EC October 2016

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

1 participants
7 discussions

Tri-State Solar
by James Kotcon via EC 31 Oct '16

31 Oct '16

Just an FYI, while doing an interview with a reporter about solar in WV, I looked up the Tri-State Solar case before the PSC. Tri-State had proposed a 5.3 MW solar farm in Greenbriar County (Sam Black Church exit of I-64) on 26 acres. I had been approached by some staffers in January because the developer had represented that Sierra Club supported the project, although we had never heard of it. Based on discussions with people in the area, I had considered whether to file comments, but never did. The word I got was that the developer was more talk than action, and that was one of the kinder things I heard. The PSC did issue a final order approving the project in August. It appears that the developer had an incomplete application, never did file the remaining required reports, and did not even file reply briefs after the hearing, but agreed to a "settlement" whereby he would file those reports before construction started. The full document is at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket' Jim Kotcon

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Report: More than half of new generation in 2015 was renewable
by frank young via EC 25 Oct '16

25 Oct '16

"Renewable energy reached an important turning point last year with record new installations of emissions-free power surpassing sources that burn fossil fuel, according the International Energy Agency. "New installations of renewable energy overtook conventional power for the first time in 2015, the Paris-based agency said Tuesday in its Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report. Global green power rose by a record 153 gigawatts, equivalent to 55 percent of newly installed capacity last year. Total installed capacity exceeded coal for the first time, the IEA said." http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-25/record-green-power-install ations-beat-fossil-fuel-for-first-time

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Fwd: Follow up info from VW Settlement & States webinar
by Jonathan Rosenbaum via EC 22 Oct '16

22 Oct '16

One concern that National brought up was to be careful that this money does not end up going to frackers to mitigate the noxious effects of the diesel engines they use. They are hoping this money goes to projects that realize true ZEV impacts for the longterm. -Jonathan -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Follow up info from VW Settlement & States webinar Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2016 10:59:59 -0700 From: Mary Lunetta <mary.lunetta(a)sierraclub.org> To: undisclosed-recipients:; Dear Colleague, Thank you so much for attending Sierra Club's recent webinar "VW Settlement and the States". *We really look forward to working with you on this great opportunity to influence how your state expands it's clean transportation projects. * As we mentioned during the webinar, below is a link to access our Google Drive Toolkit, a great resource for you to learn more about the VW settlement. It's also a centralized place to find all the tools your chapter will need to both /work on /and to /track/ your progress on this campaign. *::ACCESS VW SETTLEMENT CHAPTER RESOURCES KIT HERE <%20https://docs.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/document/d/16c_Pl_yOiODi-9uUoU_H2eoPzk2yyX-zDKG6Czz1Uas/edit?usp=sharing>:: * /Here's what you'll find in the Toolkit:/ * Webinar recording & Power Point slides * VW Settlement Guide & 2 page Overview doc * Frequently Asked Questions doc (FAQ) * 225 page VW Settlement decree * Timeline of state allocation process and deadlines * Template letters to Governors and Organizations * Facts Sheets on the areas the settlement covers * The *State Chapter Tracker*: <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tDs3HdZLxqIHWQAaHsitr27SSFHwxJmbYoh…> where the name and email for /one designated person/ from your chapter who is assigned with heading up these efforts will go, along updates on the progress your chapter is making. Lastly, *please let us know if there are allies in your state who would be interested in attending our next webinar on Friday, Nov 4. * You can share this information with us by completing our *webinar feedback form <https://docs.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedpQMB5ZMPohjBPo…>*. It takes just two minutes to complete. Please fill it out today so we can incorporate your feedback into the next webinar and so we can send invitations ASAP to allies in your network. Thanks again for all that you are doing to promote clean transportation. If you have any questions at any time, please don't hesitate to reach out. Best, Mary *Mary Lunetta * Campaign Representative Electric Vehicles Initiative | Sierra Club e | mary.lunetta(a)sierraclub.org <mailto:mary.lunetta@sierraclub.org> c | 520.252.2335 <tel:520.252.2335> www.sierraclub.org/evguide <http://www.sierraclub.org/evguide> /We think of ourselves as separated from one another, yet we are connected and what we do affects the whole world. / ~ Desmond Tutu

