March 2010 - EC - lists.bikelover.org

Fw: A Huge Victory for Clean Cars
by Jim Sconyers 29 Mar '10

29 Mar '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Mon, 3/29/10, Ann Mesnikoff, Sierra Club <membership.services(a)sierraclub.org> wrote: From: Ann Mesnikoff, Sierra Club <membership.services(a)sierraclub.org> Subject: A Huge Victory for Clean Cars To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Date: Monday, March 29, 2010, 4:07 PM Sierra Club #yiv1033776726 #yiv1033776726 .normal, #yiv1033776726 , #yiv1033776726 p, #yiv1033776726 td, #yiv1033776726 tr, #yiv1033776726 h1, #yiv1033776726 h2, #yiv1033776726 h3, #yiv1033776726 h4, #yiv1033776726 h5, #yiv1033776726 h6, #yiv1033776726 ul, #yiv1033776726 li, #yiv1033776726 div, #yiv1033776726 input, #yiv1033776726 textarea, #yiv1033776726 option, #yiv1033776726 select { font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:normal;} #yiv1033776726 .normal, #yiv1033776726 , #yiv1033776726 p, #yiv1033776726 td, #yiv1033776726 tr, #yiv1033776726 li, #yiv1033776726 div, #yiv1033776726 input, #yiv1033776726 textarea, #yiv1033776726 option, #yiv1033776726 select {font-size:12px;} #yiv1033776726 .normal {color:#000000;} #yiv1033776726 {background-color:#ffffff;} #yiv1033776726 #yiv1033776726 a {color:#333366;} #yiv1033776726 a:visited {color:#666666;} #yiv1033776726 a:hover {color:#3333ff;} #yiv1033776726 #yiv1033776726 .blackborder {border-color:#000000;} #yiv1033776726 #yiv1033776726 .smalltext {font-size:10px;} #yiv1033776726 .verysmalltext {font-size:9px;} #yiv1033776726 #yiv1033776726 H1, #yiv1033776726 .header { font-size:14px;color:#000000;font-weight:700;} #yiv1033776726 .issueheader { margin-bottom:5px;color:#669900;} #yiv1033776726 #yiv1033776726 H2, #yiv1033776726 .subtitle { font-size:12px;color:#669900;font-weight:700; } View a web version of this email. Dear Jim, Tell Your Representative to Protect the EPA's Ability to Set Clean Car Standards The EPA is poised to announce a historic new clean cars rule that marks the first major increase in fuel economy standards since their inception in 1975. But some members of Congress want to take away the EPA's Clean Air Act authority to set tailpipe standards for global warming pollution. Call your representative and ask Congress to celebrate this victory by protecting the EPA's ability to limit greenhouse gas emissions from our cars. Tired of feeding money into your gas tank? Updated fuel economy standards will save consumers billions of dollars at the pump. Worried about our country's security? The EPA's rule will reduce oil consumption by nearly 2 billion barrels. That's more oil than we imported in 2008 from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Libya and Nigeria combined! Want America to take the lead in the fight against global warming? Cleaner cars will cut our global warming emissions by 30%. We can't let Big Oil undermine this huge victory for our country and our planet by taking away the EPA's ability to set these standards -- call your representative today. Polluters are trying to portray EPA action to fight global warming as controversial, but the truth is that both the auto industry and the United Auto Workers support new standards. Why? Because in addition to saving us money, making our country more secure, and fighting global warming, the new standards will also help more sustainable and competitive domestic auto industry flourish in the 21st century. A couple of minutes is all it takes to protect our economy, our security and our environment -- please make your call today. Thank you for all you do to protect the environment. Ann Mesnikoff Green Transportation Campaign Director P.S. Please forward this message to your friends and family. If you do not wish to receive future emails like this, click here to be removed from this type of email contact. Update My Profile | Manage My Email Preferences | Update My Interests Sierra Club 85 Second St. San Francisco, CA 94105

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Fw: re: Sierra Club appeals TransGas West Virginia CTL air permit
by Jim Sconyers 29 Mar '10

29 Mar '10

FYI Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 ======================================================== Groups Appeal Mingo County Coal-to-Liquids Facility Air Permit Updated Monday, March 29, 2010; 12:31 PM From: The State Journal ( Charleston , West Virginia ) Sierra Club, Coal River Mountain Watch and others say the proposed plant's air pollution emissions have been underestimated. Story by Pam Kasey CHARLESTON -- State environmental groups filed an appeal March 29 of the permit for a coal-to-liquids plant proposed for Mingo County by TransGas Development Systems of New York. The plant’s air pollution emissions have been underestimated by the company and by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, according to appellants the Sierra Club, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Coal River Mountain Watch and West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. By classifying the facility as a “minor” rather than a “major” source of pollutants, they argue, the WVDEP Division of Air Quality is allowing the developers to avoid expensive analyses and control technologies. TransGas first proposed the plant in December 2008. As proposed, the $3 billion plant would require 3 million tons of locally mined coal each year and would produce more than 6.5 million barrels of gasoline, along with other products; it would employ 3,000 during construction and 200 thereafter. WVDEP’s DAQ issued an air pollution permit on Feb. 25 allowing the company to begin construction. But TransGas and DAQ did not properly estimate the plants emissions, according to the appeal filed with the West Virginia Air Quality Board. Among other questions, the appellants are asking the board to determine whether the TransGas facility has the potential to emit greater than 100 tons per year of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and/or volatile organic compounds and should therefore be issued a “major source” rather than a “minor source” permit. The appeal would require TransGas and DEP to reveal all expected air pollution and to include control technology to protect human and environmental health. -30-

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Fwd: Fw: Water News Release (HQ): EPA Proposes Veto of Mine Permit Under the Clean Water Act
by Paul Wilson 26 Mar '10

26 Mar '10

A little more info on the Spruce No. 1 mine in Logan County. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Fred Heutte <phred(a)sunlightdata.com> Date: Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 6:19 PM Subject: Fw: Water News Release (HQ): EPA Proposes Veto of Mine Permit Under the Clean Water Act To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)lists.sierraclub.org ------ mail forwarded, original message follows ------ From: usaepa(a)govdelivery.com <U.S. EPA> Subject: Water News Release (HQ): EPA Proposes Veto of Mine Permit Under the Clean Water Act Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:03:30 -0500 (CDT) *CONTACT:* EPA Press Office press(a)epa.gov 202-564-6794 202-564-7873 * * *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* March 26, 2010 *EPA Proposes Veto of Mine Permit Under the Clean Water Act * " " *WASHINGTON* - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its proposal under the Clean Water Act to significantly restrict or prohibit mountain top mining at the Spruce No. 1 surface mine in Logan County, W. Va. Spruce No.1 mine is one of the largest mountaintop removal operations ever proposed in Central Appalachia. The project was permitted in 2007 and subsequently delayed by litigation. The Spruce No. 1 mine would bury over 7 miles of headwater streams, directly impact 2,278 acres of forestland and degrade water quality in streams adjacent to the mine. EPA's proposed determination comes after extended discussions with the company failed to produce an agreement that would lead to a significant decrease of the environmental and health impacts of the Spruce No. 1 mine. "Coal, and coal mining, is part of our nation's energy future, and for that reason EPA has made repeated efforts to foster dialogue and find a responsible path forward. But we must prevent the significant and irreversible damage that comes from mining pollution -- and the damage from this project would be irreversible," said EPA Regional Administrator for the Mid-Atlantic, Shawn Garvin. "This recommendation is consistent with our broader Clean Water Act efforts in Central Appalachia. EPA has a duty under the law to protect water quality and safeguard the people who rely on these waters for drinking, fishing and swimming." EPA has used its Clean Water Act veto authority in just 12 circumstances since 1972 and never for a previously permitted project. The proposed determination, signed today by Regional Administrator Garvin, identifies numerous potential adverse impacts associated with the Spruce No.. 1 project: . *Water Quality Impacts: *The mine will cause* *adverse impacts to drinking water, native aquatic and water- dependent communities in the Spruce Fork watershed. Drainage from the Spruce No. 1 project is likely to include high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and selenium which adversely affect the naturally occurring aquatic communities. These include birth defects in fish and other aquatic life and can also result in toxic effects to embryos, resulting in abnormal development or death for those organisms. . *Fish and Wildlife Impacts:* Mining waste placed into headwater streams will impact fish and wildlife which depend for all or part of their lifecycles on these headwater systems. Ecosystem functions performed by headwaters are lost when the headwater stream is buried or removed. These functions are lost not only to the headwater stream itself, but also to downstream aquatic ecosystems. . *Mitigation Impacts:* The project's mitigation plan inadequately evaluates the nature and extent of mining related aquatic impacts and therefore fails to replace streams' lost ecological services. Natural stream channels buried by mining will be replaced, in part, by ditches being built to drain stormwater off of the mine, not to compensate for natural stream losses. These ditches will also drain water contaminated by mining into streams adjacent to the mine. . *Cumulative Mining Impacts: *EPA believes that the Spruce No. 1 project, in conjunction with numerous other mining operations either under construction or proposed for the Coal River basin, will contribute to the cumulative loss of water quality, aquatic systems, and forest resources. The Coal River basin is already heavily mined and substantially impaired. Landscape and site specific assessments reveal that past and current mountaintop mining has caused substantial, irreplaceable loss of resources and an irreversible effect on these resources within the Coal River basin. CWA Section 404(c) authorizes EPA to restrict or prohibit placing certain pollutants in streams, lakes, rivers, wetlands and other waters if the agency determines that the activities would result in "unacceptable adverse impacts" to the environment, water quality, or water supplies. This authority applies to proposed projects as well as projects previously permitted under the CWA. A final decision to restrict or prohibit the Spruce No.1 mine will be made in EPA Headquarters based on a recommendation from the Regional Administrator, public comments, and discussions with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Mingo Logan Coal Company. The proposed determination is being published in the federal register* *and EPA is taking public comment for 60 days. EPA is also scheduling a public hearing in West Virginia to provide an additional opportunity for public input. The proposed determination: http://www.epa.gov/region03/mtntop/spruce1documents.html R088 Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser. View all news releases related to water [ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_26 &format=Web&email_type=bulletin<http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_26%0A&forma…>] ________________________________________________________________________ Please join the conversation on our new open government Web site [ http://www.epa.gov/open/index.html?gd ]. EPA Seal You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ https://service.govdelivery.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support(a)govdelivery.com for assistance. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [ http://www.epa.gov/ ]. Visit Us on Facebook [ http://facebook.com/epa ] Visit Us on Twitter [ http://twitter.com/epagov ] Visit Us on YouTube [ http://youtube.com/usepagov ] Visit Us on flickr [ http://flickr.com/usepagov ] Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW . Washington DC 20460 . 202- 564-4355 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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/ -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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FW: Fwd: More state and local victories
by Grubb, Karen 26 Mar '10

