EC

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

2254 discussions

Fw: Released today: A Risky Proposition: The Financial Hazards of New Investments in Coal Plants
by Jim Sconyers 10 Mar '11

10 Mar '11

Jim Sconyers jim_scon(a)yahoo.com 304.698.9628 Remember: Mother Nature bats last. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: LuCinda Hohmann <LHohmann(a)UCSUSA.ORG> To: COAL-COMBUSTION-WASTE(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Sent: Wed, March 9, 2011 6:17:03 PM Subject: Released today: A Risky Proposition: The Financial Hazards of New Investments in Coal Plants FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Randy Rieland, 202-331-6959 NEW REPORT WARNS AGAINST INVESTMENTS IN NEW OR EXISTING COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS REPLACING COAL PLANTS WITH CHEAPER, CLEANER, LESS RISKY ALTERNATIVES WOULD SAVE LIVES AND CURB CLIMATE CHANGE EMISSIONS WASHINGTON (March 9, 2011) – The cost of constructing or retrofitting coal-fired electric power plants and the rising cost of coal have made coal power an extremely risky long-term investment, according to a report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The report, “A Risky Proposition: The Financial Hazards of New Investments in Coal Plants,”also identified a number of other factors that make investing in coal a gamble, including its continuing threat to public health and the environment. “We have a fleet of ancient, dirty coal plants in this country that are increasingly unreliable and long past due for retirement,” said Barbara Freese, a co-author of the report and senior policy analyst for the UCS Climate and Energy Program. “Plant owners have to decide whether to sink more money into retrofitting those old plants or replacing them with much cleaner energy technologies. But even if they retrofit them with the pollution controls available today, the plants will still emit massive amounts of carbon pollution. “Replacing old, dirty coal plants with cleaner, cheaper, less risky alternatives would be a much better bet,” she added. “And it would save lives, protect our health and reduce the emissions that cause climate change.” More than 70 percent of U.S. coal-plant-capacity is already more than 30 years old—the operating lifetime for which coal plants were typically designed—and a third went online before 1970. Some plant operators have announced they will retire old plants. Others are planning to retrofit their plants with modern pollution control technology—which would reduce emissions of several dangerous pollutants, but not carbon. Such investments would not only make it harder to protect the climate, the report concluded, but also expose investors and ratepayers to a host of financial threats. The factors that make coal power such a precarious investment include: · U.S. coal prices are rising and could be driven much higher by soaring global demand, especially from Asia. Spot prices for Appalachia coal spiked dramatically in 2008, largely due to international demand, and those prices are steadily rising again with the global economic recovery. And the price for a one-month contract for coal from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin rose 67 percent between October, 2009 and October, 2010. While western coal has been less exposed to volatile global markets, that situation appears to be changing since major coal producers in the West have announced plans to increase their exports to China and other Asian markets. · Coal prices could also be driven higher by constraints on supply. The amount of economically-recoverable coal reserves may be smaller than previously thought. · Major coal projects face high, unpredictable construction costs. The cost of building a new coal plant in the United States has roughly doubled in the past five years. · The cost advantage coal power traditionally enjoyed over cleaner energy options has largely disappeared when it comes to new plants. Power from new coal plants now costs more than power from new gas plants, wind facilities and the best geothermal sites, and much more than investing in energy efficiency. · Coal power is the largest U.S. carbon pollution source—contributing about one-third of all energy-related emissions and more than the entire surface transportation sector. Coal-fired power plants inevitably will face increasingpressure to dramatically cut emissions to help curb climate change. The cost of generating electricity from new coal plants could increase 11 to 37 percent under a range of carbon prices in the future. · Carbon-capture and storage (CCS) retrofits cannot be counted on to affordably cut emissions. Federal studies show that adding CCS to a new plant could increase the cost of generating electricity 36 to 78 percent, while retrofitting an existing plant could increase its costs by 330 percent. · Federal and state governments are promoting energy efficiency and clean energy sources, which will cut demand for coal power. Twenty-seven states have energy efficiency standards or a standard pending, and several states now require annual reductions in electricity use of at least 2 percent. Twenty-nine states now have a standard requiring utilities to increase their reliance on renewable energy sources, more than doubling since 2004. · Coal plants also face new costs associated with such harmful emissions as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which are associated with thousands of deaths annually, and mercury, which threatens the brain development of infants and children. The owners of the most damaging older coal plants have been taking advantage of a legal loophole for decades, Freese pointed out. Clean air legislation and rules put in place in the 1970s did not require existing plants to install pollution control equipment until their next major modification. It was assumed that they would either modify or shut down within a few years. “But coal operators kept these plants running well beyond their expected retirement dates and never installed the pollution controls newer plants were required to use,” Freese said. Even with this loophole, federal air regulations have gone a long way to protect the public health. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, for example, signed into law by George Herbert Walker Bush, prevented as many as 160,000 premature deaths last year alone, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The amendments also were cost effective. According to the EPA, they’ve cost $65 billion to implement, but their overall financial benefit could reach $2 trillion by 2020. “The success of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments shows that requiring coal plants to cut their pollution leads to public health and economic benefits many times higher than the cost for old coal plants to comply with the law,” Freese said. “The amendments have done a lot of good, but we need to do more. Coal plants are still linked to the deaths of thousands of Americans yearly and many other health threats.” Finally, according to the report, the electric power industry could retire many old coal-fired plants without causing reliability problems with the power grid, Freese said. “First, there is a lot of extra generating capacity on the grid right now. And second, energy efficiency and renewable energy investments are reducing the need for coal. It’s a good time to retire coal plants.” ### The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C. For more information, go to www.ucsusa.org. LuCinda Hohmann Midwest Outreach Coordinator Union of Concerned Scientists Midwest Office 1 North LaSalle St, Suite 1904 Chicago, IL 60602 312-578-1750 x12 LHohmann(a)ucsusa.org www.ucsusa.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/

