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Re: [EC] Transmission tax
by Grubb, Karen 29 May '08

29 May '08

I had a call from a reporters about this (Walt Williams of the WV State Journal). I talked to him and Bill and gave Walt Bill's phone number. I also received an email from Emily Corio asking for information, and I gave her Bill's and Jim's email. I did not know about Jim Ellars or why we wanted him to take the stand. Hi Karen, I found your name on a Sierra Club Web page about the proposed Allegheny Power transmission line. I think the WV Sierra Club is an intervenor in this case, and I'm wondering if I can get some information about the Club's position and intentions for the hearing on the joint stipulation agreement this Friday. I understand that the WV Sierra Club wanted to Jim Ellars to take the stand Friday but that was rejected. Why Ellars and what now? Thanks, Emily Corio Senior Producer West Virginia Public Broadcasting Morgantown, WV 26508 (304) 284-1459 (o) (304) 284-1454 (f) ecorio(a)wvpubcast.org ________________________________ From: ec-bounces(a)osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] On Behalf Of Jim Sconyers Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 11:37 AM To: James Kotcon; william.depaulo(a)gmail.com; ec(a)osenergy.org Subject: Re: [EC] Transmission tax Looks like grandstanding, doesn't it? Can it be taken seriously? - Rate reductions for West Virginia's citizens so that they will pay less, not more, for the power they will receive from the line. Are we receiving juice from this line? I thought it was just to pass power through to the East. - Free electricity for all landowners who are affected by the placement of the line. How do you force the company to give free juice? Or are the landowners going to forward their electric bills to Charleston? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 ----- Original Message ---- From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> To: william.depaulo(a)gmail.com; ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 10:56:05 AM Subject: [EC] Transmission tax Below is the Governor's press release regarding his proposal to impose a transmission tax if TrAIL is approved. The first line specifically states that the Governor's Office released this proposal in a response to the Sierra Club FOIA. My question is : "Does the Governor have any other details of this proposed tax? Would it apply only to TrAIL, or to all transmission from the state? If it is specific to TrAIL, would it not violate the Interstate Commerce Clause of the US Constitution? The line would originate in PA and end in VA, so how could one state impose a tax on the privilege of electrons crossing the state, especially if the power is generated in Ohio or PA, not WV? If it applies to all transmission lines, why should other existing transmission companies pay a tax just because TrAIL is being installed? This proposal raises so many questions that I do not know where to begin or how to respond, but you can be sure that these questions will be asked tomorrow, if not at the hearing, then by reporters afterward. Would it be appropriate to request more info on this from the Governor's Office? JBK May 23, 2008 GOVERNOR PLANS TO PROPOSE TRANSMISSION TAX IF TRAIL LINE IS APPROVED Manchin says he wants to protect interests of all West Virginians Contact: Lara Ramsburg, 304-558-2000 CHARLESTON, W.Va. - In response to a Freedom of Information Act Request from the Sierra Club of West Virginia, the Governor's Office has released information on a proposed transmission tax that Gov. Joe Manchin intends to pursue should either the federal government or the state Public Service Commission approve the TrAIL Line project. "This is something I have been thinking about and discussing for some time, primarily because of the possibility of the federal government superseding any decision that may be made on the state level," Manchin said. In May 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order interpreting the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to say that the FERC had the power to issue a permit for construction of a new power line even if a state lawfully denied a site transmission application. "If the line goes through, I want to do all that I can to make sure that we have a plan in place that will provide a benefit to the communities affected, and the state as a whole, for providing a key piece of America's energy infrastructure." The governor's proposed plan comprises four components: - Rate reductions for West Virginia's citizens so that they will pay less, not more, for the power they will receive from the line. - Extra revenue for the counties that house the line. - Extra revenue for the state that will allow it to provide additional services to all its citizens. - Free electricity for all landowners who are affected by the placement of the line. "If the TrAIL line is approved, either by the PSC or the federal government, we will stand ready to make sure that our citizens aren't taken advantage of and instead receive a benefit from its placement in West Virginia," Manchin said. # # # _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Fwd: Stopping Munis from building coal: Lansing BWL proposed plant
by Paul Wilson 29 May '08

29 May '08

would longview be an appropriate example? If so fwd info to Anne. thanks, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Anne Woiwode <Anne.Woiwode(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Wed, May 28, 2008 at 3:57 PM Subject: Stopping Munis from building coal: Lansing BWL proposed plant To: COAL-CAMPAIGN-FORUM(a)lists.sierraclub.org Lansing, Michigan's municipal power company has just announced plans to build a new 250 MW coal plant at the state's capital. We are looking for examples of successful fights in other munis to oppose coal plant proposals. Please share your examples with Anne Woiwode at anne.woiwode(a)sierraclub.org Thank you Anne Woiwode, State Director Sierra Club Michigan Chapter (517) 484-2372 . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the COAL-CAMPAIGN-FORUM list, send any message to: COAL-CAMPAIGN-FORUM-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 -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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TrAILCO Proceeding
by William DePaulo via YouSendIt 29 May '08

