11.0% of net U.S. electricity generation in June 2008 compared to 8.6% in June 2007. Compared to June 2007, wind power grew by 81.6% in June 2008 while solar and conventional hydropower experienced increases of 42.6% and 34.7% respectively. Geothermal energy also enjoyed a slight increase (0.8%) while biomass (wood + waste) remained relatively unchanged. Renewable energy sources now account for 37% of the non-fossil net electricity generation in the United States. Net electricity generation from non-hydroelectric renewables (i.e., biomass, geothermal, solar, wind) increased by 24 percent to 10,357,000 MWh and now accounts for just under three percent of total net U.S. electricity generation. By comparison, nuclear power’s share of total net U.S. electricity generation dipped from 19.0% in June 2007 to 18.8% in June 2008. Total U.S. net electricity generation increased by 2.9% to 373,632,000 MWh. “The Bush Administration’s own data clearly illustrate which energy options should be the focus of future investment,” said Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign “The dizzyingly high growth rates that renewable energy sources continue to enjoy - compared to the stagnant figures for nuclear power - strongly argue for directing limited federal energy dollars into sustainable energy technologies.” A summary table prepared by the SUN DAY Campaign based on the data in the EIA report is attached. The full EIA report “Electric Power Monthly” can be accessed at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/epm_sum.html # # # # # # # # The SUN DAY Campaign is a non-profit research and educational organization founded in 1993 to promote sustainable energy technologies as cost-effective alternatives to nuclear power and fossil fuels. ========================

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Fwd: NEWS ADVISORY: Renewable Electricity Surges by 32%--Provides 11% of U.S. Net Generation
by James Kotcon 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

If total electricity sales go up 3 %, while nukes drop 1 %, and renewables increase by 32%, that tells me the marketplace is speaking about the future of energy. Those who think nukes are the way of the future need to pay attention. Enjoy. JBK >>> Kenneth Bossong <sustainableenergy_news(a)yahoo.com> 10/10/2008 11:02 AM >>> SUN DAY Campaign 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite #340; Takoma Park, MD 20912 301-270-6477 x.23 sun-day-campaign(a)hotmail.com Media Advisory U.S. RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GENERATION SURGES BY 32%; SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACCOUNTS FOR 11% OF TOTAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY WIND, SOLAR, HYDROPOWER ALL EXPERIENCE DRAMATIC INCREASES AS NUCLEAR POWER’S SHARE DIPS For Immediate Release: October 9, 2008 Contact: Ken Bossong 301-270-6477 x.23 Washington DC -- According to the latest "Monthly Electricity Review" issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (October 3, 2008), net U.S. generation of electricity from renewable energy sources surged by 32 percent in June 2008 compared to June 2007. Renewable energy (biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) totaled 41,160,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) in June 2008 up from 31,242,000 MWh in June 2007. Renewables accounted for 11.0% of net U.S. electricity generation in June 2008 compared to 8.6% in June 2007. Compared to June 2007, wind power grew by 81.6% in June 2008 while solar and conventional hydropower experienced increases of 42.6% and 34.7% respectively. Geothermal energy also enjoyed a slight increase (0.8%) while biomass (wood + waste) remained relatively unchanged. Renewable energy sources now account for 37% of the non-fossil net electricity generation in the United States. Net electricity generation from non-hydroelectric renewables (i.e., biomass, geothermal, solar, wind) increased by 24 percent to 10,357,000 MWh and now accounts for just under three percent of total net U.S. electricity generation. By comparison, nuclear power’s share of total net U.S. electricity generation dipped from 19.0% in June 2007 to 18.8% in June 2008. Total U.S. net electricity generation increased by 2.9% to 373,632,000 MWh. “The Bush Administration’s own data clearly illustrate which energy options should be the focus of future investment,” said Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign “The dizzyingly high growth rates that renewable energy sources continue to enjoy - compared to the stagnant figures for nuclear power - strongly argue for directing limited federal energy dollars into sustainable energy technologies.” A summary table prepared by the SUN DAY Campaign based on the data in the EIA report is attached. The full EIA report “Electric Power Monthly” can be accessed at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/epm_sum.html # # # # # # # # The SUN DAY Campaign is a non-profit research and educational organization founded in 1993 to promote sustainable energy technologies as cost-effective alternatives to nuclear power and fossil fuels. ========================

