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Fw: Natural Gas Initiative
by Jim Sconyers 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Michael Brune <Michael.Brune(a)sierraclub.org> To: HQ-ANNOUNCEMENTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 3:51:25 PM Subject: Natural Gas Initiative ***************************GlobalMessage********************************* THIS MESSAGE IS AN INFORMATIONAL MESSAGE BEING SENT TO ALL SIERRA CLUB STAFF, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MEMBERS OF ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEES, COUNCIL EXCOM, AND MANY OTHER NATIONAL COMMITTEE LEADERS,CHAPTER CHAIRS, CHAPTER CONSERVATION CHAIRS, GROUP CHAIRS, AND CCL DELEGATES. ***PLEASE DO NOT REPLY *** TO SENDER OR FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO LISTS WHO HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE. *********************************************************************** From: Michael Brune June 1, 2010 To: Sierra Club Volunteers and Staff Re: Natural Gas Initiative Friends and Colleagues: In one of my first messages to you as the Sierra Club’s new executive director, I spelled out four matters I consider priorities for my first three months. Today I’d like to discuss our plans for addressing one of those priorities: the regulation of natural gas. The topic has come up often in my travels and it is important that we address it even as we focus so much attention on the disaster BP has created in the Gulf. As the recent natural gas boom changes the energy landscape, new production techniques raise environmental concerns about this fuel. Let me repeat now what I have been telling those of you who fear that your favorite landscapes and the communities you love may be at risk: The Sierra Club has your back. We will stand with you to ensure that natural gas extraction is effectively regulated and that the industry employs the safest and most environmentally sound techniques. We stand at a crossroads today. The time is coming when coal and oil will be the energy of the past. Over the past five years Sierra Club has led a nationwide effort with our chapters and local allies that prevented the construction of more than 125 coal-fired power plants. Just two weeks ago the Mississippi Chapter won a David-versus-Goliath battle to block Southern Company’s proposal to build a massive new coal plant. On the horizon are the predominance of new clean-energy projects and the country’s reliance on wind and solar. The only question is how long it will take (and what we’ll lose as many of our leaders dither). As the Sierra Club works hard to stop the worst of the worst, we have to fight equally hard to promote the best of the best, starting with energy efficiency and moving on to the range of renewables, from responsibly sited wind and solar projects to distributed generation in communities across the country. During the transition from old to new, we acknowledge that some fuels will remain in use, even though they should have no place in our long-term energy vision. Several years ago the Sierra Club, using its standard democratic processes and taking into account the best scientific evidence, acknowledged that natural gas will be part of the transition from far dirtier energy sources—particularly coal—to a clean-energy future (http://bit.ly/SCnaturalgaspolicy). This policy was born of the Club’s realization that the threat of climate disruption is severe and that we need an immediate solution to get off coal on a massive scale. A commitment to problem solving is one of our organization’s great strengths. The responsible use of natural gas will help the nation address the complex problem of climate change, but only if we do it right. We must be clear that energy efficiency, distributed solar and wind, and appropriately sited large-scale wind, solar and geothermal projects are true clean-energy solutions and should be at the front of the line for new energy investments. Indeed, it is a priority for the Club to build a package of grassroots campaigns so that we can more effectively build a movement and make dramatic progress at the local, state and federal levels to stabilize energy demand and create a larger share of the pie for clean energy. We must also wrestle with the environmental challenges raised by the use of natural gas. Modern natural gas production techniques can cause significant environmental damage, and the risks are multiplied by the increasing use of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) technology that allows for recovery of gas from deep in shale formations. Expanded natural gas production without adequate regulation has led to serious problems, from fouled well water in Wyoming, to polluted rivers in the Northeast, to air-pollution in Texas. These problems are exacerbated by legal loopholes that exempt the industry from basic environmental laws, by outdated state regulations that do not fully control modern gas-production practices, and by the limited capacity of authorities to enforce those laws on the books. A volunteer-led task force has developed a policy calling for the strict regulation of natural gas fracturing (http://bit.ly/frackingpolicy). Among the types of drilling projects the Club opposes are those in which the contents of fracking fluids are