EC January 2009

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

14 participants
28 discussions

Fw: Plugged In: The New Energy Secretary Answers Your Questions
by Jim Sconyers 21 Jan '09

21 Jan '09

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Wed, 1/21/09, Sierra Club <global.warming(a)sierraclub.org> wrote: From: Sierra Club <global.warming(a)sierraclub.org> Subject: Plugged In: The New Energy Secretary Answers Your Questions To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 3:13 PM Sierra Club #yiv1988065343 #yiv1988065343 .normal, #yiv1988065343 , #yiv1988065343 p, #yiv1988065343 td, #yiv1988065343 tr, #yiv1988065343 h1, #yiv1988065343 h2, #yiv1988065343 h3, #yiv1988065343 h4, #yiv1988065343 h5, #yiv1988065343 h6, #yiv1988065343 ul, #yiv1988065343 li, #yiv1988065343 div, #yiv1988065343 input, #yiv1988065343 textarea, #yiv1988065343 option, #yiv1988065343 select { font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:normal;} #yiv1988065343 .normal, #yiv1988065343 , #yiv1988065343 p, #yiv1988065343 td, #yiv1988065343 tr, #yiv1988065343 li, #yiv1988065343 div, #yiv1988065343 input, #yiv1988065343 textarea, #yiv1988065343 option, #yiv1988065343 select {font-size:12px;} #yiv1988065343 .normal {color:#000000;} #yiv1988065343 {background-color:#FFFFFF;} #yiv1988065343 #yiv1988065343 a {color:#333366;} #yiv1988065343 a:visited {color:#666666;} #yiv1988065343 a:hover {color:#3333ff;} #yiv1988065343 #yiv1988065343 .blackborder {border-color:#000000;} #yiv1988065343 #yiv1988065343 .smalltext {font-size:10px;} #yiv1988065343 .verysmalltext {font-size:9px;} #yiv1988065343 #yiv1988065343 H1, #yiv1988065343 .header { font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:700;} #yiv1988065343 .issueheader { margin-bottom:5px;color:#669900;} #yiv1988065343 #yiv1988065343 H2, #yiv1988065343 .subtitle { font-size:12px;color:#669900;font-weight:700; } 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: Talking Clean Energy In the States: Utah Tar Sands, Texas Nuclear Waste and South Carolina Coal News and Resources: Energy Efficiency, Coal Ash Threats, and Massachusetts Wind Power Federal New Energy Dept Secretary Talks Renewables, Smart Grid, and More The new Department of Energy Secretary, Dr. Steven Chu, has been checking the Change.gov website comments on clean energy and global warming, and recently gave his responses via YouTube. He covered temperature increases, a smart national energy grid, and more. Pretty interesting stuff! In the States Teaming Up To Fight Tar Sands in Utah The Sierra Club and the Indigenous Environmental Network are fighting an unprecedented project that would bring one of the dirtiest forms of energy extraction in the world to eastern Utah. The proposed Antelope Creek tar sands oil project threatens to disrupt wildlife, poison and dry up rivers, and imperil human health with hazardous air pollutants. The project would also produce an exorbitant amount of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. In an effort to prevent these impacts, the groups filed a lawsuit in Utah federal district court last week. The suit challenges approval of the tar sands project by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, which manages the land slated for the development. Read more about the Antelope Creek tar sands in this news release. Next Stop for Nuclear Waste: Texas Here's a story flying under the radar. You may have thought Nevada's Yucca Mountain was the only destination for nuclear waste -- not true. According to the Associated Press, “Texas environmental regulators approved a plan last week to dispose of low-level radioactive waste from around the country at a remote site near the New Mexico border." Our Lone Star Chapter is working hard against this decision -- letting us know that the environmental analysis of the site and this decision were not completed. The chapter folks say that while Yucca Mountain grabs the headlines, the country's nuke waste will now quietly head to this private dump site in West Texas. They add that when fully developed, this decision could mean two train loads of waste each week through 2015 through undisclosed U.S. cities and into this Texas desert facility. Shocking and true. We will keep you posted on further developments! South Carolina Forms Coalition Against Coal The Sierra Club of South Carolina is leading the charge in fighting a 1300 MW dirty coal plant proposed for the Pee Dee River area. In January, National Coal Campaign Director Bruce Nilles joined them for the launch of their "SC Says NO" coalition kickoff. Chapter director John Ramsbaugh said the groups have been getting great publicity. The members recently led a delegation to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control board hearing where the coalition's formal request for a board review of the air permit was on the docket. Their presence was acknowledged by board members and the request for a board hearing on the air permit was granted for Feb. 12. Stay tuned! News and Resources -- America's Untapped Energy Resource: Energy Efficiency (Time magazine) -- Ash Storage in Mines Threatens Groundwater (E&E News) -- Massachusetts Governor Unveils Big Push for Wind Power (Forbes) 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 Club Insider, 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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Fwd: PGC wind energy report
by James Kotcon 19 Jan '09

19 Jan '09

Here is a report on Pennsylvania's wind farm wildlife impacts. It does tend to reinforce our findings from West Virginia sites, and it is a little more current and comprehensive than anything I have seen in WV. The Pennsylvania Game Commission now requires one year of pre-construction bird and bat surveys, and two years of post-construction surveys. The WV PSC has tended toward 3 years of post-construction surveys, so we are a little more stringent than PA in that regard. Now if we can only get the same requirement for coal-fired power plants, transmission lines, and MTR strip mines. JBK ----- Forwarded by Paula Carrell/Sierraclub on 01/15/2009 01:54 PM ----- Jeff Schmidt <jeff.schmidt(a)sierraclub.org> 01/15/2009 09:56 AM Please respond to Jeff Schmidt <jeff.schmidt(a)sierraclub.org> Attached you will find the PA Game Commission's report on their wind energy "Voluntary Cooperator's Agreement" and the sucesses and failure of working with the various wind energy companies in siting wind facilities in PA. The report contains a lot of valuable data, and is a window into the current status of wind energy in PA. Jeff

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Re: [EC] [fom] Sierra Club Press Release / Rahall
by Michael Price 16 Jan '09

16 Jan '09

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Re: [EC] [fom] Sierra Club Press Release / Rahall
by Regina Hendrix 16 Jan '09