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Jesse4wvgov
by Regina Hendrix 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Pasted in below is the text of a press release just issued by Sierra Club concerning our endorsement of Jesse Johnson for WV Governor. This information was released this morning by Sierra Club National Press Office in Wash. D.C. Oliver Bernstein suggested anyone with press contacts send it around around also. If you have contacts and would like a copy with the logo and header on it, please contact me or Jim Sconyers at the phone numbers listed on the release. I pasted it in because the FOM listing will not accept attachments. (I have already forwarded it to Ken Ward.) Another action that Jesse has asked that we take is to contact Jim Haught at Chas. Gazette (Haught(a)wvgazette.com) and ask him to run the op-eds by Mike Gravel and Charlotte Pritt in the hard copy Gazette. (or contact Haught by phone on 304-348-5199) They have been running the op-eds only in the online version. Also, check out the online versions and make comments, since Gazette keeps track of the hits. Bill Price asks that Sierra Club members contact him on 304-389-8822, if they are able to donate some time to a Sister Chapter Adoption Program sponsored by SC. Bill is serving in Ohio right now to help Barack out in that battleground state and they need more volunteers. Bill has info on the details, such as where do you stay, etc. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2008 CONTACTS: Regina Hendrix 304-343-5211 or Jim Sconyers 603-969-6712 SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES JESSE JOHNSON FOR WV GOVERNOR Conservation Group Highlights Opposition to Mountaintop Removal, Praises Work to Protect West Virginia’s Environment "We are very pleased to announce today that the Sierra Club WV Chapter endorses Jesse Johnson for West Virginia Governor," said Political Chair Regina Hendrix. "As the only gubernatorial candidate working for a statewide ban on mountaintop removal, we believe his candidacy will give West Virginians a chance to vote for a governor who is dedicated to helping West Virginia’s workers by promoting renewable energy and keeping our state clean.” “Johnson showed how seriously he takes this issue by speaking to tens of thousands of people nationwide during the last year about the harsh realities of mountaintop removal. His plan for the economy proposes tax breaks and incentives for businesses using renewable energy technology and he has urged that citizens be given a dividend from taxes generated from non-renewables such as coal and natural gas. Unfortunately, Governor Manchin’s support of mountaintop removal has kept West Virginia from moving towards a clean energy future that would benefit the economy and the environment.” Mountaintop removal mining is a destructive form of coal mining that has already buried more than 1,200 miles of streams and threatens to destroy 1.4 million acres of land by 2020. The mining poisons drinking water, lays waste to wildlife habitat, increases the risk of flooding and wipes out entire communities. “Johnson shares many of the conservation principles that the WV Sierra Club stands for,” said WV Conservation Chair Jim Sconyers. “He understands the energy crisis, the need to transition from coal to renewable energy, and the looming threat of global - and local - climate change. And he is dead set against taking away West Virginia citizens’ land for the sake of building huge power lines that do not benefit West Virginia in any way.” “The Sierra Club also praises Johnson’s opposition to proposed new electric transmission lines,” said Jim Kotcon, Chair of the WV Sierra Club’s Energy Committee. “These lines would allow private, out-of-state electric companies to take private property from West Virginia citizens primarily so those companies can make exorbitant profits by gouging local electric ratepayers. Unfortunately Governor Manchin supports this bad deal for West Virginia. Is that what Manchin means by "Open For Business"? Instead of supporting environmental destruction and higher taxes, Johnson says he will work to derail these lines. That is what West Virginia needs.” Along with the endorsement, the Sierra Club will lend its volunteer strength to Johnson’s campaign. We look forward to a victory party for the environment on election night and to many years of Jesse Johnson fighting for the environment as Governor of West Virginia." # # # Regina Hendrix