not disclosed to the public or contain an unacceptable toxic risk, and those that fail to protect drinking and surface water or violate air-quality standards. To implement this policy, the Club recently formed the Hydraulic Fracture Implementation Task Force and the Hydrofracking Team on the Activist Network (http://bit.ly/activistnetworkgasfrack). The task force is developing model regulatory standards based on detailed best management practices, overseeing an effort to push for them in pilot states, and guiding the identification of areas that should be off-limits to natural gas production. It has already worked with chapters and coalition partners to submit extensive technical and legal comments on numerous state and federal regulatory proposals governing natural gas production. It has also joined with several groups to form a team of attorneys and experts to develop model regulations. The growing team will include engineering, hydrology and toxicology specialists and other technical experts. Grassroots advocacy for natural gas regulation is essential. That’s why we’re launching a natural gas campaign to coordinate hard-hitting efforts across the country to make sure that this industry is regulated and using best practices. Watch for upcoming opportunities to get involved. I applaud the excellent work our chapters and activists have already done, and I encourage those of you involved in these efforts to keep pushing for environmental safeguards. Doing sophisticated campaign work on efficiency and renewables is critical to our success. Getting it right on natural gas is also essential as we move toward a clean-energy future. The Sierra Club has experienced tremendous success in recent years in our efforts to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate disruption. Securing major improvements in natural gas extraction practices and regulation is a top priority. I’m looking forward to working with you to get this crucial work done. I welcome your feedback and ideas. To let me know what you think please visit: www.sierraclub.org/ed/memos And next Monday, June 7, at 5 p.m. Pacific, I will host a call with all volunteers and staff to talk about our natural gas campaign and policies and answer questions (1 866-501-6174; Code 223-9223#). Onward, Michael Brune Executive Director Sierra Club 415-977-5662 Follow on Facebookand Twitter www.sierraclub.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the HQ-ANNOUNCEMENTS list, send any message to: HQ-ANNOUNCEMENTS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fw: NRDC on nuclear provisions in American Power Act
by Jim Sconyers 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: dave o'leary <dave.oleary(a)MDSIERRA.ORG> To: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 3:12:45 AM Subject: NRDC on nuclear provisions in American Power Act Here is write-up of many of the issues with the nuclear provisions in the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill. It is a little long, but that's only because there are so many opportunities for improvement in the bill in ways that strengthen our arguments for more emphasis on efficiency and renewables programs. http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/cpaine/packing_the_nuclear_pork_barre.html Those concerned about nuclear waste and taxpayer money waste can both find appalling aspects of the bill. Those who are interested in good government issues, or who are expressing outrage over lack of regulatory oversight in the BP gulf oil disaster should also read through this and take note of the proposals for further "streamlining" of the licensing process. One thing that is not mentioned in this summary is the relative job creation potential of energy efficiency spending vs. construction and operation of nuclear plants. I encourage you to read through this and find at least a couple of things that will resonate with your Senators, then call and suggest that they work to improve the bill - thanks - David O'Leary Sierra Club - Maryland Chapter - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-SPST-GLOBALWARM-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fw: You have been invited to Organizing the Team.
by Jim Sconyers 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Sierra Club Online Communities <community.manager(a)SIERRACLUB.ORG> To: CONS-CHAPTER-CONS-CHAIRS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 11:39:35 AM Subject: You have been invited to Organizing the Team. Sierra Club Online Communities Bob has invited you to Organizing the Team We need to recruit people who want to take direct action in response to the BP oil disaster. Message: This is our kickoff event. It starts now and everyone is a part of the event. Let's see how many people we can find who want to take action to repair or mitigate BP's injury to our ecosystem. Click here to view event details Note: Please do not reply to this message. This system message was sent from a notification-only email address. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-CHAPTER-CONS-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CONS-CHAPTER-CONS-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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FW: NYT #2 (Friedman -- Maila for President)
by James Kotcon 31 May '10