16 Jan '09

I'm here to confirm what Bo says about Rep. Rahall and we have one hell of a job yet to do in educating his constituents in the Third Congressional District because they re-elect him year after year, which could be a good thing if he had their best interests at heart. As House Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Rahall is in a position to be a champion for the environment and has in the past advocated for projects that environmentalists have supported and worked for, such as preservation of more acreage of wilderness in the Mon. His work has been a blessing and a curse because the good he has done obfuscates his support on behalf of "clean" coal and the politically well-placed coal whores in WV, of which there are many. Rahall is rude and dismissive of his constituents when they lobby on behalf of the environment of So. WV. He is totally in support of mountaintop removal and has done everything he can to promote and facilitate that method of coal extraction. He doesn't care to hear about the problems at Marsh Fork Elementary. He apparently is not concerned that an MTR site is being permitted in his District that will be visible from the New River Gorge (one of WV's most attractive tourist areas). He certainly has no regard for the coalfield population that has been sickened or forced to leave their homes to make way for MTR. He does not care that family cemeteries are being blown away. He supports "clean coal" wholeheartedly and obviously is not concerned about global warming. How do we educate enough of the citizens in the Third District to remove Rahall from the House of Representatives? Any ideas, anyone out there? Our nationwide work to stop global warming and dispel the myth of "clean" coal would be a lot easier if Rahall were replaced by a member who placed the needs of his constituents first. Regina Hendrix bo webb wrote: > Hello Bruce, > I mean no disrespect towards you or the Sierra Club. You are are > doing great work and I am much appreciative of that. I live in > Rahall's district and directly beneath a mountaintop removal > operation, just over the ridge from Marsh Fork Elementary School. We > have had years of experience with Rahall of which none has been good. > I'm here to tell you and everyone that this Rahall proposal is nothing > more than a ruse, a necessary response by Rahall and the coal industry > with the intended purpose of deflecting national attention on dirty > coal. Introduce a quick congressional non solution, say a couple of > words about TVA and everyone forgets about it, and it's back to > business as usual. If congress were actually doing the people's work > toxic coal waste dams wouldn't be hovering over Appalachian elementary > schools and communities. Rahall is the worst of the worst. > > Bo Webb > Naoma, WV > > > > -- > "No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it." > Albert Einstein > >

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FW: Green For All testifies in Congress
by Grubb, Karen 15 Jan '09

15 Jan '09

From: Julian McQueen, Green For All [mailto:team@greenforall.org] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:07 PM To: Grubb, Karen Subject: Green For All testifies in Congress Karen, <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=cofjoCbx5tViac48u%2FV…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=cofjoCbx5tViac48u%2FV…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=cofjoCbx5tViac48u%2FV…> Right now, Green For All's President Van Jones is testifying before Congress at a hearing on green jobs and the economic stimulus. Read his testimony here <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qaCNpE%2Bc2yuayMHI6yg…> . At the hearing, Jones will dispel several myths about green jobs, and urge Congress to "move aggressively from inspiration to implementation" - starting with fully funding the Green Jobs Act. The hearing is held by the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, chaired by climate champion Rep. Ed Markey, and will focus on creating jobs and stimulating the economy through renewable energy and energy efficiency. <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=sp9RjhY9prXE6Vd06V%2F…> <http://www.greenforall.org/images/actnow_new.jpg> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=sp9RjhY9prXE6Vd06V%2F…> Join Green For All in telling Congress to Green the Stimulus <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TIFNK6jhnKxiKjbJV7cIU…> . More than 11,000 people have already sent letters to their representatives. Take Action today, and pass along to your friends. ________________________________ <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ZqCbSmTNTawl0HgUJ0%2F…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ZqCbSmTNTawl0HgUJ0%2F…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ZqCbSmTNTawl0HgUJ0%2F…> The Top 10 Green For All Highlights of 2008 Here at Green For All, we took a moment to reflect on all the amazing things that, together with you and our other allies, we were able to accomplish in 2008. From The Dream Reborn to the Clean Energy Corps, here's our list: Read our top 10 Highlights of 2008 <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KwuLPGCqQ0ArFiQS6IDyy…> ________________________________ <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=sw3UmPs038nMTjTe9IbPs…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=sw3UmPs038nMTjTe9IbPs…> <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=sw3UmPs038nMTjTe9IbPs…> New funding opportunity for green jobs training A grant from the Living Cities initiative will award up to $300,000 to collaborative efforts in green jobs training programs. Funds will be given to private/public partnerships that prepare workers for employment in energy efficiency, retrofitting, renewable energy, and/or green building. The deadline for email notifications of intent is January 23rd, 2009. Learn more and download The Clean Energy Sector Jobs Initiative Request for Proposals <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jDwfQvOlKqo0v4bhGjOcw…> . ________________________________ Julian Mocine-McQueen Green For All Having trouble seeing this email? View it as a web page <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=tag9FUL%2Fx3P2HVJZYQm…> . Web Bug from http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/TrackImage?key=48113045<http://www.mailscanner.tv/1x1spacer.gif>

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Re: [EC] FW: Green For All testifies in Congress
by Michael Price 15 Jan '09

15 Jan '09

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Fwd: News from the CoalSwarm wiki
by Paul Wilson 14 Jan '09

