EC February 2016

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

8 participants
13 discussions

Article from the Rhodium Group: The Hidden Cause of America's Coal Collapse
by Paul Wilson 28 Feb '16

28 Feb '16

Thought this may be of use to some folks. fyi, paul w. -- Paul Wilson Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing Sierra Club Military Outdoors 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

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Fwd: [wvec board & supporters] Good News? LEEP Bill passes Committee vote.
by Vickie Wolfe 26 Feb '16

26 Feb '16

You are welcome to use the WVEC's handy contact page for the EIM cmte, which has all the e-dresses, phone nos. etc, on one page, and all the e-dresses in one place for copy-and-paste! http://wvecouncil.org/aa-boilerplate/senate-energy/ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: 'frank young' fyoung(a)mountain.net [wvec-board] < wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com> Date: Thu, Feb 25, 2016 at 10:41 PM Subject: [wvec board & supporters] Good News? LEEP Bill passes Committee vote. To: wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com *From WVEC board member Jim Kotcon:* *From:* ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] *On Behalf Of *James Kotcon *Sent:* Thursday, February 25, 2016 9:59 PM *To:* ec(a)osenergy.org *Subject:* [EC] LEEP Bill passes Committee vote. I was in the Senate EIM meeting when the LEEP bill passed out. Unanimously! It is in the Senate Rules Committee which could schedule it for a floor vote as early as this Sunday, The bill must pass the Senate by Wednesday in order to be considered in the House. Can someone help prepare an e-mail alert to our members to ask for calls to all Senators. The message is simple, please ask that SB 370 be put on the agenda for a vote, and then vote for SB 370. And for those writing to Senators on the EIM Committee, add a 'Thank you' for voting to pass the bill out of Committee. EIM COMMITTEE MEMBERS Senator Boso <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Boso>- *Chair * Senator Blair <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Blair>- *Vice-Chair * Senator Boley <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Boley> Senator Facemire <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Facemire> Senator Gaunch <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Gaunch> Senator Kirkendoll <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Kirkendo…> Senator Maynard <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Maynard> Senator Mullins <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Mullins> Senator Snyder <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Snyder> Senator Sypolt <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Sypolt> Senator Williams <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Williams> Senator Woelfel <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Woelfel> Senator Yost <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Yost> Jim Kotcon __._,_.___ ------------------------------ Posted by: "frank young" <fyoung(a)mountain.net> ------------------------------ Reply via web post <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/messages/5349;…> • Reply to sender <fyoung@mountain.net?subject=Re%3A%20Good%20News%3F%20%20LEEP%20Bill%20passes%20Committee%20vote%2E> • Reply to group <wvec-board@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20Good%20News%3F%20%20LEEP%20Bill%20passes%20Committee%20vote%2E> • Start a New Topic <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/newtopic;_ylc=…> • Messages in this topic <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/conversations/topics/5349;_y…> (1) Visit Your Group <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wvec-board/info;_ylc=X3oDMTJmdGk2MWtqBF…> [image: Yahoo! Groups] <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo;_ylc=X3oDMTJlMDVla2FoBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkA…> • Privacy <https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/groups/details.html> • Unsubscribe <wvec-board-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> • Terms of Use <https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/> . __,_._,___ -- ```````````````````````````````````````````````````` Vickie L. Wolfe E-MAIL: IBTreehugger(a)gmail.com ```````````````````````````````````````````````````` "It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save our environment." -Ansel Adams Read *Hot, Flat and Crowded* by Tom Friedman.

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LEEP Bill passes Committee vote.
by James Kotcon 25 Feb '16

25 Feb '16

I was in the Senate EIM meeting when the LEEP bill passed out. Unanimously! It is in the Senate Rules Committee which could schedule it for a floor vote as early as this Sunday, The bill must pass the Senate by Wednesday in order to be considered in the House. Can someone help prepare an e-mail alert to our members to ask for calls to all Senators. The message is simple, please ask that SB 370 be put on the agenda for a vote, and then vote for SB 370. And for those writing to Senators on the EIM Committee, add a 'Thank you' for voting to pass the bill out of Committee. EIM COMMITTEE MEMBERSSenator Boso <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Boso>- *Chair * Senator Blair <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Blair>- *Vice-Chair * Senator Boley <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Boley> Senator Facemire <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Facemire> Senator Gaunch <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Gaunch> Senator Kirkendoll <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Kirkendo…> Senator Maynard <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Maynard> Senator Mullins <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Mullins> Senator Snyder <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Snyder> Senator Sypolt <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Sypolt> Senator Williams <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Williams> Senator Woelfel <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Woelfel> Senator Yost <http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1/lawmaker.cfm?member=Senator%20Yost> Jim Kotcon

