re complying with CPP:

see Downstream Strategies study prepared for WVU College of Law Center for Energy and Sustainable Development, copy attached.

re retraining miners:

http://www.theet.com/prestoncountynews/news/state-to-receive-million-in-addi...

CHARLESTON — West Virginia will receive an additional $7.6 million in federal grant funds to pay for job training and career services for dislocated mine workers and their families.

The funding comes from an extension to a National Dislocated Worker Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that helps coal miners — and their families — who have been affected by layoffs and mine closures to train for and find new career paths and opportunities.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin made the announcement during a press event on Tuesday in Charleston.

“We have worked hard over the years to build and strengthen our state’s diverse portfolio of workforce training programs,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Mine closures and layoffs have left many of our state’s hardworking miners unemployed and in need of help. I will continue to fight for our miners and the coal industry, but this additional funding will strengthen our efforts to provide them with retraining and re-employment opportunities should they need them.”

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) applauded the $7.6 million awarded to WorkForce West Virginia to help West Virginia workers affected by coal mining industry layoffs rejoin the workforce. The grant’s initial release of $3.2 million will assist about 900 participants enrolled in the grant project, and an additional 500 targeted participants impacted by recent layoffs.

“These are unbelievably challenging times for our miners and our coal mining industry as we have seen a devastating amount of layoffs this year,” Senator Manchin said. “We need to do everything in our power to help our miners through these uncertain times. This funding will expand job training programs that will help them develop the skillsets necessary to fill other available positions. I thank Secretary Perez and the Department of Labor for this important funding.”

“Onerous regulations and market forces have devastated many of our state’s mining communities. In these difficult times, we need to ensure that our displaced coal miners have access to job training and other services as they look for new jobs,” said Senator Capito. “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to ensure that funding to assist dislocated workers in the coal community was a priority.”

In 2012, WorkForce West Virginia received an initial $1.8 million, followed by a second installment of $5.6 million in 2014 to provide support for workers affected by layoffs and mine closures. Together, this funding retrained nearly 1,000 workers.

When the initial disbursement of grant funds was exhausted, West Virginia sought a second grant to continue these retraining efforts.

This additional grant funding will provide tuition assistance, up to $5,000 per participant, for classroom or online skills training and will support 25 on-the-job training positions. It will also offer up to $100 per week to help with the cost of meals, travel and child care. Miners’ spouses and children living at home are also eligible for the program.

In addition, WorkForce West Virginia recently launched a redesigned website that is a one-stop-shop for all of West Virginia’s workforce development programs and services. Both employers and unemployed workers can learn more about this new grant program and additional offerings at www.workforcewv.org .

William V. DePaulo, Esq. 179 Summers Street, Suite 232 Charleston, WV 25301-2163 Tel 304-342-5588 Fax 304-342-5505 william.depaulo@gmail.com www.passeggiata.com

On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 1:02 PM, Allan Tweddle allantweddle@msn.com wrote:

*James*

*Disappointing, but not surprising. We have known that the Governor preferred to find a woman from outside Charleston.*

*But as a lawyer with Steptoe & Johnson, are there any conflict issues? That firm is heavily involved with the utilities and coal industry.*

*And, with all due respect for the legal profession, he has appointed “another lawyer?” With no background in the technologies, and especially with the current ant-net metering posture that is pervasive, there is no one is in the PSC to press for embracing the future energy technology and economic trends that are well underway...instead of accepting AEP & friends to thwart progress. *

*I’m admittedly prejudiced, but there needs to be a non lawyer voice, preferably an engineering voice either on, or in front of the PSC. *

*So isn’t it time to pull together a very vociferous ground swell of citizenry that demands progress...instead of clinging to the past and preventing progress?* *All the environmental organizations, plus AARP, plus Union of Concerned Scientists, plus who else?*

*I may seek an opportunity to testify in the PSC debate over net metering, as the current trend is to embrace the Koch Brother’s ALEC approach to defeat all efforts for growth of solar energy nation wide. *

*I’ve also asked John Christiansen if he has any detailed statistics of the physical potential of solar in West Virginia...a market analysis so that I/we could present the economic potential to the Governor, and Legislature, with loud and consistent public statements, op-eds, etc. *

*Preaching to the choir won’t do it. We must loudly educate the non coal aligned citizens of WV that as coal continues to decline, solar has real economic potential for the state to *

1. • offer miners a place to be retrained... *
2. • maybe attract our young talent to stay in the State with jobs

aligned with the future* 3. * stimulate economic growth...* 4. * including tax revenue... * 5. * reduced unemployment...* 6. * be a way to comply with the CPP,...rather than wasting tax dollars suing the EPA..*

*Any thoughts?*

*Allan*

*From:* James Kotcon jkotcon@wvu.edu *Sent:* Friday, October 09, 2015 12:05 PM *To:* WV Chapter Energy Committee EC@osenergy.org ; Mark Kresowik Mark.Kresowik@sierraclub.org ; Bridget Lee bridget.lee@sierraclub.org *Subject:* [EC] Governor Tomblin Appoints Kara Cunningham Williams to Public Service Commission

FYI.

JBK

http://www.governor.wv.gov/media/pressreleases/2015/Pages/Governor-Tomblin-A...

10/9/2015 Page Content CHARLESTON, W.Va. (October 9, 2015) – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced the appointment of Kara Cunningham Williams to the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC), effective immediately. Williams will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Jon McKinney.

“There are a number of important issues pending before the PSC, which is why I took the time to find the most appropriate person for this important job,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Kara’s professional background and community involvement in both the Lewisburg and Charleston communities make her experienced and knowledgeable on a variety of issues that come before our state’s PSC. She will be a great asset to the Commission moving forward.”

A graduate of Washington & Lee University and Harvard Law School, Williams began her career in a commercial litigation practice at Hunton & Williams in Washington, D.C. In 1999, she returned home to West Virginia, where she worked at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. During her time at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, she served on the Recruiting and Ethics Committees, while practicing commercial litigation before state and federal courts and agencies. Williams has also served as an adjunct lecturer at West Virginia University College of Law, teaching courses in Payment Systems and Appellate Advocacy.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Public Service Commission, and I appreciate Governor Tomblin’s confidence in me to serve the people of West Virginia,” Williams said. “I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners in this new role.”

Williams shares her personal time and community service in both Lewisburg and Charleston. Since 2006, she has served as a volunteer at the YWCA of Charleston, where she is a past President of the Board of Directors. In addition, Williams currently serves on the Board of Directors for Carnegie Hall, Inc. in Lewisburg, where she has chaired the Legislative Affairs/Arts Advocacy Committee and served as a member of the Finance Committee.

Williams’ term expires June 30, 2017.

In addition to appointing Williams, Gov. Tomblin reappointed current Commission Brooks McCabe to a term that expires June 30, 2021.

Contact Information304-558-4977

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