29 May '08

Hello from William, Message from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com: FOIA documents from Gov Manchin's office You have 1 file(s) called <a href='http://download.yousendit.com/75047E1C66C31A22'>MANCCHIN FOIA.zip</a> from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com waiting for download. You can click on the following link to retrieve your file. The link will expire in 14 days and will be available for 500 number of downloads.. Link: http://download.yousendit.com/75047E1C66C31A22 Do not reply to this automatically-generated email. If you have any questions, please email us at paidsupport(a)yousendit.com ----- File too big for email? Try YouSendIt at http://www.yousendit.com YouSendIt 1919 So. Bascom Avenue, 3rd Floor Campbell, CA, 95008

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Transmission tax
by James Kotcon 29 May '08

29 May '08

Below is the Governor's press release regarding his proposal to impose a transmission tax if TrAIL is approved. The first line specifically states that the Governor's Office released this proposal in a response to the Sierra Club FOIA. My question is : "Does the Governor have any other details of this proposed tax? Would it apply only to TrAIL, or to all transmission from the state? If it is specific to TrAIL, would it not violate the Interstate Commerce Clause of the US Constitution? The line would originate in PA and end in VA, so how could one state impose a tax on the privilege of electrons crossing the state, especially if the power is generated in Ohio or PA, not WV? If it applies to all transmission lines, why should other existing transmission companies pay a tax just because TrAIL is being installed? This proposal raises so many questions that I do not know where to begin or how to respond, but you can be sure that these questions will be asked tomorrow, if not at the hearing, then by reporters afterward. Would it be appropriate to request more info on this from the Governor's Office? JBK May 23, 2008 GOVERNOR PLANS TO PROPOSE TRANSMISSION TAX IF TRAIL LINE IS APPROVED Manchin says he wants to protect interests of all West Virginians Contact: Lara Ramsburg, 304-558-2000 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In response to a Freedom of Information Act Request from the Sierra Club of West Virginia, the Governor’s Office has released information on a proposed transmission tax that Gov. Joe Manchin intends to pursue should either the federal government or the state Public Service Commission approve the TrAIL Line project. “This is something I have been thinking about and discussing for some time, primarily because of the possibility of the federal government superseding any decision that may be made on the state level,” Manchin said. In May 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order interpreting the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to say that the FERC had the power to issue a permit for construction of a new power line even if a state lawfully denied a site transmission application. “If the line goes through, I want to do all that I can to make sure that we have a plan in place that will provide a benefit to the communities affected, and the state as a whole, for providing a key piece of America’s energy infrastructure.” The governor’s proposed plan comprises four components: - Rate reductions for West Virginia’s citizens so that they will pay less, not more, for the power they will receive from the line. - Extra revenue for the counties that house the line. - Extra revenue for the state that will allow it to provide additional services to all its citizens. - Free electricity for all landowners who are affected by the placement of the line. “If the TrAIL line is approved, either by the PSC or the federal government, we will stand ready to make sure that our citizens aren’t taken advantage of and instead receive a benefit from its placement in West Virginia,” Manchin said. # # #

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Re: [EC] Old Dominion Sierran
by James Kotcon 29 May '08

29 May '08

There is also a really cool article on "How Green Is Your Computer." JBK >>> Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net> 05/28/08 9:59 PM >>> Take at look at the front page article re wind energy siting in the Mid-Atlantic in the May-June issue of Old Dominion Sierran. http://virginia.sierraclub.org/newsletter/ODSMay-Jun-web.pdf Regina _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec

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Old Dominion Sierran
by Regina Hendrix 28 May '08

28 May '08

Take at look at the front page article re wind energy siting in the Mid-Atlantic in the May-June issue of Old Dominion Sierran. http://virginia.sierraclub.org/newsletter/ODSMay-Jun-web.pdf Regina

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Re: [EC] Coal Front Group Feels the Heat
by Paul Wilson 28 May '08