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Re. Gubernatorial debate
by Vernon Haltom 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Here's my revision; please take a look. Michele Crist Executive Director West Virginia Broadcasters Association 140 Seventh Avenue South Charleston, WV 25309-1452 October 9, 2008 Dear Ms. Crist, During the past few weeks your organization has received numerous phone calls, emails, and letters from West Virginia citizens who are concerned about your exclusion of Mountain Party Candidate Jesse Johnson in the upcoming WV Broadcasters-sponsored gubernatorial debate. Your continued refusal to include Mr. Johnson in this debate is a disservice to the public and to the thousands of registered voters that are members of our organizations. It is without doubt a disservice to the many West Virginiatelevision and radio station members that you represent. The Mountain Party is an established and growing political party that has been on the ballot for a number of years now. Three candidates are on the gubernatorial ballot this year. All three should take part in the debate. Excluding Mr. Johnson because of the lower number of Mountain Party members is comparable to excluding Mr. Weeks because of the lower number of Republican Party members. The Mountain Party represents an alternative for West Virginians who feel that the Republican and Democratic parties have no difference on some important issues such as mountaintop removal coal mining. Mountaintop removal has been the subject of hundreds of news stories here in West Virginia and across the nation. In numerous polls, the majority of West Virginians have expressed their desire to see this mining practice end, yet both the Democratic and Republican parties continue to support this form of coal mining. The Mountain Party has taken the position of the majority. Your refusal to include the only party in this state that agrees with the majority on this most important issue is illogical, and some might even say oppressive. At the very least your refusal to include Candidate Johnson discredits your organization and questions your motives. While we do not endorse any candidate or party, we feel an obligation to our members to make sure their concerns are addressed and discussed in the debate. The WV Broadcasters Association may be a privately held organization, but that does not negate your ethical obligation to hold a fair and balanced public gubernatorial debate. We are respectfully asking that you reconsider your position and include Mountain Party Candidate Jesse Johnson in this debate. Yours Truly, On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Judy Bonds <judy(a)crmw.net> wrote: > Wait---one could check the last date to put political letters in the > papers in the Eastern panhandle---not sure if they have the same policy on > political letters. > It might be worth a try to get a letter or 2 in. > Judy > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Vernon Haltom <vernoncrmw(a)gmail.com> > *To:* Judy Bonds <judy(a)crmw.net> > *Cc:* Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> ; bo webb <webb.bo(a)gmail.com> ; Tonya > Adkins <4themountains(a)gmail.com> ; Rory McIlmoil <rorygep(a)gmail.com> ; Jesse > Johnson <jesse4wvgov(a)yahoo.com> ; All of FOM list <fom(a)lists.riseup.net> ; > ec(a)osenergy.org > *Sent:* Thursday, October 09, 2008 11:29 AM > *Subject:* Re: [EC] [fom] Jesse4wvgov > > I'm revising the letter, should be done in just a few minutes. > > On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 10:51 AM, Judy Bonds <judy(a)crmw.net> wrote: > >> the debate is Monday---too late for letters to the editor adn papers >> always have a set date that they won't print political letters after during >> an election cycle. >> Judy >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> *From:* Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> >> *To:* bo webb <webb.bo(a)gmail.com> >> *Cc:* Tonya Adkins <4themountains(a)gmail.com> ; Rory McIlmoil<rorygep(a)gmail.com>; Jesse >> Johnson <jesse4wvgov(a)yahoo.com> ; All of FOM list <fom(a)lists.riseup.net>; >> ec(a)osenergy.org >> *Sent:* Thursday, October 09, 2008 10:08 AM >> *Subject:* Re: [EC] [fom] Jesse4wvgov >> >> LTEs would be the most useful form of informing the public. Especially >> with PATH coming thru the Eastern Panhandle and Jesse's opposition to MTR >> and coal industry. So does Jesse have any LTE's we can modify and send to >> local papers?? thanks paul w. >> >> On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 8:14 AM, bo webb <webb.bo@ <webb.bo(a)gmail.com> >> gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> I suggest we as organizations, (because organizations speak for their >>> members, representing thousands of us) to send individual organization press >>> releases out to all media across the state about our concerns, coupled with >>> personal calls from our respective executive directors to WV Broadcasters >>> Ass. and local TV and radio stations news departments. Not an endorsement >>> of Jesse, but demanding an inclusion of Jesse that guarantees a fair process >>> that will bring our issue of mountain top removal to the discussion. The >>> majority of WV citizens oppose mtr, etc. >>> >>> Bo >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 3:02 PM, Tonya Adkins <4themountains(a)gmail.com>wrote: >>> >>>> I called the WV broadcaster's association last week to complain, too. I >>>> was given basically the same answer, except the girl I spoke with also said >>>> that they were only including the candidates that would generate the most >>>> viewers...which doesn't even make sense. ...how do they know? I said they >>>> have a responsibility to provide the public with information representing >>>> differing viewpoints...and that Manchin is a republican masquerading as a >>>> democrat, so we now have two republicans debating each other...I also said >>>> it was reprehensible that they are engaging in a form of censorship. >>>> >>>> On Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 1:27 PM, Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net>wrote: >>>> >>>>> Thank you Rory. I hope a lot more people will call. Jesse is being >>>>> locked out of the process and the voters are given no choice, since Manchin >>>>> and Weeks are almost equally bad. >>>>> I have seen nothing in the Gazette on this endorsement, despite it >>>>> being released statewide. I sent it personally to Ken Ward and Jim Haught. >>>>> I also sent it to WV New Service. They usually do radio pieces and I feel >>>>> sure they will do something but I was hoping for news coverage statewide. >>>>> Any ideas, anyone??? >>>>> >>>>> Regina >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Rory McIlmoil wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Just to let everyone know, I called the WV Broadcasters Assn on >>>>>> Wednesday, expressing my concern about them leaving Jesse out of the debate, >>>>>> and about how that undermines the democratic principles that the state and >>>>>> the country are supposed to be based upon, and their response was to tell me >>>>>> that they were a private corporation, and their board had made the decision >>>>>> and that there had been little public outcry about it (so people need to be >>>>>> making more calls!!). I then mentioned to the woman who answered the phone >>>>>> that the Assn was then essentially privatizing our democratic institution, >>>>>> and she had no reply to that. Sounds more like an oligarchy to me. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Fri, Oct 3, 2008 at 1:47 PM, Regina Hendrix < >>>>>> regina1936(a)verizon.net <mailto:regina1936@verizon.net>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Pasted in below is the text of a press release just issued by >>>>>> Sierra Club concerning our endorsement of Jesse Johnson for WV >>>>>> Governor. This information was released this morning by Sierra >>>>>> Club National Press Office in Wash. D.C. Oliver Bernstein >>>>>> suggested anyone with press contacts send it around around also. >>>>>> If you have contacts and would like a copy with the logo and >>>>>> header on it, please contact me or Jim Sconyers at the phone >>>>>> numbers listed on the release. I pasted it in because the FOM >>>>>> listing will not accept attachments. (I have already forwarded it >>>>>> to Ken Ward.) >>>>>> >>>>>> Another action that Jesse has asked that we take is to contact Jim >>>>>> Haught at Chas. Gazette (Haught(a)wvgazette.com >>>>>> <mailto:Haught@wvgazette.com>) and ask him to run the op-eds by >>>>>> Mike Gravel and Charlotte Pritt in the hard copy Gazette. (or >>>>>> contact Haught by phone on 304-348-5199) They have been running >>>>>> the op-eds only in the online version. Also, check out the online >>>>>> versions and make comments, since Gazette keeps track of the hits. >>>>>> >>>>>> Bill Price asks that Sierra Club members contact him on >>>>>> 304-389-8822, if they are able to donate some time to a Sister >>>>>> Chapter Adoption Program sponsored by SC. Bill is serving in Ohio >>>>>> right now to help Barack out in that battleground state and they >>>>>> need more volunteers. Bill has info on the details, such as where >>>>>> do you stay, etc. >>>>>> >>>>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2008 >>>>>> >>>>>> CONTACTS: Regina Hendrix 304-343-5211 or >>>>>> Jim Sconyers 603-969-6712 >>>>>> >>>>>> SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES JESSE JOHNSON >>>>>> >>>>>> FOR WV GOVERNOR >>>>>> >>>>>> Conservation Group Highlights Opposition to Mountaintop Removal, >>>>>> Praises Work to Protect West Virginia's Environment >>>>>> >>>>>> "We are very pleased to announce today that the Sierra Club WV >>>>>> Chapter endorses Jesse Johnson for West Virginia Governor," said >>>>>> Political Chair Regina Hendrix. "As the only gubernatorial >>>>>> candidate working for a statewide ban on mountaintop removal, we >>>>>> believe his candidacy will give West Virginians a chance to vote >>>>>> for a governor who is dedicated to helping West Virginia's workers >>>>>> by promoting renewable energy and keeping our state clean." >>>>>> >>>>>> "Johnson showed how seriously he takes this issue by speaking to >>>>>> tens of thousands of people nationwide during the last year about >>>>>> the harsh realities of mountaintop removal. His plan for the >>>>>> economy proposes tax breaks and incentives for businesses using >>>>>> renewable energy technology and he has urged that citizens be >>>>>> given a dividend from taxes generated from non-renewables such as >>>>>> coal and natural gas. Unfortunately, Governor Manchin's support of >>>>>> mountaintop removal has kept West Virginia from moving towards a >>>>>> clean energy future that would benefit the economy and the >>>>>> environment." >>>>>> >>>>>> Mountaintop removal mining is a destructive form of coal mining >>>>>> that has already buried more than 1,200 miles of streams and >>>>>> threatens to destroy 1.4 million acres of land by 2020. The mining >>>>>> poisons drinking water, lays waste to wildlife habitat, increases >>>>>> the risk of flooding and wipes out entire communities. >>>>>> >>>>>> "Johnson shares many of the conservation principles that the WV >>>>>> Sierra Club stands for," said WV Conservation Chair Jim Sconyers. >>>>>> "He understands the energy crisis, the need to transition from >>>>>> coal to renewable energy, and the looming threat of global - and >>>>>> local - climate change. And he is dead set against taking away >>>>>> West Virginia citizens' land for the sake of building huge power >>>>>> lines that do not benefit West Virginia in any way." >>>>>> >>>>>> "The Sierra Club also praises Johnson's opposition to proposed new >>>>>> electric transmission lines," said Jim Kotcon, Chair of the WV >>>>>> Sierra Club's Energy Committee. "These lines would allow private, >>>>>> out-of-state electric companies to take private property from West >>>>>> Virginia citizens primarily so those companies can make exorbitant >>>>>> profits by gouging local electric ratepayers. Unfortunately >>>>>> Governor Manchin supports this bad deal for West Virginia. Is that >>>>>> what Manchin means by "Open For Business"? Instead of supporting >>>>>> environmental destruction and higher taxes, Johnson says he will >>>>>> work to derail these lines. That is what West Virginia needs." >>>>>> >>>>>> Along with the endorsement, the Sierra Club will lend its >>>>>> volunteer strength to Johnson's campaign. We look forward to a >>>>>> victory party for the environment on election night and to many >>>>>> years of Jesse Johnson fighting for the environment as Governor of >>>>>> West Virginia." >>>>>> >>>>>> # # # >>>>>> >>>>>> Regina Hendrix >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Kind Regards, >>>>>> >>>>>> Rory McIlmoil >>>>>> >>>>>> Coal River Mountain Wind Project >>>>>> (w): (304) 854-2182 >>>>>> (h): (304) 854-1937 >>>>>> www.coalriverwind.org <http://www.coalriverwind.org> >>>>>> www.crmw.net <http://www.crmw.net> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> "No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it." >>> Albert Einstein >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> EC mailing list >>> EC(a)osenergy.org >>> http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Paul Wilson >> Sierra Club >> 504 Jefferson Ave >> Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 >> Phone: 304-725-4360 >> Cell: 304-279-6975 >> >> > > > -- > Vernon Haltom > Co-director > Coal River Mountain Watch > 304-854-2182 > www.crmw.net > www.coalriverwind.org > www.mountainjustice.org > For a Clean, Just, Sustainable Appalachia > > -- Vernon Haltom Co-director Coal River Mountain Watch 304-854-2182 www.crmw.net www.coalriverwind.org www.mountainjustice.org For a Clean, Just, Sustainable Appalachia