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Clean Power Plan ahead of schedule
by James Kotcon 24 Feb '16

24 Feb '16

This article suggests that the combined imopact of efficiency and renewables has already gotten the US over half way to meeting CPP targets, and continued tax credits will likely get us there 14 years ahead of schedule. Renewables are already cost competitive with both coal and gas,. The good news is that the solar industry already employs more people than the gas and pipeline industries combined. Now all we have to do is to keep the fossil industry from taking us down with them as they go under. JBK http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/270544-achieving-c…

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Science Teachers Confused About Climate Change
by James Kotcon 12 Feb '16

12 Feb '16

This is troubling, particularly in light of the on-going debates over climate education in state science education standards. Most middle and high school science teachers appear to be unaware of the overwhelming scientific consensus, or want to teach "both sides of the issue" (ever have anyone want to "teach both sides" of the Law of Gravity?). Nearly one-third of teachers emphasize that recent global warming is likely due to natural causes-and tell their students that many scientists say the same thing. Even among teachers who agree that human activities are mainly to blame for climate change, almost half could not name the percentage of scientists (81 to 100 percent) who share their view. http://www.newsweek.com/science-teachers-confused-climate-change-425650 Jim Kotcon

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Talk Line comments on the Supreme Court stay of the CPP
by James Kotcon 11 Feb '16

11 Feb '16

Here is part of what was said on Hoppy's show this morning. A key point Hoppy raised (although it did not make it into this article) is that the CPP would reduce global CO2 emissions by 0.2 %, so why do something so economically devastating for so little gain? I have heard that one before, including from Congressman McKinley, so we should identify a short sound-bite rebuttal. Suggestions? JBK Full story at: http://wvmetronews.com/2016/02/10/murray-ceo-supreme-court-stay-portends-ep… The president and CEO of Murray Energy Corporation is taking Tuesday’s decision from the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily halt the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan as a sign that the entire plan will eventually be tossed. “It portends that we will overturn the illegal climate change agenda of the destructive Obama Administration,” predicted Bob Murray on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline,” a day after the Supreme Court granted an emergency request for a delay until legal challenges are resolved. Three years ago, Murray Energy filed the lawsuit against the EPA’s proposed emission limits for existing coal-fired power plants and, at that time, Murray said he knew would be “an uphill fight.” Later, 29 states, including West Virginia, joined the effort. “It is our case and I’m very happy that we’ve been able to stay this illegal government overreach for our coal miners and for the state of West Virginia,” Murray told Hoppy Kercheval. The temporary stay may be an indication a majority of justices are skeptical about the Clean Power Plan’s legality, according to court observers. Those in the majority with the 5-4 decision were Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito. All were appointed by Republicans. “It’s good news and, good heavens, we need some good news. There’s no question about that,” said Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, of the stay. “Anything like this is a good, positive story — an arm of the federal government has, all of the sudden, had a positive decision about something that is so devastating and that we’ve been dealing with for years here.” ... “This rule would destroy so many lives,” Murray said. “We are fighting for our survival here.”

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Fwd: [Coal Volunteers List] Supreme Court stay of Clean Power Plan - statement tonight, more resources tomorrow morning
by James Kotcon 10 Feb '16

