EC April 2008

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

12 participants
32 discussions

Senator Dan Foster
by Regina Hendrix 17 Apr '08

17 Apr '08

Dear Senator Foster: I know of your love for WV and your interest in health matters, so I'm forwarding you some information on the proposed TrAIL Co. power line that, if approved, will cross our state in the north. The PATH line proposal will soon be presented and PATH starts at the John Amos plant. I believe we are being sold short by our PSC and I am hoping you will speak out on behalf of the citizens. You are in a unique position to do so because of your specialized knowledge of health issues. These power lines will call for increased production of coal, therefore, more MTR and more destruction of our mountains, our heritage, our culture, etc. If these lines are constructed we will be generating more power here in WV--more pollution for us to breath and increased health problems. More blue haze incidents!!!! I know you've been very concerned about the problems of citizens with no health insurance. Treatment of these citizens is another of the externalized costs of coal. We would like to meet with you at your convenience and brief you on this issue. Regina Hendrix Chapter Chair WV Chapter Sierra Club Home: 343-5211

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COPY OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 17 Apr '08

17 Apr '08

FOLKS FOR YOU REFERENCE IN FUTURE CONVERSATIONS, I ATTACH A COPY OF 1. THE 4-15-08 PROPOSED TRAILCO-PSC STAFF SETTLEMENT 2. THE 4-16-08 GAZETTE ARTICLE SUMMARIZING THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT 3. THE 4-16-08 SIERRA CLUB'S PRESS RELEASE ON THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT 4. THE 4-17-08 GAZETTE ARTICLE ON THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT -- 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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TrAILCo Settles with PSC Staff, CAD, and WVEUG
by James Kotcon 15 Apr '08

15 Apr '08

Below is a portion of the cover letter of a Proposed Settlement Agreement filed by TrAILCo about an hour ago. JBK ****** The enclosed Joint Stipulation and Agreement for Settlement recites the relevant procedural background and concerns of its parties, and then sets forth in detail a number of substahtive provisions in modification of those parties' previously asserted positions on various issues. While the document speaks for itself, its notable provisions include: TrAILCo, along with Monongahela Power Company and The Potomac Edison Company, have agreed to increase the financial benefits associated with the certification, construction, and operation of the West Virginia Segments of TrAIL through financial commitments estimated to be approximately $42 million to West Virginia ratepayers, the State, and its citizens, as well as commitments for an additional investment estimated at $50 million and additional annual payroll and benefits estimated at $12 million. TrAILCo has further committed to adopt, wholly or in part, numerous proposals of Staff and/or other parties concerning the routing, engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of TrAIL. The Staff, CAD, and WVEUG have agreed to affirmatively support the need for TrAIL pursuant to W: Vu. Code 6 24-2-1 la(d)(l). All of the stipulating parties jointly recommend to the Commission that the siting of the West Virginia Segments of TrAIL along the originally proposed route, as modified by the Grafton Area Route, will result in an acceptable balance between reasonable power needs and reasonable environmental factors pursuant to W: Vu. Code @24-2-lla(d)(2). (TrAILCo stands by its commitments to Laurence and Angela Williams set forth in a previously filed partial stipulation.) The enclosed stipulation includes several important terms and conditions, and recites the bases for the modification of the stipulating parties’ several positions. In order to facilitate the Commission’s consideration, TrAILCo has moved for a tolling of its right to a decision within the period otherwise provided in W: Vu. Code 0 24-2-1 l(f) and (g), to June 2,2008.

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FW: Western Greenbrier Co-Generation Plant
by Grubb, Karen 14 Apr '08

14 Apr '08

Western Greenbrier Co-Generation Plant--See attached fact sheet for more information. Also go to www.wvhighlands.org <http://www.wvhighlands.org/> and click on Suit Aims to Block Greenbrier Plant and The Rest Of The Story. The WGC plant proponents are mounting a petition campaign to convince Senator Byrd to help them raise another $25 million, despite the fact that they are way over budget, out of money and have defaulted on their loans, which were guaranteed by the WV Development Office. The $25 million is so they can borrow $300 million with municipal bonds through Citigroup and get a grant from the US DOE for over $100 million. This use of taxpayers funds for a bad idea must stop. Letters are better than petitions. Please write a letter to Senator Byrd (and you can send copies to Rahall and Manchin). AND SEND A COPY TO ME (blittle(a)citynet.net) SO WE WILL KNOW HOW OUR LETTER CAMPAIGN IS GOING. AND FORWARD THIS TO ANYONE YOU CAN THINK OF. Byrd's address in Charleston (works better than DC; email and fax work too): Senator Robert C. Byrd 300 Virginia St, #2630 Charleston, WV 25301 fax: 304-343-7144 email: from his website - http://byrd.senate.gov/ Rahall's address: Representative Nick Rahall 301 Prince St. Beckley, WV 25801 fax: 202-225-9061 email: nrahall(a)mail.house.gov Manchin's address: Governor Joe Manchin 1900 Kanawha Boulevard E Charleston, WV 25305 Email: Governor(a)WVGov.org Beth Little HC 64 Box 281 Hillsboro, WV 24946 304-653-4277