3 3

Please stop complete reading of bills in house.
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 10 Mar '11

10 Mar '11

Ron, Please do not let your conflict with Rich Thompson be grounds to slow down the legislative process by requiring that all bills be read in full. There are important bills that will be put at risk. It's not you who will suffer the outcome if these bills do not pass, but rather the people of WV that you were chosen by to serve as a public servant. Please reverse this decision. Thank-you, -Jonathan

1 1

CNG as a transportation fuel.
by Allan Tweddle 09 Mar '11

09 Mar '11

Professor Carr. Congratulations on the subtle but excellent wake up call that you issued as part of the article that was published originally in the Wheeling Register, and published today in the Charleston Daily Mail. Your comments, as reported, are right on. Natural gas is abundant, relatively less expensive than either gasoline or diesel fuel, and better for the environment and the engines...the only caveat is the cost of the delivery system. There is also an underplayed benefit to compressed natural gas (CNG). It is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, and until we get to an all solar, wind, geothermal and hydrogen economy, it appears to be the most economical fuel for BOTH transportation and power generation. (The recent analysis by Harvard's School of Public Health certainly shed yet another light on the true economics or coal fired power that would, if the real costs were borne by coal, make natural gas the cheapest fuel for power generation as well. But that's another topic.) I am attaching an op-ed that I wrote and was printed in the Charleston Gazette in 2009 when it was announced that the KRT here in Kanawha County was buying hybrid diesel busses. It spells out my background, experience and posture with regard to CNG as a fuel, particularly for dedicated diesel bus and truck fleets. What can we do collectively to start, foster, incite or encourage an acceleration of a transition to CNG? We all have unique perspectives and experience that should get policy maker's attention. Probably too late for this Legislative session, but it takes time to educate the legislators...so I invite your ideas as to how we can bring about change in thinking. Surely the Legislators who will profit from the Marcellus Shale gas will be interested. I am copying three other WVU professors that I know. Dr. Atkinson and I just met last week at the ARPA-E Energy Summit in D.C. His specialty is engine design. Dr. Carl Irwin of the Industries of the Future Office is an old friend who has been a wise counselor to me as I build a manufacturing business that will reduce the carbon footprint of every Boeing and Airbus aircraft. He too was at the ARPA-E Energy Summit. Dr. Kotcon has been quite active in environmental matters in the State, and always offers stimulating and knowledgeable thoughts about cleaning up our energy infrastructure and advocating conservation. And while there are serious environmental issues surrounding the extraction of the Marcellus Shale natural gas, I am sure that environmentally sound practices will eventually be in place that will enable this State to benefit from its vast potential. Getting the State's fleet of school busses BACK on CNG, and all the other diesel engines as well, will surely help the budget shortfall, clean up the air and switch our fuel acquisition sources from those that hate us to our own shores...indeed our own neighbors in this State. I look forward to hearing your good thoughts... Allan Tweddle, CEO & Chairman Composite Transport Technologies Inc. Charleston WV p.s. My company does not have ANY vested direct financial interest in these ideas...I am just an engineer with 50 years of experience in environmental matters and a very concerned grandfather and taxpayer...

