EC August 2008

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

12 participants
60 discussions

Re: [EC] Excom: Resolutions and State of Chapter
by Michael Price 17 Aug '08

17 Aug '08

I agree with Jim. We have in the USW a simular way of submiting resolutions for the International Conventions. And belive me it is almost impossible to get any resolution passed. The ExComm of the USW rejects 99% of resolutions. mike ===================== From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> Date: 2008/08/17 Sun PM 07:02:07 EDT To: duane330(a)aol.com, freesource(a)cheat.org, klastone(a)cisunix.unh.edu, blittle(a)citynet.net, kgrubb(a)fairmontstate.edu, monwimmer(a)gmail.com, nate.askins(a)gmail.com, pjgrunt(a)gmail.com, sandra.cress(a)gmail.com, william.depaulo(a)gmail.com, mdavis(a)hsc.wvu.edu, daves(a)labyrinth.net, allantweddle(a)msn.com, bill.price(a)sierraclub.org, greyhawkwv(a)verizon.net, regina1936(a)verizon.net, carve(a)wirefire.com, jkotcon(a)wvu.edu, bhaddaka(a)yahoo.com, brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com, jim_scon(a)yahoo.com, sallywilts(a)yahoo.com Cc: ec(a)osenergy.org Subject: Re: Excom: Resolutions and State of Chapter Jonathon, et al. The "Resolutions" process appears to be the work of a bureaucratic mindset from people who have too little to do and too big an impression of their own power. Unless someone can convince me that this is truly needed, I recommend that we oppose this. My main concern is that this is the type of thing that old-timers would develop to stifle dissent and inhibit newcomers. Volunteers who are primarily focussed on saving the planet have better things to do with their time than file the proper paeprwork in triplicate two hours in advance of the meeting. I am sure they mean well, but one of the things our Chapter needs is less time spent on this kind of bureaucracy, and more time spent on advancing environmental protection activities. With regard to the Chapter assessment, we have some very good goals, but we need more help in translating complex technical/legal issues into grass-roots volunteer-building campaigns. The Wilderness Campaign was doing that, and we have been making some progress with other grassroots groups on energy issues, but mostly we are on the defensive against what the other guys are doing, and need to find ways to work our issues on the turf where we are strongest. Waiting for Allegheny and AEP to file an application on PATH is not a good way to win those battles, as we will spend the bulk of our resources in an arena where the other side has all the aces. Hope these tidbits help. I will not be able to attend the ExCom next weekend. JBK >>> Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org> 08/15/08 3:19 PM >>> I am the Delegate for WVSC to the Annual Sierra Club Council Meeting this September. Attached are two documents. The first, INFO_ResolutionsProcess.pdf describes the procedure to apply in writing a Resolution that would be submitted to National at the meeting. If there is a resolution you'd really like to see passed on a National level, this is a great opportunity, so please bring it to the next ExCom, and email it to both Jim Sconyers and me, regardless of whether or not you can attend the ExCom. The second, State-of-the-Chapter.pdf, explains what information National wants about the State of our Chapter, i.e., Conservation Goals, Working Relationships, Budget & Finances, and Other Resource Needs. Please bring input on the various areas that apply to you at the next ExCom meeting, and email both Jim and me regardless of whether or not you can attend the ExCom. This is another great opportunity to express to National what we as a Chapter need in order to succeed. Thanks! -Jonathan

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Re: [EC] ExCom draft agenda 8.2008
by Regina Hendrix 17 Aug '08

17 Aug '08

FYI, I've had several calls regarding the Marcellus Shale drilling. I heard from a lady in Pendleton County, Lou Ann Smith. She is very concerned and is organizing in her area. I understand from talking with her today that Clarke Barnes and Mike Ross have gotten involved and are meeting with people in the area. Unfortunately, Lou Ann does not have an E-Mail contact. Regina Jim Sconyers wrote: > Attached is a draft agenda for the upcoming WVSC ExCom meeting. Please > let me know of any additions or changes. > > Jim Sconyers > jim_scon(a)yahoo.com > 603.969.6712 > > Remember: Mother Nature bats last. > >

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[Fwd: [fom] Progressive Dems of WV's Front Page: Coal River Wind]
by Regina Hendrix 17 Aug '08

17 Aug '08

FYI

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[Fwd: Re: [fom] Hobet mine permit deal approved; Layoffs averted at mountaintop-removal site on Boone-Lincoln county line]
by Regina Hendrix 17 Aug '08

