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2254 discussions

Fwd: September story calendar gathering
by Paul Wilson 06 Sep '08

06 Sep '08

fyi, paul time to get in some stories ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public NewsService Web Site <wvns(a)publicnewsservice.org> Date: Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 12:31 PM Subject: September story calendar gathering To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com Hi there! We're putting together the story calendar for September....please let me know if you have events/reports/reax to national news or local news/campaigns/initiatives that are in the public interest. We have openings on the story calendar as soon as MONDAY. I also have some thoughts to share to help in brainstorming - I received a tip sheet from a mental health group about dealing with the mental health aspects of the foreclosure crisis - something that has not been addressed in the news, but is important since a home is more than a building. The loss is a big mental health issue for some people, and children. Congress is back to work - and there are a lot of things on the plate you might be following, it's a good time for a story. Farmers are "flying in" to Congress next week - to talk about the Farm Bill, and trying to make sure it doesn't get dismantled with "rule making." I like to call it the Food and Farm Bill - since there are topics in the bill that touch every one of us. Conventions are over, the campaign trail is hot - are Americans hearing what they need to hear on their personal crises: health care, economy. Kids are back in school - surprises for parents, teachers, administrators? Step Up for Kids is September 16 The public is using libraries more as the economy weakens, basically "free" entertainment. It's National Suicide Prevention Week - a topic still tainted by stigma and lack of mental health resources. Statistics show young people, especially those in college, entertain thoughts of suicide at a high rate. The suicide rate is also very high for Iraq war vets. September is...National Healthy Aging Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, Hunger Action Month, National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, National Preparedness Month, ADHD Awareness Month, Baby Safety Month, Backpack Safety America Month, Library Card Sign-Up Month, Patriot Day is September 11th, Citizenship/Constitution Day is September 17th, America's Day for Kids is September 20th - I have a LONG list of these notes, which can be used as "pegs" for stories on related topics that you might be following. Deborah Courson Smith/ Regional Editor West Virginia News Service 888-692-8362 www.publicnewsservice.org --- To be removed from this list please send an e-mail to remove(a)publicnewsservice.org and put the word "remove" in the subject line. -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975

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Fw: Hooray! Western Greenbrier CoGen plant is dead
by Jim Sconyers 04 Sep '08

04 Sep '08

Victory over dirty coal-fired power plant. Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Bill Price <bill.price(a)sierraclub.org> To: aaron.isherwood(a)sierraclub.org; David Muhly <vafw(a)naxs.net>; Jim Sconyers <jim_scon(a)yahoo.com>; Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net>; Oliver <oliver.bernstein(a)sierraclub.org>; COAL-CAMPAIGN-ALERTS(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG; Lauren.Trevisan(a)sierraclub.org; leslie.fields(a)sierraclub.org Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 10:07:50 PM Subject: Fw: Hooray! Western Greenbrier CoGen plant is dead FYI A nice victory in WV. Bill Price, Sierra Club EJ Program 922 Quarrier Street, Suite 304 Charleston , WV 25311 Phone 304-342-3182 Cell 304-389-8822 Fax 304-342-3183 ________________________________ ----- Original Message ----- From:Elizabeth Little To:WVHCBOARD@yahoogrou ps.com Sent:Tuesday, September 02, 2008 8:12 PM Subject:[WVHCBOARD] Hooray! Western Greenbrier CoGen plant is dead I received word from Jim Zoia's office that the DOE has declared that the project "is not moving forward." That's the third coal fired power plant we have defeated in the Greenbrier Valley. __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Visit Your Group Yahoo! News Kevin Sites Get coverage of world crises. Yahoo! Groups Real Food Group Share recipes and favorite meals. Dog Zone on Yahoo! Groups Join a Group all about dogs. . __,_._,___

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FW: [wvec-board] TrAIL trials in PA --- Allegheny Energy remains on course with plan for power line in Washington, Greene counties
by Grubb, Karen 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

