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2254 discussions

Re: [EC] Allegheny Transmission line deadline
by Barbara Fallon 13 Jun '07

13 Jun '07

I agree with Jim taht we need a strategy to win this thing. We need a strategy in order to get foundation funding for that matter. In the mean time we need to convice the ExCom that we have money to engage in effective intervention. Right now we don't have that. Paul, How do I get on to the Sierra Clubhouse? I thought I would look around there for some mini-grants that could show good effort to the ExCom. It is hard to get foundation money for expert witnesses. Grant making foundations want to give money for educational purposes generally . Barbara ----- Original Message ---- From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: Glen Besa <glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org>; James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> Cc: aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org; Mike Town <michael.town(a)cavtel.net>; dave.muhly(a)sierraclub.org; Paul Wilson <pjpaulgrunt(a)gmail.com>; bfallon(a)fairmontstate.edu; Peter.Martin(a)sierraclub.org; ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 5:05:54 PM Subject: Re: [EC] Allegheny Transmission line deadline Glen, et al.: The major players in Virginia are with the Piedmont Environmental Council. Several attended a regional strategy meeting in Cumberland MD last week and we are collaborating on joint letters to Congress regarding the Hinchey-Wolfe bill. But there was no discussion of cost-sharing, other than discussion of the concept that expert witnesses in one state could likely testify in other states at a much lower cost, since much of the analytical work would not need to be repeated. The main players in PA are the Pennsylvania ECO, as well as a grassroots coalition called "Stop The Towers". They also are participating in what is currently being called the Mid Atlantic Energy Coalition. This entity apparently just was formed in the last month. As Bill DePaulo stated, it will cost as much as we are willing to spend. We could intervene for a negligible cost, but getting the expert witnesses and spending the time to develop all the legal documents to win could cost $10,000 to $100,000, and if we had $200,000, we could spend all of that too. I believe that this will require both the legal PSC intervention, as well as a political strategy, and a state legislative strategy, and a federal Congressional strategy to win. So if we are serious about winning, we should be developing a longer-range plan. JBK >>> "Glen Besa" <glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org> 6/12/2007 8:25 AM >>> Jim, Contact Aaron Isherwood on this powerline matter. Also, have any folks in the VA horse country expressed an interest in supporting a WV challenge to the power line? Do we have any idea of the cost? It is possible that VA folks concerned about the power line thru their lands might desire to help fight it in WV as well. Glen Glen Besa, Regional Director Sierra Club Appalachian Region (DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) 422 East Franklin Street, Suite 302 Richmond, VA 23219 O-804-225-9113 x 104 F-804-225-9114 C-804-387-6001 glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org -----Original Message----- From: James Kotcon [mailto:jkotcon@wvu.edu] Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:09 PM To: duane330(a)aol.com; KenW; BarbaraF; Rodger Dotson; William DePaulo; Mary Rehmann; Paul Wilson; allantweddle; Nate Parr; James Kotcon; Sally Wilts; brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com Cc: JonathonR; Beth Little; Karen Grubb; Stephen M. Walker; Autumn Bryson; Mary Davis; Bill Price; Dave Muhly; Glen Besa; Regina Hendrix; Jim Kotcon Subject: Allegheny Transmission line deadline The scheduling order came out from the WV Public Service Commission today. It specifies that petitions to intervene must be submitted within 30 days, hence July 11 is the deadline if the Chapter wants to intervene. I think we need a detailed plan for how to win this campaign if we are to move forward. There is an emerging regional coalition (the Mid-Atlantic Energy Coalition) which has representation from 4 states. Paul and I attended a meeting last week, and there seems to be a consensus to oppose the line, but the West Virginia portion of the case will need to be fought by West Virginians. JBK _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec ____________________________________________________________________________________ Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC

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Fwd: RE: Allegheny Transmission line deadline
by James Kotcon 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