17 Aug '08

Much, much anger about what Patriot did! This is the second time we've been had like this. This is what we can expect unless we get a 30-day review period before the permit is issued. Even so, I predict they'll be looking for ways to circumvent that. I sure hope we can effectively monitor the selenium. Regina

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Re: [EC] Excom: Resolutions and State of Chapter
by James Kotcon 17 Aug '08

17 Aug '08

Jonathon, et al. The "Resolutions" process appears to be the work of a bureaucratic mindset from people who have too little to do and too big an impression of their own power. Unless someone can convince me that this is truly needed, I recommend that we oppose this. My main concern is that this is the type of thing that old-timers would develop to stifle dissent and inhibit newcomers. Volunteers who are primarily focussed on saving the planet have better things to do with their time than file the proper paeprwork in triplicate two hours in advance of the meeting. I am sure they mean well, but one of the things our Chapter needs is less time spent on this kind of bureaucracy, and more time spent on advancing environmental protection activities. With regard to the Chapter assessment, we have some very good goals, but we need more help in translating complex technical/legal issues into grass-roots volunteer-building campaigns. The Wilderness Campaign was doing that, and we have been making some progress with other grassroots groups on energy issues, but mostly we are on the defensive against what the other guys are doing, and need to find ways to work our issues on the turf where we are strongest. Waiting for Allegheny and AEP to file an application on PATH is not a good way to win those battles, as we will spend the bulk of our resources in an arena where the other side has all the aces. Hope these tidbits help. I will not be able to attend the ExCom next weekend. JBK >>> Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org> 08/15/08 3:19 PM >>> I am the Delegate for WVSC to the Annual Sierra Club Council Meeting this September. Attached are two documents. The first, INFO_ResolutionsProcess.pdf describes the procedure to apply in writing a Resolution that would be submitted to National at the meeting. If there is a resolution you'd really like to see passed on a National level, this is a great opportunity, so please bring it to the next ExCom, and email it to both Jim Sconyers and me, regardless of whether or not you can attend the ExCom. The second, State-of-the-Chapter.pdf, explains what information National wants about the State of our Chapter, i.e., Conservation Goals, Working Relationships, Budget & Finances, and Other Resource Needs. Please bring input on the various areas that apply to you at the next ExCom meeting, and email both Jim and me regardless of whether or not you can attend the ExCom. This is another great opportunity to express to National what we as a Chapter need in order to succeed. Thanks! -Jonathan

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Fwd: PATH meeting in Berkeley County
by James Kotcon 17 Aug '08

17 Aug '08

Route for PATH Causes Static Morgan residents voice concern over proposed power line By Jenni Vincent / Journal Staff Writer POSTED: August 15, 2008 (javascript:PopupPic('Photo=509411_1.jpg')) Citizen activist Jerry Berman receives many positive responses Thursday night from people who share his concerns about the proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline. Berman is shown seated at right while talking to people at an open house in Morgan County. (Journal photo by Jenni Vincent) Editor's note: An article with the response of electric utility officials who attended Thursday night's open house on the proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline is scheduled to be published in Saturday's edition of The Journal. BERKELEY SPRINGS - Citizen activist Jerry Berman was constantly busy at Thursday night's informational session on the proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, handing out cards to others who share his concerns about the new high-voltage power line. "You know, the electric utilities may have thought that they could just schedule this meeting at the last minute and slip it through - that no one living here would have much to say about this power line," Berman said. "But they thought wrong. We are not going to the take the path of least resistance, we're not going to take the PATH at all," he said, pausing as he gestured toward a large pile of cards filled out by people asking for additional information on the power line. Berman, who was wearing a name card that read "Citizens Against PATH," wasn't the only citizen protesting at the event. Organizers said people started arriving well before the event officially began at 5 p.m. The Homestead Restaurant - where the open house took place - was quickly filled up and folks parked all the way down the long driveway to where it meets U.S. 522. There was a line of residents waiting to enter the restaurant, with many people waiting 45 minutes or more outside as they waited their turn. Abby Chapple of the Friends of the Cacapon River worked alongside Berman, giving out literature highlighting the region's historical and natural resources. Working together, the pair urged dozens of folks to sign an online petition against the proposed power line that would run from St. Albans, near Charleston, to the Bedington substation northeast of Martinsburg. It would then continue from Bedington to a new substation to be built at Kemptown, southeast of Frederick, Md. PATH, at an estimated cost of $1.8 billion, is a joint venture by Allegheny Energy and American Electric Power. Chapple, former president and current vice president/treasurer of the Friends of the Cacapon River, said she's seen enough about the power line's possible route to be worried about its impact. "The way it may go up along the west side of Cacapon Mountain would be a disaster because it would hit something like 50 little streams. That would be just disastrous for the Cacapon River," Chapple said. "Also Route 9 is the Washington Heritage Trail, so it is historic and they shouldn't be allowed to impact that in any way," she said. "Beyond that, all the way over to Sidling Hill, it will impact the viewshed and be absolutely a disaster." If a new power line is constructed, the "corridor" of an existing line should be used, Chapple said. "We are going to demand that PATH stay on its present path. No new path for PATH," she said. Although pleased with Thursday night's response, Chapple said that she's working to get 5,000 signatures, "to show the company that we know what's going on with their proposal." The online petition can be found at _www.thepetitionsite.com._ (http://www.thepetitionsite.com./) Under search petitions, "PATH" can be typed in, in order to find the one sponsored by Friends of the Cacapon River. Close by on Thursday, protester Laura Steepleton of Berkeley Springs held a sign that read "Keep West Virginia Wild and Wonderful." Steepleton said she has a wide range of concerns, including the proposed power line's impact on nature as well as people's homes. She agreed that it represents a potential threat to the Cacapon River, especially since construction work may send sediment into its waters. "And I can't help but have my concerns about the electromagnetic field associated with a high-voltage line like this one," she said. "They say it's no more than your household appliance but I have a hard time believing that." Vernon Estel, Allegheny Energy's director of transmission projects, said it is important to remember that no final decisions have been made on PATH's route. His counterpart, Ron Poff of American Electric Power, said that might not happen until late this year. The utility officials hope to file an application with the state Public Service Commission, including the "preferred route," in December. "But the final decision, including the route for PATH, will be up to the commission members," Poff said. **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Jetta-2009/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00… )