From: wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com [mailto:wvec-board@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Carol Warren Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 11:47 AM To: wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [wvec-board] TrAIL trials in PA --- Allegheny Energy remains on course with plan for power line in Washington, Greene counties Well, thank goodness somebody has the guts to stand up to them. I can't believe WV caved in after such a good start! On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 11:36 AM, cindyrank <clrank(a)hughes.net> wrote: How gross that WV gets to be the leader in this debacle ! Allegheny Power spokesman: It's even more of a let-down, Mr. Colafella said, because the proposed rejection contrasts so much from the decision to approve the project in West Virginia and a recommendation to do so in Virginia. "They agreed it's needed -- that's why we're so terribly disappointed in the Pennsylvania decision," he said, referring to opinions from other states ------------------------------------------ http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08244/907748-58.stm Allegheny Energy remains on course with plan for power line in Washington, Greene counties Sunday, August 31, 2008 By Janice Crompton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Allegheny Power is standing by its plans to construct a high-voltage power line through Washington and Greene counties despite a resolute recommendation against the project. State Public Utility Commission administrative law judges Mark A. Hoyer and Michael A. Nemec gave a scolding rebuke to the utility over its plans for the 37-mile, 500-kilovolt power line, saying it wasn't needed. They added that a companion project for a power line from Greene County to Virginia was an effort to ship "cheaper coal-fired generation" along an "energy superhighway" to the east. The judges, whose recommendation will be considered by the five-member PUC commission next month, also took issue with the power company over its wisdom to situate the massive power lines near so many residences, its lack of research on environmental impacts, and its disregard for the affects of electromagnetic fields. The $1.1 billion project could be scuttled if the PUC denies the Greensburg-based company's application to build the power lines in Pennsylvania, because even though West Virginia approved the project earlier this month -- and Virginia is on track to do so, too -- both states have said the project won't get the final go-ahead until it's been approved by all three states. The 364-page recommendation released Aug. 21 was "very disappointing," said company spokesman Doug Colafella. It's even more of a let-down, Mr. Colafella said, because the proposed rejection contrasts so much from the decision to approve the project in West Virginia and a recommendation to do so in Virginia. "They agreed it's needed -- that's why we're so terribly disappointed in the Pennsylvania decision," he said, referring to opinions from other states. The judges even warned against approving the Allegheny Energy subsidiary, Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co., or TrAILCo as it is known, as a public utility, saying it was an out-of-state corporation with no full-time employees or discernible assets. Allegheny Energy is the parent company of Allegheny Power, and the TrAILCo subsidiary was created to oversee and implement transmission line projects. Although West Virginia Public Service Commission officials at first advised against the project with a long list of concerns, the state worked out an agreement with the company which called for changes in a portion of the selected route, up to 150 new jobs for the state, and certain other perks, like a seven-year reprieve from higher electric bills. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin also has said he would like to find a way to tax the profits on the power line. Locally, the proposed project would involve the construction of an electric substation in North Strabane called Prexy, which would connect transmission lines on massive towers to another new substation called the 502 Junction -- 36 miles away in Dunkard, Greene County. The Prexy station also would include three smaller 138-kilovolt power lines to service local customers. The second portion of the line would start at the 502 Junction, travel 1.2 miles to the West Virginia border, and continue about 240 miles through West Virginia and into Northern Virginia. The Virginia part of the line would be built by Dominion Virginia Power. The target completion date is 2011. In its approval of the multistate project, the West Virginia PSC cites the regional nature of the venture -- something not mentioned in the report by Mr. Hoyer and Mr. Nemec. Mr. Colafella said the provincial attitude of the Pennsylvania judges shouldn't stand in the way of the project. "[West Virginia] agreed that you can't look at a regional project in a vacuum," he said. Mr. Colafella may have a point, because if the PUC board denies the application -- a decision is expected in late September or October -- the company could lobby the federal government to approve the project anyway. It's part of the Energy Act of 2005, which includes a provision allowing the federal government to override state decisions regarding the location of transmission lines. Spawned by the 2003 blackout in the Northeast, the Act also allows the federal government to seize private property by eminent domain. The U.S. Department of Energy designated a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor over a large swath of the Northeast, including 52 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. It is within that corridor that the federal government is permitted to take action. Lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, have been trying to overturn that part of the Act for months, including during a recent hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, when Mr. Casey, D-Pa., targeted Allegheny Power for its tactics to sway homeowners to sell rights-of-way for the project. Agents acting on the company's behalf were accused of pressuring and misinforming homeowners about the project. Without admitting guilt, the company fired one of its land contractors after the charges came to light. The PUC also has filed suit to reduce the size and scope of the corridors. In their recommended denial of the project, Mr. Nemec and Mr. Hoyer called the proposed Prexy line "a grandiose answer to a minor or even non-existent problem," saying the company's claims that rolling brownouts and blackouts could occur within the next several years are exaggerated. The four scenarios cited by the company which they said could lead to power failures are