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Alpha to Buy Massey Energy in $7.1 Billion Deal
by Frank Young 29 Jan '11

29 Jan '11

Blank January 28, 2011, 9:44 pm Mergers & Acquisitions Alpha to Buy Massey in $7.1 Billion Deal By MICHAEL J. DE LA MERCED Jon Bolt/The Daily Telegraph, via Associated Press Massey Energy’s chief executive, Don L. Blankenship. 3:57 p.m. | Updated Alpha Natural Resources announced on Saturday that it has agreed to buy Massey Energy, the embattled coal mine operator, for about $7.1 billion in cash and stock in a deal that creates a new giant in coal production. http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/alpha-nears-deal-to-buy-massey-for-a…

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EPA: Methane emissions from Marcellus wells greater than previously reported.
by James Kotcon 29 Jan '11

29 Jan '11

The initial press story I saw was Tuesday, but it appears the story may be a couple months old by now. It suggests that methane emissions from Marcellus wells may be 9000 times greater than previously estimated. Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated by Abrahm Lustgarten ProPublica, Jan. 25, 2011, 8:34 a.m. The United States is poised to bet its energy future on natural gas as a clean, plentiful fuel that can supplant coal and oil. But new research by the Environmental Protection Agency—and a growing understanding of the pollution associated with the full “life cycle” of gas production—is casting doubt on the assumption that gas offers a quick and easy solution to climate change. More available at: http://www.propublica.org/article/natural-gas-and-coal-pollution-gap-in-dou… The actual EPA report (Technical Support Document: Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems) was apparently released in November and is available at: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads10/Subpart-W_TSD.pdf In particular, Tables 1 and 2 (pages 8-10) describe the updates to the emissions factors. Those referencing "unconventional wells" represent some changes that are truly astronomical. If each Marcellus well is, in fact, leaking 177 tons of methane per well each time they hydro-frack, then that makes them significant sources of emissions. Finally, the story is explained in more lay terms in the blog at the site below: http://theenergycollective.com/david-lewis/48209/epa-confirms-high-natural-… I recommend reading all three of these, as I think this is a game changer for the natural gas industry. It certainly changes the game on the Wetzel air permit appeal. Jim Kotcon

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Re: [EC] from Center for Media and Democracy; "Clean Natural Gas?" Not So Fast.
by Paul Wilson 28 Jan '11

28 Jan '11

Jonathan: think you can get this on the facebook page? cheers,paul Spins Of The Week "Clean Natural Gas?" Not So Fast.<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=OXjJdW6wxvr39E%2BsHq…> Source: ProPublica, January 25, 2011 Acquiring "clean natural gas"<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=PmPGjUWzZ6IXUApLCknt…>and "getting off of foreign oil"<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=kqwgjNCRumQKF7bb80Ch…>are pitched as reasons to continue natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RopcAjP5O0wEqUEqCtGh…>. And yet, beyond all the problems associated with fracking<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=w2dPNkX0mz78FqAtYM%2…>, Pro Publica<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=0XVtUXNfGWwrWfV%2Fj9…>'s Abrahm Lustgarten revealed in a January 25, 2011 article<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zDuQhD%2FPocQX8ioWVp…>that "clean natural gas" isn't all that clean after all. Lustgarten<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=xWXW3gE5oXPLg%2FHxUg…> writes<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KNgAdDQVFVz%2FITi2rj…> , The United States is poised to bet its energy future on natural gas as a clean, plentiful fuel that can supplant coal and oil. But new research by the Environmental Protection Agency ... is casting doubt on the assumption that gas offers a quick and easy solution to climate change ... Advocates for natural gas routinely assert that it produces 50 percent less greenhouse gases than coal and is a significant step toward a greener energy future ... The EPA now reports that emissions from conventional hydraulic fracturing are 35 times higher than the agency had previously estimated. It also reports that emissions from the type of hydraulic fracturing being used in the nation's bountiful new shale gas reserves, like the Marcellus, are almost 9,000 times higher than it had previously calculated ... Environmental groups say we should be certain of the factual data about emissions and environmental effects of shale gas drilling before making major policy decisions that push the nation into dependence on methane gas obtained through drilling. Read the rest of this item<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KQzgYrZNSdspR3pUT0Kj…> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 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

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Exxon projections on use of shale gas worldwide increase significantly, passing coal use. Exxon bought XTO -- innovator of fracking -- to become largest gas producer in world.
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 27 Jan '11