FYI: At Aaron's request, I took the liberty of contacting Erin Chalmers to give him a status report on this issue. Erin indicated that we could file a New Matter Form before the Chapter ExCom approves intervention. This way, we could be working with National concurrently to relieve some of the time constraints from doing it sequentially. If the National Litigation Committee approves it, we would still need the Chapter ExCom's approval before proceeding, but we do not need to have these approvals in any specific order. We do not need approval from other Chapters to intervene in the WV case, but since these cases are proceeding simultaneously in PA and VA, notification and collaboration would be useful and appropriate. JBK >>> <aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org> 6/12/2007 1:59 PM >>> Actually, for efficiency's sake, please call my colleague, attorney Erin Chalmers **as soon as possible** at 415-977-5765. 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. "Glen Besa" <glen.besa@sierra club.org> To "'James Kotcon'" <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> 06/12/2007 05:25 cc AM "Paul Wilson" <pjpaulgrunt(a)gmail.com>, <dave.muhly(a)sierraclub.org>, <aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org>, <Peter.Martin(a)sierraclub.org>, <Peter.Martin(a)sierraclub.org>, "'Mike Town'" <michael.town(a)cavtel.net> Subject RE: Allegheny Transmission line deadline Jim, Contact Aaron Isherwood on this powerline matter. Also, have any folks in the VA horse country expressed an interest in supporting a WV challenge to the power line? Do we have any idea of the cost? It is possible that VA folks concerned about the power line thru their lands might desire to help fight it in WV as well. Glen Glen Besa, Regional Director Sierra Club Appalachian Region (DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) 422 East Franklin Street, Suite 302 Richmond, VA 23219 O-804-225-9113 x 104 F-804-225-9114 C-804-387-6001 glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org -----Original Message----- From: James Kotcon [mailto:jkotcon@wvu.edu] Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:09 PM To: duane330(a)aol.com; KenW; BarbaraF; Rodger Dotson; William DePaulo; Mary Rehmann; Paul Wilson; allantweddle; Nate Parr; James Kotcon; Sally Wilts; brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com Cc: JonathonR; Beth Little; Karen Grubb; Stephen M. Walker; Autumn Bryson; Mary Davis; Bill Price; Dave Muhly; Glen Besa; Regina Hendrix; Jim Kotcon Subject: Allegheny Transmission line deadline The scheduling order came out from the WV Public Service Commission today. It specifies that petitions to intervene must be submitted within 30 days, hence July 11 is the deadline if the Chapter wants to intervene. I think we need a detailed plan for how to win this campaign if we are to move forward. There is an emerging regional coalition (the Mid-Atlantic Energy Coalition) which has representation from 4 states. Paul and I attended a meeting last week, and there seems to be a consensus to oppose the line, but the West Virginia portion of the case will need to be fought by West Virginians. JBK

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Re: [EC] Allegheny Transmission line deadline
by James Kotcon 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

Glen, et al.: The major players in Virginia are with the Piedmont Environmental Council. Several attended a regional strategy meeting in Cumberland MD last week and we are collaborating on joint letters to Congress regarding the Hinchey-Wolfe bill. But there was no discussion of cost-sharing, other than discussion of the concept that expert witnesses in one state could likely testify in other states at a much lower cost, since much of the analytical work would not need to be repeated. The main players in PA are the Pennsylvania ECO, as well as a grassroots coalition called "Stop The Towers". They also are participating in what is currently being called the Mid Atlantic Energy Coalition. This entity apparently just was formed in the last month. As Bill DePaulo stated, it will cost as much as we are willing to spend. We could intervene for a negligible cost, but getting the expert witnesses and spending the time to develop all the legal documents to win could cost $10,000 to $100,000, and if we had $200,000, we could spend all of that too. I believe that this will require both the legal PSC intervention, as well as a political strategy, and a state legislative strategy, and a federal Congressional strategy to win. So if we are serious about winning, we should be developing a longer-range plan. JBK >>> "Glen Besa" <glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org> 6/12/2007 8:25 AM >>> Jim, Contact Aaron Isherwood on this powerline matter. Also, have any folks in the VA horse country expressed an interest in supporting a WV challenge to the power line? Do we have any idea of the cost? It is possible that VA folks concerned about the power line thru their lands might desire to help fight it in WV as well. Glen Glen Besa, Regional Director Sierra Club Appalachian Region (DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) 422 East Franklin Street, Suite 302 Richmond, VA 23219 O-804-225-9113 x 104 F-804-225-9114 C-804-387-6001 glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org -----Original Message----- From: James Kotcon [mailto:jkotcon@wvu.edu] Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:09 PM To: duane330(a)aol.com; KenW; BarbaraF; Rodger Dotson; William DePaulo; Mary Rehmann; Paul Wilson; allantweddle; Nate Parr; James Kotcon; Sally Wilts; brbr_fallon(a)yahoo.com Cc: JonathonR; Beth Little; Karen Grubb; Stephen M. Walker; Autumn Bryson; Mary Davis; Bill Price; Dave Muhly; Glen Besa; Regina Hendrix; Jim Kotcon Subject: Allegheny Transmission line deadline The scheduling order came out from the WV Public Service Commission today. It specifies that petitions to intervene must be submitted within 30 days, hence July 11 is the deadline if the Chapter wants to intervene. I think we need a detailed plan for how to win this campaign if we are to move forward. There is an emerging regional coalition (the Mid-Atlantic Energy Coalition) which has representation from 4 states. Paul and I attended a meeting last week, and there seems to be a consensus to oppose the line, but the West Virginia portion of the case will need to be fought by West Virginians. JBK

