I plan to put out something tonight, hopefully by 8 PM. Does anyone want to add a quote?
Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (office) 304-594-3322 (home)
"Cramer, Virginia" virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org 2/28/2011 4:16 PM >>>
Hi all, Attached please find a press release drafted by Earthjustice. This version focuses on VA, but please feel free to adapt and send out in your states. It should only take a moment to change the dateline, add your contact info and substitute your quote from Glen's. Let me know if you have questions or want me to send it out in your state. I'm already planning to send to VA outlets.
- ginny
On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 12:23 PM, Pollard, Kate <kate.pollard@sierraclub.org
wrote:
I'm happy to help with VA press , but interested in others' thoughts on the appropriate response. Kate
On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 12:07 PM, Mark Kresowik < Mark.Kresowik@sierraclub.org> wrote:
Is somebody doing pews on this? Sierra Club joint or coalition?
-----Forwarded by Mark Kresowik/Sierraclub on 02/28/2011 12:02PM -----
======================= To: Northeast Northeast@earthjustice.org, 'Elena Saxonhouse' < Elena.Saxonhouse@sierraclub.org>, 'Joanne Spalding' < Joanne.Spalding@sierraclub.org>, "'Dwooley@ef.org'" Dwooley@ef.org, Mark Kresowik Mark.Kresowik@sierraclub.org, 'Bob Fagan' < rfagan@synapse-energy.com>, 'Hyde Merrill' HM@MerrillEnergy.com, 'George Loehr' gloehr@elucem.com From: Abigail Dillen adillen@earthjustice.org Date: 02/28/2011 11:19AM Cc: "'Willard R. Burns'" wburns@burnslegal.net, Rishi Garg < rgarg1976@gmail.com>, Terry Black tblackigc@comcast.net, Patti Goldman pgoldman@earthjustice.org, Trip Van Noppen <tvannoppen@earthjustice.org
Subject: Great news on PATH
All,
We have just learned that PJM has ordered the PATH project to be held in abeyance. While it is not officially cancelled (yet), the most recent modeling runs ordered in our Virginia case have shown that the line is not needed for several years to come, and PATH's backers have been ordered to suspend work on the project. It is extremely difficult to reverse momentum on these multi-billion dollar projects once they have been ordered in service, but I am cautiously optimistic that that's what we are doing! Notably, the PJM Board affirmed:
In particular, the growth of Demand Response can contribute to lower expectations for future peak demand, thereby extending the time period when transmission upgrades are needed.
This, of course, is the precise argument that we have been making.
While this project may come back to life at some point, for now, we can celebrate an important victory. Thanks very much to David Wooley and the Energy Foundation and to our excellent experts, Bob Fagan, Hyde Merrill, and George Loehr.
The relevant language in the attached PJM announcement is copied below:
As part of its 2011 RTEP, and in response to a request by a Virginia Hearing Examiner, PJM is conducting
a series of analyses using the most current economic forecasts and Demand Response commitments, as
well as potential new generation resources. Preliminary analysis reveals the expected reliability violations
that necessitated PATH have moved several years into the future.
Based on these latest results, the Board has decided to hold the PATH project in abeyance in its 2011
RTEP. The Board further directs the sponsoring Transmission Owners to suspend current development
efforts on the PATH project, subject to those activities necessary to maintain the project in its current state,
while PJM conducts more rigorous analysis of the potential need for PATH as part of its continuing RTEP
process. This action, however, does not, at this time, constitute a directive by PJM to the sponsoring
Transmission Owners to cancel or abandon the PATH project.
Abigail Dillen Staff Attorney Earthjustice 156 William Street, Suite 800 New York, NY 10038 (212) 791-1881 ext. 221 Fax: (212) 918-1556
-- Kate Pollard Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign Associate Field Organizer w: (571) 970-0275 c: (703) 963-5800 www.sierraclub.org/coal/va/ http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/va/ Join us on facebook.com/SCNOVAHub Follow us on twitter.com/SCNOVAHub
In the digital age, half our electricity still comes from coal.
-
James Kotcon