>>> "Art and Pam Dodds" <pamelart@hughes.net> 2/4/2010 10:42 AM >>>
Greetings:

The use of solar and wind, which are volatile sources, requires more coal to
be burned than if they were not in the system at all. This makes the waste
products such as tires, bio-fuel, methane from coal beds, and trash, more
reliable and will reduce the amount of coal used instead of increasing the
amount of coal used.

Residential solar panels and residential small windmills provide energy that
can be stored in batteries and used when needed, without negative impacts to
the grid or to the environment. Residential renewables save coal and money
to the person at the residence by storage of energy in batteries and by net
metering. HOWEVER, industrial-scale wind turbines require electricity from
the grid in order to operate properly, require coal-fired plants to operate
at all times for the required reliable back-up, and require that the
coal-fired boilers ramp up and down to keep pace with the volatile wind
source. It is important to remember that the generating capacity of the
coal-fired or nuclear plants must be maintained at the projected load,
regardless of what other volatile sources of energy, such as wind and solar,
are in the system.

Additionally, construction of industrial-scale wind turbines on our mountain
ridges requires thousands of acres of deforestation, results in habitat
fragmentation, causes negative impacts to our water resources due to
increased stormwater runoff and decreased groundwater recharge, and
slaughters bats and birds (for example, it is estimated that 3,000 bats are
killed annually at Backbone Mountain alone). The cumulative negative
impacts to our water resources by deforestation for transmission lines and
industrial-scale wind turbines, in addition to the horrid mountain-top
removal operations, will create water resource problems that will ultimately
be irreversible. We strongly advise that you NOT add wording that promotes
construction of industrial-scale wind turbines. Incentives for SMALL,
RESIDENTIAL windmills would help tremendously to reduce the need for
electricity from the grid.

Pam and Art Dodds

----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry" <LMWatBullRun@yahoo.com>
To: <jbc329@earthlink.net>; "Frank Young" <fyoung@mountain.net>; "James
Kotcon" <James.Kotcon@mail.wvu.edu>; "Bill Howley" <billhowley@hughes.net>;
<ec@osenergy.org>; "John balasko" <mjmb@westco.net>
Cc: <dsgjr@aol.com>; <wvapath@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 6:02 AM
Subject: Re: [WVaPATH] Re: [EC] WV Net Metering rules vs. "Alternative"
energy

I think that this is an improvement. There are two issues- reducing the
need for new plants, and reducing the environmental impact. Does this bill
address the 1% cap issue?   There is no technical reason not to permit a
greater percentage than 1%, especially for relatively reliable sources such
as waste to energy boilers.

We might also suggest some way for preferred sources (like those with less
impact (solar, wind) or those most reliable (WVO diesel, etc)) to supersede
more traditional sources, too. I can craft some language for that if
desired.
----- Original Message -----
From: John Christensen
To: Frank Young ; James Kotcon ; Bill Howley ; ec@osenergy.org ; John
balasko
Cc: dsgjr@aol.com ; wvapath@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 9:07 PM
Subject: [WVaPATH] Re: [EC] WV Net Metering rules vs. "Alternative" energy

the new rules we are proposing in Manypenny's bill tba....please advice as
to any problems

John Christensen
WV Environmental Council
Lobby Team Member
410-499-4873 cell
www.wvecouncil.org

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Frank Young
    To: James Kotcon;Bill Howley;ec@osenergy.org;John Balasko
    Cc: dsgjr@aol.com; wvapath@yahoogroups.com; jbc329@earthlink.net
    Sent: 2/3/2010 8:00:11 PM
    Subject: Re: [EC] WV Net Metering rules vs. "Alternative" energy

    But Jim, the net metering rules of 2006 or 2007, promulgated as part of
the PSC's tariff making authority, apply only to generators up to 25
Kilowatt (KW) capacity. Anything beyond 25 KW- which an industrial facility
using a waste coal or natural gas generator would be, would fall under the
federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA)- which
requires utilities to buy power from qualified facility generators at
"avoided cost". So the various line capacities and previous year aggregate
loads do not apply to anything beyond 25 KW anyway.

    Frank

      ----- Original Message -----
      From: James Kotcon
      To: Bill Howley ; ec@osenergy.org ; John Balasko
      Cc: dsgjr@aol.com ; wvapath@yahoogroups.com ; jbc329@earthlink.net
      Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 11:04 AM
      Subject: Re: [EC] WV Net Metering rules vs. "Alternative" energy

      The original net-metering rules, established around 2007, only applied
to large utilities, and exempted the small municipal systems and rural coops
in the state. This new rule would apply to all sellers of electricity,
including those smaller systems with <30,000 customers.