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Updatd ExCom agenda 8.2008
by Jim Sconyers 17 Aug '08

17 Aug '08

Here is an updated agenda for the upcoming ExCom meeting. Note that it's a pretty full agenda. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last.

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Excom: Resolutions and State of Chapter
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 15 Aug '08

15 Aug '08

I am the Delegate for WVSC to the Annual Sierra Club Council Meeting this September. Attached are two documents. The first, INFO_ResolutionsProcess.pdf describes the procedure to apply in writing a Resolution that would be submitted to National at the meeting. If there is a resolution you'd really like to see passed on a National level, this is a great opportunity, so please bring it to the next ExCom, and email it to both Jim Sconyers and me, regardless of whether or not you can attend the ExCom. The second, State-of-the-Chapter.pdf, explains what information National wants about the State of our Chapter, i.e., Conservation Goals, Working Relationships, Budget & Finances, and Other Resource Needs. Please bring input on the various areas that apply to you at the next ExCom meeting, and email both Jim and me regardless of whether or not you can attend the ExCom. This is another great opportunity to express to National what we as a Chapter need in order to succeed. Thanks! -Jonathan

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FW: [wvec-board] APCO to buy electricity from Greenbrier wind farm
by Grubb, Karen 14 Aug '08

14 Aug '08

From: wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com [mailto:wvec-board@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Frank Young Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 11:56 AM To: wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com; WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com Cc: Duane330(a)aol.com; Bill DePaulo Subject: [wvec-board] APCO to buy electricity from Greenbrier wind farm APCO to buy electricity from Greenbrier wind farm By The Associated Press <mailto:> CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Appalachian Power Co. plans to buy electricity from a wind farm that's being developed in Greenbrier County. Appalachian Power's parent, Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power, announced the 20-year purchase agreement with Beech Ridge Energy LLC on Thursday. AEP says Appalachian Power plans to buy between and 100 and 147 megawatts, the entire output of the 186-megawatt project's first phase. The deal is subject to approval from the state Public Service Commission. AEP says it also hinges on renewal of the federal production tax credit for renewable energy for 2009. http://www.wvgazette.com/latest/200808140288

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Mitchell plant "declarants"
by Jim Sconyers 14 Aug '08

14 Aug '08

Hi folks- We (WVSC) need "declarants" for the Mitchell plant lawsuit - power plant violating selenium limits. Declarant means someone reasonably local who could be affected by the violation - in essence anyone residing nearby. The Mitchell plant is in Cresap, WV, which is about 5 miles from Moundsville. Question: do you know anyone who fits the above description? If so could you let me know please? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last.

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EC August 2008