31 May '10

From:JClaussJr@aol.com [mailto:JClaussJr@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2010 1:58 PM To: csueclauss(a)aol.com Cc: rdelliott(a)socal.rr.com Subject: NYT #2 (Friedman -- Maila for President May 28, 2010 Malia for PresidentBy THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN ( http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/oped/columnists/tho… ) It took almost the entire press conference at the White House on Thursday for President Obama to find his voice in responding to the oil disaster in the gulf — and it is probably no accident that it seemed like the only unrehearsed moment. The president was trying to convey why he takes this problem so seriously, when he noted: “When I woke this morning and I’m shaving and Malia knocks on my bathroom door and she peeks in her head and she says, ‘Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?’ Because I think everybody understands that when we are fouling the Earth like this, it has concrete implications — not just for this generation, but for future generations. I grew up in Hawaii where the ocean is sacred. And when you see birds flying around with oil all over their feathers and turtles dying, that doesn’t just speak to the immediate economic consequences of this; this speaks to how are we caring for this incredible bounty that we have. And so sometimes when I hear folks down in Louisiana expressing frustrations, I may not always think that their comments are fair. On the other hand, I probably think to myself, ‘These are folks who grew up fishing in these wetlands and seeing this as an integral part of who they are.’ And to see that messed up in this fashion would be infuriating.” And a child shall lead them. ... This oil leak is not President Obama’s fault. Stopping the spill is BP’s responsibility; it both caused it and it has the best access to the best technology to plug it. Of course, as the nation’s C.E.O., Mr. Obama has to oversee the cleanup, and he has been on top of that. His most important job, though, is one he has yet to take on: shaping the long-term public reaction to the spill so that we can use it to generate the political will to break our addiction to oil. In that job, the most important thing Mr. Obama can do is react to this spill as a child would — because it is precisely that simple gut reaction, repeated over and over, speech after speech, that could change our national conversation on energy. You see, right now our energy conversation is dominated by three voices. There are the “petro-determinists,” who never tire of telling us that we’ll be dependent on oil for a “long, long time.” That is true. The problem is, these same people have been telling us that ever since the first oil crisis in 1973, and their real objective in doing so is not to help us understand that breaking our oil addiction is difficult, but to make us think that it is impossible — so don’t bother. Then there are the “eco-pessimists,” who argue that it is probably already too late. We are toast. Unless we rewire human beings to want less growth — not only ourselves but the millions in China and India who aspire to live like us — the end is nigh. The eco-pessimists may be right, and they are certainly sincere, but they have little respect for the power of innovation, the power of six billion minds all trying to solve one problem. Finally, we have the “Obama realists.” These are the political pros who whisper to him every day that this is not the time to lay out a big new “Obama End to Oil Addiction Act.” The Democrats, they contend, are suffering from “legislative fatigue.” After casting a hard vote for health care, they don’t want to be asked to cast a supposedly hard vote for a price on carbon — the essential first step in getting off oil. And, they rightly add, the G.O.P. today is so cynical, so bought and paid for by Big Oil, that only a couple of Republican senators would have the courage and vision to vote for a price on carbon. So Democrats would be out there alone. The Obama realists make sure that the president is always careful to talk in vague terms about how he stands behind “Waxman-Markey” and “Kerry-Lieberman” — sterile Washington-speak for the House and Senate bills that attempt to put a small price on carbon. I am glad he is behind them; I just wish he were in front of them. I am glad the president passed health care for the nation. But healthy to do what? To go where? To grasp what dream? Answering those questions is the president’s great opportunity here, but he has to think like a kid. Kids get it. They ask: Why would we want to stay dependent on an energy source that could destroy so many birds, fish, beaches and ecosystems before the next generation has a chance to enjoy them? Why aren’t we doing more to create clean power and energy efficiency when so many others, even China, are doing so? And, Daddy, why can’t you even mention the words “carbon tax,” when the carbon we spill into the atmosphere every day is just as dangerous to our future as the crude oil that has been spilling into the gulf? That is what a child would want to know if he or she could vote. That is the well of aspiration for a game-change on energy that Mr. Obama can tap into. And he could even rip off BP for his moon shot motto: Let’s get America “Beyond Petroleum.” As you would say, Mr. President, this is your time, this is your moment. Seize it. A disaster is an inexcusable thing to waste.

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AEP to run 10 old coal units part-time due to economy
by Frank Young 27 May '10

