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Fwd: [Coal Volunteers List] Interesting graphs on how each state's power mix has changed in past 10 years
by James Kotcon 19 Sep '15

19 Sep '15

Click on the link from Mary Ann to see how WV compares to surrounding states in electricity generation. Jim Kotcon ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)gmail.com> Date: Sat, Sep 19, 2015 at 1:44 PM Subject: Re: [Coal Volunteers List] Interesting graphs on how each state's power mix has changed in past 10 years To: Ned Ford <ned.ford(a)fuse.net> Cc: coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org Ned, it looks like the first chart on the link is the US total, and the numbers seem to match pretty closely with those from your chart, although it is not clear as this one ends in 2013. There have been some reports showing that fossil fuel use for electricity generation was up slightly in 2014, although that may have been weather related-due to the Polar Vortex and exceptionally cold winter in the eastern US. I note that West Virginia is falling further and further behind other energy-producing states like Texas, Wyoming, the Dakotas and Illinois, in RENEWABLE energy generation. Thank you for sharing. Jim Kotcon On Wed, Sep 16, 2015 at 2:02 PM, Ned Ford <Ned.Ford(a)fuse.net> wrote: > This is particularly good because it is based on MWh generation, and > avoids the mistake a lot of efforts make, which is to base assumed > generation on the relative shares of capacity. > > I wish they had included the total U.S. I'm pasting a graph that shows > total U.S. data over a similar period. > > - Ned > > > > On 9/16/2015 1:17 PM, Mary Anne Hitt wrote: > > Hello Beyond Coal team, > > I wanted to pass along this very interesting set of graphs, created by > NPR, on how each state's power mix has changed over the past 10 years, from > 2004 - 2014. Fascinating to see the the fall of coal and the rise of > renewables in so many states. While it's not all good news, especially the > rise of gas in some places, the trends are pretty remarkable (and to my > brothers and sisters in WV and KY, there's nowhere to go but up!). I > thought you might enjoy geeking out on these as much as I did. > > > http://www.npr.org/2015/09/10/319535020/coal-gas-nuclear-hydro-how-your-sta… > > Cheers, > Mary Anne > > -- > Mary Anne Hitt > Director, Beyond Coal Campaign > Sierra Club > Blog <http://sierraclub.typepad.com/compass/coal-director/> | Twitter > <http://twitter.com/#%21/maryannehitt> (@maryannehitt) > > 304-876-7064 (w) | 540-239-0073 (c) > www.beyondcoal.org > > -- > To access the Beyond Coal Campaign Resource Portal, go to: > <https://sites.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/beyond-coal-resource-portal/> > 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. > > > -- > 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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“Just Saying No” Won’t Stop the Clean Power Plan
by James Kotcon 19 Sep '15

19 Sep '15

It is looking more and more like WV will continue to oppose EPA's Clean Power Plan (Well, Duh!). There is still no clear answer as to whether DEP will move forward with a State Implementation Plan, but such a Plan would need legislative approval, which seems highly unlikely. In the event that WV does not submit either a SIP, or a Request for a SIP extension by Sept. 6, 2016 (less than a year away), a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) will be imposed. Below is an excellent summary of what a FIP would look like (This was written by the Sierra Club's attorney, Elena Saxonhouse, and some of you may remember her from our work on the PATH line and the coal-to gas plant in Mingo County).. While the exact details will not be clear for a while, the general outlines are emerging. I encourage you to read this over, as we will need to be well-informed to be effective in the current political climate. http://www.sierraclub.org/compass/2015/09/just-saying-no-won-t-stop-clean-p… At this time, EPA has not yet published the final rule in the Federal register, and it seems likely not to do so until sometime into October, so DEP is unwilling to start planning until they have the exact wording in front of them. On the other hand, the DC Circuit Court this week threw out AG Patrick Morrisey's lawsuit against the CPP because the final rule has not yet been published. In addition, EPA will not have final details of the FIP rule until sometime next year, but it is already clear that a FIP will leave WV with less flexibility, fewer incentives, and less of a role for energy efficiency, all of which will increase costs to ratepayers. But n the end, EPA's rule is likely to survive, and the FIP will likely be implemented under approximately the same timetable, so all the posturing by our political leaders may score political points with the coal industry, but is unlikely to change the outcome. Jim Kotcon