      The new net-metering rules were mandated in the Alternative and
Renewable Energy Portfolio Act of 2009, pushed by Gov. Manchin. The biggest
concern I have is that it extends the net-metering to non-renewable sources
including various coal, tire-derived-fuels, natural gas, waste coal, and
coal-bed methane. Furthermore, it retains the limit of 1 % of the utilities
aggregate load, and no more than 15 % on any one 3-phase line or 5 % on a
single-phase line. I think that means that an industrial facility using a
waste coal or natural gas generator could preclude net-metering to
residences using wind or solar. The more I think about this, the more it
seems like a REALLY BIG PROBLEM.

      While the Governor's bill established the portfolio standard, it is
not clear that it was meant to apply to the net-metering program.

      JBK

      >>> "John Balasko" <mjmb@westco.net> 2/3/2010 10:49 AM >>>

      This may be the original "net metering order" filed by the
Commissioners for all electric utilities.   Why don't the currently proposed
rules apply to all electric utilities and not just those with less than
30,000 customers, and what are the significant differences? In response to
the case 06-0708-E-GI, several smaller utilities filed net metering tariffs
with the Commission. Mr. Rodecker filed for the Philipi utility. I'm new
to this area, but I was told by a friend who has solar panels that excess
generation produced by the customer was not paid for by the utility. The
currently proposed rules provide for a true-up at the end of each reporting
period. I'll have to do some more reading.

      John

            06-0708-E-GI 01/26/2007 Order View Document
            General investigation into net metering, smart metering and
interconnection standards set forth in the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005
               Commission Final Order that all electric utilities providing
service are directed to file the net metering tariff on or before 2/15/2007;
that each electric utility shall inform its customers of the net metering
tariff and contact information for those customers interested; that each
utility shall file affidavit evidencing notice on or before 4/10/2007; etc.
Case Final. Removing from open docket.

      From: Bill Howley
      Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 9:49 AM
      To: John Balasko
      Cc: owner@goetc.com ; WVBiker98@aol.com ; WVaPATH@yahoogroups.com
      Subject: Re: [WVaPATH] WV Net Metering?????

      The rules for larger power companies may already be in place. I know
of quite a few people who have been doing net metering with Allegheny and
Appalachian Power for a couple of years now. The rules you note only apply
to smaller utilities that do not have net metering programs in place.
Allegheny has been doing net metering in MD for ten years. They already
have programs set up. This rule is specifically for smaller WV companies,
because they have never had to do net metering before.

      Del. Mike Manypenny from Taylor County has introduced a bill in the
current legislative session that would dramatically expand WV's net metering
program. Right now, net metering is set up so that any credits you run by
producing more power than you use disappear in a relatively short time.
Manypenny's new bill (I'll get you a bill number soon) allows businesses,
homeowners and farmers to become net producers of electricity by requiring
power companies to actually purchase power from you up to certain limits. I
believe Manypenny's bill requires power companies to buy power up to 3
megawatt hours per year from businesses and 1 megawatt hour per year from
farmers.

      John Balasko wrote:

        Thom, Kathy, Donna, Bill, WVPATH

        I thought you all might enjoy the continuation of this joke that we
have gotten ourselves into.

        Is this something that requires lobbying action?

        http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID=288733&NotType='WebDocket'

              GO 258 02/02/2010 Order View Document
              General Order No. 258
                 Commission Procedural Order that the Rules Governing
Electric Utility Net-Metering Arrangements and Interconnections are
promulgated as Commission proposed legislative rules; directing the
Executive Secretary to publish a copy of the Notice of Rulemaking in
Charleston; directing the Executive Secretary to serve a copy of the Notice
by electronic mail or by First Class Mail upon all electric utilities
operating in WV; directing the Executive Secretary to file a copy of the
Rules with the Office of the Secretary of State; establishing a comment
period; Initial Comments may be filed on or before 4/4/2010; Reply Comments
may be filed until 5/5/2010; etc.

        The way I read the proposed rules Allegheny Power and Appalachian
Power would be exempt from net metering because they serve more than 30,000
customers.

        Here is a list of the other generators affected:

        Black Diamond Power, Elk Power, Union Power, City of New
Martinsville, City of Philippi, Craig-Botetourt Electric Coop; Harrison
Rural Electrification, Shenandoah Valley Electric

        Also, "The total rated generating capacity of all customers served
        under this tariff shall be limited to one percent (1%) of the
Company single hour peak load

        during the previous year.

        Do you think the legislature will approve the proposed rules?????
The whole state and everything in it is controlled by COAL.

        Why do we allow our metallurgical coal to be shipped to China,
India, and Eastern Europe by Consol, Massey, and others. If these companies
and our "leaders" were so concerned about "national security," the shipments
would be stopped.

        John

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