27 May '10

This is kind of odd news. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2710347720100527?type=marketsNews AEP to run 10 old coal units part-time due economy * AEP to reduce costs by running units part-time * Units to remain available for peak summer/winter months * Units did not run much over past few years NEW YORK, May 27 (Reuters) - American Electric Power Co Inc (AEP.N) planned to run 10 small coal-fired power units on a part-time basis starting in June as the weak economy reduced demand and low natural gas prices have made the use of some coal units less profitable, a company spokesman said Thursday. The spokesman, Pat Hemlepp, said AEP, of Columbus, Ohio, would place the coal units, which are older, smaller and less efficient, in "extended start-up" status beginning June 1 and redeploy some employees. With the federal government looking to impose a cost on carbon emissions to combat global warming and environmental regulations becoming increasingly stringent year over year, several power companies, including Exelon Corp (EXC.N) and Progress Energy Inc (PGN.N), have already announced plans to retire some older, less efficient coal plants. Hemlepp said this was part of AEP's effort to reduce costs after the recession reduced consumer power demand and a decline in natural gas prices made gas plants less expensive than the older coal units in the company's Eastern footprint. In April, AEP said it would launch a companywide buyout program to cut its workforce by 1,000 to 2,000 jobs, or 5 percent to 10 percent, as the poor economy continued to squeeze power demand. [ID:nN15255252] Together the units, which Hemlepp said have not run much over the past few years, can generate close to 2,000 megawatts - only a small sliver of AEP's 38,000 MW generating capacity. One megawatt powers about 1,000 homes. AEP plans to make the old coal units available during the peak summer months of July and August when consumers crank up their air conditioners and January when they turn up their heating systems. During the other months, Hemlepp said the units would be available to run with about four days notice. The units include: Unit Size Year Town/County State Picway 5 100 MW 1955 Pickaway County OH Muskingum River 4 215 MW 1958 Beverly OH Clinch River 3 235 MW 1961 Carbo VA Tanners Creek 1 145 MW 1951 Lawrenceburg IN Tanners Creek 2 145 MW 1952 Lawrenceburg IN Glen Lyn 5 95 MW 1944 Glen Lyn VA Glen Lyn 6 240 MW 1957 Glen Lyn VA Philip Sporn 3 150 MW 1951 New Haven WV Philip Sporn 4 150 MW 1952 New Haven WV Philip Sporn 5 450 MW 1960 New Haven WV Hemlepp noted that some of the plants have larger, more efficient units that will remain available for service all year. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino) Check out the Valley Watch website at: http://valleywatch.net John Blair "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Mahatma Gandhi 800 Adams Avenue Evansville, IN 47713 812-464-5663 In accordance with title 17 U. S. Code, Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes. _______________________________________________ No New Coal Plants! (nonewcoalplants(a)energyjustice.net) Energy Justice Network http://www.energyjustice.net Un/Subscribe, change your settings or access the archives at: http://mail.energyjustice.net/mailman/listinfo/nonewcoalplants_energyjustic…

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Fw: Environmental Law Institute
by Jim Sconyers 24 May '10

24 May '10

Ash panel talk. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Sam Flenner <samf.environmentalintegrity(a)GMAIL.COM> To: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Mon, May 24, 2010 9:33:05 AM Subject: Environmental Law Institute New EPA Coal Ash Rules: Understanding the Options WHEN: June 17, 2010, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Speaking will begin promptly at 12:15 PM) WHERE: Environmental Law Institute 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 620 (Sixth Floor) Washington, DC 20036 Click here for directions. RSVP: To reserve, e-mail mcmurrin(a)eli.org. Please reserve by June 15. There is no charge for ELI members to attend or participate by teleconference, but you must RSVP. Non-members must pay $25, Students are $10. Non-members must download and return this form. Conference call information will be emailed out one business day prior to the event. On May 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced for comment the first-ever federal ruleto ensure the safe disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants. The rule requires protective controls and oversight at landfills and surface impoundments, and is intended to promote environmentally safe and desirable forms of recycling coal ash. The proposal suggests two approaches for addressing coal ash management risks under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). One would classify coal ash as nonhazardous waste, which may help promote recycling and keep storage costs lower. The second approach would classify coal ash as hazardous waste, requiring measures to minimize health risks from heavy metals and other contaminants. The panel will discuss the background and features of the rule, possible benefits and drawbacks of each option, and the role of recycling. This is a brown-bag lunch event. Please check back later for confirmed faculty! -- Samuel E. Flenner III Outreach Associate Environmental Integrity Project samf.environmentalintegrity(a)gmail.com 317.352.2339 c-317.850.0436 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE list, send any message to: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE-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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Fw: Fwd: Do they know?
by Jim Sconyers 21 May '10