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Re: [EC] from Center for the Media: Coal Burners Invest in Environmental Journalism
by Paul Wilson 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

fyi, and please distribute widely. thanks paul Coal Burners Invest in Environmental Journalism<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=dmBwk7bXIN8S2ueT1ObY…> Source: Society for Environmental Journalists website, October 2008 The Society for Environmental Journalists (SEJ), which promotes "excellence in environmental journalism," is gearing up for its annual conference in Roanoke, Virginia in mid-October. As the conference is in the "heart of coal country," numerous sessions will address "the status and future of big coal." Richard Pauli, who writes the NoEnergyTomorrow blog, notes that<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=WqXco8CWdwozJJvLcfuj…>two of the conference's "premier sponsors" are the coal-addicted energy corporations American Electric Power<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=UCFVWeo8UvwvAFEtXmHk…>and Dominion Power<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=a0F2mD9mPOCDdjB5vn%2…>. "It's like seeing a Heart Association 10k race sponsored by a tobacco company," he wrote. In response, SEJ Executive Director Beth Parke stated that the corporate funding is for Virgina Tech, which will host the conference, and not directly for SEJ. Pauli noted SEJ's response, suggesting that "an improved analogy might be that of a track meet being held in a stadium that shows tobacco advertising. It may not be connected to the team, but they have to run below the sign." -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Fwd: ABC won't air our ad
by Paul Wilson 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

This is a short fun activity. I would expect this from Fox News but surprised that ABC is taking this position. thanks, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Cathy Zoi, The We Campaign <info(a)wecansolveit.org> Date: Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 6:45 PM Subject: ABC won't air our ad To: Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> [image: We can solve the climate crisis]<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/vdKr9P/VEsH/> [image: ABC won't air our ad.]<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/OlTh2g/VEsE/> Tell ABC to air the Repower America ad this Friday on *20/20*. Take Action<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/OlTh2g/VEsF/>! Dear Paul, Did you notice the ads after last night's presidential debate? ABC had Chevron. CBS had Exxon. CNN had the coal lobby. But you know what happened last week? ABC refused to run our Repower America ad -- the ad that takes on this same oil and coal lobby. I sent a letter asking ABC to reconsider their decision and put our ad on the air, but still we haven't heard back more than a week later. I think they need to hear from all of us. Can you help? Please send a message<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/OlTh2g/VEsC/>to ABC and tell them to air the Repower America ad this Friday on *20/20*. Just click here: http://www.wecansolveit.org/ABC<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/OlTh2g/VEsD/> We're working to get 100,000 public comments to ABC before *20/20*'s next airing. Our Repower America ad has a clear and simple message -- that massive spending by oil and coal companies on advertising is a key reason our nation hasn't switched to clean and renewable sources for our energy. Here's the script of the ad: *The solution to our climate crisis seems simple. Repower America with wind and solar. End our dependence on foreign oil. A stronger economy. So why are we still stuck with dirty and expensive energy? Because big oil spends hundreds of millions of dollars to block clean energy. Lobbyists, ads, even scandals. All to increase their profits, while America suffers. Breaking big oil's lock on our government ... Now that's change. We're the American people and we approve this message.* You can view the ad on the ABC petition page, here<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/OlTh2g/VEsA/> . As our country faces deep economic problems, we need to be able to have an honest debate about the root causes of our problems. As Al Gore has said, "We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the future of human civilization. And every bit of that has to change." As oil and coal backed groups outspend even major party committees in this political year, it's outrageous that ABC would deny our ad. Let ABC know what you think. Just click here<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/OlTh2g/VEsB/> . Thank you, Cathy Zoi CEO www.wecansolveit.org<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/0nf5jg/VEsO/> WeCanSolveIt.org<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/vdKr9P/VEsP/> | Privacy Policy<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/rcAqm1/VEsHBQ==/> | Subscribe<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/Lhi230/VEsHBA==/> | Unsubscribe<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/dXCzoX/VEsHBw==/> | Contact Us<http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/RhGqkm/VEsHBg==/> | About <http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m/6faa2f86f8896f6a/v4bSb4/VEsHAQ==/> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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FW: TrAIL gets approval from Virginia
by Grubb, Karen 07 Oct '08

