EC

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

2254 discussions

Greenhouse gas emissions in China
by James Kotcon 15 May '15

15 May '15

?I found this to be very interesting. JBK http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/15/3659355/china-coal-use-drops/ [http://d35brb9zkkbdsd.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/shutterstoc…]<http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/15/3659355/china-coal-use-drops/> It Only Took Four Months For China To Achieve A Jaw-Dropping Reduction In Carbon Emissions | ThinkProgress When China's greenhouse gas emissions fall, they fall hard. Read more...<http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/15/3659355/china-coal-use-drops/>

1 0

Fw: Sad News for all concerned
by James Kotcon 24 Apr '15

24 Apr '15

?Many of us knew Bill Howley. His Calhoun PowerLine blog has been indispensable for anyone following West Virginia utility issues. He will be missed. Jim Kotcon ________________________________ From: Bill Price <bill.price(a)sierraclub.org> Sent: Friday, April 24, 2015 9:37 AM To: James Kotcon; Liz Wiles; David W. Sturm; David Muhly; Adam Beitman; Mark Kresowik; Bridget Lee; Daniel Chiotos; Seth Long Subject: Fwd: Sad News for all concerned See email below. This is a shock to us all. Bill did not always agree with the Sierra Club positions, but he was one of the most knowledgable and passionate people around cleaner energy that I know. Bill Price, Organizing Representative Sierra Club Environmental Justice Program Beyond Coal to Clean Energy Campaign Phone: 304-389-8822 (Cell) Email: bill.price(a)sierraclub.org<mailto:bill.price@sierraclub.org> "If there's no struggle, there's no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet renounce controversy are people who want crops without plowing the ground..." Frederick Douglass 1817-1895 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Christensen <jbc4re(a)yahoo.com<mailto:jbc4re@yahoo.com>> Date: Fri, Apr 24, 2015 at 9:07 AM Subject: Sad News for all concerned To: Patience Wait <pwaitster(a)gmail.com<mailto:pwaitster@gmail.com>>, Keryn Newman <keryn(a)frontiernet.net<mailto:keryn@frontiernet.net>>, John Case <jcase4218(a)gmail.com<mailto:jcase4218@gmail.com>>, John Unger <john.unger(a)wvsenate.gov<mailto:john.unger@wvsenate.gov>>, Mary Hott <mary(a)mtvsolar.com<mailto:mary@mtvsolar.com>>, Mike Manypennny <globalimpactman(a)gmail.com<mailto:globalimpactman@gmail.com>>, Gary Zuckett <garyz(a)wvcag.org<mailto:garyz@wvcag.org>>, Jeff Kessler <jeff.kessler(a)wvsenate.gov<mailto:jeff.kessler@wvsenate.gov>>, Evan Hansen <ehansen(a)downstreamstrategies.com<mailto:ehansen@downstreamstrategies.com>>, Aaron Sutch <asutch(a)mountain.org<mailto:asutch@mountain.org>>, Than Hitt <thanhitt1(a)gmail.com<mailto:thanhitt1@gmail.com>>, Dan Conant <conantd(a)gmail.com<mailto:conantd@gmail.com>>, Daniel Chiotos <trouserdude(a)gmail.com<mailto:trouserdude@gmail.com>>, Chuck Wyrostok <wyro(a)appalight.com<mailto:wyro@appalight.com>>, Don Garvin <dsgjr(a)aol.com<mailto:dsgjr@aol.com>>, Connigl <connigl(a)aol.com<mailto:connigl@aol.com>>, Denise Poole <deniseap(a)earthlink.net<mailto:deniseap@earthlink.net>>, Bill Price <bill.price(a)sierraclub.org<mailto:bill.price@sierraclub.org>>, Cathy Kunkel <cathykunkel(a)gmail.com<mailto:cathykunkel@gmail.com>>, Vickie Wolfe <ibtreehugger(a)gmail.com<mailto:ibtreehugger@gmail.com>>, Emmett Pepper <emmett(a)eewv.org<mailto:emmett@eewv.org>>, Ron Miller <ronald.miller(a)wvsenate.gov<mailto:ronald.miller@wvsenate.gov>> It has come as a shock to me to hear the news of long-time power utility activist and solar advocate extraordinaire Bill Howley has died suddenly in a car crash while making a trip to Charleston. Words are hard to come by for me as Bill was one of my personal mentors and friends. I am heartbroken for his wife Lauren who was away at the time of his death. I think a memorial of some kind in his memory will be forthcoming. I hate to bring this news but it reminds us all how precious life is. John