21 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> To: Melissa Boyer <uniquemo77(a)yahoo.com>; Tom Baughman <tbaughman(a)netscape.com>; grafforcongress(a)gmail.com; Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Fri, May 21, 2010 10:33:07 AM Subject: Fwd: Do they know? here's some info on Operation Free and the Truman Project. One organization Veterans Green Jobs has received a grant from Sierra Club. their link is www.veteransgreenjobs.org Operation Free has a postcard campaign targeting senators. You can get postcards from this guy Jonathan. best, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jonathan Murray, Operation Free <opfreeinfo(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, May 20, 2010 at 11:47 AM Subject: Do they know? To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com Paul, You know we could keep $100 million away from Iran every day by passing the American Power Act. You know that energy, climate, and national security are inextricably linked - and so do 79% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. But does your Senator know? Does your neighbor? We've got a way for you to make sure both know. Take real grassroots action and make sure they know. We've ordered thousands of petition postcards and we're ready to put some in the mail for you to share with your family, friends and neighbors. Here's how it works: We send you pre-stamped blank petition postcards, your friends fill them out and drop them in the mail, and we'll have a veteran deliver them to your Senator all at one time. Simple, right? If every one of our supporters requested 15 post cards, we could deliver an impressive stack to all 100 Senators. This is your chance to become part of the team. Request as many postcards as you want and we'll rush them to you immediately. 15, 30… maybe even 100! If you can get your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to fill them out, we'll send 'em. Are you ready to take that next step and become one of our most important local organizers? Things happen in Washington when Americans across the country step up and push back against business-as-usual and well-funded lobbyists. This is how we do it - with your help. Join the veterans who are taking a stand to protect our energy security and start helping today. Welcome to the Team, Jonathan Murray Click here to unsubscribe -- 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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Temporary Job Announcement: ARC Research Intern
by Frank Young 18 May '10

18 May '10

Summer Position Announcement: ARC Research Intern, Research and Planning Division Closing Date: June 1, 2010. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local governments. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts. ARC funds economic development projects that address the four goals identified in the Commission's strategic plan: 1. Increase job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia to reach parity with the nation. 2. Strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy. 3. Develop and improve Appalachia's infrastructure to make the Region economically competitive. 4. Build the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia's isolation. Each year ARC provides funding for several hundred projects in the Appalachian Region, in areas such as business development, education and job training, telecommunications, infrastructure, community development, housing, and transportation. These projects create thousands of new jobs; improve local water and sewer systems; increase educational opportunities; expand access to health care; assist local communities with strategic planning; and provide technical and managerial assistance to emerging businesses. The Research and Planning Division compiles and analyzes socioeconomic data for the Appalachian Region, creating technical maps and reports and supervising original research of key economic, demographic, and quality of life factors that affect economic development prospects in the region. Our data, maps, reports, and research studies are available at www.arc.gov/research. The Division is currently undertaking a project to improve the quality and efficiency of the performance evaluation and reporting process related to ARC-supported projects, with a long-term goal of enhancing the agency’s reporting capabilities to the federal government and the public. We are seeking a summer intern who is organized, detail-oriented, and highly proficient in Microsoft Excel to assist with this effort. The intern will review ARC projects and systematically assess their impact on quality of life measures for individuals, households, and communities throughout Appalachia. Applicants should be knowledgeable about data management and quality control issues. Background in economic development and the Appalachian region would be helpful. Familiarity with Microsoft Access is a big plus, and the ideal candidate would be able to create or support database-driven solutions and applications. The position is full-time, M-F 8:30-5:00, and will extend up to 12 weeks, beginning as soon as possible. The position is open to recent college graduates and graduate students. Pay is $16-20 per hour depending on qualifications. The position is located at our Washington DC office near Dupont Circle. How to Apply. Applicants should email a resume and a cover letter addressing the specific qualifications outlined above to Human Resources at: hr(a)arc.gov or fax your application to (202)884-7691. Closing Date: June 1, 2010. The Appalachian Regional Commission is an equal opportunity employer -- Janet Keating, Executive Director Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition P.O. Box 6753 Huntington, WV 25773-6753 304.522.0246 phone 304.522.4079 fax www.ohvec.org www.sludgesafety.org www.wvoter-owned.org

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Fw: Fwd: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes
by Jim Sconyers 17 May '10