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Fw: Come to the stream protection hearing Sept 17
by James Kotcon 16 Sep '15

16 Sep '15

FYI: I attended the Pittsburgh, PA hearing last Thursday. We organized a bus with 11 people from Morgantown, and 8 more from Waynesburgh and Washington, PA. The OSM allowed 2 minutes per speaker, but also had rooms set up for individuals to give comments to an OSM rep, or to submit written comments. Due to a press conference, most of us did not sign up until just before the hearing started, so we went later in the evening. Robert Murray of Murray Mining was present, and used the event to blast the Obama Administration, claiming that the OSM rules were blatantly illegal and an attempt to kill the coal industry, cripple America, and destroy our way of life. He was followed by a couple dozen of his employees who largely repeated the Murray Mining mantra. It was clear that Murray had bussed in a large number of miners (50-100), but they were mostly respectful. They all got up to leave when Murray left an hour into the hearing, and it appears they were just there because they were paid to be. But since most of them went first, they tended to get more press, so it was good to get our press conference in early. One issue that came up repeatedly was the request for a 180-day extension of the comment period. ODM has already extended it by 30 days (to Oct. 26), so this appears to be an attempt to delay the rule until after the Obama Administration leaves office. While I support public comment, it is important to keep in mind that we have already waited many years for this rule, and each day of delay is another day of polluted water, another day that the problems become worse, another stream that dies, and another family that loses their water. OSM needs to act now, not analyze this to death. For another story on the Pittsburgh hearing, see the story by Don Hopey at the link below. http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/09/11/Both-sides-sound-of… [http://www.post-gazette.com/libercus/default/graphics/PGFacebook_ICON_1500x…]<http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/09/11/Both-sides-sound-of…> Both sides sound off at hearing on new federal stream protection rule | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The OSMRE says adoption of the rule would protect about 6,200 miles of streams nationwide over the next two decades. Read more...<http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/09/11/Both-sides-sound-of…> Jim Kotcon ________________________________ From: WVEC - Bill Price <bill.price(a)wvecouncil.org> Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 7:33 AM To: James Kotcon Subject: Come to the stream protection hearing Sept 17 [Donate]<http://wvecouncil.org/> West Virginia Environmental Council Action Alert Sep 16, 2015 View / Comment Online<http://wvecouncil.org/come-to-the-stream-protection-hearing-sept-17/> [Donate] <http://wvecouncil.org/join/> Hi to all those who care about West Virginia's streams Over the past two weeks, OSM has held hearings in Lexington, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Denver on the draft stream protection rule that will help protect our most valuable natural resource: water. As a Sierra Club representative, I personally attended the Lexington and St. Louis hearings and can say that people are being heard when they step up and say that clean water is vital to our economy and our lives. The number of speakers in support of the rule has increased at each hearing. In St. Louis citizens matched the number of industry executives and polluter allied politicians. It's great to see the increased momentum as the series of hearings continues. We are not done yet! On Thursday, September 17th the hearing will be held at the Charleston Civic Center. This is the final hearing in the series and we should make it the best. I'd love to see you there supporting clean safe water and letting the Office of Surface Mining know that we support the efforts to protect our streams. The hearing begins at 5pm. You are welcome to attend our pre-hearing event at the Holiday Inn Express across the street beginning at 3pm. We will have some food, be able to prepare our comments and find out more about the hearings. Thank you! Bill Price, President West Virginia Environmental Council >From the WVEC Action Alert E-mail List Subscribe or Unsubscribe Online<http://wvecouncil.org/archive/action-alerts/>

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Stream Protection Rule Hearing in Pittsburgh - Sept. 10
by James Kotcon 27 Aug '15

27 Aug '15

Here is more info on our bus trip to Pittsburgh. We will leave from the WVU Coliseum Parking lot at 1:30 PM. We are working with the Center for Coalfield Justice and there will be stops at Waynesburg and Washington, PA. There will also be free t-shirts and food for bus riders. To sign up on the bus, go to the link below: http://coalfieldjustice.org/blog/protect-our-streams-protect-our-communitie… Or send me your name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, and tee-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, or XXL). If you have several people, let me know how many seats to reserve for you and your group. At this point, we plan a press event at the hearing, and would like a good turn-out for that. Thee will also be picketing outside, so bring a posterboard with slogans such as - Protect Our Water, Protect Our Future - Protect Our Streams, Protect Our Communities - OSM: Pass Strong Stream Protections NOW - Stand with coalfield communities - We all live downstream - HONK if you want clean water! - King coal has got to go! So log on and sign up at: http://coalfieldjustice.org/blog/protect-our-streams-protect-our-communitie… Tell your friends, colleagues, neighbors and co-workers. Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home) P.S. Perfect is Good, Done is Better. Make the Commitment. Sign up NOW! http://coalfieldjustice.org/blog/protect-our-streams-protect-our-communitie…