27 Jan '11

- JANUARY 27, 2011 Exxon Predicts Gas Use Will Surpass Coal's By ANGEL GONZALEZ<http://online.wsj.com/search/term.html?KEYWORDS=ANGEL+GONZALEZ&bylinesearch…> In Exxon Mobil<http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=XOM>Corp.'s crystal ball, the future of natural gas is looking increasingly rosy. Global demand for natural gas, commonly used for heating homes and businesses and for generating electricity, will increase 2% a year through 2030, the Texas oil giant says, raising the 1.8% estimate it made last year. This is no small change. It means that Exxon expects the world in 2030 to burn seven quadrillion British thermal units of gas more than the company predicted a year ago. That's about the same amount of energy consumed by California in a year. While oil will remain the dominant fuel, even in 2030, gas will have surpassed coal to become the world's second-largest source of energy, supplying 26% of world needs to oil's 32%, according to Exxon's annual Outlook for Energy, scheduled to be released Thursday. Gas usage is expected to grow three times as fast as that of oil and coal as developing countries scramble to bring electricity to billions of people and rich nations replace aging coal-fired power plants with gas-fired facilities, the report says. Clean-burning natural gas represents less of a global warming threat than coal or oil. Other low-emitting forms of energy, such as nuclear and renewable power, also are expected to expand their share of the world's energy pie. Exxon's Outlook for Energy is closely watched, as it underpins the strategy of the world's largest publicly-traded oil company. "It provides the foundation for the different [Exxon] businesses to present their investment plans," says Bill Colton, Exxon's vice president for corporate strategic planning. It's no surprise that Exxon is enthusiastic about natural gas. The company last year became the largest gas producer in the U.S. when it bought XTO Energy Inc. for $25 billion. XTO was one of several North American companies that perfected a method to extract gas economically by fracturing tight rock formations called shales. Exxon also bought small shale producer Ellora Inc. for $695 million and natural-gas shale assets from Petrohawk Energy<http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=hk>Corp. for $575 million. Experience WSJ professional<https://buy.wsj.com/shopandbuy/order/subscribe.jsp?trackCode=aaad7qvo&extHe…> Editors' Deep Dive: Natural Gas Grows in Importance<http://professional.wsj.com/professional-search/search.html?ar=1&dt=4&mf=0&…> - ENERGY WASHINGTON WEEK<http://professional.wsj.com/professional-search/search.html?ar=1&dt=4&mf=0&…>Impact of Cheap Natural Gas <http://professional.wsj.com/article/TPIEPA000020110125e71q00005.html?mod=ws…> - Economist Intelligence Unit - Business Middle EastIsrael Banks on Natural Gas - Natural Gas IntelligenceGlobal Sales of NGVs Set to Jump Access thousands of business sources not available on the free web. Learn More<https://buy.wsj.com/shopandbuy/order/subscribe.jsp?trackCode=aaad7qvo&extHe…> But Exxon's optimism comes amid some Wall Street criticism of its recent bets on natural gas, which has traded cheaply since the financial crisis started, while oil has surged of late and thus has been more profitable. Other energy forecasts aren't as bullish about natural gas as Exxon's. The International Energy Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration put natural gas's global market share at slightly above 22% in 2030, behind oil and coal in supplying the world's needs. Natural-gas prices have fallen to about $4.49 a million BTUs this month from above $13 a million BTUs in mid-2008. Oil prices, on the other hand, were trading as low as $40 a barrel in early 2009 as a result of the recession, but have recovered steadily. On Wednesday, crude futures in New York settled at $87.33 a barrel, up $1.14. Nonetheless, Exxon, which has its roots in John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, believes the world is tilting toward a natural-gas dominated future and is preparing to embrace it. Some other large Western energy companies are heading that direction. Earlier this month, Royal Dutch Shell<http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=RDSB>PLC Chief Executive Peter Voser <http://topics.wsj.com/person/v/peter-voser/495> said in an internal publication the Anglo-Dutch oil giant in 2012 would for the first time produce more natural gas than oil. Mary Barcella, a consultant with IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, says that new technology making shale-gas discoveries economic "is a game changer" that revolutionized the once waning U.S. natural-gas business; Exxon and others intend to take that expertise to other regions of the globe. Exxon's Mr. Colton says shale and other unconventional types of gas began playing a prominent role in the company's predictions about three years ago, when it realized that a major technological shift had occurred. Exxon forecasters say that the world will consume about 35% more energy in 2030 than in 2005, driven by population growth and the rapid enrichment of developing nations, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Colton's team analyzed statistics for 100 countries and Exxon scientists gauged potentially disruptive technologies, such as electric-car batteries. Natural gas will quench 26% of the world's demand, up from about 21% in 2005, the report says. That means that gas usage will double from 2000 levels, but a supply crunch is unlikely, due to the newfound abundance of the fuel, says Mr. Colton. "The world is looking at a very robust supply of natural gas," he said. —Russell Gold contributed to this article. *Write to * Angel Gonzalez at angel.gonzalez(a)dowjones.com -- 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