1 0

FW: [NoCoal] Coal Free NW takes a giant step f/w
by Beth Little 08 Mar '11

08 Mar '11

See highlighted text. From: nonewcoalplants-bounces(a)energyjustice.net [mailto:nonewcoalplants-bounces@energyjustice.net] On Behalf Of Bruce Nilles Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2011 10:53 AM To: nonewcoalplants(a)energyjustice.net Subject: [NoCoal] Coal Free NW takes a giant step f/w Dear Friends, In a giant step forward on our path to systematically ending coal use in the United States we just finalized an agreement with WA Gov Gregoire, Trans Alta, and WA senators to close the massive 1460MW coal plant in Washingon State. Notably, the press release below includes our brothers and sisters at IBEW, reflecting how we were able to thread this needle in a way that works for our beyond coal goals and for the workers. This agreement was finalized Friday and passed the state senate late yesterday. House passage will be tough, but should be doable. This latest step forward builds on our successful campaign to lock in closure of the PGE plant in Oregon earlier this year and once this WA legislation is finalized we will have an enforceable timeline and plan to rid the Pacific NW of both of its coal plants. This WA coal plant has been the target of a concerted two-year campaign, with a great group of allies, including Earthjustice, Washington Environmental Council, Climate Solutions, NPCA (who is still vetting this agreement) and NW Energy Coalition. Over the past two years we jump started a statewide discussion about the dangers of coal, and systematically shifted the discussion from a) WA state has a filthy coal plant, to b) should this plant get retired, to c) "when" should this plant be retired? This agreement is all the more remarkable (and made earlier retirement difficult) because Trans Alta spent over $500M in the past decade to install SO2 scrubbers and is one of the newer plants in the US (1972-unit 1, 1973-unit2). The agreement requires the first unit close in 9 years (2020) and second unit in 14 years (2025). In the interim Trans Alta must install Nox controls to mitigate the pollution impacts on downwind communities and the haze pollution in a large number of our most treasured public lands, including Mt. Ranier and North Cascades National Parks. In this agreement we also did something we have never done before - establish a $55M transition fund as a way to help workers and the community get weaned off of coal. While we had hoped for a quicker timeline this schedule provides the workers w/plenty of lead time - that is why IBEW supports this agreement - and gives us time to reconfigure the NW electric grid to replace the largest power plant in the region w/mix of wind, solar and geothermal and minimize the use of natural gas. The Oregon and Washington plants (Boardman and Trans Alta) generate about 15,000 GWH of electricity annually. If this is replaced with wind and solar it will require about 6,000MW of new wind/solar installations over the next 9-14 years. This would represent the largest new clean energy market opportunity that this region has ever seen, given that last year the entire US installed 1200MW of solar and 5,000MW of wind. Step by step we are changing the politics, weakening our opponents in the coal industry, and seeding the country for a serious discussion about combating global warming. Cheers, Bruce ----- Forwarded by Bruce Nilles/Sierraclub on 03/05/2011 05:28 PM ----- From: "Shagren, Karina (GOV)" <Karina.Shagren(a)GOV.WA.GOV> To: "Shagren, Karina (GOV)" <Karina.Shagren(a)GOV.WA.GOV> Cc: Date: 03/05/2011 05:24 PM Subject: Gov. Gregoire announces agreement with TransAlta _____ CHRISTINE O. GREGOIRE Governor STATE OF WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR P.O. Box 40002 • Olympia, Washington 98504-0002 • (360) 902-4111 For Release: Immediate Media Contact: Governor’s Communications Office Date: March 5, 2011 Phone: 360-902-4136 Gov. Gregoire announces agreement with TransAlta Company agrees to transition off of coal, invest in energy efficiency projects and innovative energy technologies OLYMPIA— Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced a proposed agreement has been reached with TransAlta to significantly reduce emissions from the company’s coal-fired power plant in the Centralia area. The agreement was negotiated by TransAlta, the state of Washington and members of the environmental community to ensure a transition to cleaner power while allowing the necessary time to provide economic stability to Southwest Washington. “What a proud day for the Centralia community, and all of Washington state,” Gregoire said. “I congratulate all of the parties involved who worked in good faith, and spent countless hours to achieve this agreement. This compromise promises cleaner air for our