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Public Hearing on Rule to Protect Streams from Mining, Pittsburgh, Sept. 10
by James Kotcon 24 Aug '15

24 Aug '15

I borrowed the text below from the Allegheny Group web page. The Beyond Coal Campaign wants to organize a bus from Morgantown for the hearing. I am collaborating with the CCJ folks in Greene County for a bus that would leave Morgantown, (probably from the WVU Coliseum at 1:30 PM), with stops in Waynesburg and Washington, PA to be at the hearing from 5-8 PM. Current plans include food and free t-shirts (Our Water, Our Future) for people on the bus. Analysis of the rule, and laymen talking points will be out later this week.Please pass the word to anyone who might be interested, invite a friend, and join us on the bus. A A link to a Google-Form for bus sign-up will be coming soon. And drop me a line to let me know who is planning to join me! Just 17 days to go till the hearing! Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (OFFICE) 304-594-3322 (HOME) >>>>> Public Hearing on Rule to Protect Streams from Mining, Pittsburgh, Sept. 10 <http://alleghenysc.org/?p=25631> September 10, 20155:00 pmto9:00 pm <http://alleghenysc.org/?attachment_id=20892> Photo: Mountain Justice A scientifically-based <http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/08/15/Environmentalists-coal-op…> new Stream Protection Rule <http://www.osmre.gov/programs/rcm/streamprotectionrule.shtm> proposed by the Office of Surface Mining will protect more than 6,000 miles of streams from the impacts of both surface and underground coal mining. With only six hearings scheduled in the country, here in Pittsburgh the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed rule at: *5:00 to 9:00 pm, Thursday, September 10* Double Tree Hotel in Green Tree 500 Mansfield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15205 The Center for Coalfield justice is partnering with the Sierra Club to provide free transportation to and from Pittsburgh for the hearing. Included in the proposal is improved monitoring and data collection of water quality, but of concern to environmentalist groups dealing with mountain top removal in Appalachia is the maintenance of the buffer zones between mining operations and streams <http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2015/07/groups-urge-stronger-p…>. In 2008 the Bush administration modified the Buffer Zone Rule to provide a ‘minimum’ distance. After a court case in February 2014 the 100 feet wide buffer was restored. Now the OSM proposes to weaken the Buffer Zone Rule.

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Drill Baby Drill study
by Beth Little 21 Aug '15

21 Aug '15

http://shalebubble.org/drill-baby-drill/ This is a fascinating report. The abstract is below along with a paragraph from the Executive Summary about Shale gas. It comes from the website http://fracdallas.org/ which has so much info (like all the local citizen bans on fracking, the thousands of pipeline accidents, etc) that I don't know where to start. Abstract It's now assumed that recent advances in fossil fuel production - particularly for shale gas and shale oil - herald a new age of energy abundance, even "energy independence," for the United States. Nevertheless, the most thorough public analysis to date of the production history and the economic, environmental, and geological constraints of these resources in North America shows that they will inevitably fall short of such expectations, for two main reasons: First, shale gas and shale oil wells have proven to deplete quickly, the best fields have already been tapped, and no major new field discoveries are expected; thus with average per-well productivity declining and ever-more wells (and fields) required simply to maintain production, an "exploration treadmill" limits the long-term potential of shale resources. Second, although tar sands, deepwater oil, oil shales, coalbed methane, and other non-conventional fossil fuel resources exist in vast deposits, their exploitation continues to require such enormous expenditures of resources and logistical effort that rapid scaling up of production to market-transforming levels is all but impossible; the big "tanks" of these resources are inherently constrained by small "taps." Shale gas Shale gas production has grown explosively to account for nearly 40 percent of U.S. natural gas production; nevertheless production has been on a plateau since December 2011 -80 percent of shale gas production comes from five plays, several of which are in decline. The very high decline rates of shale gas wells require continuous inputs of capital-estimated at $42 billion per year to drill more than 7,000 wells-in order to maintain production. In comparison, the value of shale gas produced in 2012 was just $32.5 billion. The best shale plays, like the Haynesville (which is already in decline) are relatively rare, and the number of wells and capital input required to maintain production will increase going forward as the best areas within these plays are depleted. High collateral environmental impacts have been followed by pushback from citizens, resulting in moratoriums in New York State and Maryland and protests in other states. Shale gas production growth has been offset by declines in conventional gas production, resulting in only modest gas production growth overall. Moreover, the basic economic viability of many shale gas plays is questionable in the current gas price environment.