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Fwd: FW: [ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS] FW: Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated
by James Kotcon 25 Jan '11

25 Jan '11

Check out the story form this link, it is a real game-changer! Methane levels from hydraulic fracturing of shale gas were 9000 times the previous estimates. Gas drilling emissions alone account for at least one-fifth of human-caused methane in the world’s atmosphere, studies show that maintaining and installing equipment to capture the leaking emissions pays for itself within 24 months. JBK >>> "Grubb, Karen" <Karen.Grubb(a)fairmontstate.edu> 1/25/2011 12:19 PM >>> From: National Hydrofracking Team [mailto:ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG] On Behalf Of Deb Nardone Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:47 AM To: ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Subject: [ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS] FW: Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated by Abrahm Lustgarten<http://www.propublica.org/site/author/Abrahm_Lustgarten/> ProPublica, Jan. 25, 2011, 8:34 a.m. The United States is poised to bet its energy future on natural gas as a clean, plentiful fuel that can supplant coal and oil. But new research by the Environmental Protection Agency-and a growing understanding of the pollution associated with the full "life cycle" of gas production-is casting doubt on the assumption that gas offers a quick and easy solution to climate change. MORE<http://www.propublica.org/article/natural-gas-and-coal-pollution-gap-in-dou…> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS list, send any message to: ACTNET-FRAC-NEWS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp

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Alternative and Renewable Energy Plans
by James Kotcon 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

Allegheny Energy on Dec. 30 filed with the WVC PSC their "Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Compliance Plan" as specified in Governor Manchin's bill mandating an "Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard". As we suspected, this provided relatively little actual incentive to promote renewable energy. Their report states: "Mon Power and Potomac Edison anticipate they will generate enough credits based upon currently available resources for the 15-year term that no additional development, purchase or procurement will be necessary." All I can add is to say: "See We Told You So!" The plan is available at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket' Jim Kotcon

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Albright and Allegheny's Alternative and Renewable Energy Plan
by James Kotcon 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

Mike, Josh, et al. In 2009, then Governor Manchin pushed through what he called an "Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard". This allowed utilities to claim various coal and gas facilities as "alternative fuels. At the time, we criticized the bill because it was so weak that we did not think it required utilities to do anything. Allegheny Energy on Dec. 30 filed their "Plan" with the WV PSC which states: "Mon Power and Potomac Edison anticipate they will generate enough credits based upon currently available resources for the 15- year term that no additional development, purchase or procurement will be necessary." (See We Told You So!) The report lists the following as producing alternative energy credits: "The generating units identified for the production of credits include units owned by Mon Power including Bath County Pumped Hydro, Albright #3 and Willow Island #2 all of which have been, or will be, submitted for certification in accordance with Section 5 of the Order. Additionally, Mon Power takes service from three (3) Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (“PURPA”) facilities including the Grant Town project (“Grant Town”), the West Virginia University project (‘WVU”) and the Hannibal Lock & Dam project (“Hannibal”)." As you can see, all of Allegheny's credits will be coming from coal-fired plants. No actual renewables are involved. Later in the Plan, Allegheny does describe some minimal energy efficiency efforts and they indicate they plan to get these certified for credits under WV's requirements. I am curious why Albright Unit 3 qualifies as an "Alternative" source. The bill does allow some generation from "Supercritical" as well as "Advanced supercritical" and "Ultrasupercritical" boilers to qualify as "Alternative" fuels. Is it worth intervening before the PSC to argue that Albright is likely to be shut down, and that Allegheny needs to make "real" investments in renewables and energy efficiency? Deadline to Intervene is Feb. 7. Intervenor testimony is due May 3. Jim Kotcon Allegheny's Plan is available at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket' The PSC Order giving Public Notice is at: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityI…'WebDocket'