14 Jan '09

fyi, did anybody else receive this? paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: CoalSwarm <tednace(a)sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, Jan 13, 2009 at 7:35 PM Subject: News from the CoalSwarm wiki To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com [image: 5 bee logo] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Update on the CoalSwarm wiki * January 2009 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *In this issue* CoalSwarm Turns One <#11ed2907bc01d489_LETTER.BLOCK4> What Happened to the 151 Proposed Coal Plants? <#11ed2907bc01d489_LETTER.BLOCK5> Next Step: Phasing out the Existing Coal Fleet <#11ed2907bc01d489_LETTER.BLOCK6> March 2 - Protest at the Capitol Power Plant <#11ed2907bc01d489_LETTER.BLOCK7> Focus on Michigan <#11ed2907bc01d489_LETTER.BLOCK8> CoalSwarm on Grist<#11ed2907bc01d489_LETTER.BLOCK9> Recent Additions to the CoalSwarm Wiki <#11ed2907bc01d489_LETTER.BLOCK10> CoalSwarm Turns One ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This month marks the completion of the first year of the collaboration between CoalSwarm<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrsGndhvwRmjP6ZaptpVlVsakmBBbZ2cbwpPEhl…>and the Center for Media and Democracy<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpZ-ExKasX9SJy-lh-5FdF-frME0z7WiNzDodLs…>to create a wiki-based information clearinghouse on coal issues. To date, over 1,000 articles<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoJF1qAn6p0N5to4pHBj0z1nwwYTMfuFEuYB0QD…>have been created on a range of topics from "Alabama and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrMpI94Ve1gpXOj9TEFGny2OfGWQNEyukgBforx…>" to "ZeroGen<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqVBpqqPaY5XqZfwXXdXLa6h2fhtimtJSrccRM-…>." Profiles include: 300 proposed coal plants<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpKkATMzLrE-wQzyg6XaItbPzutjG-7KW7Dgk_Q…>in 17 countries and 43 states; 121 power companies and agencies<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqP-1NasTwKcS0RBv7PxJluV9FbplEz1r8xwf6t…>; 47 coal mining companies and agencies<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqV0CN-U6mFBo3ewNbGJtBr_TZrDoDa4ETRgU0O…>; 25 key private sector decision makers on coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoK5EJJ9y7Pc9w54RHv2yPSVLg_I_4NM87J-vtp…>; 47 coal lobbying, trade, and PR groups<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqC5qM35nqUM8uwWENjYB8w7SL572ot8EmQBQ6F…>; 269 citizen groups<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpUBU-cKFo5SZYPCfEIb0v3gDDz37v6W_BAAinN…>; 137 journalists<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpzg4TdHny4cwmCORk2UF3KbS_svc9_mtEM_kkj…>, 70 nonviolent direct action protests<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDorDbcTJTi2WGSQockUf_5_d9rL1P2GEjtyNt2I…>. Over 17,000 people have visited the CoalSwarm portal page<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDp7GFWJExrgVpe-LecjqLmGXDtBkqk6UJ4OmMKy…>, and hundreds of thousands have visited various articles, most arriving via Google and other search engines. By establishing CoalSwarm as a portal within SourceWatch, a five-year-old wiki that initially focused on corporate spin before branching out into additional topics, we've gained the advantage of SourceWatch's considerable "Google juice." This means that for many terms, from "coal plant cancellations" to "coal moratorium," to "Michigan and coal," CoalSwarm's articles are among the first items to appear in a Google search. With the help of a growing network of wiki reporters, CoalSwarm continues to improved its coverage of coal issues by state<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDp3n8BTlq6elcOYnDOcfgGUOtGNUMQwpkunmDAt…>or country<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoHCwOI1kdVfR1BNeToezOHhnHvLv0inIpL0RJp…>as well as by plant<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDo3_yJhUBpCOyPz2reqHiuVJfa5CL0_UhYf5K4Z…>. Currently, the reporter network includes Bob Burton (international), Meilin Chinn (Western states), Colleen Cronin (New England), Mark Smith and Beth Wellington (Appalachia), Cindy Klein (Upper Midwest), Mary Mitchell (Upper Midwest), Peter Sinclair (Michigan), Kaethin Prizer (general topics), and Ted Nace (general topics). CoalSwarm also shares research and coverage with SourceWatch's new Climate Change<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpzGYn85lFfXmQ_Qv4pxYzh79LU1Rfp6XthXbUe…>portal. What Happened to the 151 Proposed Coal Plants? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The first project undertaken by CoalSwarm was to document and track the 151 proposed coal plants listed by the Department of Energy in the spring of 2007. Our January 2008 report<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqRTw48lphl-vtNWPgvnhas64H5W-FPqOg_AXAh…>revealed a more intense slowdown (59 plants cancelled, abandoned, or on hold) than had previously been reported in the media. Our latest status report <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqvCjyAh2DzEwfkiX8GQpQIBrpd_sU3p13a5d2c…>(November 2008) showed that the slowdown continues, with at least 82 of the 151 projects cancelled, abandoned, or on hold. In fact, the full number of plants on the cancelled/abandoned/hold list has actually reached 117, including proposals not included in the DOE's May 2007 survey. Nor does that number include the additional delays caused by the EPA Deseret ruling<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDq6lozTPfAxN1mN5b3o9spiyRvSElnFqgGBfxHx…>. While it is premature to announce that the coal boom is over, it is fair to say that the expansion of coal has certainly been blunted. Total U.S. coal-fired summer generating capacity<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqqW8YCKrAMPQpqa5he5iuPF7dIJAKyjrkJ66Pf…>in 2007 was 309,913 megawatts (MW), virtually unchanged from the 310,198 MW of capacity reported in 2000. Although seven power plants totaling 3,333 MW came online from 2000 through 2007, roughly an equal amount of capacity was retired during the same period. Next Step: Phasing Out the Existing Coal Fleet ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Even though the anti-coal movement will have to continue fighting new plant proposals for years to come, it is time to also spur discussion about how to phase out the existing fleet of 500 coal-fired plants, which NASA's climate scientists say must happen by 2030<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqCmHAIIvX6F5M0OV-9TCfpah2SKdtM_uJbDb1R…>. Because these plants, once built, are so cheap to operate, neither a carbon tax nor a cap-and-trade system can be relied upon to shut them down.Additional measures will be needed. The billion-gallon fly ash spill<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrvXuLizIyl87jfs1EvKbOuzUR8WQqqWKlQNXLt…>at the 53-year-old Kingston Fossil Plant<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrSjjUzVeh3OQGJyZEl9FPgMqNnj0GCH6XObC_N…>in Tennessee illustrates just one of the many forms of environmental damage produced by these aging plants, half of which were built before 1967. Laying the groundwork for creating a movement aimed at phasing out existing coal will be a major priority for CoalSwarm in the coming year. Our Grist article "Meet the Boomers"<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqcT578fxg7dIEnFNiS6DeYw8hlXeiqlaX5cOk3…>and our wiki pages "Coal phase-out<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpJQzsxPuCcCSnCKwXfh0Wp2MhMCEMlNBKZae1a…>" and "Existing U.S. Coal Plants<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqq5cumdLWQOnLR2ACC-14wqlkAA0CN_UBeFKvU…>" provide basic data on why a phase-out over the next two decades is necessary in order to prevent runaway global warming, as well as how a phase-out might be organized. March 2 - Protest at the Capitol Power Plant ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Direct action protests against coal are accelerating, with over 41 in the past year.