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FW: [energy activists and chapters] URGENT: MN NH AR KS IN OR MO WV
by Grubb, Karen 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

________________________________ From: Allison.Forbes(a)sierraclub.org [mailto:Allison.Forbes@sierraclub.org] Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 9:31 AM To: michael.oleary(a)sierraclub.org; jan.oconnell(a)sierraclub.org; spease4kc(a)everestkc.net; kathyandria(a)gmail.com; nwrpaladin(a)yahoo.com; glen.besa(a)sierraclub.org; Murphydalzell(a)aol.com; fbdrinkwine(a)msn.com; jsaxe(a)suscom-maine.net; standish7(a)yahoo.com; Bob.Bingaman(a)sierraclub.org; robinmann(a)earthlink.net; APickel(a)aol.com; massen(a)pacbell.net; linda.c.modica(a)mac.com; darrclarke(a)gmail.com; bdfrank(a)centurytel.net; james.irwin(a)sierraclub.org; Ned.Ford(a)fuse.net; blossomhoag(a)gmail.com; nancylaplaca(a)yahoo.com; dczamanske(a)hotmail.com; boba(a)openaccess.org; jlasturner(a)socket.net; alsattler(a)igc.org; Eadie2Act4Water(a)aol.com; stacey.kawakami(a)gmail.com; willtoole(a)sbcglobal.net; Zichella(a)sierraclub-sac.org; fleslie(a)fit.edu; lglustrom(a)gmail.com; bruce(a)chesdata.com; pjwray(a)verizon.net; rainerd(a)gmail.com; jlindop(a)gmail.com; dennis.winters(a)verizon.net; FRANKZAS(a)aol.com; BobFusinato(a)tx.rr.com; shirleyf(a)theriver.com; Nmiller285(a)aol.com; patrea(a)execpc.com; rainmt(a)rochester.rr.com; jerryhinkle(a)sbcglobal.net; becca.glenn(a)sierraclub.org; shannon.harps(a)sierraclub.org; scrow(a)sover.net; Dave.Hamilton(a)sierraclub.org; Jessica.Hodge(a)sierraclub.org; janefeldman(a)earthlink.net; Jim(a)EarthDayLA.org; donna.hoffman(a)sierraclub.org; jrclark(a)radiks.net; dmayhue(a)gmail.com; alanskoalas(a)yahoo.com; ctwiliams(a)yahoo.com; kathyseal(a)gmail.com; jonibosh(a)fastq.com; tmatteson1(a)mindspring.com; randy.francisco(a)sierraclub.org; mark.bettinger(a)sierraclub.org; chris.carney(a)sierraclub.org; DScott1575(a)aol.com; daveol(a)earthlink.net; karen.woodsum(a)sierraclub.org; Cesia.Kearns(a)sierraclub.org; rob.smith(a)sierraclub.org; p.morse(a)sbcglobal.net; bob.muldoon(a)mindspring.com; Energy.Intern(a)sierraclub.org; glc44(a)aol.com; jim_scon(a)yahoo.com; jim_scon(a)yahoo.com; scott.elkins(a)sierraclub.org; sharonstephens(a)earthlink.net; ktharder(a)efg.com; worldgarden(a)igc.org; emmapeel13(a)aol.com; toys(a)ritternet.com; yvonne.cather(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; craig.lubow(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; frank.drinkwine(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; bill.griffith(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; thomas.kneil(a)wichita.edu; craig.lubow(a)kansas.sierraclub.org; haydenb(a)bloomington.in.us; peterfritz(a)hoosier.sierraclub.org; workmanjm(a)aol.com; jerry.sutherland(a)comcast.net; phred(a)sunlightdata.com; jlasturner(a)socket.net; dardenne(a)charter.net; hrbtsn(a)aol.com; pjgrunt(a)gmail.com; regina1936(a)verizon.net; Grubb, Karen; duane330(a)aol.com; roy.hengerson(a)sierraclub.org; Ron McLinden Cc: scrow(a)sover.net; Dave.Hamilton(a)sierraclub.org Subject: [energy activists and chapters] URGENT: MN NH AR KS IN OR MO WV Importance: High Energy Activists and Chapter staff in MN NH AR KS IN OR MO WV: BEFORE 2pm TODAY: Ask your Senator to oppose amendments that undermine Senator Bingaman's Renewable Electricity Standard and derail America's path to renewable energy. The Senate begins debate on energy legislation today. We need you to call your Senator BEFORE 2pm Eastern. Please use the talking points below to engage grassroots and grasstops. The vote on the amendment will happen today. Talking points: * Hi, my name is XXXX and I'm calling from [city, state]. * I'm calling to ask Senator XXXX to oppose Senator Domenici's amendment to the national renewable electricity standard. * The amendment would weaken the deployment of truly clean and renewable electricity sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal. * The renewable standard is intended to promote our development of clean, new energy sources, not give more subsidies to the coal and nuclear industries. * The renewable standard provides a way to save consumers like me money on their utility bills by increasing the competition from renewable energy sources and reducing the demand for natural gas * Thank you. MN Coleman 202.224.5641 NH Gregg 202.224.3324 AR Pryor 202.224.2353 Lincoln 202.224.4843 KS Brownback 202.224.6521 IN Bayh 202.224.5623 OR Smith 202.224.3753 MO McCaskill 202.224.6154 WV Rockefeller 202.224.6472 America's use of truly clean and renewable energy could get a historic boost from the Senate today [June 12th], but the bill is threatened by an amendment allowing nuclear, coal and other so-called "clean" energy sources. Senator Bingaman's (D-NM) renewable electricity standard would require utilities to acquire 15 percent of their energy from the wind, sun, energy crops and the heat of the earth's core by 2020. Please call your today senator to oppose amendments that undermine Senator Bingaman's standard and derail American's path to renewable energy. Please call now as the vote on the amendment will happen today! Next energy activist call: Tuesday, June 12, 8:30pm Eastern - 1-866-501-6174 - 2239223# Find resources at: clubhouse.sierraclub.org/energy/grassroots Allison Forbes National Conservation Organizer Sierra Club Global Warming and Energy Program (202) 548-6583