based on at least two things going wrong simultaneously, which is not a standard measure for reliability and could be addressed by far less drastic measures, the judges said. "Based on our review of the entire record, we have concluded that little or no need for reinforcement ...exists and/or non-intrusive options are available, and probably should have been put in place before now," said the opinion. As for the larger multistate project, the judges said a failure by Virginia to address a lack of power generation isn't Pennsylvania's problem. "Granting approval of the 502 Junction [to Virginia] segment at this juncture rewards a lack of foresight and proper maintenance, and has policy implications for the location of future generation..." they said. "Non-transmission alternatives were not considered." Members of the grass roots Energy Conservation Council of Pennsylvania were happy with the recommendation. "We are understandably pleased with the conclusion of the judges, who confirmed that these lines are not needed for reliability -- and are not in the best interest of Pennsylvania," the group said in a statement. "The future of Pennsylvania's energy independence is dependent on forward-thinking, clear-eyed decisions such as this." The judges also were critical of the company's selected route for the power line from Prexy to the 502 Junction, saying that among the four options considered, the route chosen contains the highest number of residences with 500 feet of the power line and would require the clearing of 448 acres of forest. The company failed to consider using the Interstates 70 and 79 corridors and has not sought approval from other state agencies, such as the state Department of Environmental Protection. In response to the numerous health concerns expressed by property owners, the judges discredited a TrAILCo expert who said that electromagnetic field evidence is insufficient to conclude that high-voltage power lines have any long-term health effects by pointing out that he was not an epidemiologist and therefore was unqualified to make such a determination. They cited findings by the International Agency for Research and Cancer and the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, which have said electromagnetic fields are considered to be possible carcinogens with respect to childhood leukemia. The judges expressed concern about herbicides that would be used to control vegetation beneath the power lines, and questioned the company's request to be exempt from local zoning regulations, saying that no detailed plans of the substations or transmission towers were submitted. They also urged the PUC board not to allow the company the authority to seize private property for the project, as it had requested. The company and other interested parties have the opportunity to file exceptions to the decision and then replies to those exceptions. Exceptions are due Sept. 10 and replies are due Sept. 22. Mr. Colafella said the company is "intensely focused" on crafting its response, which will reiterate the need for the project. "We stand by both projects because we feel they are needed," he said. "We need new lines. That's what it really comes down to, whether you want them in your backyard or not." Janice Crompton can be reached at jcrompton(a)post-gazette.com or 724-223-0156. ________________________________ __._,_.___ Messages in this topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/message/131;_ylc=X3oDMTMzN3EwY jkyBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRtc2dJZ AMxMzIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMjIwNDU2ODMwBHRwY0lkAzEzMQ--> (2) Reply (via web post) <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwaGJrc3AyBF9T Azk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRtc2dJZAMxMzIE c2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDcnBseQRzdGltZQMxMjIwNDU2ODMw?act=reply&messageNum=132> | Start a new topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJma2NyYWgzBF9T Azk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBHNs awNudHBjBHN0aW1lAzEyMjA0NTY4MzA-> Messages <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJmbm41MHJq BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRy BHNsawNtc2dzBHN0aW1lAzEyMjA0NTY4MzA-> | Files <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJnbmMzN3MwBF9 TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBHN sawNmaWxlcwRzdGltZQMxMjIwNDU2ODMw> | Photos <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJmZG5lY2pkBF 9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBH NsawNwaG90BHN0aW1lAzEyMjA0NTY4MzA-> | Links <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJnbzloOW0yBF9 TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBHN sawNsaW5rcwRzdGltZQMxMjIwNDU2ODMw> | Database <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/database;_ylc=X3oDMTJkazAzcnJz BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRy BHNsawNkYgRzdGltZQMxMjIwNDU2ODMw> | Polls <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/polls;_ylc=X3oDMTJnMHJrZWhkBF9 TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBHN sawNwb2xscwRzdGltZQMxMjIwNDU2ODMw> | Members <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJmNm5mOWM3B F9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyB HNsawNtYnJzBHN0aW1lAzEyMjA0NTY4MzA-> | Calendar <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJlZWEyMnZk BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRy BHNsawNjYWwEc3RpbWUDMTIyMDQ1NjgzMA--> <http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJlNzlmMzVmBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkA zIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNnZnAEc3RpbWUDMTIyM DQ1NjgzMA--> Change settings via the Web <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJncWUxOWU1BF9T Azk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBHNs awNzdG5ncwRzdGltZQMxMjIwNDU2ODMw> (Yahoo! 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Fwd: [wvec-board] Fw: Hooray! Western Greenbrier CoGen plant is dead
by James Kotcon 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Is this true? Where does that leave our appeal of the air permit? Will DEP drop it or do we still need to fight this out? I would feel much better if the air permit were actually revoked, but I will take em any way we can get em. JBK >>> "Frank Young" <fyoung(a)mountain.net> 9/2/2008 9:07 PM >>> Just now received this from Beth Little ............... ----- Original Message ----- From: Elizabeth Little To: WVHCBOARD(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 8:12 PM Subject: [WVHCBOARD] Hooray! Western Greenbrier CoGen plant is dead I received word from Jim Zoia's office that the DOE has declared that the project "is not moving forward." That's the third coal fired power plant we have defeated in the Greenbrier Valley.