28 May '08

Coal Front Group Feels the Heat<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=hwDFfYcTXJcWCcZ%2Ba3…> Source: Facing South, May 22, 2008 Americans for Balanced Energy Choices<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qK2g5oqr3V6tR7Nuzq8R…>(ABEC) -- a coal and power industry front group -- is busy organizing opposition to America's Climate Security Act of 2007<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=BGwNwDfCseliCbZnrBZ3…>proposed by Senators Joe Lieberman<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=b5xfOev3PDd3CFUHraBt…>and John Warner<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=60K6ovjV5PE9j2I4NpiA…>. The Institute for Southern Studies (ISS) reports that Pete MacDowell, an activist with the NC (North Carolina) Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, received a phone call from ABEC asking if he would put his name to a fax to Lieberman and Warner opposing the bill. Asked whether ABEC was an environmental group, the caller said "yes" and denied it had any links to power utilities. In response to ISS's revelation, Steve Gates from ABEC's parent group, American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=hp%2Fhg%2Fyr4K3ZMQaK…>, stated that "one new staff member -- who is no longer working on this project -- decided to 'wing it' when asked some questions that were off her script. This staff person clearly should have answered 'Yes' when asked if ABEC was related to the utility industry." -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Re: [EC] [Fwd: [fom] AEP scrubbers - one heads up for northern WV residents]
by Jim Sconyers 27 May '08

27 May '08

I thought northern WV was not suitable for MTR - is that wrong? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 ----- Original Message ---- From: Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:49:03 PM Subject: [EC] [Fwd: [fom] AEP scrubbers - one heads up for northern WV residents] Well, this is not good news. Regina -----Inline Attachment Follows----- Just wanted to give a heads up on something that is related to a big part of my thesis. The new scrubber installations at AEP plants will do what the AP article at http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1402498/scrubbers_to_clean_john_amos_… says, it will shift state demand for coal from southern counties to northern ones. Over the past two years the number of northern strip-mines has declined, but the amount of production and # of employees per mine have increased, suggestion an expansion in size of northern strip-mines. So if you know of anyone up there living near coal seams, might wanna give them a heads up about this as it will surely cause an increase in stripping and MTR up there. Not to mention the other consequences coming from scrubber installation/operation and disposal of the by-products, which surely will be more than the "harmless gypsum" that this article suggests. Of course, the shift isnt going to reduce MTR in the southern counties all that much, if at all. Only about 22% of coal produced in WV is burned in WV, and obiously much of that is from southern counties, so in my estimate, this will result in no more than a 5% shift of MTR production to northern mines, or about 2.5 million tons. Of course, that is significant in one major sense. 2.5 million tons approximates the annual production of a medium size MTR mine if I'm not mistaken. So, one mountain saved given current consumption and export conditions. Those were rough calc's, dont quote me on those. if the coal is to be produced, its better that production is spread evenly across the state. the point is still to reduce the consumption of coal and get an outright ban on MTR. I've pasted the supporting quote for all of this below. -- Rory Shifting Coal Demand Another outcome of the national push to scrub is a shift in demand from more expensive, lower sulfur central Appalachian coal to less expensive, higher sulfur northern Appalachian coal - or, in West Virginia, from southern to northern coal. Amos's scrubbers will go into operation during the coming two years: unit 3, the largest, in January 2009, unit 2 the following spring and unit 1 in spring 2010. The plant currently burns up to 8 million tons of coal a year, most of it from Boone County. Once the scrubbers are up and running, AEP will have the option of shifting to a less expensive coal. -- "Animals suffer and their screams fill the air. Forests are being destroyed. Mountains are ripped open for the metals streaming in their veins. And man cherishes and celebrates those who do the greatest of damage to nature and humanity." - Leonardo Da Vinci (1500)

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Sierra FOIA to Gov Manchin re TrAILCo
by William DePaulo via YouSendIt 27 May '08

27 May '08

Hello from William, Message from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com: The attached documents were produced Friday, May 23, 2008 in response to the FOIA request of the Sierra Club. By letter dated May 27, 2008 the Sierra Club has requested a Vaughn index of unspecified documents withheld as exempt. You have 1 file(s) called <a href='http://download.yousendit.com/F22EFC9B6BC4BB99'>MANCCHIN FOIA.zip</a> from william.depaulo(a)gmail.com waiting for download. You can click on the following link to retrieve your file. The link will expire in 14 days and will be available for 500 number of downloads.. Link: http://download.yousendit.com/F22EFC9B6BC4BB99 Do not reply to this automatically-generated email. If you have any questions, please email us at paidsupport(a)yousendit.com ----- File too big for email? Try YouSendIt at http://www.yousendit.com YouSendIt 1919 So. Bascom Avenue, 3rd Floor Campbell, CA, 95008

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[Fwd: [fom] AEP scrubbers - one heads up for northern WV residents]
by Regina Hendrix 27 May '08

27 May '08

Well, this is not good news. Regina

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