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FW: Allegheny proposes rate increase for proposed transmission line
by Grubb, Karen 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

________________________________ From: Frank Young [mailto:fyoung@mountain.net] Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:10 PM To: Lew; WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com Cc: Jim Kotcon; Bill DePaulo; Dave Saville; Grubb, Karen Subject: Allegheny proposes rate increase for proposed transmission line Allegheny proposes rate increase for proposed transmission line CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Allegheny Energy wants a rate increase for the West Virginia piece of a proposed 240-mile interstate transmission line after all. The Greensburg, Pa.-based electric company asked the Public Service Commission for a 4.2 percent rate hike last week because of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision, Allegheny spokesman Allen Staggers said. Allegheny did not ask for an increase in March, when it filed for PSC approval of the West Virginia portion of the transmission line. Since then, however, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has reconsidered the allocation of construction costs for the project, prompting Allegheny to seek the rate increase, Staggers said. Construction is expected to cost about $1.3 billion. Allegheny's 492,000 residential customers in the state would see their bills increase about 90 cents a month if the rate hike is approved. Allegheny plans to build the transmission line with Richmond, Virginia-based Dominion Energy. The line would begin in Washington County, Pa., move into Greene County, Pa., and cross West Virginia to Loudoun County, Va. ------ Information from: The Dominion Post, http://www.dominionpost.com