1 0

Does anybody have information on risks associated with the disposal of natural gas drilling waste into underground injection wells?
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 09 Apr '15

09 Apr '15

[image: Print] <http://www.wvgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20150409/GZ01/150409244…> Thursday, April 9, 2015 Board: Fayette injection wells can’t operate without permit *The Associated Press* BECKLEY, W.Va. – A state board says two underground injection wells in Fayette County can’t operate without a permit. The West Virginia Environmental Quality Board says the Department of Environmental Protection violated state law when it allowed Danny Webb Construction to operate the injection wells in Lochgelly without a permit. The Register-Herald reports that the board issued its ruling on Wednesday. The DEP had revoked the company’s permit to inject natural gas drilling waste underground on March 4, 2014. But the DEP allowed the wells to continue operating until the company’s application to renew the permit is approved or denied. The board gave the DEP 30 days to reissue a permit for the wells. The wells must cease operation if they don’t receive a permit. William V. DePaulo, Esq. 179 Summers Street, Suite 232 Charleston, WV 25301-2163 Tel 304-342-5588 Fax 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com

1 0

Fwd: Natural gas: runaway train or helping hand? Tune in April 9.
by Paul Wilson 06 Apr '15

06 Apr '15

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: UCS Science Network <sciencenetwork(a)ucsusa.org> Date: Mon, Apr 6, 2015 at 12:19 PM Subject: Natural gas: runaway train or helping hand? Tune in April 9. To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com <#14c8f8997aa6ef04_>[image: Union of Concerned Scientists] <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=Xbl_fs7V7xoanMIL4kMkMA> [image: Science Network] Sign up for this Thursday's webinar briefing on the implications of our growing reliance on natural gas for electricity and what you can do about it. *Join Us April 9* Sign up for this Thursday's webinar briefing on the implications of our growing reliance on natural gas for electricity and what you can do about it: April 9, 1:30-2:30 p.m. EDT. *Register Today <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=OqlG4StjE2y5AhxfQxk7pw>* Related Links The Natural Gas Gamble <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=fBQSHW4lGXZlbTmJW37vFQ> Natural Gas and the Clean Power Plan <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=hAvrJ6Ad4_umL0vvwXQZSQ> Risks of Natural Gas <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=wsyRIm05Uxog-GncgxbZcA> Tell A Colleague Please encourage your colleagues to sign up <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=T-MOm5CnH3ki-iCTycG1hA> and help increase our effectiveness in creating a healthy environment and a safer world. CLICK HERE <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=NlrGc4cD6PHZyjPdFmQErQ> . EVENT INVITATION The Natural Gas Gamble: Addressing Our Growing Reliance on Natural Gas Dear Paul, The Union of Concerned Scientists invites you to a webinar briefing on the implications of our growing reliance on natural gas for electricity and what you can do about it. *The Natural Gas Gamble: Addressing Our Growing Reliance on Natural Gas <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=VVHqV0Zilyy5iJ7Qyd8rWw>* *Date:* Thursday, April 9 *Time:* 1:30-2:30 p.m. EDT *Register Today <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=wpjrPkh9RDbxq5wrXmXh9w>* Electric power producers are turning to natural gas to generate electricity at an unprecedented rate as they retire aging coal plants. While this shift is providing some near-term environmental and economic benefits, a dramatically expanded use of natural gas to generate electricity poses complex risks including persistent price volatility and heat-trapping emissions. Join UCS energy analysts for a discussion about our new analysis that demonstrates how we can reduce our reliance on natural gas by greatly expanding the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in our power supply. Sincerely, [image: Megan Rising] Megan Rising Energy Campaign Manager Climate and Energy Program Union of Concerned Scientists *P.S.* Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing limits on global warming emissions from power plants. If you haven't already, *urge the EPA to issue a final Clean Power Plan that encourages a shift to truly low-carbon resources <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=j1JTDT3M0lLkm1uBIHBDbQ>*, such as wind and solar, and avoids the risks of an overreliance on natural gas. [image: donate today] <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=55EnNiZ1437y_aGsTEVy5Q> Science for a healthy planet and safer world UCS is a 501(c)(3) organization. All gifts are tax deductible. You can be confident your donations to UCS are spent wisely. *About UCS* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=PFhK9Ta3dHVxJBip4AO1tQ> | *Take Action* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=Zu7eIC4IqN5htD-Mft4Kqg> | *Donate* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=RuCKbXwM9fvZkECBE3yJvQ> | *Contact Us* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=jsxQa0Ok2L7tgxaIAkn2hw> | *Privacy Policy* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=wRVPkd2V3XjkfvrCE2Kg7g> | *Unsubscribe* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/CO?i=-T5jZFYMoLT_EpEermKYbe8gdo4mvIOV&cid=178…> | *Update Your Profile* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=rhC1HFr7BRz9aFXBEhqyjw> *Union of Concerned Scientists* 2 Brattle Square | Cambridge, MA 02138-3780 © Union of Concerned Scientists. All rights reserved. www.ucsusa.org <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=5_4cD72C3XTHcx5ejVNx6g> [image: powered by Blackbaud] <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=F8cd-mwVqoKSyIRrzXlrSg> nonprofit software <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=6wx0OnNqYmYX8QiILnQfrQ> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club Military Outdoors Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