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Fwd: [Charleston Newspapers] Article - Bonds approved for John Amos plant upgrades
by James Kotcon 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

These new bonds for "landfill improvements" appear to be for the coal ash landfill. As I understand it, the bonds approved for the John Amos (AKA Big Scary) power plant do not directly incur a cost for state taxpayers, but do provide tax exemptions for those who provide the financing. Thus the state does not assume any direct costs, but loses some income tax revenue to help subsidize these. We need to start paying more attention to the welfare that taxpayers are providing for coal. JBK >>> <articles(a)cnpapers.com> 1/22/2011 8:18 AM >>> jkotcon(a)wvu.edu sent you this article ----- January 20, 2011 Bonds approved for John Amos plant upgrades ( http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201101201265 ) By Staff reports The Charleston Gazette P>CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Economic Development Authority authorized Appalachian Power Thursday to issue up to $95 million in bonds to finance landfill improvements at the John Amos Power Plant near Winfield. Authority memb ... Read more ( http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201101201265 ) -----

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Fw: EPA Administrator Jackson to Speak at 2011 Green Jobs Conference
by Jim Sconyers 21 Jan '11

21 Jan '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: 2011 Green Jobs Conference <event-information(a)certain.com> To: Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Fri, January 21, 2011 4:34:52 PM Subject: EPA Administrator Jackson to Speak at 2011 Green Jobs Conference Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference and Expo 2010 EPA Administrator Jackson to Speak at 2011 Green Jobs Conference The 2011 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference — February 8-10 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. — will bring together thousands of union members, environmentalists, community and business leaders from all over the country to share ideas and strategies to build a sustainable economy that creates good jobs and protects our environment for future generations. And now, an exciting speaker has been added to the agenda. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will speak at the morning plenary on Tuesday, February 8. In addition, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will speak Wednesday morning, February 9, followed by a discussion on sustainable communities, moderated by WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi and featuring U.S. Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota. Also, don’t forget about the extensive and informative workshops available during the Conference. Today, we’re highlighting two more exciting workshops. In The Global Clean Energy Race: Policy Matters, listen and participate as leaders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries talk about the Pew Environmental Group’s latest report projecting global clean energy investments. Find out how federal policies can create good jobs in energy efficiency in Capturing Building Energy Efficiency Potential: Creating New Jobs and Markets through Federal Policies. Register todayfor the 2011 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference— the leading forum for sharing ideas and strategies on how to create good, green jobs across the United States. Don’t forget to visit www.greenjobsconference.org for updates, and follow the Conference on Twitter or Facebook for the latest news about this great event. Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation Registration Powered by Certain Meetings Event Management Software :: Online Event Management :: Online Registration Meeting Management Software :: Conference Registration :: Event Planner Software © 2009 Certain Software ®, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.

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EPA right says WVU student paper
by Frank Young 21 Jan '11

21 Jan '11

Michael Levy writes: "Of course the industry is going to resent and resist any new regulation. It is the most predictable response in the world. Corporations exist for a single purpose : to maximize profits. Not just to make money, but to maximize how much they make. It turns out Arch Coal had an alternate plan from the engineering firm Morgan Worldwide that would have reduced the amount of stream buried by Spruce No. 1 by more than half. But it would have increased costs by 1 percent of the final sale price of the coal, so they buried it. The EPA, rightly in revoking the permit, cited Arch Coal's "failure to adequately evaluate less environmentally damaging alternatives." But that should surprise no one. Arch Coal is from St. Louis. The destruction of Appalachian watersheds and communities means nothing to them. Only their bottom line matters and that's exactly why strong regulation is necessary. Regulation, brought about via the democratic process, is one of the primary tools the public has at its disposal to protect itself against the interests of the powerful - those who seek to exploit us and our land base to enrich themselves. They have the power in the market. We can take power through policy. But to do that we have to see clearly who's on whose side. The coal industry gave $4 million to political candidates in the 2010 election cycle, and they've spent over $63 million on lobbying in the last five years. Manchin is in their pocket and so is Tomblin. It's time we find out who's really there for us, who will stand up for our mountains, our health, our communities and support them and give everyone else the boot. " Complete editorial article at: http://www.thedaonline.com/opinion/epa-was-right-to-revoke-mountaintop-remo…

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