10 Feb '16

In case you have not seen it, here are talking points from the Club. I already had one press call, More to come soon, I'm sure. JBK ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mary Anne Hitt <maryanne.hitt(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Tue, Feb 9, 2016 at 9:01 PM Subject: [Coal Volunteers List] Supreme Court stay of Clean Power Plan - statement tonight, more resources tomorrow morning To: #Coal <coal-list(a)sierraclub.org>, #Coal-Volunteers < coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org> Beyond Coal team, This evening, the Supreme Court announced it would temporarily stay the Clean Power Plan. Our Sierra Club statement is below. While this is a disappointing development, we don't believe it reflects on our likelihood of prevailing on the merits of the case. The DC Circuit has put this case on an expedited hearing schedule, with oral arguments beginning June 2. Tomorrow morning, we will provide you with talking points and a frequently asked questions document, to guide your conversations with local supporters, allies, and reporters. In the meantime, please re-direct all media inquiries to Trey Pollard and Brian Willis in our Communications Department. We will also provide you with social media guidance tomorrow. Tonight, our team is burning the midnight oil to make sure our view of this is covered in the press - Joanne Spalding has been on the phone with reporters all evening. Thanks to everyone who is working so hard tonight! Let us know if you have any questions. Mary Anne http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/02/sierra-club-statement-… *Sierra Club Statement on Supreme Court Delay of Clean Power Plan* Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Contact: Brian Willis: 202.675.2386, Brian.Willis(a)sierraclub.org WASHINGTON, DC - Tonight, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a temporary stay on the implementation of the historic Clean Power Plan. *Joanne Spalding, the Sierra Club’s Chief Climate Counsel, Released the Following Statement in Response:* “We are disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision today to delay the job-creating, life-saving Clean Power Plan. However, the court’s decision does not overturn the historic policy or decide its legal merits. This is a pause, and we are confident the Clean Power Plan and all of its benefits ultimately will be implemented across the nation. In fact, the Clean Power Plan follows trends that are already occurring in the electric sector and we are already dramatically reducing carbon pollution as we transition to clean, renewable energy. Large majorities of Americans support those efforts and the Clean Power Plan. “The Supreme Court has already upheld the EPA’s authority to limit carbon pollution from power plants under the Clean Air Act and we believe that the Clean Power Plan is a valid exercise of that authority. We fully expect the Clean Power Plan to ultimately prevail in the courts.” -- [image: photo] *Mary Anne Hitt* Director, Beyond Coal Campaign Office: 304-876-7064 Cell: 540-239-0073 Twitter: @maryannehitt <https://twitter.com/maryannehitt> www.sierraclub.org -- To access the Beyond Coal Campaign Resource Portal, go to: https://sites.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/beyond-coal-resource-portal/ To sign up for this list, email neha.mathew(a)sierraclub.org with the subject and message "SUBSCRIBE #coal-volunteer" --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "#Coal-Volunteers" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coal-volunteers-list+unsubscribe(a)sierraclub.org. To post to this group, send email to coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org.

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Supreme Court Blocks Clean Power Plan
by James Kotcon 09 Feb '16

09 Feb '16

I did not expect this. JBK http://news.yahoo.com/u-supreme-court-blocks-obama-carbon-emissions-plan-23… Supreme Court blocks Obama carbon emissions plan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a major blow to President Barack Obama by blocking federal regulations to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, the centerpiece of his administration's strategy to combat climate change. On a 5-4 vote, the court granted a request made by 27 states and various companies and business groups to block the administration's Clean Power Plan. The move means the regulations will not be in effect while litigation continues over whether their legality. The brief order from the justices said that the regulations would be on hold until the legal challenge is completed. The court's five conservatives all voted to block the rule. The order noted that the four liberals would have denied the application. A U.S. appeals court in Washington had turned away a similar request on Jan. 21. The states, led by coal producer West Virginia and oil producer Texas, and several major business groups in October launched the legal challenges seeking to block the Obama administration's plan. More than a dozen other states and the National League of Cities, which represents more than 19,000 U.S. cities, filed court papers backing the Environmental Protection Agency's rule. The appeals court still must hear oral arguments on June 2 and decide whether the regulations are lawful.