26 Mar '10

Yes I do mean that one. From: Frank Young [mailto:fyoung@mountain.net] Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 5:54 PM To: Grubb, Karen Subject: Re: [EC] Fwd: More state and local victories Karen, if you mean WV Senate Bill 614, relating to the Public Service Commission and power transmission lines, no, it has not yet been signed into law. Bill Howley writes: The enrolled version is now up on the WV Leg. site. I have just done a post on The Power Line here <http://calhounpowerline.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/final-version-of-sb614 -now-available/> . My post has links to the final version and directions on where to find the changes, because the enrolled version is the new version of the WV statute without annotation of changes. The fact that the enrolled version is now available on the Web means that it is probably on its way to Manchin for signature. Bill Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: Grubb, Karen <mailto:Karen.Grubb@fairmontstate.edu> To: WV Chapter Energy Committee <mailto:EC@osenergy.org> Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 12:44 PM Subject: Re: [EC] Fwd: More state and local victories PSC bill? Has it been signed into law? From: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] On Behalf Of Paul Wilson Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 12:28 PM To: WV Chapter Energy Committee Subject: [EC] Fwd: More state and local victories Let Scott know if/when we get any notable victories. paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Scott Elkins <scott.elkins(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 11:57 AM Subject: More state and local victories To: CONS-CRP-MEMBERS(a)lists.sierraclub.org A big state victory was registered last week in Colorado, with the Sierra Club helping to win successful passage of the second most aggressive Renewable Electricity Standard in the country. The bill also set in place strong labor standards and small-scale distributed generation standards. Read all about it on the victory tracker here: http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/chapters/tracker/2010/03-10-CO-RES.aspx Has your chapter or group won a victory recently? Did you score a big win in the past year or two that you want to crow about? Tell us about it on our online form at http://tinyurl.com/y8fn9an and we'll get it posted on the tracker within a week. Remember, the Club's professional communications staff use the tracker as a source of stories for online and print publications, so it's a great way to get the word out about your success. Regards, Scott E. Scott Elkins Director for Chapter Coordination - Climate Recovery Campaign Sierra Club 2327 E Franklin Ave Minneapolis MN 55406 tel. 612-659-9124 fax 612-659-9129 cell 612-720-0793 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-CRP-MEMBERS list, send any message to: CONS-CRP-MEMBERS-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/ -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle ________________________________ _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Please write LTE's re Spruce; Sierra Club's suggested talking pts below
by Aaron Isherwood 26 Mar '10

26 Mar '10

Jim and others: It would be great if folks could submit letters to the editor praising EPA for its announcement today on Spruce. I'm attaching some suggested talking points to help you prepare letters. Thanks, Aaron Aaron Isherwood Senior Staff Attorney Sierra Club Environmental Law Program 85 Second Street, 2d Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-3441 Phone: (415) 977-5680 Fax: (415) 977-5793 CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL COMMUNICATION/WORK PRODUCT This e-mail may contain privileged and confidential attorney-client communications and/or attorney work product. If you receive this e-mail inadvertently, please reply to the sender and delete all versions on your system. Thank you.

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Re: [EC] Sierra Club statement: EPA Recommends No Mining at Massive Mountaintop Removal Site
by Jim Sconyers 26 Mar '10

26 Mar '10

This is absolutely dynamite - - no, nuclear! Some stuff will surely hit the fan!! Amazingly, environmental justice is even included as one of the objections to Spruce. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Fri, 3/26/10, Aaron Isherwood <aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org> wrote: From: Aaron Isherwood <aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org> Subject: Sierra Club statement: EPA Recommends No Mining at Massive Mountaintop Removal Site To: "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>, "Regina Hendrix" <reginahendrix999(a)gmail.com>, "William DePaulo" <william.depaulo(a)gmail.com> Date: Friday, March 26, 2010, 1:07 PM Breaking news... Aaron Isherwood Senior Staff Attorney Sierra Club Environmental Law Program 85 Second Street, 2d Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-3441 Phone: (415) 977-5680 Fax: (415) 977-5793 http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=167241.0 For Immediate Release -- March 26, 2010 Contact: Oliver Bernstein, Sierra Club, 512.477.2152 EPA Recommends No Mining at Biggest Proposed Mountaintop Removal Coal Mine Statement from Sierra Club Director of Environmental Quality Ed Hopkins Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recommended restricting or prohibiting mining at the nation’s largest proposed mountaintop removal coal mining site, the Spruce No. 1 Mine in Logan County, West Virginia. In response the Sierra Club's Director of Environmental Quality, Ed Hopkins, issued the following statement: "It is good to see the EPA applying more scientifically rigorous analysis to these permits. The best available science tells us that proposed mines like the massive Spruce Mine would pollute waterways, destroy mountains and devastate communities. "We hope that the agency follows through on this recommendation. This massive mine would bury seven miles of streams, destroy thousands of acres of land and disrupt local communities. Mountaintop removal coal mining is an egregious environmental injustice and an embarrassment for America. "Local residents have been actively challenging the approval of this permit at the Spruce No. 1 Mine in Logan County for more than twelve years. With the 40th anniversary of Earth Day approaching, it's time for the Obama administration to fix the Bush administration rulemaking that allows mines to fill waterways with waste." EPA's proposed determination is attached. ### -- Oliver Bernstein Senior Communications Strategist Sierra Club Phone: 512.477.2152 Cell: 512.289.8618

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Fwd: More state and local victories
by Paul Wilson 26 Mar '10