<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDorDbcTJTi2WGSQockUf_5_d9rL1P2GEjtyNt2I…>Now the first national protest against coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpnmNSc0O7niohSYZJb5GtKJ6_gCDojjAbGYwXy…>is being planned by a coalition of 34 groups<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoZk7kHPf_MbSlf9j4W6HG1wplvXZuhVbylw4Nx…>for March 2nd at the Capitol Power Plant in Washington, D.C. Although this 99-year-old plant has not produced electricity since 1952 (just steam and refrigeration for the Capitol complex), it continues to spew inordinate quantities of particulates and other pollution in the midst of a densely populated metropolitan area, including 65 percent of all the PM2.5 particulates emitted by point sources in D.C. As detailed in CoalSwarm's article on the Capitol Power Plant<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpQYGBKXTTfepL3EpjD7_PSaKfszgCn-DrOXCdd…>, the contract to supply coal for the plant illustrates the money trail and inside connections that continue to distort public policy on coal issues. Under that contract, coal for the Capitol Power Plant is provided by a company owned by James "Buck" Harless<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrK_9kpM8WHqbtlFIQV5XAqtJS0fX1jQOcMHzHq…>, a "Pioneer" and "Ranger" contributor<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDo0tmCc7mgvT5iew7uMjWJZnD5fCgonpAmG0y0v…>to George W. Bush as well as a major contributor to Senators Mitch McConnell and Robert Byrd, two senior senators who have blocked efforts to green the Capitol Power Plant. Focus on Michigan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With more active coal plant proposals than any other Midwestern state, Michigan has become a hot-spot in the coal fight. Wiki reporter Peter Sinclair's articles (including Michigan and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoHnPJjuZI9I7Porvf6-4EVa9oQgCPDyTPmWL1Q…>, Wolverine Clean Energy Venture<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpXAEEv-6ibr7ZNXndqhuzuDLwCRi_CsZWPKJ_r…>, Midland Power Plant<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrIRSlbb0bWD9si5wXygqPP7JG_FDN5DCtxeY1w…>, Solar Energy in Michigan<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoO9ZCgbFxNWpfUyRU-UNmfckBnaYpFlKPc72Po…>, and Michigan wind energy<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpvbwc_oD2EqdRtR2mvZKCaHqtPeGQXginnR-ls…>) provide a comprehensive view of developments. Breaking news stories include Dynegy's<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrwZ5qJQ5v6m99rHx8N70aCO9GTVavdYA9VnZkr…>decision to dissolve its joint venture with LS Power, and reports that Governor Granholm may be close to announcing a moratorium on new coal plants. Stay tuned! CoalSwarm on Grist ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The urgency of the coal issue means there's no time to reinvent the wheel. Just as we've piggybacked our wiki onto the SourceWatch wiki, we've also piggybacked our blogging onto the most widely read online environmental journal, Grist. Since March, we've posted numerous articles<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoyYUX9xfqFEFJyayXjQWTw19yTkuu1riDK2VQW…>, including: - How the World Bank's misguided lending policies encourage coal plant construction ("The World's Dumbest Project"<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoDf-APe-_3ajd55xt0p1t6AmUpqtRsY53dpWPG…> ) - The effect of reduced electricity demand growth on power plant needs ("Poof! 132 coal plants disappear<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDp8aSYAaXdHHZXlbnt7x54tB_Is1kibLlAYN2Fr…> " - Surveying direct action around the U.S. on Fossil Fools Day<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqjQfyvJHddQ2m7rozgMKIEzDRXfFHan7fhx3dX…> - Sierra Club's Dynegy campaign<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDr87rwgk-nMKNiRXo2kOIKQGrtRHbZkRoNEZziJ…> - Why Warren Buffett cancelled six coal plants<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpZDHetZ7wYSIPXR2V7_f-E8kmske2ijo2WenX9…> - Activists target Bill Gates's support for Big Stone II<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDopEoOWth31jHuM-V28Zf0LRwGgx4cpLmhPd1HM…> - Carbon capture and storage gets slammed<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqK17kNOt5RYTHi2bA4Oh2GxvxVxSBpiVvqpN7N…> - The tremendous potential of thermal storage ("100 Miles of Mirrors<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrLYiHQzh24CK5NXStKkDKd959D73l649nJw6BQ…> ") - Polls show strong public support<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrg1Xnkjvbt996cmIZduN17o3rbnTjQtl8Vp539…>for a coal moratorium - The problem with California's definition of carbon capture ("Schwarzenegger's folly<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrG4VdXeadTg45W19obBFxzPGfJbXQKky5ga6Wd…> ") - How to phase out aging coal plants ("Meet the Boomers<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqcT578fxg7dIEnFNiS6DeYw8hlXeiqlaX5cOk3…> ") - The benefits of a keep-it-in-the-ground strategy ("The Case for a Coal Conservancy<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrZDsiAKvZEv04UKQBe_BGFdP3_csBAy26Ejlob…> ") - The upcoming Capitol Power Plant action<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpnmNSc0O7niohSYZJb5GtKJ6_gCDojjAbGYwXy…> - How the coal industry's "clean coal" campaign has led to more intense coverage of the Tennessee fly ash spill ("Blowback<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDotGwiYO2qhPYBdFcPkK7MDoN6ltmIS3ACQTDU8…> ") - "Sir Richard Branson: Hand over the $25 million<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqHtp2e8oe3k1ZSl01awUBFYvHdWR1M9i-Ll2N9…>" - Why the No New Coal Plants movement should be awarded the Virgin Earth Challenge prize Recent Additions to the CoalSwarm wiki ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The following is a partial list of articles recently created or expanded on the wiki: - The 2008 economic crisis and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqdfXlyuw9Im0zBE5cm3YSW6F2tNvxx7MnVMCvU…> - Aberthaw B Power Station<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoYq7GT9EOlR9DAyiPes-Yr2LcH8U_QtsdO6Z_5…> - American Municipal Power Generating Station<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDp9_Aj43aW1BuL_1d3pJIWZfsIFSUEu3D7Pwme0…> - American Electric Power<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDou2HrV6zkHR79H6Cq9xGJSCfOccZz6BwgwUgjE…> - Australia and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqr6PdLax1NCj3kmkMoCmnJUip53uHrfvkqo4mZ…> - Barack Obama statements on coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDppSOLAG-WyNhjpqJHgQQXDhOkZnlW2bjZjUWFG…> - Beech Hollow Energy Project<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDo33JkhqjMvS2WHyGj90VWbdtHPJ8YNKivfZW2d…> - Canada and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrhIlh3wpZJsmbk1DbwIRiBpF7VBgg_mGoWsD1B…> - Capitol Power Plant<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpQYGBKXTTfepL3EpjD7_PSaKfszgCn-DrOXCdd…> - Carbon Capture and Storage<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoFgbhk1XIZ3-ZrbxoGefTCMUFpYKtDEwQL30yz…> - Carbon trading<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqJCjoblmUQjI-ymRVqnn3jd95pUJE4qWVSsHXM…> - China and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDooZAB3vP-zHdp1ZoN2cJDg5TFUTIwsG4PuTPf7…> - Citizen groups working on coal issues<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpUBU-cKFo5SZYPCfEIb0v3gDDz37v6W_BAAinN…> - Clean Air Interstate Rule<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrcNDvMNWciYQZenO3Uw-JsTEhE4lbP1Jyu6gu_…> - Clean Coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDp0x7GLsdE_hXC1RtRRBstfIvTDMWLnRrbBCgvZ…> - Clean Coal Technology<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDq1lFIHphoDxsftAdHTVDCq0ajNhOiyRaDiEg_L…> - Clean Coal Technology Center<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpvdeR-cGXoDm8d7tJiZZMoxxlL6LzoF_W9JwP9…> - Clean Development Mechanism<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrXLpGETZFURUN_LdCy5O0cssEJZsL8ZIa47WCh…> - Coal Activist Videos<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoOCZHeg7vLVHKdTyd90e27kdM7m6dtsxsc2woc…> - Coal and jobs in the United States <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDo1iNijZKS3iBwmrxMOt3FEUD1APxoDJS_9Sm5s…> - Coal exports<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoA4XlBPuaOIgROxWJtkWOhCOy8F9Iavzz2W0mx…> - Coal