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AEP and FE (et al.) comments on CPP feasibility and SIP
by James Kotcon 09 Feb '16

09 Feb '16

I finally got around to reading the comments submitted by utilities to DEP's request for input on their CPP feasibility study and SIP. Here are some notes. These documents are posted at: .http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060030942 In summary, everyone agrees that WV should seek a 2-year extension, and utilities see trading emissions credits as the main way to comply, unless HB 2004 is amended. Note: It appears the utilities got the input request Aug. 18, with supplemental request Sept. 18. Comments were filed Nov. 6. That may explain the timing of Patton's remarks last fall. Our letter from DEP was dated Oct. 7, so they got a two-month head start. *AEP* AEP says that a SIP is not feasible under HB 2004 because "may' is interpreted to mean "may only" consider inside the fence controls, etc. The only option is to trade ERCs with other states. But 22-5-18 which authorizes trading is limited to criteria pollutants and would not authorize a trading program for CO2. Existing statutes, 22-5-4(a)(15) and (16), limit ability of DEP to require monitoring of EE or renewables on homeowners. AEP says they cannot give specific details on costs without knowing what will be required from DEP. AEP says none of their units (Amos, Mitchell or Mountaineer) will retire before 2030 deadline for the CPP. Recommends changes to HB 2004 and prefers a SIP to a FIP. *FE*: FE cites Texas study to say rates will increase, but has no WV-specific information. FE cites NY study that higher electric rates negatively affect health of low-income populations (Children's Health Watch, "The Impacts of Increasing Household Energy Prices on Health and Health Care Cost in New York State," May 2013. ) FE says costs cannot be predicted until state rules have been established. FE (and AEP) says many plants have shifted from base-load operation to :"load-following" which adversely affects heat rate. FE says their pants typically have a 70-year lifespan. (But Hatfields Ferry closed at 43 years old, Albright and Willow Island closed at 63). FE currently operates Pleasants, Harrison and Fort Martin plants in WV (currently 35-45 years old). FE says the emissions rates are not feasible, but WV should seek an extension to 2018. *Dominion* Operates Mount Storm plant.(3 units- 42-50 years old) Says HB 2004 precludes outside the fence controls. Would need to rely on ERCs from trading. Increasing costs and lower utilization increases likelihood of plant closings. Closings will lead to higher "Capacity" costs. Recommends trading with other states and multi-year averaging of emissions. WV should allow fuel switching etc. *Longview* Currently operates newest and lowest heat rate of any WV plant (8700 btu/kwh). Would need to acquire ERCs to keep operating. Recommends they be allocated to EGUs "without cost". Since Longview transports coal via conveyor belt, not trucks, that )house load" electricity would count against its calculated generation and point of transmission,effectively penalizing Longview for avoiding impacts of truck traffic. No comments on limits of HB 2004, or on preference for SIP versus FIP. *UMWA (Cecil Roberts)* Recommends DEP seek 2-year extension and avoid a FIP. Recommends state use bonding authority through PEA to create new base-load gas-coal co-fired plants. Also wants legislation to assure cost recovery for developers. Prefers mass-based approach to take advantage of coal plant retirements since 2012.. Recommends "in-state" trading and renewables to meet targets. Says HB 2004 imposes "constraints" on fuel switching, etc. Says legislature should beef up EE programs for utilities. Says the endangerment finding means a lower carbon future regardless of which party wins the White House. *Dept. of Commerce (Keith Burdette)* Developers are bringing gas plants on-line that will meet CPP standards. But America will need WV's existing base load power for the foreseeable future. Estimates that compliance will reduce WV generating capacity by 4200 MW and cost 435 power plant job and 3770 mining jobs. Low electric rates is one of the advantages WV has to recruit new industry. Recommends allowances be allocated to EGUs based on current generation. Recommends using credits form CEI program and EE from Low Income EE programs. Rate increases will incentivize EE and RE. Recommends using forests for carbon mitigation. Existing forests take up 10 % of CO2 emitted, and SIP should take advantage of this. *Attorney General Morrisey* WV should seek 2-year extension, "under protest" as CPP is unlawful. Repeated their legal objections. Jim Kotcon

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from ScienceDaily e-newsletter: Central Appalachia flatter due to mountaintop mining
by Paul Wilson 06 Feb '16

06 Feb '16

Central Appalachia flatter due to mountaintop mining <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160205134955.htm> Posted: 05 Feb 2016 10:49 AM PST Forty years of mountaintop coal mining have made parts of Central Appalachia 60 percent flatter than they were before excavation, researchers say. This study, which compares pre- and post-mining topographic data in southern West Virginia, is the first to examine the large-scale impact of mountaintop mining on landscape topography and how the changes influence water quality. <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=TZ_…> -- Paul Wilson Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing Sierra Club Military Outdoors 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

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EC February 2016