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[Fwd: Have you seen this ad?]
by Regina Hendrix 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

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Re: [EC] [Fwd: Re: [fom] Explosion reported at Institute plant]
by Jim Sconyers 31 Aug '08

31 Aug '08

"....the land of the expendable" - hits the nail right on the head - our new state motto? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Original Message ---- From: Regina Hendrix <regina1936(a)verizon.net> To: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 1:02:03 PM Subject: [EC] [Fwd: Re: [fom] Explosion reported at Institute plant] Take a look at the link to the photos. Coal/Energy is not our only worry in the land of the expendable. Regina

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[Fwd: Re: [fom] Explosion reported at Institute plant]
by Regina Hendrix 31 Aug '08

31 Aug '08

Take a look at the link to the photos. Coal/Energy is not our only worry in the land of the expendable. Regina

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Re: [EC] [fom] Explosion reported at Institute plant
by Regina Hendrix 31 Aug '08

31 Aug '08

Kathryn, we just didn't know how dangerous. There are 253,600 pounds of methyl isocyanate (MIC) stored underground at the Bayer's Institute plant. That is the chemical that killed all those people in Bhopal, India. It is estimated that the MIC stored at Institute could kill people as far as 10 miles away from the plant. We are expendable, you see.......gotta have those jobs. The article in the Gazette says: "At it's own plants in Germany and Belgium Bayer never stored large quantities of MIC. Instead, Bayer made and used the chemical as it was needed." I don't know what the past tense implies here. Does it mean they don't use MIC in their overseas plants anymore? Have they decided it won't take the risk in Germany and Belgium, whereas, it's okay in WV because those people will do anything for jobs? Regina XKatwalkx(a)aol.com wrote: > R: My neighbor said she felt a jolt when the explosion occurred. I > did not. kas p.s. I guess I did not realize that this was still a > dangerous area, chemically speaking. > > > ************** > It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. > (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

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Coal Film Festival help
by Jim Sconyers 30 Aug '08

30 Aug '08

Hi folks - We are going to need help at the Coal Film Festival next Saturday 4:00-11:00. Mostly we need folks to give out programs, monitor donations, and circulate and collect interest cards. The schedule runs from 4 to 11. Can you commit to helping some part of that? Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 603.969.6712 Remember: Mother Nature bats last.

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Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid's Limits
by Regina Hendrix 28 Aug '08

28 Aug '08

Maybe the power lines could be built where they'd promote clean energy instead of coal.

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