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FW: promoting Debra Williams visits here in WV
by Grubb, Karen 09 Apr '08

09 Apr '08

Here is a story about her in the Gazette sent to me by the FSU Director of Communication, Sarah Hensley. http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200804081087 ________________________________ From: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] On Behalf Of Margaret Manousoff Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 2:39 PM To: 'WVEC Email List' Subject: Re: [EC] promoting Debra Williams visits here in WV Dear everyone, Thank you all SO much for helping to make Deborah's visit happen! We are incredibly grateful. I am attaching the latest version of her itinerary. Some details are missing on events next week, but I hope to have everything in order soonest. Best, Margaret Margaret Manousoff Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator Alaska Conservation Solutions 308 G St., Suite 219 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 929-9370 Fax: (907) 929-1562 www.alaskaconservationsolutions.com <http://www.alaskaconservationsolutions.com>

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Re: [EC] promoting Debra Williams visits here in WV
by Allan Tweddle 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

Margaret Please cc. all of the e-mail names on this memo, as each has access to a separate e-mailing action list. list. To those receiving this mailing, who might not have received earlier posts, attached is a very brief resume of Debra Williams, AND THE poster announcing her speaking engagement at the University of Charleston THIS WEEK...on THURSDAY. This very accomplished and honored Harvard Law School Graduate will be in West Virginia from the 10th to the 15th speaking at several venues. Hope you all can attend one of the functions. ALLAN Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator Alaska Conservation Solutions 308 G St., Suite 219 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 929-9370 Fax: (907) 929-1562 <http://www.alaskaconservationsolutions.com<http://www.alaskaconservationsolutions.com/>> http://www.alaskaconservationsolutions.com<http://www.alaskaconservationsolutions.com/> Deborah L. Williams, President Ms. Williams has been actively involved in conservation and sustainable community for over 35 years, and is now focusing on global warming. She received her B.A. from Pomona College, summa cum laude, with a concentration in Biology and Economics. Subsequently she was graduated from Harvard Law School, with honors, and was the principal founder of and co-editor-in-chief of the Harvard Environmental Law Review <http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/elr/<http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/elr/>> <http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/elr/<http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/elr/>> . After serving in the Department of Interior's Solicitors Honors Program in Washington D.C., Ms. Williams represented the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska. Between 1981 and 1994, Ms. Williams was the Executive Director of the Alaska Consumer Advocacy Program and of the Alaska Lung Association, while serving on many boards and commissions, including Trustees for Alaska (president of the board) and the Municipal Health Commission (chair of the Environmental Health Committee.) In 1994, Ms. Williams received a Presidential appointment and became the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Interior for Alaska, in which position she advised the Secretary about managing over 220 million acres of national lands in Alaska and working with Alaska tribes and others associated with the Department's broad natural and cultural resource jurisdiction. She also was a Trustee on the Exxon Valdez Trustee Council and other boards. For over six years, Ms. Williams served as the Executive Director of the Alaska Conservation Foundation, winning many awards in that role. Currently Ms. Williams is President of Alaska Conservation Solutions, an organization devoted primarily to addressing global warming. Ms. Williams has published numerous law review and other articles, has been featured repeatedly in the media (including 60 Minutes, the New York Times and the BBC), and has taught graduate-level courses at both the University of Alaska and Alaska Pacific University. Deborah greatly enjoys backpacking, skiing, gardening, traveling, and serving on boards and in service organizations such as Rotary and the American Land Conservancy. ----- Original Message ----- From: Vivian Stockman<mailto:vivian@ohvec.org> To: 'Margaret Manousoff'<mailto:margaret@alaskaconservationsolutions.com> Cc: 'Allan Tweddle'<mailto:allantweddle@msn.com> Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 10:06 AM Subject: promoting Debra Williams visits here in WV Hi Margaret. I work with OVEC, one of the groups hosting one of Ms. Williams speaking engagements here. If possible, please send me info on all her talks in WV--date, time, location, sponsoring groups, and I will put that info out to our West Virginia members and post in our our global warming and WV page. thank you so much! PS we've already had a little article in the Huntington newspaper. --VS

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OBAMA Organizing Fellowship.
by Regina Hendrix 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