26 Mar '10

Let Scott know if/when we get any notable victories. paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Scott Elkins <scott.elkins(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 11:57 AM Subject: More state and local victories To: CONS-CRP-MEMBERS(a)lists.sierraclub.org A big state victory was registered last week in Colorado, with the Sierra Club helping to win successful passage of the second most aggressive Renewable Electricity Standard in the country. The bill also set in place strong labor standards and small-scale distributed generation standards. Read all about it on the victory tracker here: http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/chapters/tracker/2010/03-10-CO-RES.aspx Has your chapter or group won a victory recently? Did you score a big win in the past year or two that you want to crow about? Tell us about it on our online form at http://tinyurl.com/y8fn9an and we’ll get it posted on the tracker within a week. Remember, the Club’s professional communications staff use the tracker as a source of stories for online and print publications, so it’s a great way to get the word out about your success. Regards, Scott E. Scott Elkins Director for Chapter Coordination - Climate Recovery Campaign Sierra Club 2327 E Franklin Ave Minneapolis MN 55406 tel. 612-659-9124 fax 612-659-9129 cell 612-720-0793 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-CRP-MEMBERS list, send any message to: CONS-CRP-MEMBERS-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/ -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Demand Side Management in VA
by Jim Sconyers 25 Mar '10

25 Mar '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Wed, 3/24/10, Elena Saxonhouse <Elena.Saxonhouse(a)sierraclub.org> wrote: From: Elena Saxonhouse <Elena.Saxonhouse(a)sierraclub.org> Subject: Fw: State Corporation Commission News Release To: CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 3:32 PM More support for flattening/declining demand in eastern states... ----- Forwarded by Elena Saxonhouse/Sierraclub on 03/24/2010 12:31 PM ----- From: Zainab Kents <Zainab.Kents(a)scc.virginia.gov> To: Date: 03/24/2010 09:54 AM Subject: State Corporation Commission News Release The following link is the SCC News Release. SCC APPROVES FIVE DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR DOMINION POWER CUSTOMERS http://www.scc.virginia.gov/newsrel/e_domdsm_10.aspx Zai Kents State Corporation Commission Division of Information Resources (804) 371-9141; (804) 371-9361 zainab.kents(a)scc.virginia.gov - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM list, send any message to: CONS-ELP-TRANS-LINES-FORUM-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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US EPA priorities
by Duane330＠aol.com 22 Mar '10

22 Mar '10

MESSAGES FROM THE EPA ADMINISTRATOR: WHY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY GO HAND IN HAND AND WHAT EPA'S SEVEN PRIORITIES ARE EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson spoke at the National Press Club on March 8 on how environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand in hand to build a healthier, more prosperous nation, that "…economic opportunity is not possible without sustainability," and that "Without clean energy, the global economy will be running on empty within our lifetimes." _Full text of her remarks_ (http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/8d49f7ad4bbcf4ef852573590040b7f6/7…) . She also spoke earlier to EPA employees about EPA's seven priorities for EPA's future: * Taking Action on Climate Change * Improving Air Quality * Assuring the Safety of Chemicals * Cleaning Up Our Communities * Protecting America's Waters * Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working for Environmental Justice * Building Strong State and Tribal Partnerships _Read Administrator Jackson's memo_ (http://blog.epa.gov/administrator/2010/01/12/seven-priorities-for-epas-futu…) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Fwd: Oil leasing suspended to address climate change!
by Paul Wilson 20 Mar '10

20 Mar '10

see the reference to EPA cost-effective technologies to reduce methane waste. cheers, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bruce Hamilton <Bruce.Hamilton(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Fri, Mar 19, 2010 at 12:53 PM Subject: Oil leasing suspended to address climate change! To: CONS-AWL-RESILIENT-HABITATS(a)lists.sierraclub.org *WELC Victory! BLM Agrees to Suspend Drilling Leases to Address Climate Change** * Oil well on the Montana plains near Glacier National Park. [image: Oil Pump in Rocky Mountains, Montana] In a groundbreaking federal court settlement agreement reached today, the Bureau of Land Management is required to evaluate climate change concerns on oil and natural gas leases covering over 30,000 acres in Montana. Sixty-one oil and natural gas leases will be suspended pending the completion of that review process. "With Congress failing to exercise meaningful leadership on climate policy, it falls to citizens to step into the breach," said Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, WELC attorney on this case. "That's why we brought this lawsuit, and that's why we're very pleased that BLM came to the negotiating table and agreed to suspend these leases to take a hard look at our concerns." Western Environmental Law Center filed this pioneering climate and energy * lawsuit*<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103208437050&s=1467&e=001S-wTvLtU0Lkd6Lzbg-1F…>in December 2008 working with Montana Environmental Information Center, Earthworks' Oil and Gas Accountability Project, and WildEarth Guardians. The timing of this lawsuit was on the heels of the Bush Administration's final set of oil and natural gas lease sales for Montana. In May 2009, the lawsuit overcame a key hurdle when the district court ruled that an order by the Secretary of the Interior requiring Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to consider climate change could be enforced against BLM. We proceeded to move to the merits of the case, emphasizing concerns with methane, a greenhouse gas 72 times as potent as carbon dioxide over a 20-year time period, which sparked the discussions that led to the * settlement*<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103208437050&s=1467&e=001S-wTvLtU0LkeEF_yi4My…>agreement. EPA has already identified over 120 proven, cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce methane waste and make operations more efficient. Despite these economic and environmental gains, BLM has not considered these proven technologies and practices in its planning documents and does not yet require them as a condition of owning a federal oil and natural gas lease. We hope that the agreement reached today is the first step of many for BLM to ensure responsible oil and gas development in the face of climate change and tap into our country's most important resource: American ingenuity and can-do know how. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-AWL-RESILIENT-HABITATS list, send any message to: CONS-AWL-RESILIENT-HABITATS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fw: An article on international Natural Gas situation
by Jim Sconyers 19 Mar '10

19 Mar '10

FYI - pretty interesting. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Fri, 3/19/10, Sunil Somalwar <sunil.somalwar(a)GMAIL.COM> wrote: From: Sunil Somalwar <sunil.somalwar(a)GMAIL.COM> Subject: An article on international Natural Gas situation To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Date: Friday, March 19, 2010, 4:41 AM Don't know how reliable this article is, but seems mostly factual. http://ibtimes.com.au/articles/20100319/watch-unconventional-gas.htm Watch "Unconventional Gas" Sunil Somalwar - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp

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Fw: Re: Conversation With Mike Brune
by Jim Sconyers 19 Mar '10

19 Mar '10

FYI - phone conf call with Mike Brune, new Sierra Club Executive Director. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Fri, 3/19/10, Christina Yagjian <Christina.Yagjian(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> wrote: From: Christina Yagjian <Christina.Yagjian(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> Subject: Re: Conversation With Mike Brune To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Date: Friday, March 19, 2010, 5:03 PM You can hear the call with Michael Brune here: http://www2.teleconferencingcenter.com/moderator/BroadcastFrame.jsp?id=37e2… At the prompt, enter your name and email. To access by phone, call 888-899-7904 and enter the playback ID — 104380074# Regards, Christina Marie Yagjian National Conservation Organizer Sierra Club, Global Warming and Energy sierraclub.org/climateleaders 202.675.7911 From: Scott Elkins <scott.elkins(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Date: 03/19/2010 04:51 PM Subject: Re: [GW-ACT-LEADERS] Conversation With Mike Brune Sent by: Chp & Grp Global Warming Energy Chairs <CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG> Thanks for the prompt, Linda. I’m checking to see if it got recorded and when it will be available. I’ll respond as soon as I hear back. Scott Scott Elkins, Director for Chapter Coordination Sierra Club 612-659-9124 From: Chp & Grp Global Warming Energy Chairs [mailto:CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Linda Isaacson Fedele Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 8:59 PM To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: Re: [GW-ACT-LEADERS] Conversation With Mike Brune Hi, Scott, Was the Monday evening conference call ever recorded in any way? I'd sure like to hear it, and I'm sure others would, too. Thanks, -Linda EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:27:50 -0500 From: scott.elkins(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: Re: [GW-ACT-LEADERS] Conversation With Mike Brune To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Linda: That’s a good idea, and I just inquired with Rod MacKenzie about setting up the call to record. We’re going to do it, but it is going to take a little bit of time to forward a link where folks can listen to the call. The long and short of it is that the conference call company charges $0.10/minute for each person who listens to the recording. So, we’re going to try to download the recording and put it on our own server so that we can avoid that charge. Scott Scott Elkins, Director for Chapter Coordination Sierra Club 612-659-9124 From: Chp & Grp Global Warming Energy Chairs [mailto:CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Linda Isaacson Fedele Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 1:09 PM To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: Re: [GW-ACT-LEADERS] Conversation With Mike Brune Will the conversation be recorded so that those of us who are unable to particpate in the live call can listen in after-the-fact? This sounds extremely valuable. Thanks. Thanks, -Linda Rochester Regional Group EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:33:20 -0500 From: Dave.Hamilton(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: [GW-ACT-LEADERS] Conversation With Mike Brune To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG All, Yesterday, I offered to hold a call to discuss the Nation article. Citing many of the concerns I read on this list, I proposed to top management that we address these issues quickly and forthrightly to our own leaders. That proved to be such a popular idea that new Executive Director Mike Brune is going to talk about them with Club leaders on his first day on the job. So consider yourselves invited. I know Carl Pope was working on a more in-depth response to the Nation article and that should be available before the call. I hope you join us on Monday! Dave Join us Monday as Vice President of Conservation Robin Mann introduces Michael Brune on his first day as Sierra Club's Executive Director. Mike will share his vision for winning on climate change, protecting the places and communities we love and building the Sierra Club. Among other topics, Mike and Robin will share their views on the Nation's recent article, "The Wrong Kind of Green." We hope you'll join us to welcome Mike! Day: Monday, March 15 Time: 8 PM ET/7 PM CT/6 PM MT/5 PM PT Conference Call Number: 866-501-6174 and use the conference code 1892-005#. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp

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FW: Net metering rules: Comments to PSC needed on by April 4th at 4pm [1 Attachment]
by James Kotcon 19 Mar '10

19 Mar '10

I think we need to comment on these net metering rules. The points below are a good start. I am especially opposed to the proposal to allow net metering credits for non-renewable energy sources, as this significantly dilutes the incentive for renewables. I am sure that several of the experts on the Energy Committee could draft such a comment letter, but this is an opportunity for some new volunteers to step up and tackle a new and emerging issue. I can provide sources of info on net-metering, as well as precedents set in numerous other states. And if you want a few great talking points about why we want to stop subsidizing coal, see the blog from Bruce Nilles on Grist or the Huffington Post, available at: Grist - http://www.grist.org/member/11566/ Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-nilles Any volunteers? JBK >>> "John Christensen" <jbc329(a)earthlink.net> 3/17/2010 1:32 PM >>> [Attachment(s) from John Christensen included below] Forgive me if you received this email in error but indulge me if you are concerned about WV interconnection and net metering standards which are sorely lacking. Let's generate some comments so to give our WV PSC something to work on and put them on notice that better standards are needed to encourage growth in the renewable energy sector. Attached is the fact sheet from our net metering legislation introduced this past session. John Christensen Mountain View Solar and Wind Consultation, Sales, and Installation 410-499-4873 cell www.mtvsolar.com ----- Original Message ----- From: John Christensen To: Aaron Stoner;Clay Herzog;Colin Williams;Greg Reineke;John Christensen;John Smith;Mike McKechnie;Mountain View Builders;Sunny Pitcher;Tonya Sornson Sent: 3/17/2010 12:39:30 PM Subject: IREC article to be commented on by April 4th at 4pm WEST VIRGINIA On February 2, the West Virginia Public Service Commission issued proposed modifications to the state’s net metering and interconnection rules under WV PSC General Order 258. These changes are pursuant to WV House Bill 103, and House Bill 408 in 2009. Highlights of the proposal include: • An increase in the aggregate participation limit from 0.1% of utility’s total load to 1% of the utility aggregate customer peak demand • Net excess generation during a billing period carries over at the full retail rate for up to 12 months and excess kWhs at the end of the annual period are reconciled at the utility’s avoided cost rate • System size limits are 25kW for residential, 500kW for commercial and 2MW for industrial customers • Customer owns RECs associated with generation • Virtual meter aggregation is allowed for meters within two miles of properties owned or leased by a customer within two miles of the customer’s property. For these arrangements, excess credits will be applied first to the meter through which the facility supplies electricity to the distribution system, then prorated equally to the remaining meters on the account There are also several red flags associated with this proposal, which are not in keeping with many other state rules or what IREC considers best practices: • Customer must pay for construction or upgrades to the electric utility system, should they be required in order to interconnect the facility (which could be cost-prohibitive) • Net metering is allowed for non-renewable resources (i.e. "alternative" sources) including waste coal, natural gas, tire-derived fuel and other non-renewable sources • All systems are required to have a redundant utility external disconnect switch • Customers must maintain at least $100,000 of liability insurance or such amount of coverage reasonably deemed necessary by the utility to protect its plant and other customers • Rules are vague regarding interconnection fees, terms and charges Comments on this proposal must be filed with the PSC by April 5, 2010. We must decide whether we need to call for a public hearing soon, March 30 is the deadline for that. We need to file comments no later than April 4th. Let's get a letter writing campaign going amongst our considerable contact list to see if we can generate some buzz....or not...whatever we decide is best for our company and the state. JB John Christensen Mountain View Solar and Wind Consultation, Sales, and Installation 410-499-4873 cell www.mtvsolar.com __._,_.___ Attachment(s) from John Christensen 1 of 1 File(s) Improvements to Net Metering HB 4391.doc Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use. __,_._,___

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Fwd: EIP Report: Electric Power Industry 'Not Making A Dent' in Dangerous Mercury Pollution, ... -- A
by James Kotcon 19 Mar '10

19 Mar '10

New Report on mercury emissions.West Virginia is in the top 10 among states.Amos is the largest source, but Fort Martin is dirtier in terms of pound mercury per MWh.But the Beechurst Avenue Morgantown plant, although relatively small in total generation, has an emissions rate that is even higher. Not sure what is going on there.http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/news_reports/documents/DirtyKil… cc:Mail Users----------------------------- ** Remember to DELETE the 'Sender: ...' lines above before REPLYing ** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> Jeff Schmidt <jeff.schmidt(a)sierraclub.org> 3/18/2010 4:01 PM >>> http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eip-report-electric-power-industry-… - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-FRED list, send any message to: CONS-FRED-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Re: [EC] Fw: Going after Massey indirectly
by Jim Sconyers 15 Mar '10

15 Mar '10

Woohooooo! Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Mon, 3/15/10, Aaron Isherwood <aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org> wrote: From: Aaron Isherwood <aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org> Subject: Fw: Going after Massey indirectly To: "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>, "Regina Hendrix" <reginahendrix999(a)gmail.com>, "William DePaulo" <william.depaulo(a)gmail.com> Date: Monday, March 15, 2010, 12:49 PM Fyi... ----- Forwarded by Aaron Isherwood/Sierraclub on 03/15/2010 09:48 AM ----- From: Bruce Nilles/Sierraclub To: Date: 03/14/2010 04:43 PM Subject: Wisconsin State Journal: A century of coal-burning ends at downtown power plant We did it. The first of the three downtown coal plants in Madison (WI) has stopped burning coal. When any of you visit Madison in the future, the air will be cleaner, the fish safer, and the City's carbon footprint diminished. The immediate benefits of this will be felt as far away as West Virginia, because the state was using Massey coal. No more. The next two coal plants will end coal use in 2011 per our court agreement. Special thanks to Jennifer Feyerherm, our attorney David Bender, and a great team of volunteer leaders who made this all happen. And stay tuned for more news on additional state-owned coal plants going down in the near future. Cheers, Bruce http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/environment/article_10fe7ed4-2e93-11… A century of coal-burning ends at downtown power plant By DEE J. HALL | dhall(a)madison.com | 608-252-6132 | Posted: Saturday, March 13, 2010 5:18 am For the first time in 100 years, no coal is being burned at Downtown Madison's Capitol Heat and Power Plant, said David Helbach, Wisconsin's director of state facilities. Late last month, the state shut down its coal burners at the plant, which provides steam and chilled water to the state Capitol and nearby state office buildings. The state will spend about $25 million this fall to install gas boilers that will allow the plant to cool and heat Downtown office buildings using only natural gas, Helbach said. In the interim, the plant is using smaller boilers already in place and will buy electricity from Madison Gas & Electric as needed. "We'll be able to produce all of the steam and chilled water we need without using coal," Helbach said. The switchover is part of a court agreement between the state and the Sierra Club calling for the elimination of coal at two state-owned plants: UW-Madison's Charter Street Heating Plant and the Capitol plant. Converting the Charter Street plant from coal to biomass is expected to cost $251 million. Last month, the state Department of Administration also announced changes at six other coal-fired heating plants that will reduce or eliminate the use of coal at those locations. Coal burning is a major producer of particulate pollution, greenhouse gases and mercury contamination in fish. DOA Secretary Michael Morgan announced the state would install additional pollution controls, eliminate coal use or possibly shut down five coal-fired heating plants at Mendota Mental Health Institution in Madison and UW campuses at Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh and River Falls. The department also said it would stop using coal at the state-owned heating plant in Waupun that serves Waupun, Dodge and Burke correctional institutions and other state-owned buildings in the area. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources had determined that those plants were violating the federal Clean Air Act. Jennifer Feyerherm, director of the Sierra Club's Wisconsin Clean Energy Campaign, called kicking coal at the Capitol plant "a wonderful thing." "I know that hundreds and hundreds of activists and volunteers around the state who've been pushing for this are excited that we have our first state plant officially off coal," she said. Bruce Nilles, Director Beyond Coal Campaign Sierra Club 408 C Street NE Washington, DC 20002 T: 202.675.7905 C: 608.712.9725 E: bruce.nilles(a)sierraclub.org W: www.sierraclub.org/coal