future, while providing the necessary time to ensure economic stability, job protection and enough power on the grid to keep our homes and businesses running. I encourage the Legislature to take timely action to ensure this agreement moves forward.” In 2009, Gregoire signed an executive order directing the Department of Ecology to work with TransAlta to establish an agreed order that would apply the greenhouse gas emissions performance standards by no later than December 31, 2025. Today’s agreement moves up the performance standards for one of two boilers to Dec. 31, 2020 and the other boiler on Dec. 31, 2025. “We’re pleased to see all parties agree on legislation that balances the interests of jobs, the economy, energy and the environment,” said Stephen Snyder, President and CEO of TransAlta. “This legislation meets our commitment to a low-carbon future through transition from coal to gas in Washington, significantly reduces our environmental risk and allows us to provide fair shareholder value through favorable long-term contracts while protecting jobs and the economy of the local community.” Senator Phil Rockefeller introduced an amendment which would incorporate the new agreement into SB 5769, which would establish the first coal-free date in law. This amendment includes: * TransAlta will be allowed in the interim to sell coal power under long-term contracts within Washington – which will give the company the financial stability needed to transition to a cleaner source of energy; * The plant’s two coal boilers will meet the state’s emissions performance standard for new and modified power plants, which will require the boilers to shut down. The standard will apply to one boiler on Dec. 31, 2020, and to the other boiler on Dec. 31, 2025 – essentially ending coal-fired power in Washington state in the next 14 years; * In 2013, TransAlta will install additional air pollution control technology to further reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides at the plant. This technology is called selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR). The TransAlta plant is the state’s largest single industrial source of nitrogen oxide emissions. Nitrogen oxides are one of the causes of visibility-limiting regional haze in national parks and on federal lands; and * TransAlta agrees to contribute $30 million in a community investment fund to help with energy efficiency projects, as well as $25 million in an energy technology transition fund, which must be spent on supporting innovative energy technologies and companies in Washington state. “It’s great news that TransAlta and the people interested in the future of the Centralia community and clean air have come together on a proposed agreement,” said Rockefeller. “I congratulate them, but at the same time recognize we have a lot of work ahead of us. The amendment I have prepared will capture the recent agreement in legislative language. Sen. Dan Swecker from Lewis County has signed onto this amendment and I hope others follow. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the company and the governor to arrive at a final agreement.” “Clean air and water have always been my top priority,” Rep. Marko Liias said, “and this compromise goes a long way towards protecting our environment and preserving good jobs. I’m glad to see TransAlta has agreed to this solution, which will provide $55 million towards the local community and economy.” “This is a giant step forward toward a healthier and safer Washington, free from coal,” said Bruce Nilles, Deputy Conservation Director with the Sierra Club. “We are leaving coal pollution in the past as we continue building the clean energy economy of today. We thank the Governor, TransAlta, Sen. Rockefeller, Rep. Liias, the people of Lewis County and the Environmental Priorities Coalition for their efforts in achieving this historic agreement.” “We are excited to be a part of this solution, which will help Washington transition to a clean energy economy, safeguard public health, and provide a secure economic future for Lewis County. We look forward to working closely with the Legislature to ensure passage of this groundbreaking agreement,” said Rod Brown, President, Washington Environmental Council. “Our priority was maintaining family-wage jobs in the Centralia area,” said Bob Guenther from the Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council, IBEW 77. “That’s what every community needs to thrive, and Centralia is no exception. TransAlta provides critical employment opportunities to ensure a strong economy in Southwest Washington, and I’m pleased that our goal of sustaining good jobs was met with this agreement while providing certainty for all involved including the community, labor, the company, the environment and the grid.” # # #