Finance Day of Action<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDq65y-u6aZRvhnil-_SBCYBnmgglF4nP-ENMnHz…> - Coal-fired power plant capacity and generation<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqqW8YCKrAMPQpqa5he5iuPF7dIJAKyjrkJ66Pf…> - Coal Issues Calendar<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrUF_as_pS9AlcquIUhaK5_zqenddm4r5O8mDVD…> - Coal moratorium<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpug6i92PLHyhkvs4zpjM9akSxL0vkwUDLAd_f6…> - Coal phase-out<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpJQzsxPuCcCSnCKwXfh0Wp2MhMCEMlNBKZae1a…> - Coal plants cancelled in 2008<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDplIxcKpJIH_MepeZ7nuMZmpgq6h6_Bl2h7E34x…> - Coal plants cancelled in 2009<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrw2dabXyQEtYpmm7DPm37V4m0XBGCw9eUk3WWX…> - Coal power plant proposals in Germany<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqc4_3u4PtDVsqlhoKQqDtjaos5SNm-v4DmN_-u…> - Coal reserves<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrIL56Aqzxu5Bm7ZK2ceVOiOdOTY0va2gL1XhwV…> - Coal Studies<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpSl6EPBnggtHTGnn5fcJNSPPkTCvhv8GHITmtg…> - Coal waste<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDosr9Sy9RhCPq-K336NcV1BJ4XXoTwQ76g8dv9H…> - Desert Rock<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqeAiVmKqJ3Xn3HsN0FRhWhn7DrfDLvKClhj7ky…> - Dominion<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDow5AuqLxCB102MVvQ5C9VcIpVxl2yC9tNwF-xk…> - Drax<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqHq2XI9jdfnhR_C2ctx0oDGRFnSOE20MBjgGFZ…> - Duke Energy<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDp3d_gqWz_3P9PI77cQC8VaeLkxEefdInGXNfMP…> - Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrc8KuOaoZqDsGxqB8vqemlrcg3CG9JA4dSc85x…> - Environmental justice and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrGuhFbQc8hH0VQTqmnMsqGT7zCErpndOhWpePJ…> - E.ON UK<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDonEMeqS7ErN0a7Mo8MmnRD4-co7aMj2cgsskzS…> - EPA Deseret ruling<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDq6lozTPfAxN1mN5b3o9spiyRvSElnFqgGBfxHx…> - Europe and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqnOuxCo3g1tbj3y9zCzovY9EJwS2x89-PMrR3s…> - Federal coal leasing<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqbYg1l8XveFGo4o5jWcV6NTrncfIwlfGMdY9vP…> - Feed-in tariff<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrFx6V_yjRHGjL1u_VSPOw6rskgLXGCQXmYHOwG…> - Ffos-y-fran coal mine<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqoTVYvkFdnBifRvx-xrhTyElgs0E76DeyQcUL_…> - Fortune Minerals<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDr0aBsOM7ywIna5RsTwUsfeCBlET33_LnEphZwX…> - Greenhouse Gas Limits in 2007 Energy Act<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqmOmRv9sbSWp8lJWEq9559u2rB1CER6GF7A-8Y…> - Holcomb Expansion<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoYfU0zAy8zJlYGvntbhxk9pWKCD9jxldyB_oMH…> - Intermountain Power Project Unit 3<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrq6nxCwDGIMeGJ10KCxAIic_wAMRguw1r2gF4m…> - James Harless<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrK_9kpM8WHqbtlFIQV5XAqtJS0fX1jQOcMHzHq…> - Journalists covering coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpzg4TdHny4cwmCORk2UF3KbS_svc9_mtEM_kkj…> - Kanawha Eagle mine<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqgMymocT2n5N106PlCTLn6SPnDZruwV3xN9vso…> - Key private sector decision makers on coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoK5EJJ9y7Pc9w54RHv2yPSVLg_I_4NM87J-vtp…> - Tom D. Kilgore<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrHqoIgE1ZTp0SLTF0oaBuedC9mt614Pdr9gOtC…> - Kingsnorth Power Station<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpeVX3ZkJLhKuOvXoK_EFa7mh0JLmrb7IAYh6nG…> - Michigan and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoHnPJjuZI9I7Porvf6-4EVa9oQgCPDyTPmWL1Q…> - Michigan wind energy<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpvbwc_oD2EqdRtR2mvZKCaHqtPeGQXginnR-ls…> - Mingo Project<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpTumjH5tVgEb_DFzgvdsAlZnr-TiwQlD_kM6oC…> - Mountaintop removal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrVc8GzBtRjrPGlGThgI4IiPYKDzqiAjCzjtLgH…> - National Coal Corporation<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoD-00uWszV_Vcqjo161VSVOiYvqSoG2Czsu5Un…> - Nonviolent direct actions against coal: 2008<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDorDbcTJTi2WGSQockUf_5_d9rL1P2GEjtyNt2I…> - Ohio and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrlJRCxCn1U1YQXpDoxHra_4RCcj0vrvzQgzCKv…> - Peak coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqaoO31lZxYF33t-z-nF_cCn_L9R05lNS3rLbNv…> - Powder River Basin<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqYc_qQU1neVKJAnGSSywoKeQhNryAMeWlHfU2c…> - Public polling on coal and alternatives<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDp3Hvv_jROVroH7i9qw6uzCu55bEY_kkftuDS8p…> - Schwarzenegger clause<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDo6FM1dMyGo6c-4nhL8aQ4ngjfRE-IcXAhgkMgg…> - Somerset plant<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrH010BiUKrELePkczNphMajBTKH1IBOPrzNd15…> - Southern Company<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpe1-mGD-Y0kuqmqYgw7sJObjHAU-A7jxaUkAQo…> - South Heart Power Project<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDp2jUggiFGO1sEMrt0-2JEJdXHSN4Olf0J2PKmK…> - Spiritwood Industrial Park<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDreoNnJOpf5cH_xigQDhjIgrA5J8sXZIjemYWu5…> - Tennessee and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqyE2wseaUbt6OgLgUHgaBkXW0LmC1OrNEdlBMe…> - Tennessee Valley Authority<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoAv4ig7SxW23qLUMgJP0VM_h3dk74_HcMVNSNV…> - Texas and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDruSxmJwt5rCCPaygsE8QMcU7MLJIZyy5zoHCIm…> - Thoroughbred Generating Station<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqSODtjWwkVn3Q8gvZNpnKuW_Fh5eZGayJO5tiO…> - TVA Kingston Fossil Plant coal ash spill<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDrwm2nnMK_idgjEMupn6no1Uso8Xw9Il3l7UWlI…> - United Kingdom and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpvb_3cakmLwGi-ja3v_JW5xH_Icy2ZsG82Cm4u…> - United States regulations affecting coal mining<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqn1w1kVrpMoqAuFw562lDoCUKiVE7V4iMjDwIo…> - U.S. Air Force and Coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDplOA7MbvUULRRoBUyYm6FmhTi6jIKwStJxfb0P…> - Universities and "clean coal" projects<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDoYiN0YZwtT-RgdS9zWRzY83U8XudLLs9SD4JFf…> - Utility customer fuel and emissions disclosure<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDqYTWTdz8tbHsp4Gvb5oFscJkMNU8BCtxqlriBk…> - Virginia and coal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDpbjsOLd5cMyuLueTUXxI9aCKlatrAZzd5ZtU5n…> - Xcel Energy<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ZATNXmCCxDosHVeZtz0M9bgvQsR5MkK-jHrvp17MbwMB_LWX…> Contact Information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ phone: 415-206-0906~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forward email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1102356594495&ea=pjgrunt%40gmai…> [image: Safe Unsubscribe]<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001f-KEXzn5tO35-YRbLHnhff1CmnILT…> This email was sent to pjgrunt(a)gmail.com by tednace(a)sbcglobal.net. Update Profile/Email Address<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001f-KEXzn5tO35-YRbLHnhff1CmnILT…>| Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001f-KEXzn5tO35-YRbLHnhff1CmnILT…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Email Marketing <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=news01> by <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=news01> CoalSwarm | 2418 - 24th Street | San Francisco | CA | 94110 -- 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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Fwd: Second Coal Waste Spill at Tennessee Valley Authority Site
by James Kotcon 09 Jan '09