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Town hall meeting with Senator Manchin September 4
by Sally Wilts 15 Aug '15

15 Aug '15

Kingwood Civic Center, 11 am, doors open 10:30am. For info 304-329=0090 or jdahlia(a)prestonnj.comThe editor. John Dahlia just published his editorial that few in Congress understand the war on coal and what a staunch defender of coal Manchin is.Do we want to try and attend? Not a warm reception for those of us in favor of the Clean Power Plan.

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Will Clean Power Plan Chart WV's Energy Course?
by frank young 04 Aug '15

04 Aug '15

Jim Kotcon, energy committee chair with the <https://westvirginia.sierraclub.org/> Sierra Club West Virginia Chapter, says the plan should reduce the amount of electricity produced by coal in the state to between 70 and 80 percent, which he sees as a start toward energy diversity. "There are already plans for more wind energy, new natural gas-fired power plants and so on," he says. "I think that's good for West Virginia." http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-08-04/environment/will-clean-power-pla n-chart-west-virginias-energy-course/a47448-1

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Demand response legal challenge.
by James Kotcon 20 Jul '15

20 Jul '15

A recent DC Circuit Court decision invalidated a FERC rule allowing Demand Response resources to be bid into wholesale markets. FERC had developed a rule to regulate how demand response by customers could be bid into wholesale markets, which they regulate. The Electric Powers Supply Association appealed, arguing that retail sales are regulated by states individually, and FERC did not have authority to impose a federal rule. Generally, states have been slower to adopt time-of-use pricing practices, so the FERC rule allowed individual customer DR resources to be aggregated and bid at a pre-approved rate in wholesale markets. The EPSA argues that DR is nothing like power generation, thus FERC should not have authority to regulate it. Obviously, EPSA wants to sell more electricity (especially the really high priced electricity they can sell at peak demand times), and objects to efforts to reduce demand. The story below describes an appeal to the US Supreme Court. It is not clear whether the Court will accept the case, or when they might rule. Does anyone else think this might affect the Solar Holler model, or our efforts to get DR into WV utility IRP plans? Jim Kotcon http://breakingenergy.com/2015/07/14/ferc-grid-operator-others-file-supreme… [http://breakingenergy.sites.breakingmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/20…]<http://breakingenergy.com/2015/07/14/ferc-grid-operator-others-file-supreme…> FERC, Grid Operator, Others File Supreme Court Briefs In Demand Response Case « Breaking Energy - Energy industry news, analysis, and commentary The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a grid operator, states, and other parties just filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court in a case that could decide whether Americans have access to low-cost, clean and reliable electricity. The case, EPSA v. FERC, revolves around demand response, a resource that helps keep prices low and the lights on - and does so while also being environmentally friendly. In 2013, for example, demand response saved customers in the mid-Atlantic region close to $12 billion. And during the polar vortex, which threatened the North-East with freezing cold in 2014, the same resource helped prevent black-outs. The clean energy rule at issue in this case is called FERC Order 745. EDF has been writing about this demand response case throughout the past year. We've been fighting for low-cost demand response and we'll keep fighting in the Supreme Court. History of the Case The case involves a FERC rule that allows demand response - a low-cost, clea Read more...<http://breakingenergy.com/2015/07/14/ferc-grid-operator-others-file-supreme…>

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New Senator Markey Statement on The Stream Buffer Zone Rule
by william.depaulo 19 Jul '15

19 Jul '15

http://politicalnews.me/?id=34454&keys=COAL-MINING-STREAM-BUFFER Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note® II, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

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