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Re: [EC] PSC and Net Metering
by DSGJr＠aol.com 15 Mar '10

15 Mar '10

Excellent, Frank. This is exactly what I needed. Thanks. don garvin In a message dated 3/15/2010 12:07:49 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, fyoung(a)mountain.net writes: Don, pursuant to the 2009 legislature's HB 408, the PSC is promulgating new net metering rules. The order with the proposed new rules and the dates for commenting on these new rules is here: _http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI D=288733&NotType='WebDocket'_ (http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket') Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: _DSGJr(a)aol.com_ (mailto:DSGJr@aol.com) To: _mjmb(a)westco.net_ (mailto:mjmb@westco.net) Cc: _fyoung(a)mountain.net_ (mailto:fyoung@mountain.net) ; _billhowley(a)hughes.net_ (mailto:billhowley@hughes.net) Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 12:07 PM Subject: Re: PSC and Net Metering I guess I misunderstood the earlier emails about this. From what was sent around, I thought there was some sort of public comment period regarding a rate case or something new that PSC was considering on net metering. don In a message dated 3/15/2010 10:10:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, _mjmb(a)westco.net_ (mailto:mjmb@westco.net) writes: I've attached two files relating to PSC net metering rules. The second 1.20 MB file, February 2, 2010, is the most recent. From: _Bill Howley_ (mailto:billhowley@hughes.net) Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:20 AM To: _DSGJr(a)aol.com_ (mailto:DSGJr@aol.com) Cc: _fyoung(a)mountain.net_ (mailto:fyoung@mountain.net) ; _John Balasko_ (mailto:mjmb@westco.net) Subject: Re: PSC and Net Metering Don, I haven't been following this. John Balasko has, so I have cc'd him on this reply. John, can you help Don out? Bill _DSGJr(a)aol.com_ (mailto:DSGJr@aol.com) wrote: Can one of you point me to the information on what PSC is doing on net metering? I am going to put out an action alert on public comment periods at PSC and DEP and I can't find the PSC information. Thanks, don garvin

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Fw: PEAK DEMAND IS DOWN, SAYS PJM!! Good news for us!
by Jim Sconyers 15 Mar '10

15 Mar '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Mon, 3/15/10, Tina Rappaport <tinazipp(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Tina Rappaport <tinazipp(a)gmail.com> Subject: PEAK DEMAND IS DOWN, SAYS PJM!! Good news for us! To: Date: Monday, March 15, 2010, 11:51 AM Hi folks, Big news, big post on Bill Howley's Excellent Blog today!! This could be good for us! Too soon to tell though. Keep up to date on Bill's blog. http://calhounpowerline.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/peak-demand-falling-pjm-ca… I added Bill's blog to the "tabs" that open up each day when I open up my web browser. On a PC (not MAC) go to your Control Panel, find "Internet Options" and simply add Bill's blog, http://www.calhounpowerline.wordpress.com to the "homepage" list. My best always, Tina Rappaport 304-655-0003 SITE: www.URparamount.com BLOG: http://blog.urparamount.com EMAIL: Tina(a)URparamount.com TUPPERWARE: http://my2.tupperware.com/tup-html/U/urparamount-welcome.html

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Re: [EC] PSC and Net Metering
by Frank Young 15 Mar '10

15 Mar '10

Don, pursuant to the 2009 legislature's HB 408, the PSC is promulgating new net metering rules. The order with the proposed new rules and the dates for commenting on these new rules is here: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket' Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: DSGJr(a)aol.com To: mjmb(a)westco.net Cc: fyoung(a)mountain.net ; billhowley(a)hughes.net Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 12:07 PM Subject: Re: PSC and Net Metering I guess I misunderstood the earlier emails about this. From what was sent around, I thought there was some sort of public comment period regarding a rate case or something new that PSC was considering on net metering. don In a message dated 3/15/2010 10:10:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, mjmb(a)westco.net writes: I've attached two files relating to PSC net metering rules. The second 1.20 MB file, February 2, 2010, is the most recent. From: Bill Howley Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:20 AM To: DSGJr(a)aol.com Cc: fyoung(a)mountain.net ; John Balasko Subject: Re: PSC and Net Metering Don, I haven't been following this. John Balasko has, so I have cc'd him on this reply. John, can you help Don out? Bill DSGJr(a)aol.com wrote: Can one of you point me to the information on what PSC is doing on net metering? I am going to put out an action alert on public comment periods at PSC and DEP and I can't find the PSC information. Thanks, don garvin

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Fw: TAKE ACTION: Stop the Dumping of Mining Waste in Our Water
by Jim Sconyers 15 Mar '10

15 Mar '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. --- On Mon, 3/15/10, Earthjustice Alerts <action(a)earthjustice.org> wrote: From: Earthjustice Alerts <action(a)earthjustice.org> Subject: TAKE ACTION: Stop the Dumping of Mining Waste in Our Water To: "Jim Sconyers" <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Date: Monday, March 15, 2010, 9:11 AM TAKE ACTION: Stop the Dumping of Mining Waste in Our Water! CALL: Stop the Dumping of Mining Waste in Our Water! Mining companies are using America's streams and lakes as dumping grounds for millions of tons of solid mining wastes. Call today to stop this destructive practice! Dear Jim, Taking advantage of a loophole that the Bush administration created in Clean Water Act rules, mining companies are using America's streams and lakes as dumping grounds for millions of tons of solid mining wastes. Companies are burying streams with mountaintop removal coal mining waste in Appalachia and are planning to fill in a lake in Alaska with waste from gold mining. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have the authority to close the waste loophole in the Clean Water Act, and President Obama should instruct the agencies to do so immediately. The mining industry is enormously powerful and will spare no expense in fighting this needed change, so it is important to start the process of fixing this terrible loophole now. But in order to close the Bush loophole, the EPA and the Corps need leadership and immediate direction from the White House to act now, before more of our nation's precious waters are destroyed. Now is the time. Delaying this process will harm our waterways, our communities, our wildlife, and our ecosystems. Please call the White House today, March 15, as a part of the National Protect Waters from Mining Waste Day of Action. If you're unable to call on March 15, the White House still needs to hear from you—please call as soon as you can! Together, we can demonstrate to the White House the urgent need for action to restore the prohibition on dumping mining waste in our water. Make Your Call Today: The White House: 202-456-1414 (9AM–5PM ET) When the White House receptionist answers the phone, please leave a message with him or her, expressing your desire for the President to end dumping of mine waste in our waters. Here's a sample of what you can say (and we hope you will add your personal touch, too): "Hello! My name is Jim Sconyers, and I am calling from Terra Alta, West Virginia. "I'm calling to ask President Obama to end the dumping of mining waste in our water. Please restore the prohibition on filling waters with waste immediately. "Mining companies are using the 2002 loophole in the Clean Water Act rule to bury streams and lakes with untreated mining wastes. "From the mountaintop removal mines in Appalachia to the Kensington gold mine in Alaska, mining waste is destroying our streams and lakes. "President Obama should direct the EPA to close the mine waste dumping loophole immediately. Thank you." For more information on this issue, please visit Earthjustice's website. Thank you for taking the time to call! And please keep in touch: email action(a)earthjustice.org to tell us if you called, and about your experience. — Earthjustice Because the earth needs a good lawyer ©2010 Earthjustice | 426 17th Street, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612 | 510-550-6700 | action(a)earthjustice.org Alert Tools Photo Credit Top: Mountaintop removal mining explosion. Bottom: Water polluted by mining waste. Credit: John Kalucki. View online: Having trouble viewing this email? View it in a browser. This email was delivered to you by Earthjustice. Update your personal information or remove your email address from Earthjustice's email list through your Subscription Management Page or by emailing Earthjustice. Powered by:

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Court to hear Chief Logan drilling appeal
by Frank Young 11 Mar '10

11 Mar '10

Blankhttp://www.wvgazette.com/News/201003111095 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling regarding new natural gas drilling proposed for Chief Logan State Park. Manchin administration officials and environmental groups filed the appeal, seeking to overturn Logan Circuit Judge Roger Perry's decision last year in favor of Cabot Oil & Gas. Justices voted 5-0 to hear the case. No date was immediately set for oral arguments, but the case would likely not be heard until the fall. "My clients are very happy that they will have an opportunity to present their case to our court," said Tom Rodd, attorney for the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the Friends of Blackwater and former parks chief Cordie Hudkins. "And I think Chief Logan is smiling down on us today for helping to protect his namesake state park." Rodd's clients, as well as the Sierra Club, joined the case after Perry had already ruled to overturn the state Department of Environmental Protection's decision to deny Cabot a permit for nearly three dozen new wells to extract gas from under the 3,600-acre park in Logan County. Cabot holds lease agreements for the gas, which is owned by the heirs of Anthony Lawson, one of the first English settlers of what is now Logan County. DEP lawyers have also appealed, as has the state Division of Natural Resources, which runs the state park system. Cabot has vowed to either drill the site or sue the state in a "takings" case to try to be compensated for millions of dollars in lost profits. In December 2007, then-DEP Secretary Stephanie Timmermeyer rejected Cabot's permit application, citing a state law that prohibits the DNR from allowing "extraction of minerals ... on or under any state park." Cabot appealed, and Perry ruled for the company. Among other things, the judge said the DEP has no authority to enforce a section of state law prohibiting the DNR from allowing gas drilling in parks. But Ray Franks, the DEP's general counsel, said in his Supreme Court petition that Perry was wrong to conclude that "the plain language of the DNR statute can be interpreted in any manner other than an utter and universal proscription of the exploitation of minerals for commercial purposes in any state park. "If DNR is prohibited by law from allowing the exploitation of natural resources underlying a state park because the Legislature has made a judgment that this sort of development cannot be squared with the need to protect the park's unique surface aesthetic, that is precisely the sort of environmental policy that DEP is required to acknowledge and to which it must conform its own conduct," Franks wrote. Reach Ken Ward Jr. at kw...(a)wvgazette.com or 304-348-1702.

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Fwd: Amazing op-ed: "From coal to clean energy: an Iraq war veteran's next fight"
by Paul Wilson 09 Mar '10

09 Mar '10

you guys seen this? Any chance we can get permission to reprint it somewhere? paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- I have to pass along this amazing op-ed in the Christian Science Monitor by a WV veteran - connects the dots between climate, mountaintop removal, and national security better than anything else I have seen. Extremely compelling. Mary Anne --- * ** http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0301/From-coal-to-clean-en… *<http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0301/From-coal-to-clean-en…> Christian Science Monitor * >From coal to clean energy: an Iraq war veteran's next fight* Coal mining is scarring West Virginia. Climate change is intensifying the national security threat. One Iraq war vet explains why US energy policy must change. ------------------------------ By *Jon Gensler*<http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/print/About/Contact-Us-Feedback> posted March 1, 2010 at 10:49 am EST Cambridge, Mass. — As a captain in the Army, I was used to seeing the blasted, wasted landscapes of unfamiliar countries. From the window of a plane or the door of a helicopter, they were a familiar sight, the last high-level view before descending into a nasty fight. I expected such images of destruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. But not in West Virginia. Yet the ugly reality of mountaintop removal coal mining is what greeted me on my return home after a year-long tour in Iraq. Seeing the land I fought to protect being abused in such reckless fashion hit me in the gut, hard. It took years to recover my motivation to continue to fight for what I believe in back home. Appalachian families are facing serious decisions about their future, and these decisions are intimately linked with America’s future. Our energy policy is limiting our global competitiveness, hurting our national security, and destroying our heritage of wild, natural beauty. We need comprehensive energy and climate legislation to ensure our way of life this century. These national priorities are acute in my home state. Demand for southern West Virginian coal is expected to drop by half over the next decade, yet our political and business leadership refuse to take a serious look at how we can replace the jobs that will be lost. To maintain a relevant position in the energy economy, West Virginia must look beyond our short horizon of trying to fill up the next train load, and think about what will happen if we don’t push harder for economic diversification. The 30-plus years of decline we have experienced will merely accelerate. As the world moves on to cleaner energy sources, we will be left behind with a wounded land, a wounded people, and wounded pride, battle scars from a lost war. I came home to an America full of cars with “Support our Troops” bumper stickers. Real support would entail sacrifices, because so long as we’re addicted to foreign fossil fuels, our soldiers will be called on to safeguard supply routes. Additionally, the oil money we send to foreign dictators every day is directly funding the terrorists we are fighting against. All of this means more brave men and women losing life and limb overseas. Climate change is intensifying the national security threat. The Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense and State Departments agree that climate change presents risks that must be dealt with. The Pentagon’s just-released Quadrennial Defense Review for the first time ever recognizes climate change for the destabilizing force that it is. With increased droughts, famines, and migrations, we should remember that it is our soldiers who will be called upon to help these people in their need, and to respond with force to the terrorist havens that often arise in the wake of failed states. The burden will fall on America – and disproportionately on West Virginia. This fight is not new. It has raged through our mountains for decades. In the Mine Wars of the early 20th century, workers organized and took a stand against the coal companies whose only goal was to expand their bottom lines at the expense of the people of our state. Hundreds of miners, soldiers, and corporate thugs lost their lives in a struggle over a worker’s right to an honest day’s wage for an honest day’s labor. Today’s fight is similar: King Coal would have us believe that as coal goes, so goes West Virginia; that our worth as a people is to be measured by what we can rip from the ground and sell to the highest bidder; that we are indeed a 21st-century Company State, bought and paid for with our destroyed heritage. This is wrong. Setting the right course is worth fighting for. We need a price on carbon to eliminate the financial uncertainty that is preventing investment in clean-energy technologies. Such investments are crucial to drive future growth in today’s fledgling industries. Additionally, we should call for an aggressive national renewable portfolio standard to create demand in the short term, which is the best option to drive down energy costs for consumers. Now is the time to honor the sacrifices of our miner heritage. We are at a tremendous crossroads, and taking these steps is the right thing to do to honor our past, and the right thing to do for tomorrow. Let’s work for a better future that gives West Virginians – and all Americans – the freedom to thrive in a new energy economy rather than slowly dying with the old. I believe in you, West Virginia. Strap on your boots and fight with me. * * * Jon Gensler, a former Army captain who served in the Iraq war, is studying for master’s degrees at Harvard Kennedy School and MIT Sloan School of Management.* -- Mary Anne Hitt Deputy Director, Beyond Coal Campaign Sierra Club 304-876-7064 (w) 540-239-0073 (c)* **maryanne.hitt(a)sierraclub.org* <maryanne.hitt(a)sierraclub.org>* **www.sierraclub.org/coal* <http://www.sierraclub.org/coal> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fwd: Fw: Upcoming Webinars from Concrete Products University - Potential Impacts of Fly Ash Regulation (this Wednesday), Changes to ASTM, & Energy-Efficiency as a Selling Point for Concrete Masonry
by Paul Wilson 08 Mar '10