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Tomorrow: Settlement Information to help expand clean transportation - please RSVP today
by Jonathan Rosenbaum via EC 18 Oct '16

18 Oct '16

I received a phone call from National asking me to listen in on this phone call tomorrow (I am chair of WVSC's transportation committee). I want to invite others to listen in on this call because we may be able to do something with these monies. Please register. -Jonathan -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Call for Sierra Club Chapter Leaders to help expand clean transportation - please RSVP today Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2016 14:02:46 -0700 From: Mary Lunetta <mary.lunetta(a)sierraclub.org> To: undisclosed-recipients:; Dear Colleague, You heard about the Volkswagen scandal <http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/06/sierra-club-statement-…>. Now find out how Sierra Club can turn this tragedy into a victory for clean transportation. Join us for an overview of the settlement, how much in allocated funds each state will be receiving (P.S. it's a lot), and how Sierra Club chapters can influence the use of state funds to promote clean transportation initiatives. *WEBINAR: VW SETTLEMENT FUNDS FOR STATES* WHEN:Tuesday, October 18th TIME: 5:00 PM PST / 7:00 PM CT / 8:00 PM EST RSVP: To RSVP, please click here <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN1bGOZadXISlvBsTIGOp4AhJ9l0HVKlc…> (After you RSVP, we will follow up with a link to access the webinar) Attached is a doc that gives a helpful overview of the settlement, how much money each state will be receiving to fund clean transportation, and what the timeline is for states to decide how the money is spent. /Background:/ Volkswagen has reached a settlement involving VW and Audi diesel vehicles with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Trade Commission, the California Attorney General and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Through the settlement, Volkswagen has agreed to: * Buy-back, terminate leases or provide approved emissions modifications for nearly 475,000 2.0-liter TDI diesel cars in the U.S. * Provide cash payments to owners / lessees * *Pay $2.7 billion to the states to fully remediate the excess NOx emissions from the affected 2.0 liter vehicles* * Invest $2 billion in zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) and ZEV technology Eligible mitigation actions could include replacing older city transit buses with new electric-powered transit city buses or installing charging infrastructure for light duty zero emission passenger vehicles. Every state has the flexibility to choose which projects on the list of eligible mitigation actions are the best options for their citizens, and Sierra Club wants to provide its chapters with the information and the tools to ensure that the cleanest, most effective options are selected in your state. *To register for this webinar, please click here <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN1bGOZadXISlvBsTIGOp4AhJ9l0HVKlc…>**. * We look forward to speaking with you on October 18th! Sincerely, Mary Lunetta, Campaign Coordinator, Electric Vehicles Initiative, Sierra Club Gina Coplon-Newfield, Director, Electric Vehicles Initiative, Sierra Club Josh Stebbins, Managing Attorney, Sierra Club Jen Hensley, State Lobbying and Advocacy Director *Mary Lunetta * Campaign Representative Electric Vehicles Initiative | Sierra Club e | mary.lunetta(a)sierraclub.org <mailto:mary.lunetta@sierraclub.org> c | 520.252.2335 <tel:520.252.2335> www.sierraclub.org/evguide <http://www.sierraclub.org/evguide> /We think of ourselves as separated from one another, yet we are connected and what we do affects the whole world. / ~ Desmond Tutu

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Request For Applications- Energy Organizer
by James Kotcon via EC 17 Oct '16

17 Oct '16

The West Virginia Chapter of Sierra Club seeks applications for an organizer to assist with campaign development to promote energy efficiency and a transition to clean energy. It is anticipated that this position will be for the period of Nov. 2016 to March 31, 2017. Anticipated effort of approximately 20 hours per week. Continuation in 2017 dependent on funding and campaign progress. The ideal applicant for this position would qualify as an Independent Contractor, and would have past or concurrent experience with volunteer organizing, media relations, and campaign coordination, as well as familiarity with environmental and energy issues. Willingness to travel and meet with and recruit volunteers in West Virginia is essential. Position reports to the Chapter Energy Efficiency Campaign team and Chapter Conservation Chair. Stipend and expenses commensurate with experience and abilities. See attached Description for full details and instructions to apply. Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home)

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Massachusetts Court bans electric rate hikes to fund gas pipelines
by James Kotcon via EC 17 Oct '16