FYI, pasted in below is an invitation I got from the Obama Campaign. Sounds interesting and could be very effective, I think. I hope this come thru okay on the list serves. If not, E-Mail me and I'll attach the notice I got. Regina Regina -- Apply <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f1e088aa74f7f1ad/13JfBz/VEsH/>West Virginia's primary is coming up on Tuesday, May 13th, and it's crucial that supporters across the state stay focused on this important contest. But I also want to let you know about an exciting project that we'll be kicking off in all 50 states this summer. It's called the Obama Organizing Fellowship. When I was a young man, I was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and the idea of people working at a grassroots level to bring about change. I got my chance on the South Side of Chicago, as a community organizer, and it was the transformative experience of my career. It allowed me to put my values to work and to see that real change comes not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up, when ordinary people come together around a common purpose. The experience changed the course of my life -- and I want to share that kind of opportunity with you. That's why we're introducing a program that's going to train a new generation of leaders -- not only to help us win this election, but to help strengthen our democracy in communities across the country. If you apply and are selected, you'll be trained in the basic organizing principles that this campaign and our movement for change are built on. You will be assigned to a community where you'll organize supporters. Assignments will begin in June, and you'll be required to work a minimum of six weeks over the summer. This program is designed to give you real world organizing experience that will have a concrete impact on this election. *Apply to be an Obama Organizing Fellow* and put progressive values to work in the real world: *http://my.barackobama.com/fellows* <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f1e088aa74f7f1ad/13JfBz/VEsE/> If you can't take the time away from work or your family that's required for the fellowship program, you can still get involved. * *Reach out to someone you know* who may be interested in this program, and let them know we could use their help: *http://my.barackobama.com/fellowsinvite* <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f1e088aa74f7f1ad/Z1yNxn/VEsF/> * *House an Organizing Fellow* -- If you have a spare room, you can help by offering housing to an Organizing Fellow near their training or near their eventual assignment. We haven't set locations for all of the trainings and assignments, but if you sign up, our staff will be in touch as the campaign grows: *http://my.barackobama.com/fellowshousing* <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f1e088aa74f7f1ad/cgFv9m/VEsC/> * *Support this program* by making a donation to this campaign: *https://donate.barackobama.com/fellowsdonate* <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f1e088aa74f7f1ad/SYUUEW/VEsD/> Being a community organizer wasn't easy, but it was the most valuable education I ever received. It taught me that together, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Organizing changed my life, and I hope it changes yours. Thanks, Barack Obama P.S. -- You don't have to wait until this summer to make a difference for our campaign. Right now, supporters across West Virginia are volunteering to get as many West Virginians as possible ready for Primary Day on May 13th. Sign up now to come to an organizational meeting this weekend: *http://wv.barackobama.com/WVorgmeetings* <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f1e088aa74f7f1ad/VQrmwg/VEsA/> Paid for by Obama for America This email was sent to: regina1936(a)verizon.net To unsubscribe, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/unsubscribe <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f1e088aa74f7f1ad/mOT8qL/VEsB/>

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Washington Post 4-6-08 New Focus on Coal's Part in Warming
by Paul Wilson 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