08 Mar '10

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: lynn welsh <welsharch(a)yahoo.com> Date: Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 1:05 PM Subject: Fw: Upcoming Webinars from Concrete Products University - Potential Impacts of Fly Ash Regulation (this Wednesday), Changes to ASTM, & Energy-Efficiency as a Selling Point for Concrete Masonry To: Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> HI Paul, I got this for continuing education, but I thought you or somebody from Sierra Club might be interested to participate & see what the coal people are saying about flyash legislation. Lynn --- On *Mon, 3/8/10, National Concrete Masonry Association <info(a)ncma.org>*wrote: From: National Concrete Masonry Association <info(a)ncma.org> Subject: Upcoming Webinars from Concrete Products University - Potential Impacts of Fly Ash Regulation (this Wednesday), Changes to ASTM, & Energy-Efficiency as a Selling Point for Concrete Masonry To: welsharch(a)yahoo.com Date: Monday, March 8, 2010, 11:10 AM To view this email as a web page, go here.<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe4d1d7174630c7a7d1d&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> *Dear Rosalind,* *As a reminder, the Concrete Products UniversitySM (CPUSM) webinar on the Potential Impacts of Fly Ash Regulation on the Concrete Products Industry<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe551d7174630c7a7c14&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> is this Wednesday! ** You can register for any CPU Webinar at: https://ncmameetings.webex.com<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe541d7174630c7a7c15&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> * ** *This week's webinar is:* *Potential Impacts of Fly Ash Regulation on the Concrete Products Industry<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe531d7174630c7a7c16&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> * *Wednesday, 10 March 2010 ** 1:00 - 4:00 PM Eastern Time** ** Description: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing proposed regulations that will address the management of coal combustion byproducts (CCBs). The scope of those regulations will likely have a significant impact on the concrete masonry and hardscape industry, because fly ash is the CCB with the greatest utilization rate and is used primarily in concrete to enhance its strength and resistance to the elements. Last year the U.S. produced about 70 million tons of fly ash, of which nearly 45 percent was recycled. The regulation of CCBs as hazardous waste would have a devastating impact on the continued use of CCBs, threatening an environmentally protective and valuable industry. Please join us for this timely, relevant, and informative session led by Jim Roewer (Edison Electric Institute), who heads the Coal Combustion Byproducts Coalition, of which NCMA is a member. The first two hours of this webinar will consist of the presentation, followed by up to one hour of an interactive Q&A session. Instructor: Jim Roewer, Edison Electric Institute & Coal Combustion Byproducts Coalition Registration Fee: $150 per nonmember login / $75 per NCMA Member login (NCMA Members, email me at drozsa(a)ncma.org<http://us.mc522.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=drozsa@ncma.org>to get your Member discount coupon code). * ***Register by clicking on the following link: * https://ncmameetings.webex.com/ncmameetings/k2/j.php?ED=118996447&UID=10602…<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe521d7174630c7a7c17&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> ** *Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the webinar. * ** *Upcoming CPU Webinars* *1) **Changes to ASTM and How They Impact Your Business <http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe511d7174630c7a7c10&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…>- Wednesday, 24 March 2010, 1:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time - $150 nonmembers / $75 NCMA Members. ASTM standards are used for specifying concrete products, providing standard test procedures, and guidelines on use. The standards are constantly being updated and improved, and it is important to understand recent changes and how they may affect the requirements for concrete products and how they are tested. This webinar will cover significant changes to ASTM standards for concrete masonry and hardscape products over the past two years. The first hour of this webinar will consist of the presentation, followed by up to one hour of an interactive Q&A session. Register by clicking on this sentence<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe501d7174630c7a7c11&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> .* *2) Is Energy Efficiency a Selling Point for Concrete Masonry? <http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe4f1d7174630c7a7c12&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…>- Wednesday, 7 April 2010, 1:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time - $150 nonmembers / $75 NCMA Members. The sustainability movement is fully upon us, and the economic climate is causing building owners and design professionals to look for ways to minimize operational costs. Join us for this webinar and learn how concrete masonry can meet evolving energy-efficiency design requirements. The first hour of this webinar will consist of the presentation, followed by up to one hour of an interactive Q&A session. Register by clicking on this sentence<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe4e1d7174630c7a7c13&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> .* * **For more information about these webinars or other NCMA educational programs, please email me at **drozsa(a)ncma.org*<http://us.mc522.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=drozsa@ncma.org> *.* * * Sincerely, J. David M. Rozsa, CAE, ACA Manager of Education and Certification National Concrete Masonry Association drozsa(a)ncma.org<http://us.mc522.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=drozsa@ncma.org> 13750 Sunrise Valley Drive Herndon, Virginia 20171 703-713-1900 (Telephone) 703-713-1910 (FAX) "Concrete Products University," "CPU," "Certified Consultant of Concrete Masonry," "C3M," the C3M logo, and the Concrete Products University logo are trademarks or service marks of the National Concrete Masonry Association. All rights reserved. This email was sent to: *welsharch(a)yahoo.com* This email was sent by: National Concrete Masonry Association 13750 Sunrise Valley Drive Herndon, VA 20171-4662 USA We respect your right to privacy - view our policy<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe4d1d7174630c7a7c1c&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> <http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe4c1d7174630c7a7c1d&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> Manage Subscriptions<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe5d1d7174630c757514&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…>| Update Profile<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe5c1d7174630c757515&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…>| One-Click Unsubscribe<http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe5b1d7174630c757516&ls=fdf8107677620478761c7276&m=f…> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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The Globe is Warming
by Duane330＠aol.com 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

Proof of Man-Made Global Warming Grows 'Stronger' LONDON (March 5) -- Climate scientists have hit back at skeptics with the publication of a new paper that says the case for man-made global warming is now "stronger than ever." An international team of scientists led by Britain's Met Office -- the country's national weather service -- has spent the past year reviewing 110 studies published since 2007 that tracked changes in the earth's climate. Their paper, _published in the journal Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change_ (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123310513/abstract) , concluded that the possibility the world is warming because of natural variations in climate (such as increased volcanic or solar activity) is "increasingly remote." Instead, they firmly pin the blame on man's burning of fossil fuels. "The science reveals a consistent picture of global change that clearly bears the fingerprint of man-made greenhouse gas emissions," said Peter Stott, head of climate monitoring at the Met Office Hadley Centre for climate research. "Our climate is changing now, and it's very likely human activity is to blame." Public confidence in climate science has been knocked by a succession of scandals over the past six months. Revelations that the 2007 report from the _U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change_ (http://www.aolnews.com/science/article/un-admits-error-in-overstating-himal…) contained several unverifiable claims, and that the influential climate unit at the University of East Anglia apparently withheld data from skeptics, have led many people to doubt the theory of man-made climate change. Stott says the new Met Office report isn't an attempt to counter this growing wave of skepticism, as the team started work a year ago, long before those so-called Climategate scandals broke. But it is an unashamed attempt to refocus the public debate on the actual science of climate change, rather than claims made about individual scientists in the media. "I hope people will look at that evidence and make up their minds informed by the scientific evidence," _he told the Guardian_ (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/05/met-office-analysis-clima…) . His team put together the new set of evidence by comparing computer models of possible causes of climate change, both human and natural, to actual measured changes in air and sea temperature, Arctic sea ice cover, global rainfall patterns and other factors. This forensic technique, known as "optimal detection," reveals how much an observation can be explained by natural changes, such as volcanoes or El Niño, and how much it's attributable to atmospheric increases in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The study found that the climate system had changed in ways that closely followed the pattern of man-made climate change predicted by computer models. Human activity, it states, is almost certainly the only explanation for climatic variations recorded across the world -- such as the increase of rain in the northern countries and the decrease in the south, or the retreat of Arctic sea ice. Stott dismissed a popular idea put forward by many skeptics that changes in the solar radiation (or "global brightening") could be behind the shifts. "There hasn't been an increase in solar output for the last 50 years," he said, "and solar output would not have caused cooling of the higher atmosphere and the warming of the lower atmosphere that we have seen." _http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/evidence-of-man-made-global-warming-gr ows-stronger/19384663?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl2|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aol news.com%2Fworld%2Farticle%2Fevidence-of-man-made-global-warming-grows-stron ger%2F19384663_ (http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/evidence-of-man-made-global-warming-gr… ://www.aolnews.com/world/article/evidence-of-man-made-global-warming-grows-s tronger/19384663)