17 Oct '16

This ruling undercuts about half the funding for the Spectra Energy "Access Northeast" pipeline. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court struck down a controversial "pipeline tax" that would have allowed electric utilities in the state to raise rates to pay for natural gas pipeline projects. Any way we can make this apply in WV? Jim Kotcon https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19082016/massachusetts-court-bans-electr… [https://insideclimatenews.org/sites/default/files/styles/icn_full_wrap_wide…]<https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19082016/massachusetts-court-bans-electr…> Mass. Court Bans Electricity Rate Hikes to Fund Gas ...<https://insideclimatenews.org/news/19082016/massachusetts-court-bans-electr…> insideclimatenews.org The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court struck down a controversial "pipeline tax" that would have allowed electric utilities in the state to raise rates to pay for ...

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Re: [EC] Environmentalists Trying To Stop Hauling Of Nuclear Waste Along Rt. 79 « CBS Pittsburgh
by Jonathan Rosenbaum via EC 12 Oct '16

12 Oct '16

There is WV code that seems to make such transport through our state illegal: §16-27-2. Storage or disposal of radioactive waste material within the state prohibited; exceptions. (a) No person shall store or dispose of any radioactive waste material within the state: Provided, That the provisions of this section do not prohibit (1) the storage or disposal of such material produced within the state as a result of medical, educational, research or industrial activities and so stored or disposed of in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, or (2) the transportation of such material out of or through the state when done in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws: Provided, however, That such waste from industrial activities does not include, for the purpose of this article, such material produced from the operation of any nuclear power generation facility, nuclear processing facility, or nuclear reprocessing facility. There is a better article, with a map, showing the transports going through WV, at: http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/consumers-powersource/2016/… -Jonathan On 10/11/2016 10:40 PM, Duane Nichols wrote: > Environmentalists Trying To Stop Hauling Of Nuclear Waste Along Rt. 79 > « CBS Pittsburgh > > http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2016/08/29/environmentalists-rushing-to-stop… > > > Environmentalists Rushing To Stop Hauling Of Weapons-Grade Nuclear > Waste Along Rt. 79 > > August 29, 2016 7:33 PM > > By Andy Sheehan > > PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Trucks rumble down Route 79 everyday, right past > the orchards and country store at Soergel’s Farm. > > Not one to pay them any heed, Randy Soergel now has reason for > concern. Soon, some of them may be hauling weapons-grade nuclear waste. > > “If there was an accident or anything like,” says Soergel. > “Environmentally, it just makes you nervous.” > > But the U.S. Department of Energy has approved the transport of spent > uranium and other waste from a research laboratory in Canada to a > disposal and reprocessing facility in South Carolina. > > An estimated 150 truckloads of the liquid waste, contained in steel > canisters, will be traversing 200 miles along Route 79 over the next > two years. > > This is an unprecedented shipment of liquid, high-level radioactive > waste. That’s never happened in North American history,” said Kevin > Kamps, the director of Beyond Nuclear. > > The Beyond Nuclear organization and the Sierra Club have filed suit > and are seeking for an immediate injunction to stop the shipments. > > KDKA’s Andy Sheehan spoke with Kamps via Skype, who says the liquid > waste is more highly volatile than waste in solid form. > > “That means, it’s that much closer to getting out into the environment > in a crash, or a fire, or a deliberate attack in these truck > shipments,” said Kamps. “That’s a big concern.” > > Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page > <http://www.facebook.com/CBSPittsburgh> > Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter > <https://twitter.com/CBSPittsburgh> > > In approving the shipments, the Department of Energy determined the > waste to be safe, even in the event of an accident, but the feds have > sponsored training sessions for first responders throughout the region. > > But the environmentalists want the waste to be solidified and stored > or disposed of in Canada. That has the full support of the shoppers > KDKA spoke with at Soergel’s, who don’t want it coming through their > hometowns. > > “I see so many accidents on 79, every morning, coming home at night, > so that would be a very dangerous situation indeed,” said Jen Blanker, > of Mars. > > “I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of effects we’d be exposing > our growing children and people to. Of course, I’m not for it. Can’t > they go somewhere else, where there’s less population?” added Maureen > Pavlik, another local resident. > > But if that injunction is not granted, trucks hauling nuclear waste > could come barreling down 79 within a week, making those who live > nearby uneasy. > > > > Sent from my iPhone

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EC October 2016