07 Oct '08

From: Frank Young [mailto:fyoung@mountain.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 2:33 PM To: WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com Cc: Bill DePaulo; Jim Kotcon; Grubb, Karen; Duane330(a)aol.com Subject: TrAIL gets approval from Virginia October 7, 2008 Multistate power line gets approval from Virginia By The Associated Press <mailto:> RICHMOND, Va. -- Regulators in Virginia have given the green light to a multistate high-voltage power line proposed for the northern part of the state. In a ruling today, the State Corporation Commission concluded the proposed power line meets standards set by Virginia law and must be approved. As proposed, the line would run from southwestern Pennsylvania across West Virginia to northern Virginia. The 240-mile line is intended to increase electrical supplies to 13 eastern states. In Virginia, the project is proposed by Dominion Virginia Power and Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line company. http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200810070411

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Re: [EC] Walker Machinery AD/PATH
by Grubb, Karen 07 Oct '08

07 Oct '08

They are on my local stations in Fairmont. They show biologists working on streams and with wildlife radio antennas making sure the power lines don't damage the environment. They brag that their towers are darkened steel so they blend in, etc. From: Mary Wimmer [mailto:monwimmer@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 7:49 PM To: Grubb, Karen Subject: Re: Walker Machinery AD I have not seen PATH advertisements. On 10/5/08, Grubb, Karen <Karen.Grubb(a)fairmontstate.edu> wrote: So is PATH. From: Mary Wimmer [mailto:monwimmer@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 8:16 PM To: Jim Sconyers Cc: Michael Price; william.depaulo(a)gmail.com; sallywilts(a)yahoo.com; regina1936(a)verizon.net; matt_keller(a)tws.org; Grubb, Karen; freesource(a)cheat.org; jkotcon(a)wvu.edu; mdavis(a)hsc.wvu.edu; daves(a)labyrinth.net; bill.price(a)sierraclub.org; blittle(a)citynet.net Subject: Re: Walker Machinery AD Coal surely is spending a lot on TV advertising these days -- fancy ads that grab you at first until you realize where they are from -- turns my stomach! On 10/5/08, Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Bizarre would be an understatement! What are they smoking over there...??? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Original Message ---- From: Michael Price <greyhawkwv(a)verizon.net> To: william.depaulo(a)gmail.com; sallywilts(a)yahoo.com; regina1936(a)verizon.net; matt_keller(a)tws.org; monwimmer(a)gmail.com; kgrubb(a)fairmontstate.edu; freesource(a)cheat.org; jim_scon(a)yahoo.com; jkotcon(a)wvu.edu; mdavis(a)hsc.wvu.edu; daves(a)labyrinth.net; bill.price(a)sierraclub.org; blittle(a)citynet.net Sent: Friday, October 3, 2008 8:39:52 PM Subject: Walker Machinery AD This is Walker Machinery's response to their Yes, Coal Clean, Carbon Neutral Coal ! mike YES, COAL. Clean, carbon neutral coal. Science and technology are reengineering coal to be clean and carbon neutral for the 21st Century. This goal and commitment can put thousands of West Virginians to WORK - meaningful and purposeful WORK that respects the environment and strives to diminish and eliminate all types of emissions that may be harmful. This reengineering is well on the path to providing clean, carbon neutral coal that provides meaningful WORK for researchers, scientists, utility technicians, natural resource workers, computer engineers, and yes, coal production ... all high-tech, high-wage WORK opportunities. This rising tide of clean coal will unquestionably lift the quality of life and multiply meaningful, purposeful WORK opportunities for ALL WEST VIRGINIANS irrespective of industry, professional, or consumer economic sectors. The evidence of this WORK commitment can be seen in the vast and urgent research by colleges, universities, private research, think tanks, and governmental entities. All are eager to make coal use clean and carbon neutral. Institutions like Marshall University, West Virginia University, as well as our neighbors at Virginia Tech, Penn State, and the University of Kentucky are expanding opportunities in clean energy and environmental sciences to provide purposeful WORK for their faculties and our students. Additionally, the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, W.Va., works tirelessly and successfully to improve coal's continued viability. The overwhelming need for clean, carbon neutral coal in the 21st century will stimulate the migration of our sons and daughters back to West Virginia. That influx of human treasure re-ignites WORK opportunities, reunites families, and revives our state's economy causing a new revolution of infrastructure development and social awareness. While coal opponents selfishly ask West Virginians to "sit out" the nation's greatest energy boom and WORK opportunity of our lifetime, we find this unacceptable and unfair to working families. Furthermore, it is contrary to our mountaineer spirit that seeks to share our resources and work for the greater good of all our country. Coal, which represents 52% of America's electricity production, cannot simply be ignored. Going forward, it is imperative that West Virginians understand that clean, carbon neutral coal is paramount to energy, economic, and national security while providing a healthy and safe environment. Even the most rapid pace of alternative energy development, which we must all support, cannot save us from the present need for expanded and uninterrupted supply of our nation's energy. Clean coal technologies, utilizing integrated gasification and carbon capture and storage, provides honest WORK, a safe, healthy environment, and must be enthusiastically supported by informed and caring West Virginians. Building coal to liquid plants offer WORK of the highest purpose. By expanding WORK into transportation solutions, like coal-to-liquids, West Virginians can lead the nation to lower gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel prices. That puts money in the family budget. This can lessen our dependence on foreign oil through greater fuel diversity and competition ... hallmarks of a free market society. It will strengthen national security. It is important that West Virginians loudly sound the alarm to their leaders at local, state, and national levels to aggressively and generously fund Clean, Carbon Neutral Coal technologies that will KEEP WEST VIRGINIA WORKING. We must say it loud, proud, and often. Especially now, as our economy grows more fragile, West Virginia can ill-afford coal's opponents to deny us our honest day's WORK. It is troubling that coal's opponents, using our courts, have placed benthic macro-invertebrates (bugs) at a higher moral standing than the citizens of West Virginia who need lucrative, dependable WORK. In a desperate attempt to stop coal mining, coal's opponents have artfully and guilefully turned to the judiciary via utilizing the complexities and ambiguities of the Clean Water Act to present a very technical representation of our ecosystem. They present an argument that is extremely debatable among experts yet really defies common sense. It defies science and common sense, in that we are expected to believe, that as rock and dirt are moved to the dry ditches near the tops of mountains, that the benthic macro-invertebrates (bugs) will be destroyed, thus impacting the entire ecosystem and all life as we know it. The mining community, more than any other, is keenly aware of the ecological science involved in the benthic communities' importance in determining the health, structure, and function of streams including headwater. By law and regulation, they protect these relationships through mining design and mitigation. The rains fall and the rainwater flows over and throughout the mining areas perpetually and naturally as always. It is important to note that these creatures have lived and adapted here for millions and millions of years before man. They inhabit almost every square foot of the watersheds across this great globe, within and outside mined areas. This is hardly criteria for extinction or endangered species. Although metamorphosis times vary, (a lifecycle of an egg, nymph, and adult most often lasts less than a year, perhaps more, depending on the insect order), they quickly breed and die naturally sometimes within a day or two. They do not have house payments, car payments or student loans. In truth they quickly re-inhabit the reclaimed and often mined lands to repeat their biological destiny and breed in large quantities we can't imagine. If this logic of coal's opponents would carry forward by the courts, human beings could not build roads, homes, hospitals, schools, cities, or communities for fear of such an ecological Armageddon. As if it mattered, more bugs are killed overwhelmingly by car windshields or "bug spray" than mine sites. Are we on such a destructive path that a human being's right to WORK and moral standing is subordinate to a bug or anything we wish to relate as nature? Is man not part of nature and higher moral standing? Is this judicial perseverance by coal's opponents and subsequent manipulation what it has come to? As any truly informed person knows, an industry that is accused of covering streams that are not streams, with waste that is not waste, in valleys that are not valleys, with bugs having the moral equivalency of human beings in our court system, is distressing and disappointing. It appears that coal's opponents don't really want the public to know they have placed "bug" welfare above that of working West Virginians in Judge Chambers' court, just to stop mining and perpetuate an anti-corporate agenda. Amazingly, the judge agreed with coal's opponents. Sometimes it must be difficult to separate the twists and turns of flawed logic or judicial eloquence from just good common sense. It further makes no sense whatsoever to repeat this judicial "Groundhog Day" movie on mining over and over and over. That's why the Walker Machinery "bug" ads are causing such stir among the anti-coal crowd. It's so ridiculous that it required a "bug character" to do so. Hopefully, a curious public will search beyond the bug character to find out the truth, which has not been fully vetted in the media or by our silent government. The grim consequences and full gravity of this situation has yet to play out. If this case is not overturned on appeal, this state hasn't really seen hard times yet. It's a cruel blow to good people just wishing to WORK ... feeding their families, providing electricity, and national security for our country. Attacking the workers or their employers as enemies of the planet makes no sense at all. Anti-coal forces don't really care. Do you think coal's opponents will support clean carbon neutral coal? No, the anti-coal, anti-growth, anti-business, anti-work crowd won't do that either. They simply ask us to forfeit our paychecks. The coal industry seemingly gets no credit at all for the beautiful reclamation and the truly small footprint of mining across West Virginia's 15 million acres. Reclaiming the land with bushes, grasses, and now hardwood seedlings that will gobble up more carbon dioxide is actually a step toward becoming carbon neutral. Again, no credit. To learn more watch the History Channel's, "Life After People" or search www.history.com <http://www.history.com/> to get a sense of how nature rapidly reclaims her own. Though not meant to trivialize the industry's need for stewardship in any way, this media shows that man's activities are but a blip on a dynamic and ever-changing planet. Our mining activities and all other may become indistinguishable one day. But for now ... coal ... YES, COAL ...clean carbon neutral coal will WORK for West Virginia. Please support this meaningful and purposeful WORK as if our state depended on it ... because it does. Comments may be sent to: comments(a)walker-cat.com

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Fwd: Longview updates
by James Kotcon 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