09 Jan '09

FYI. JBK >>> Virginia Cramer <virginia.cramer(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> 1/9/2009 2:33 PM >>> FYI, this press release just went out. - ginny _____ From: Virginia Cramer, Sierra Club [mailto:virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org] Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 2:16 PM To: virginia.cramer(a)sierraclub.org Subject: Second Coal Waste Spill at Tennessee Valley Authority Site <http://www.sierraclub.org/raw/images/blackpixel.gif> <http://www.sierraclub.org/raw/images/blackpixel.gif> <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=abCDp6zsEJmg2gV5l1qI2w..> Press Room: For Immediate Release <http://www.sierraclub.org/raw/images/blackpixel.gif> Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet <http://www.sierraclub.org/raw/images/tagline_white.gif> <http://www.sierraclub.org/root_images/spacers/space.gif> January 9, 2009 Contact: Virginia Cramer, 804-225-9113 x 102 Second Coal Waste Spill at Tennessee Valley Authority Site Washington, D.C.: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has confirmed a coal waste spill at its Widows Creek coal-fired plant in northeast Alabama. This is the second coal waste spill at a TVA facility in less than a month, following the tragic spill at the Kingston plant in Tennessee that contaminated water in the Emory and Clinch Rivers and more than 300 acres of nearby land, including dozens of homesites. While full details on the Widows Creek spill are not yet available, it is known that some of the toxic waste has reached nearby Widows Creek. "Even as residents in Roane County Tennessee are still trying to grasp the full impact of the Kingston disaster, communities in northeastern Alabama are now threatened with a new toxic coal waste spill," said Bruce Nilles, Director of the Sierra Club’s National Coal Campaign. "While initial accounts indicate that this latest spill is smaller than the Tennessee disaster, we hope that TVA and EPA have learned from the Tennessee disaster and move quickly to protect residents." John Wathen, an Alabama resident with Hurricane Creekkeeper was in Tennessee taking stock of the Kingston disaster when he heard about today’s spill. "If this don't stick a finger in the whole 'clean coal' myth, then I don't know what will," said Wathen. Coal waste can contain a number of harmful substances including lead, mercury and arsenic. Once spilled the toxins from the waste can leak into soil and water, putting people who come in contact with the contamination at risk for numerous health problems. According to media reports, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management inspected all of the coal ash facilities in the state after the Kingston spill last week and pronounced them safe. "Clearly current regulations are not adequate," continued Nilles. "We need the Environmental Protection Agency to start regulating coal ash before more communities are put at risk." The Sierra Club’s National Coal Campaign is working to ensure coal is mined responsibly, burned cleanly and does not contribute to global warming. Earlier this week the campaign filed <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=tPurxBaL6fIhd-9DUgOxhg..> suit with a coalition of local residents and environmental groups to ensure an adequate cleanup of the Kingston disaster and to make sure local residents are compensated. ### <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PixelServer?j=6Rih-nKKqyXBzEFxi7idlw..> <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=ez6O2fNB_u1r8WyIaufCAA..> Click here to sign up for Raw <http://www.sierraclub.org/root_images/spacers/space.gif> <http://www.sierraclub.org/raw/images/blackpixel.gif> Sierra <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=3dWR0YV81xCtfkBPG8npww..> Club | 85 Second St., San Francisco, CA 94105 | Change Media <mailto:sierra.news@sierraclub.org?subject=Media Type> Type | Contact <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=oK2IKkL8ugBtfHJyECg0bw..> Us | Visit the <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=m1rJq-3yg2ZHwNo0_LwAiQ..> Press Room Update My <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=tOrc6buApo68c_INVD0zzA..> Profile | Manage <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/CO?i=LPZkUpEDsyEeAIrfLrearAxDUdVDMMae&cid =1961> My Email Preferences | Update My <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=RdPcF949LYYcrXvt3SpLzQ..> Interests | Unsubscribe <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=949mUsvkiQeJRBrHBIIO8Q..> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/