Washington Post ENVIRONMENT Sunday, April 6, 2008; Page A06 New Focus on Coal's Part in Warming Greater Advances In Technology Are Seen as Critical[image: James E. Hansen of NASA's Goddard Institute said nations could use less coal if energy efficiency got more attention.] James E. Hansen of NASA's Goddard Institute said nations could use less coal if energy efficiency got more attention By Juliet Eilperin<http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/juliet+eilperin/> Washington Post Staff Writer James E. Hansen<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/James+E.+Hansen?tid=informl…>, perhaps the best-known scientific advocate for curbing greenhouse-gas emissions, sent a letter recently to the head of one of the nation's largest power companies, calling on him to confront the role that his coal-fired plants play in global warming. Hansen proposed they meet. On Wednesday, James E. Rogers<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/James+E.+Rogers?tid=informl…>of Duke Energy<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Duke+Energy+Corporation?tid…>accepted Hansen's invitation, though he made clear he does not foresee calling off plans to build more of the power plants that Hansen considers a main culprit in climate change. The exchange, carried out in full public view, highlights both a recent shift in the climate debate and the difficulty of translating this change into concrete action. Rogers does not question humans' contribution to global warming, and he has pledged to largely "decarbonize" his company's operations by mid-century. But he is not moving as fast as environmental activists would like, and some academics are now arguing that scientists have greatly underestimated the technological leap that will be required in coming decades to curb dangerous warming. The same day Rogers informed Hansen that he was willing to meet, Roger Pielke Jr., a scientist at the University of Colorado at Boulder<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/University+of+Colorado+at+B…>, co-wrote a commentary piece in the journal Nature<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Nature+Publishing+Group?tid…>that said the U.N.<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/United+Nations?tid=informli…> Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Intergovernmental+Panel+on+…>has made assumptions about technological advances that are "optimistic at best and unachievable at worst" when it comes to increasing energy efficiency. While industrialized nations such as the United States and those in Europe<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Europe?tid=informline>have made gains in recent years, developed nations such as China <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/China?tid=informline>and India <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/India?tid=informline>have not. As Pielke and his colleagues wrote, "In recent years, global energy intensity and carbon intensity have both increased, reversing the trends of previous decades." Even developed countries are not cutting greenhouse gases as fast as they had anticipated. The European Union<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/European+Union?tid=informli…>released preliminary data last week indicating that emissions from facilities covered by Europe's cap-and-trade system rose 1 percent in 2007, instead of declining. That means it will be harder than expected for companies to meet tighter emissions limits this year. The report sent prices for emissions permits for December 2008 up 4 percent, to $36.60 a ton on the European Climate Exchange in London<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/London?tid=informline>. Hansen, who directs NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said in an interview that the United States and other countries could wean themselves off coal rapidly if they put a greater emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable resources. He recently submitted a paper to the journal Science saying that the world must reduce the current level of carbon dioxide-equivalents in the atmosphere from 385 parts per million to 350 parts per million to avoid dangerous effects of climate change. "We simply cannot burn the coal and put the CO2in the atmosphere and avoid having serious changes in the atmosphere," he said. "The scientists are beginning to realize we have to have a much more dramatic change in direction." Former vice president Al Gore<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Al+Gore?tid=informline>said in an interview last week that he backs Hansen's approach, with one modification: Because carbon capture and storage technology is still not widely available, he said, "I think we ought to have a moratorium on any coal-fired power plant that doesn't have the capacity to capture carbon." But Rogers, who praised Hansen as "an early voice in the wilderness" on climate change, said the scientist's demand reflects a "snap-your-fingers, instant transition of the economy" mind-set. "My requirement is to balance reliability, affordability and clean energy," Rogers said. "He's apparently focused on the clean perspective." In his letter, Hansen took aim at two of Duke's planned power plants, in Cliffside, N.C.<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/North+Carolina?tid=informli…>, and Edwardsport, Ind.<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Indiana?tid=informline>, telling Rogers: "Your suggestion that new, more efficient coal-fired power plants, which do not capture CO2, can be part of a solution ignores the basic facts and urgency of terminating coal emissions." Rogers responded that he will be shutting down 1,000 megawatts of capacity from older power plants as part of the Cliffside project, and that the Edwardsport facility is a commercial coal-gasification plant that "is located in an area with excellent geology" to experiment with technologies for capturing carbon dioxide emissions and storing them underground. Americans are not the only ones puzzling through the transition from a coal-dependent to a low-carbon energy supply. Rachel Crisp, deputy director of Britain<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/United+Kingdom?tid=informli…>'s cleaner fossil fuels unit, said last week that her country had just picked nine candidates for its first carbon capture and storage plant, but that other than Norway<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Norway?tid=informline>, "you don't have other countries lining up and investing serious funding" in this technology. "We're going forward with ours, so we'll see how it turns out," she said. -- 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: Next Coal Activists Call Wednesday, April 9th
by Paul Wilson 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Pls fwd to other Sierra Club members that may have an interest in our Coal work. thanks, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alice McKeown <Alice.McKeown(a)sierraclub.org> To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 16:39:00 -0400 Subject: Next Coal Activists Call Wednesday, April 9th Please join the National Coal Campaign for our next monthly coal activist coal on Wednesday, April 9th at 8:00 p.m. eastern. Please come prepared to talk to us about Earth Day activities, from ideas we have on making coal a big issue to events you have planned in your local communities. We will also welcome two guests to the call who will tell us about an exciting new Coal Film Festival. 866 501 6174 224 0743# Agenda 1. Legal Update: Pat Gallagher & Bruce Nilles 2. Coal Film Festival Announcement: Adrienne Bramhall (Sierra Club Productions) and Nithin Coca (Grassroots Media Organizer) 3. Sharing Earth Day Plans: Verena Owen to lead discussion 4. Open Forum Also, please make sure to check out our Coal Headquarters on Clubhouse for any coal-related needs. http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/coal/Default.aspx Many thanks, Alice ________________________________ Alice McKeown Sierra Club National Coal Campaign tel: 202.675.6271 fax: 202.547.6009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Blood For Oil
by Regina Hendrix 04 Apr '08

04 Apr '08

Here in one place is the full disclosure of Bush's Blood for Oil Program. Check out Maya Schenwar's "Managing the Econoccuption of Iraq." http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/040408J.shtml More oil would lessen the demand for "clean coal" but what a price to pay and one hell of a dilemma for those of us living in the coalfields and those of us on the periphery in the Kanawha Valley choking on the blue haze....... Regina

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