To the Sierra Club Energy committee: Any thoughts on what the articles below might mean? I am not sure what "mezzanine" financing is, or what this means for the future of Longview, but I would agree with Paula's comments "not a good time to be asking for financing". The article implies that "First reserve" now owns 90 % of Longview, does that mean Longview unloaded just in the nick of time? Who would we be dealing with if the plant actually goes on line in 2011? If so, in 2010, the non-profit funding from our air permit settlement comes in? JBK >>> Paula Hunt <pjhunt(a)xemaps.com> 10/5/2008 9:19 AM >>> Hi All, Two things: ********************** I found some photos of Longview... great shots http://good-times.webshots.com/album/565599401uSyMvK They are posted by a GenPower mechanical engineer (so his profile says). He must have a helicopter at his disposal... He posted them late August and last updated them late September. The caption below says, " Aerial Photos of Longview Power Plant and Force Drilling Work Site" What are they drilling Jarrett? Is it to stabilize the surface from undermining? They seem to have a lot of ponds onsite. ******************** The mezzanine financing for Longview is due soon (not a good time to ask for credit!): > Commitments Due In Longview Financing >- 10/03/2008 > >Commitments are coming due in Merrill Lynch's $250 million mezzanine >financing for Longview Power, owner of a 695 MW supercritical >pulverized coal plant under construction in Maidsville, W. Va. > >Ticket sizes were not specified for the debt, which will mature in >February 2015, according to deal trackers, who say the lead has >approached potential investors individually to judge the appetite of >each. Pricing is reportedly 10% fixed plus 4% payment-in-kind. One >deal tracker notes the lead also offered variable rate pricing that >would roughly amount to 10%, but most investors have wanted fixed. >Potential investors reportedly include ArcLight Capital Partners, >Fortress Investment Group, Harbert Power, LS Power, Trust Company of >the West and Union Bank of California. Officials at the firms either >declined comment or did not return calls. Calls to Merrill officials >were not returned. A spokeswoman for First Reserve Corp., which owns >90% of Longview, declined to comment or make an official available, >and calls to GenPower Holdings (10%) were not returned. > >The owners opted for the mezzanine financing after terminating an >auction for 49% of the company (PFR, 8/22). That auction came after >a $450 million mezzanine financing was put on hold last year to test >the waters of an auction. The project is set to come online in the >spring of 2011. It has a five-year PPA for 300 MW with PPL Energy >Plus and the remaining power will be sold into the western PJM market. - paula

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FW: 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study
by Grubb, Karen 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

-----Original Message----- From: nietcwebmaster(a)anl.gov [mailto:nietcwebmaster@anl.gov] Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:45 PM To: Grubb, Karen Subject: 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study ************************************************************ 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study ************************************************************ IMPORTANT NOTE: REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR 2009 STUDY! ***************************************************** You are receiving this e-mail because you subscribed to the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor e-mail notification list. To receive further e-mail announcements regarding the 2009 Congestion Study, you must visit the 2009 Congestion Study Web site at http://congestion09.anl.gov/index.cfm and subscribe anew for further e-mail notices by entering your e-mail address in the "Subscribe" box on any page on the Web site. The 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study ******************************************************** The Federal Power Act, as modified by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to complete a study of electric transmission congestion every three years. DOE issued the first "National Electric Transmission Congestion Study" (Congestion Study) in August 2006. The Department has now initiated preparations for the 2009 Congestion Study, and seeks comments on what publicly-available data and information should be considered, and what type of analysis should be performed, to identify and understand the significance and character of transmission congestion. See the 2009 Congestion Study Federal Register notice on the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study Web Site for more information. http://congestion09.anl.gov/documents/docs/FR_Notice_4_June_08.pdf Submitting Comments on the 2009 Congestion Study ************************************************ Persons interested in providing comments concerning the process and congestion metrics for the 2009 Congestion Study may submit written comments by mail, or submit them to DOE electronically using the online comment form on the 2009 Congestion Study Web site. Public comments on the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study submitted to date by mail, electronically, or at the 2009 Congestion Study workshops, are now available for downloading or browsing on the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study Web Site: http://congestion09.anl.gov/involve/searchcomment/index.cfm For More Information ******************** For more information about the 2009 Congestion Study, and related public involvement activities, visit the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study Web Site: http://congestion09.anl.gov/, or contact us by e-mail to: congestion09(a)anl.gov Forward This Message ******************** Please forward this message to any party you feel may be interested in the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study _________________CONTACTS/SUBSCRIPTIONS_____________________ FEEDBACK -------- To submit feedback, contact the Congestion Study webmaster at congestion09(a)anl.gov PRIVACY POLICY -------------- Our online privacy policy is at: http://www.energy.gov/privacy.htm. SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE --------------------- To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Congestion Study e-mail service, go to the following URL: http://congestion09.anl.gov/email/index.cfm. If the above URL is not enabled as a link, please copy it into your browser window to access our E-Mail Services Page. ------------------------------------------------------------

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INCLUDE JESSE
by Regina Hendrix 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

In case some of you didn't get this.... Please take a moment and E-Mail these people urging them to include Jesse in this debate which is taking place on the public airways. Regina

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EC October 2008