1 0

Fwd: Read about Preserving Sacred Appalachia conference in Charleston Gazette
by Paul Wilson 05 Apr '15

05 Apr '15

anybody else get this? Looks interesting..... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Barrick <michaelbarrick56(a)gmail.com> Date: Sun, Apr 5, 2015 at 9:10 AM Subject: Read about Preserving Sacred Appalachia conference in Charleston Gazette To: Update from the Appalachian Chronicle <http://appalachianchronicle.com/> ‘Then & Now from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Allegheny Plateau’ *From Today’s Charleston Gazette:* *Michael M. Barrick: Gas industry remarks demand response from faith community <http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20150405/ARTICLE/150409671>* Thanks for reading. Please share this with others. Blessings and peace, Michael Appalachian Preservation Project, LLC <http://appalachianpreservationproject.com/#/home> Appalachian Chronicle <http://appalachianchronicle.com/> On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appalachianpreservationproject On Twitter: @appchronicle -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club Military Outdoors Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

1 0

Solar Energy Advocates Find Unexpected Ally In Tea Party
by James Kotcon 02 Apr '15

02 Apr '15

?Here is a transcript of an NPR story from Florida. This one follows on a Tea Party & Sierra Club alliance last year that killed a utility attempt to block net metering. I recommend we follow up and see if this leads to some shared interests herein WV regarding an IRP, or other solar initiatives. JBK Florida is one of several states where the Tea Party has embraced a new cause: solar energy. Tea Party groups are teaming up with progressive organizations to open up the solar energy industry. It's an unusual coalition and puts them at odds in some states with another conservative grassroots organization, the Koch brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity. Full story is at: http://www.npr.org/2015/02/24/388796105/solar-energy-advocates-find-unexpec… Solar Energy Advocates Find Unexpected Ally In Tea Party : NPR Florida is one of several states where the Tea Party has embraced a new cause: solar energy. Tea Party groups are teaming up with progressive organizations to open up the solar energy industry. It's an unusual coalition and puts them at odds in some states with another conservative grassroots organization, the Koch brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity. Read more...<http://www.npr.org/2015/02/24/388796105/solar-energy-advocates-find-unexpec…>

1 0

Energy Efficiency saves for Monongalia County Schools!
by James Kotcon 31 Mar '15