1 0

Marcelus shale Campaign planning meeting
by Beth Little 07 Mar '11

07 Mar '11

This is to make sure I didn't miss anyone on the Energy Committee, so I'm sorry if you get this twice. Monday, Marcy 21 at noon at Jim Kotcon's house (Jim please follow up with some directions). Jonathan, if I missed anyone on the Energy Committee, please let me know and I'll forward this to them. We will be updating our campaign plan based on what has, or most likely hasn't, happened at the 2011 legislative session. We will also discuss the upcoming governor's race. Let us know if you are likely to come. More later..

1 0

Fwd: Wind energy discussion at WVU Law
by James Kotcon 07 Mar '11

07 Mar '11

>>> Walton Christopher Shepherd <waltonchristophershepherd(a)gmail.com> 3/6/2011 8:41 PM >>> Hello colleague: On Monday, March 14 at noon at the Law School, Grant Shuman, a lawyer from Spilman, Thomas and Battle in Charleston will be discussing legal issues surrounding wind energy development in WV that I think you will find interesting. Grant is extremely bright, a native West Virginian, and he has worked on most of the major wind energy cases in WV, both in the court and at the PSC, including on Mount Storm and on the fascinating Beech Ridge case. He has long been an immense value to me personally in understanding the realities of wind development. I hope you can make it! I'll send another reminder between now and then. Have a great week, Chris Shepherd 206.7907 PS: And of course, please forward to any and all that may be interested.

1 0

Re: [EC] Comments on Sierra Club Energy Policy Amendments
by James Kotcon 06 Mar '11

06 Mar '11

The Sierra Club is proposing to revise its Energy Policy. It was first proposed in 2006, and has been amended a couple times, but some of these new revisions are pretty major. This document guides the Club's positions on numerous specific projects, so this basically tells us what we are supposed to support, what we should oppose, and where we have case-specific wiggle room. We are supposed to submit comments by March 31, and the Energy Committee was asked to develop comments for the WV Chapter. Attached is the draft policy with revisions highlighted in yellow. Also attached is the first draft of my comments on these revisions. Some are strictly editorial, but some are substantive policy comments. I propose that the Chapter finalize any comments this week, so that we can circulate them to other entities to gather support for our position. Please let me know if you have any additional thoughts or suggestions. Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home) _____ From: Bill Price [mailto:bill.price@sierraclub.org] Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 11:39 AM To: 'Gary Nelson'; 'Gwen Jones'; 'Jim Kotcon'; 'Jonathan Rosenbaum'; 'Sally Wilts'; 'Heather Heilman'; 'Jim Sconyers'; 'Paul Wilson'; 'Regina Hendrix'; 'Frank Young'; 'Kevin Fooce' Cc: 'David Muhly'; 'Mark Kresowik' Subject: Comment period on Sierra Club Energy Policy Amendments All, Sierra Club is circulating a set of proposed amendments to the Club's Energy Policy. I've attached a copy of the policy with the revisions highlighted. I wanted to be sure that everyone knew about this and had the opportunity to comment. Please pass along to others that would be interested. <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=CaUTPF71cLdaiKw-X5yzFA..> Seeking Comments on Energy Policy Amendments At the request of the Board of Directors, we are circulating a set of proposed amendments to the Sierra Club's 2006 Energy Resources Policy for review and 60-day comment period. Read the <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=fxjP-eQcKaISDN-gS8_buQ..> introduction and proposed amendments, then submit your comments <http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=BLWJBGGlSaALMrKFHXt_5A..> . Bill Price, Sierra Club EJ Program 922 Quarrier Street, Suite 304 Charleston, WV 25311 Cell 304-389-8822 Fax 304-342-3182 Voices from the Mountains-September 25-27th For more information go to www.appalachiarising.org

1 0

Re: [EC] Diane Rehm show on Hydro-fracking
by Paul Wilson 03 Mar '11

03 Mar '11

Greetings: if you are sitting by your computer -in WV- Public Radio's Diane Rehm show will be on Hydro-Fracking this morning at 10am. You can listen at www.wamu.org If you miss the show, it will be posted on their website archives and you can listen after the fact. A lot of NPR affiliates carry the Diane Rehm show, but not WV NPR!! good luck, paul -- 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

2 1

NYTimes: Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Water Hits Rivers
by William DePaulo 02 Mar '11

02 Mar '11

From The New York Times: DRILLING DOWN: Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Water Hits Rivers A method to extract more natural gas often produces wastewater laced with toxic substances. http://nyti.ms/gIcm36 Get The New York Times on your iPhone for free by visiting http://itunes.com/apps/nytimes William V DePaulo, Esq 179 Summers Street #232 Charleston WV 25301-2163 Tel 304-342-5588 Fax 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com

1 0

NYTimes: Wastewater Recycling No Cure-All in Gas Process
by William DePaulo 02 Mar '11

02 Mar '11

From The New York Times: Wastewater Recycling No Cure-All in Gas Process Though it has helped the natural gas industry reduce its wastewater, recycling has not eliminated all the hazards. http://nyti.ms/fobxs0 Get The New York Times on your iPhone for free by visiting http://itunes.com/apps/nytimes William V DePaulo, Esq 179 Summers Street #232 Charleston WV 25301-2163 Tel 304-342-5588 Fax 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com

1 0

Jump to page:

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

EC