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huge coal ash sludge spill in Tennessee
by Jim Sconyers 07 Jan '09

07 Jan '09

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Tue, 12/23/08, Dave Cooper <davecooper928(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Dave Cooper <davecooper928(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [Dave Coopers Mountain Top Removal Roadshow] Huge environmental disaster in Tennessee - Coal Ash spill To: "Mountaintop Removal Road Show list" <mountaintopremovalroadshow(a)lists.riseup.net> Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 8:05 AM Friends, There was a huge and terrible environmental disaster in Tennessee yesterday. The Tennessee Valley Authority, better known as TVA, has a coal-burning power plant located near Harriman, Tennessee, along Interstate 40 between Knoxville and Nashville. The stuff that is left over after TVA burns their coal is called coal ash. Coal ash contains mercury and dangerous heavy metals like lead and arsenic - materials found naturally in coal are concentrated in the ash. TVA has a huge mountain of this coal waste material stored in a gigantic pile next to their Harriman (Kingston) power plant, alongside a tributary of the Tennessee River. On Monday morning Dec. 22 around 1:00 am, the earthen retaining wall around this mountain of coal ash failed and approximately 500 million gallons of nasty black coal ash flowed into tributaries of the Tennessee River - the water supply for Chattanooga TN and millions of people living downstream in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. This Tennessee TVA spill is over 40 times bigger than the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, if local news accounts are correct. *** This is a huge environmental disaster of epic proportions. To see an amazing aerial video of the spill - the big hunks and chunks in the river are mounds of coal ash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGmVCABMRRQ There is better aerial footage but you have to watch an Applebees commercial first - go to the link below, then scroll down to the "Most Popular" section and find the button that says "aerial footage" http://www.wbir.com/video/default.aspx?aid=74330 The local media are downplaying the spill, but the Nashville newspaper (The Tennessean) has a decent article, posted below. When I first saw the 300 million gallon Martin County coal sludge spill in Kentucky in October 2000 I was outraged. I was sure that it would be a national news story, but it never was, because the coal companies and local law enforcement blocked the road leading to the spill and kept the media out. The national media was confused because they didn't know what "coal sludge" was. And ....the big national environmental groups didn't do enough to bring media attention to the Martin County disaster. Thats not going to happen this time, because we have 1. You Tube 2. Bloggers 3. Digital cameras 4. You! Please help - we need volunteers to take pictures and video of the spill and post them on the web. We need first hand accounts and documentation of the spill. We need letters to the editor. We need calls and emails to our leaders in Washington and Nashville and Frankfort and to President-Elect Obama. Please fwd this email to other concerned people and the news media. *** There is no such thing as clean coal! Look at the video of this spill. "Clean Coal" is The Big Corporate Lie. This horrific disaster in Tennessee can be the turning point in our nation's struggle to build a new network of clean modern renewable sources of energy, like wind and solar power - but we have to raise awareness of this disaster immediately. Thanks for reading. Here is the Tennessean's coverage: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081223/GREEN02/812230370/1001/RSS6001 Flood of sludge breaks TVA dike Collapse poses risk of toxic ash By Anne Paine and Colby Sledge • THE TENNESSEAN • December 23, 2008 HARRIMAN, Tenn. — Millions of cubic yards of ashy sludge broke through a dike at TVA's Kingston coal-fired plant Monday, covering hundreds of acres, knocking one home off its foundation and putting environmentalists on edge about toxic chemicals that may be seeping into the ground and flowing downriver. One neighboring family said the disaster was no surprise because they have watched the 1960s-era ash pond's mini-blowouts off and on for years. About 2.6 million cubic yards of slurry — enough to fill 798 Olympic-size swimming pools — rolled out of the pond Monday, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. [There are 200 gallons per cubic yard so this is about 500 million gallon - Dave] Cleanup will take at least several weeks, or, in a worst-case scenario, years. The ash slide, which began just before 1 a.m., covered as many as 400 acres as deep as 6 feet. The wave of ash and mud toppled power lines, covered Swan Pond Road and ruptured a gas line. It damaged 12 homes, and one person had to be rescued, though no one was seriously hurt. Much remains to be determined, including why this happened, said Tom Kilgore, president and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority. "I fully suspect that the amount of rain we've had in the last eight to 10 days, plus the freezing weather … might have had something to do with this," he said in a news conference Monday on the site. The area received almost 5 inches of rain this month, compared with the usual 2.8 inches. Freeze and thaw cycles may have undermined the sides of the pond. The last formal report on the condition of the 40-acre pond — an unlined, earthen structure — was issued in January and was unavailable Monday, officials said. Neighbors Don and Jil Smith, who have lived near the pond for eight years, said that nearly every year TVA has cleaned up what they termed "baby blowouts." Ashen liquid similar to that seen on a much larger scale in Monday's disaster came from the dike, they said. "It would start gushing this gray ooze," said Don Smith, whose home escaped harm. "They'd work on it for weeks and weeks. "They can say this is a one-time thing, but I don't think people are going to believe them." The U.S. Coast Guard, EPA, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation were among agencies that responded to the emergency. Toxic irritants possible Coal is burned to produce electricity at the Kingston Fossil Plant, notable for its tall towers seen along Interstate 40 near the Harriman exit in Roane County. Water is added to the ash, which is the consistency of face powder, for pumping it to the pond. The ash is settled out in that pond before the sludge is moved to other, drier ponds, Kilgore said. Coal ash can carry toxic substances that include mercury, arsenic and lead, according to a federal study. The amount of poisons in TVA's ashy wastes that could irritate skin, trigger allergies and even cause cancer or neurological problems could not be determined Monday, officials said. Viewed from above, the scene looked like the aftermath of a tsunami, with swirls of dirtied water stretching for hundreds of acres on the land, and muddied water in the Emory River. The Emory leads to the Clinch, which flows into the Tennessee. Workers sampled river water Monday, with results expected back today, but didn't sample the dunelike drifts of muddy ash. That could begin today, officials said, and the potential magnitude of the problem could make this a federally declared Superfund site. That would mean close monitoring and a deep, costly cleanup requiring years of work. "We'll be sampling for metals in the ground to see what kind of impact that had," said Laura Niles, a spokeswoman for the EPA in Atlanta. "Hopefully, it won't be as bad as creating a Superfund site, but it depends on what is found." Stephen Smith, with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in Knoxville, said those concerned about water and air quality have tried for years to press for tighter regulation of the ash. The heavy metals in coal — including mercury and other toxic substances — concentrate in the ash when burned, he said. "You know where that is now," he said. "It's in that stuff that's all over those people's houses now." Chemicals and metals from coal ash have contaminated drinking water in several states, made people and animals sick in New Mexico, and tainted fish in Texas and elsewhere, according to Lisa Evans, an attorney with Earthjustice, a nonprofit national environmental law firm that follows the issue. "It's discouraging because this is an easy problem to fix," she said. Ash could be recycled by using it to make concrete and at the very least should be placed in lined, state-of-the-art landfills, she said. Plant is still operating TVA's Kilgore said that chemicals in the ash are of concern, but that the situation is probably safe. The power plant is still operating, sending the ash to a larger pond on the site. "There are levels of chemicals in there that we are concerned about," Kilgore said. "We don't think there's anything immediate of danger because most of that's contained, but that's why we have sampling folks out." Officials were monitoring a water intake that serves Kingston City and is only a few miles downstream from the Kingston plant, but said no problem had been noted there as of Monday afternoon. The power producer, which oversees the Tennessee River system, had slowed river flow in the area, releasing less water from key dams, so the pollution might be better contained for possible cleanup. TVA has insurance for an event like this, spokeswoman Barbara Martucci said, but what the cleanup cost is and how much insurance will pay remains to be determined. Otherwise, ratepayers in Tennessee could bear much of the costs. TVA provides virtually all the electricity in the state, along with parts of six others. Contact Anne Paine at 615-259-8071 or apaine(a)tennessean.com. Dave Cooper The Mountaintop Removal Road Show http://www.mountainroadshow.com/ 608 Allen Ct. Lexington KY 40505 (859) 299 5669 Call for a volunteer presentation in your community!This is an informational monthly email about mountaintop removal. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to: mountaintopremovalroadshow-unsubscribe(a)lists.riseup.net Thanks!