31 Mar '15

?From the Morgantown Dominion Post. We did not have a lot to do with this one, but that doesn't mean we can't use it anyway. Take this to your local school board. When everyone else wants more money, we can save $100,000 per year! Then let's use that good will to get support for more EE measures! Jim Kotcon Full story from: http://thedpost.com/Partnership-saves-schools-tens-o >>>>> Partnership saves Mon schools more than $350K Conor Griffith TheDPost.com MORGANTOWN - A partnership between Monongalia County Schools and an energy services company has produced more savings than initially expected. Assistant superintendent Donna Talerico said the school district has been working with Indiana-based Energy Savings Group (ESG), an energy services provider, for the past five years to find ways to save the district money on energy costs by switching over to more efficient equipment. Audra Blackwell, business development manager for ESG, delivered a savings report to the Mon County Schools Board of Education at its Tuesday, March 24 meeting. >From September 2011 to October 2012, no savings were guaranteed, but $98,677 was saved. From November 2012 to October 2013, the district saved $131,122 on energy costs, but only $88,039 was guaranteed. That same amount was guaranteed for the period of November 2013 to October 2014 and $123,671 was saved. All totaled, ESG guaranteed to save Mon County Schools $176,078 and ended up saving $353,470, twice the amount that was promised.

1 0

from ScienceDaily e-newsletter: Clean energy future: New cheap and efficient electrode for splitting water
by Paul Wilson 18 Mar '15

18 Mar '15

Clean energy future: New cheap and efficient electrode for splitting water <http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/j-s…> Posted: 17 Mar 2015 06:31 AM PDT Scientists have developed a highly efficient oxygen-producing electrode for splitting water that has the potential to be scaled up for industrial production of the clean energy fuel, hydrogen. The new technology is based on an inexpensive, specially coated foam material that lets the bubbles of oxygen escape quickly. Unlike other water electrolyzers that use precious metals as catalysts, the electrode is made entirely from two non-precious and abundant metals -- nickel and iron. <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=j-s…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=j-s…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=j-s…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=j-s…> <http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment?a=j-s…> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club Military Outings Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing 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 JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, SHALT THOU PURSUE. Deuteronomy 16:20

1 0

Energy Efficiency and the Clean Power Plan
by James Kotcon 14 Mar '15

14 Mar '15

?The news article below is about a recent PJM study of costs of implementing EPA's Clean Power Plan, and includes a statement near the end that suggests that retaining more energy efficiency would lower CO2 prices and reduce the number of power plants at risk for retirement. Anybody seen any more details of this scenario? JBK However, according to the analysis, retaining more nuclear generation and adding energy efficiency and renewable energy would likely lower CO2 prices, which could reduce the amount of fossil steam resources at risk for retirement. The report also suggested state-by-state compliance options would increase the amount of capacity at risk for retirement because some states, namely states that already have a high concentration of coal in their resource mix, would likely face higher CO2 prices in an individual compliance approach. http://www.statejournal.com/story/28476864/standalone-cpp-compliance-could-… [http://WVSTATE.images.worldnow.com/images/7101871_G.jpg]<http://www.statejournal.com/story/28476864/standalone-cpp-compliance-could-…> Standalone CPP compliance could be costly for states - Business, Government Legal News from throughout WV In complying with federal emissions reduction standards, a PJM Interconnection analysis suggests states team up with their neighbors to lower costs and capacity retirements. Read more...<http://www.statejournal.com/story/28476864/standalone-cpp-compliance-could-…>

1 0

Global energy-related emissions of carbon dioxide stalled in 2014
by James Kotcon 14 Mar '15

14 Mar '15

Very interesting data in the news this week, but it is not getting a lot of coverage in WV. The International Energy Agency reports that greenhouse gas emissions from energy in 2014 were stable, compared to 2013, even though the global economy expanded by 3 %?. This marks the first time in 40 years of monitoring that stalled emissions growth occurred in the absence of economic recessions, and gives hope that greenhouse gas reduction efforts are more successful than many had expected. Global energy-related emissions of carbon dioxide stalled in 2014 http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/news/2015/march/global-energy-related-… The same IEA report suggested that China played a big part, and reduced their coal consumption by 2.9 % last year, and intends to boost non-fossil energy capacity to 15 % of consumption by 2020. China's coal consumption dropped almost 3 % in 2014 http://rt.com/business/238301-china-energy-pollution-coal/ This does NOT mean that coal is finished, or that West Virginia's "Slaves to Coal" (AKA the WV Legislature) won't do incredible destruction to our economy, our environment, or to local communities as the industry goes through the inevitable death throes. Jim Kotcon

1 0

Jump to page:

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

EC