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Re: [EC] Net Metering- WV PSC proposes new rules- DEADLINE FORPUBLIC COMMENTS
by John Christensen 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

attached is my fact sheet on our net metering bill which failed to be taken up in house judic this year John Christensen WV Environmental Council Lobby Team Member 410-499-4873 cell www.wvecouncil.org ----- Original Message ----- From: kevin fooce To: jbc329(a)earthlink.net;Frank Young;ec@osenergy.org;wvec-board@yahoogroups.com;matt@getpimby.com;Jonathon Rosenbaum;allantweddle@msn.com;wyro@appalight.com;info@westvirginiasolar.com;grabiner1@aol.com;deniseap@earthlink.net;Donald Garvin;Jim Kotcon;jatkins@opd.state.md.us;alexanderlaw@lawyer.com;blackb23@gmail.com;pjgrunt@lycos.com;garyz@wvcag.org;robin@wvcag.org;Bill DePaulo Sent: 3/5/2010 10:50:17 PM Subject: RE: [EC] Net Metering- WV PSC proposes new rules- DEADLINE FORPUBLIC COMMENTS Increase the 1% limit Increase the size of residential units Automatic transfer of permit Allow more small systems over larger systems one 1 megawatt system makes forty 25 kilowatt systems which may limit the amount of customers, reliability of grid, and also allows for a increase waste energy through line losses. Am I correct in the reading that the utilities will pay for excess en energy at the avoided cost at the end of the yearly period? Just a few thoughts but looks like a good bill otherwise. We do need to make our thoughts known. Kevin Fooce fooce(a)hotmail.com 304-675-6687 EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me From: jbc329(a)earthlink.net To: fyoung(a)mountain.net; ec(a)osenergy.org; wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com; matt(a)getpimby.com; freesource(a)cheat.org; allantweddle(a)msn.com; wyro(a)appalight.com; info(a)westvirginiasolar.com; grabiner1(a)aol.com; deniseap(a)earthlink.net; dsgjr(a)aol.com; fyoung(a)mountain.net; jkotcon(a)wvu.edu; JAtkins(a)opd.state.md.us; alexanderlaw(a)lawyer.com; blackb23(a)gmail.com; pjgrunt(a)lycos.com; garyz(a)wvcag.org; robin(a)wvcag.org; william.depaulo(a)gmail.com Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 14:59:18 -0500 Subject: Re: [EC] Net Metering- WV PSC proposes new rules- DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS I suspect the reason that net metering rules have not been addressed by the power companies is the high probability that these rules were written by them in the first place. When I approached the power company lobbyists about working together on a net metering bill a week or so ago they never even mentioned the comment period going on here. JB John Christensen WV Environmental Council Lobby Team Member 410-499-4873 cell www.wvecouncil.org ----- Original Message ----- From: Frank Young To: ec@osenergy.org;wvec-board@yahoogroups.com;Matt Sherald;Jonathon Rosenbaum;Allan Tweddle;Chuck Wyrostok;Dan Bowes;Dana Grabiner;Denise Poole;Don Garvin;Frank Young;Jim Kotcon;Joseph Atkins;Matthew Alexander;Michael Blackburn;Paul Wilson;Gary Zuckett;Robin Wilson;John Christensen;Bill DePaulo Sent: 3/4/2010 1:46:39 PM Subject: Net Metering- WV PSC proposes new rules- DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS I learned only today that in early February the WV Public Service Commission opened a new proceeding related to the adoption of proposed new rules for Net Metering and Interconnection for Distributed Generation. This is a very important matter for those of US who are interested in "net metering" issues in West Virginia. I have not yet read the Commission's proposed new rules. The order which includes the proposed new rules is available at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket' Procedurally, almost nothing has happened on this case since it was opened a month ago. No public comments have been submitted- not even from the power companies. Public comments will be accepted until April 4th. Then, reply comments will be accepted until May 5th. When the Commission first developed Net Metering rules in 2006, the PSC's staff went to great effort to bring the various interveners together to a "compromise" set of rules- and which the Commission adopted without change. I believe that could well happen again- IF the parties are amenable to this process. So far this is not a proceeding involving formal "interveners". It is a "public comment" type case in which the Commission would presumably weigh the public comments before issuing a final set of rules in this matter. But if there are sufficient requests, the Commission could (but would not have to) re-group and have a more formal proceeding with actual intervening parties. This might or might not be in the best interest of our respective interests in this case / proceeding. One advantage to this NOT being a case with formal interveners is that groups like WV Environmental Council and WV Citizen Action would need not have an attorney to participate as they would if this became a more formal case with legally recognized interveners. Anyway, I wanted to let you know what is happening on this, and we can go from here. I realize that several of you who may be interested in this are currently busy with legislative work. But that should be mostly over by mid-March. Too, since this proceeding was instituted in the midst of the regular legislative session, I suspect that the Commission might honor requests to extend the public comment period. But until we have read the proposed new Net Metering rules, it is probably premature to request the Commission to change the procedural schedule for this matter. Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: Ellars, Jim To: 'fyoung(a)mountain.net' Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 8:57 AM Subject: Net Metering and Interconnection for Distributed Generation Mr. Young, I am contacting you because I know you were an intervener in the Commission's last case in 2006 regarding net metering and interconnection rules. In case you didn't know, the Commission initiated a proceeding on 2/2/10 (General Order 258) which is a rulemaking proceeding which includes net metering and interconnection issues. The Commission published proposed rules in its Order, and comments to those rules are due to be filed no later than 4/4/10. I know there are many folks in WV who are very interested in the state's rules regarding net metering and interconnection, so if you know of any parties who may want to file comments and/or participate in this proceeding please pass the word. We have about a month left before comments are due. I would be happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions. Feel free to call me at the number below. Jim James W. Ellars, P.E. Senior Engineer Public Service Commission of West Virginia 304-340-0331 jellars(a)psc.state.wv.us

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Re: [EC] Net Metering- WV PSC proposes new rules- DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
by John Christensen 05 Mar '10

05 Mar '10

I suspect the reason that net metering rules have not been addressed by the power companies is the high probability that these rules were written by them in the first place. When I approached the power company lobbyists about working together on a net metering bill a week or so ago they never even mentioned the comment period going on here. JB John Christensen WV Environmental Council Lobby Team Member 410-499-4873 cell www.wvecouncil.org ----- Original Message ----- From: Frank Young To: ec@osenergy.org;wvec-board@yahoogroups.com;Matt Sherald;Jonathon Rosenbaum;Allan Tweddle;Chuck Wyrostok;Dan Bowes;Dana Grabiner;Denise Poole;Don Garvin;Frank Young;Jim Kotcon;Joseph Atkins;Matthew Alexander;Michael Blackburn;Paul Wilson;Gary Zuckett;Robin Wilson;John Christensen;Bill DePaulo Sent: 3/4/2010 1:46:39 PM Subject: Net Metering- WV PSC proposes new rules- DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS I learned only today that in early February the WV Public Service Commission opened a new proceeding related to the adoption of proposed new rules for Net Metering and Interconnection for Distributed Generation. This is a very important matter for those of US who are interested in "net metering" issues in West Virginia. I have not yet read the Commission's proposed new rules. The order which includes the proposed new rules is available at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket' Procedurally, almost nothing has happened on this case since it was opened a month ago. No public comments have been submitted- not even from the power companies. Public comments will be accepted until April 4th. Then, reply comments will be accepted until May 5th. When the Commission first developed Net Metering rules in 2006, the PSC's staff went to great effort to bring the various interveners together to a "compromise" set of rules- and which the Commission adopted without change. I believe that could well happen again- IF the parties are amenable to this process. So far this is not a proceeding involving formal "interveners". It is a "public comment" type case in which the Commission would presumably weigh the public comments before issuing a final set of rules in this matter. But if there are sufficient requests, the Commission could (but would not have to) re-group and have a more formal proceeding with actual intervening parties. This might or might not be in the best interest of our respective interests in this case / proceeding. One advantage to this NOT being a case with formal interveners is that groups like WV Environmental Council and WV Citizen Action would need not have an attorney to participate as they would if this became a more formal case with legally recognized interveners. Anyway, I wanted to let you know what is happening on this, and we can go from here. I realize that several of you who may be interested in this are currently busy with legislative work. But that should be mostly over by mid-March. Too, since this proceeding was instituted in the midst of the regular legislative session, I suspect that the Commission might honor requests to extend the public comment period. But until we have read the proposed new Net Metering rules, it is probably premature to request the Commission to change the procedural schedule for this matter. Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: Ellars, Jim To: 'fyoung(a)mountain.net' Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 8:57 AM Subject: Net Metering and Interconnection for Distributed Generation Mr. Young, I am contacting you because I know you were an intervener in the Commission's last case in 2006 regarding net metering and interconnection rules. In case you didn't know, the Commission initiated a proceeding on 2/2/10 (General Order 258) which is a rulemaking proceeding which includes net metering and interconnection issues. The Commission published proposed rules in its Order, and comments to those rules are due to be filed no later than 4/4/10. I know there are many folks in WV who are very interested in the state's rules regarding net metering and interconnection, so if you know of any parties who may want to file comments and/or participate in this proceeding please pass the word. We have about a month left before comments are due. I would be happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions. Feel free to call me at the number below. Jim James W. Ellars, P.E. Senior Engineer Public Service Commission of West Virginia 304-340-0331 jellars(a)psc.state.wv.us

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