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back from florida
by Barbara Fallon 11 Jun '07

11 Jun '07

Everyone, My florida trip took a couple of turns. First I did not have Internet access and so I have to catch up on emails today. Second, I was in Florida longer than expected because I had to rush my mother to the emergency room for atrila fribulation. She is fine now, just a serious scare. I am back in my office today and I will catch up with all of you. Barbara ____________________________________________________________________________________ Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/

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NIETC Pittsburgh Public Meeting on June 13
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 11 Jun '07

11 Jun '07

The Pittsburgh meeting is next week on Wednesday. I was intrigued to find out that you can attend it via a web cast by registering at http://www.iian.ibeam.com/events/ener001/22727/ . Jim is providing carpooling as well. Important links: Pittsburgh Meeting Info - http://www.energetics.com/NIETCpublicmeetings/june13.shtml Comment Submission (deadline July 6) - http://nietc.anl.gov/involve/comments/index.cfm NIETC Homepage - http://nietc.anl.gov/involve/comments/index.cfm Jonathan

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I am on holiday
by Barbara Fallon 29 May '07

29 May '07

I am in Florida visiting my mother until June 4th. I am keeping up with the energy committee and working on funding from here in florida. I am wondering if anyone was able to get to the PA meeting? I can't find the email that circulated re: Virginia Sierra and expert witnesses. Can anyone resend that to me? or was I dreaming again//// My body is poolside, but my thoughts are with you. REgards, Barbara ____________________________________________________________________________________ Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

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Re: [EC] Wanted Saturday - PA Chapter Meeting - Powerline Decision
by James Kotcon 18 May '07

18 May '07

I regret that I will not be able to attend, I am hosting a workshop at the WVU Organic Research Farm Saturday, so it would be bad form for me to blow it off. Attached is the (near) final version of the Fact sheet and reasons to oppose that the WV Chapter Energy Committee complied. I am also attaching a draft of the New Matter Form we prepared for the WV Chapter ExCom to intervene in the WV Public Service Commission case. It is my understanding that the WV ExCom has tabled this pending a more detailed budget and campaign plan, as well as a better listing of allies and affiliations. The PA Chapter may find it useful. My understanding is that the deadline to intervene in the WV case is at least a month away, I do not know the timeframe for the PA-PUC case. Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home) >>> Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org> 5/18/2007 11:50 AM >>> Hi EC, Attached are directions, and the Agenda for the PA Chapter's meeting this Saturday at State College. This will be the first time they are discussing TrAIL, and deciding on a course of action. Jeff Schmidt, Chair, told me that Will Burns of Stop the Towers, will be making a power point presentation after Lunch ( http://stopthetowers.org/ ). This is a great opportunity for us to present the situation, and establish important alliances. Jeff would like to know by 4:00 p.m. today whether anyone from out Committee is planning to attend. Alternatively, we could email him a written statement. Please email back this list if you decide on any action. I could ride up with someone, it's about 3 hours away. You should contact: To Chair: Jeff Schmidt <jeff.schmidt(a)sierraclub.org> CC Conservation Chair: Tim Wolper <twolper(a)swanzoco.com> CC: Energy Committee <ec(a)osenergy.org> Thanks, Jonathan

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Wanted Saturday - PA Chapter Meeting - Powerline Decision
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 18 May '07

18 May '07

Hi EC, Attached are directions, and the Agenda for the PA Chapter's meeting this Saturday at State College. This will be the first time they are discussing TrAIL, and deciding on a course of action. Jeff Schmidt, Chair, told me that Will Burns of Stop the Towers, will be making a power point presentation after Lunch ( http://stopthetowers.org/ ). This is a great opportunity for us to present the situation, and establish important alliances. Jeff would like to know by 4:00 p.m. today whether anyone from out Committee is planning to attend. Alternatively, we could email him a written statement. Please email back this list if you decide on any action. I could ride up with someone, it's about 3 hours away. You should contact: To Chair: Jeff Schmidt <jeff.schmidt(a)sierraclub.org> CC Conservation Chair: Tim Wolper <twolper(a)swanzoco.com> CC: Energy Committee <ec(a)osenergy.org> Thanks, Jonathan

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