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Fwd: A Tragic Reminder of the Clean Coal Myth
by Paul Wilson 07 Jan '09

07 Jan '09

Can we forward this around to get more signees? thanks, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Greg Haegele, Sierra Club <membership.services(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 5:47 PM Subject: A Tragic Reminder of the Clean Coal Myth To: pjpaulgrunt(a)gmail.com Dear Paul, Coal is not clean. Period. Need proof? On December 22, one billion gallons of coal ash sludge and contaminated water, the waste product of coal-fired power plants of the Tennessee Valley Authority, broke through a containment area into the rivers of Harriman, Tennessee. *Help Prevent Future Coal Disasters From Occurring *[image: ruined house from coal spill]<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=HIipXxC4ygOA5koX05vL6w..> *Tell President-elect Obama to Enact the Clean Slate Agenda *[image: Button - Take Action - White on Purple]<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=DAiuFr68j8eHfDUJcLubug..> The volume of the spill is bigger than the Exxon Valdez disaster, 50 times bigger. Forty-five homes in the surrounding area were affected by the sludge, three completely condemned and the water in the area now contains dangerously high levels of pollutants such as arsenic. This disaster is another stark reminder of the environmental, health and economic hazards of our over-reliance on coal as an energy source. * Please contact President-elect Obama today and urge him to adopt our Clean Slate Agenda, which will help us move beyond coal and avoid other disasters like this from happening in the future.<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=9u-DYcFusX5iVbzjKao3vw..> * The Sierra Club is taking immediate action in Tennessee to ensure proper cleanup and remediation and that the responsible parties compensate local residents. But there are literally hundreds of these sludge impoundments near coal plants and mountaintop removal coal mining sites across the U.S., and that number will grow if we continue to increase our use of coal. This is why we must start with a Clean Slate in 2009: We must stop building new coal plants and end mountaintop removal coal mining. *Please contact President-elect Obama today; click here to get started. <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=uoZPkqpxACIYExSnyHBEQw..>* Over 33,000 people have already contacted President-elect Obama on our Clean Slate Agenda. Obama and his advisors Obama can jumpstart a clean energy economy and start reducing global warming pollution immediately by doing the following: - Direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to grant a waiver that will allow California and over a dozen other states to limit global warming pollution from cars. - End the rush to build dirty coal plants by directing the EPA to require all new and existing power plants limit their global warming emissions. - Direct the EPA to end irresponsible mountaintop removal coal mining by stopping coal companies from dumping rock and waste into valleys and streams. - Restore America's international leadership in the fight to end global warming by publicly committing the U.S. to cut its CO2 emissions by at least 35% by 2020. *Click here to contact President-elect Obama today and ask him to adopt the Clean Slate Agenda<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=2cmgS1UurPKYrcTmnkZ45g..> *. Thanks for all that you do to protect the environment. [image: Signature Greg Haegele] Greg Haegele Director of Conservation If you do not wish to receive future emails like this, click here to be removed from this type of email contact.<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=ycmAcabT8l_6YcAAhFlQiA..> Update My Profile<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=bIUuAvr57dPfvx4DFg0FTA..>| Manage My Email Preferences<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/CO?i=xYSXLO0yIE5eLxF5JRabksSvJBDUuoj-&cid…>| Update My Interests<http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=SrLGR7DHIrmziPiNDndD-Q..> Sierra Club 85 Second St. San Francisco, CA 94105

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