17 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "pastdjlj(a)aol.com" <pastdjlj(a)aol.com> To: jim_scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 7:56:41 PM Subject: Fwd: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes -----Original Message----- From: pastdjlj(a)aol.com To: jim(a)aol.com; scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 7:53 pm Subject: Fwd: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes -----Original Message----- From: pastdjlj(a)aol.com To: jimscon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 7:52 pm Subject: Fwd: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes -----Original Message----- From: pastdjlj(a)aol.com To: jim(a)aol.com; scon(a)yahoo.com Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 7:49 pm Subject: Conso Coal Taking Our Homes Dear Sir, We are hearing that Consol Coal is planning to purchase our homes on Mozart Meadows to expand their gob pile that they reclaimed years ago. Apparently they need this expansion to go with the increased production from their shoemaker mine in Benwood WV. They have already destroyed much of the hilltop above Bogge Run and now they seem to be planning to run off all of us that live on the hilltop on the other side. We are hearing that not only are they looking at our lane but two other lanes as well. They seem to be only talking to individuals one on one and keeping everyone else in the dark. Does your organization have any information on this? Looking down on the old gob pile that now is a meadow and a home to wildlife it is hard to believe that it and our beautiful neighborhood could soon become an ugly gob pile and disgusting waste pond that swallowed up wildlife and family pets in the past. Any information would be helpful. Thank you, John M. Pastorius 30 Mozart Meadows Wheeling, WV 26003

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Fw: ALERT! Defend West Virginia's Waterways
by Jim Sconyers 17 May '10

17 May '10

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Chris Craig <ccraig(a)laurellodge.com> To: Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net>; Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>; Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> Sent: Mon, May 17, 2010 1:20:43 PM Subject: FW: ALERT! Defend West Virginia's Waterways National Audubon Society This was the first I’d heard of this, though I’m probably behind the times. Have we taken any action on it? Chris Craig ________________________________ From:Audubon [mailto:audubonaction@audubon.org] Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 11:23 AM To: ccraig(a)laurellodge.com Subject: ALERT! Defend West Virginia 's Waterways Trouble reading this e-mail? View it online. The Dunkard Creek Tragedy Need Never Happen Again Comments Needed to Protect our Streams and Creeks Dear Chris, Fish and mussels were wiped out by the golden algae bloom. Send a letter to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and demand clean water protections. Photo courtesy of Deborah Fulton In September 2009, disaster struck West Virginia . That’s when golden algae (Prymnesium parvum) struck Dunkard Creek, a stream which meanders along the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border roughly 90 miles south of Pittsburgh . A massive fish kill and complete kill of mussels resulted. The loss of food and habitat is also affecting birds and other wildlife. This was the first case of golden algae in the mideastern U.S. The algae, typically a marine organism, produces a toxin that kills gill-breathing organisms. State agencies which investigated the fish kill are in agreement that high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) discharged from Consol coal mines, created the brackish environment which allowed the algae to thrive in what had been a freshwater stream. Please send an email to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) today. Let them know you care about West Virginia 's creeks and streams, and the fish, birds and other wildlife that depend on them. Tell them allowing companies to pollute our streams is unacceptable. Since the Dunkard Creek event, golden algae has been discovered in Whitely Creek in PA and several other streams in WV. Twenty streams and rivers in WV have golden-algae-friendly high TDS levels and the algae may potentially be carried to other streams by human activity and by wildlife. Eradication of golden algae is not possible, as the organism can lie dormant until conditions are once again favorable for growth. The only known means of control is to improve water quality by limiting algae-friendly TDS levels. WVDEP recently announced that they are considering establishment of a long overdue TDS standard for streams in West Virginia and are soliciting public comment. Please contact WVDEP now and ask them to implement water pollution control standards that will protect all our streams, and the fish, birds, wildlife — and communities — that depend upon a healthy environment. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, in a series of extensions starting in 2002, allowed Consol to avoid compliance with in-stream limits on chloride levels required under the Clean Water Act — pollution that caused the disastrous collapse of Dunkard Creek. It could have been averted had the Clean Water Act standards been enforced. ________________________________ Do you know someone else who cares about protecting West Virginia 's waterways and the wildlife that depend on it? Help us to spread the word: Tell-a-friend! Trouble with the "Take Action" links in the message? Try cutting-and-pasting this link into your web browser: www.audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?id=851 National Audubon Society Public Policy Program 1150 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600 , Washington , DC 20036 (202) 861-2242 | audubonaction(a)audubon.org Change your contact information | Unsubscribe

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