MVCAC

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<MVCAC> Please attend this urgent meeting, Sunday @ 6:30 PM
by Duane330＠aol.com 12 Mar '11

12 Mar '11

NOTE: Check out our web-site: _http://www.monvalleycleanair.org/home.shtml_ (http://www.monvalleycleanair.org/home.shtml) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NOTICE: MON VALLEY CLEAN AIR COALITION MEETING SUNDAY AT 6:30 PM. MARCH 13, 2011 LOCATION: UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP, 429 WARRICK STREET. A-FRAME BUILDING ON UPPER (EAST) SIDE OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE BETWEEN CAMPUSES, A FEW BLOCKS SOUTH OF THE COLLEGE OF LAW. AGENDA................ 1. Review of Organizational Status As A Non-Profit Entity 2. Review of Regional Air Quality 3. Status of Longview and Ft. Martin power plants 4. Status of TrAIL and PATH transmission lines 5. Group Against Smog & Pollution (GASP) v. Marcellus Natural Gas Industry Emissions (_www.gasp-pgh.org_ (http://www.gasp-pgh.org) ) 6. Other items >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This meeting is open to anyone who may wish to participate. Please contact Duane Nichols, if you have questions or comments. 304-216-5535, _duane330(a)aol.com_ (mailto:duane330@aol.com)

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Group Meeting Set For Sunday At 6:30 PM
by Duane330＠aol.com 10 Mar '11

10 Mar '11

NOTICE: MON VALLEY CLEAN AIR COALITION MEETING SUNDAY AT 6:30 PM. MARCH 13, 2011 LOCATION: UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP, 429 WARRICK STREET. A-FRAME BUILDING ON UPPER (EAST) SIDE OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE BETWEEN CAMPUSES, A FEW BLOCKS SOUTH OF THE COLLEGE OF LAW. AGENDA................ 1. Review of Organizational Status As A Non-Profit Entity 2. Review of Regional Air Quality 3. Status of Longview and Ft. Martin power plants 4. Status of TrAIL and PATH transmission lines 5. Group Against Smog & Pollution (GASP) v. Marcellus Natural Gas Industry Emissions 6. Other items >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This meeting is open to all interested persons. Please contact Duane Nichols, if you have questions or comments. 304-216-5535, _duane330(a)aol.com_ (mailto:duane330@aol.com)

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Response to Global Warming
by Duane 01 Mar '11

01 Mar '11

Tell Congress: "The air we breathe is not up for negotiation." Take action. The Pittsburg-Post Gazette: "The breadth and range of the assaults [on the EPA] were breathtaking." The New York Times: "The House budget bill not only reduces financing for the Environmental Protection Agency but also prohibits its regulation of greenhouse gases." The Detroit Free-Press: The budget passed by U.S. House Republicans…is rash and dangerous. Dear Friend of MVCAC. RE: US Congress The House and Senate leadership appear to have reached a temporary two-week budget extension, thankfully, without the EPA attacks in the House spending bill. But the longer term budget battle is only delayed, and so far, the House leadership is refusing to back down on their spending bill that guts core environmental safeguards. Please let your representatives hear from you today. The House-passed bill poses a reckless threat to the air we breathe. It represents skewed values that favor polluters over children's health. The House spending bill cripples the EPA by slashing its budget by 30%, while fossil fuel subsidies continue. It bars the agency from curbing carbon pollution, and cuts clean energy research and development that is crucial for job creation and economic revival. The spending bill even blocks the air pollution standards aimed at cleaning up toxic pollutants, like mercury. People of faith have a responsibility to speak out against this attempt to hold our environment and our health hostage to special interests and sacrifice 40-year-old environmental safeguards. The moral voice of the faith community needs to be heard now more than ever. Will you help me stop this dangerous bill in the Senate? The fossil fuel industry's lobbyists are walking the halls of Congress at this moment. It's up to us to defend our families, neighbors, and future generations. Please tell your elected officials that the air we breathe is a God-given human right, not a political bargaining chip. Sincerely, The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham Interfaith Power & Light lnterfaith Power & Light is a national campaign of The Regeneration Project with affiliates in 38 states. 220 Montgomery Street, Suite 450, San Francisco, CA 94104 You can reach us at (415) 561-4891. Make a tax-deductible gift to Interfaith Power & Light.

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TrAIL is here, PATH is down
by Duane330＠aol.com 01 Mar '11

01 Mar '11

Grid Manager Halts Development of PATH Transmission Line Good news! This morning, the regional electric grid manager, Pennsylvania-New-Jersey-Maryland Interconnect (PJM), issued _a statement_ (http://pec.citizen-networks.org/site/R?i=34IaP9JtMlpWhlit2X5dYg..) saying that they've ordered development of the PATH transmission line to halt. (As a reminder, "PATH" is a multi-billion dollar proposal to build a 275-mile long 765-kV transmission line starting at the Amos coal plant in West Virginia, through West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. In Virginia, it would have crossed through Frederick, the tip of Clarke, and Loudoun counties) The Death Knell for PATH? Time will tell. PJM cited the results of new tests that had been ordered by the Hearing Examiner assigned to the case by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). The new tests required PJM to use the most current economic forecasts and Demand Response commitments, as well as incorporate 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..." ~Statement of Terry Boston, President and CEO, PJM This sort of up-to-date, scenario analysis is something that PEC has consistently asked of PJM since 2006. In the PATH case, our push for a better analysis was joined by the SCC staff, allies at Sierra Club, and countless citizen intervenors across three states. Hats off to the Virginia SCC for ordering the additional tests, and to everyone who has stayed involved, written a letter, passed a resolution, spoken at a public hearing or made _a donation_ (http://pec.citizen-networks.org/site/R?i=x8znsQoMFHv291gAu1WclA..) to support PEC's work on energy and transmission. Having been involved in a number of transmission line fights over the past 5 years, it's really gratifying to see something go the way it should, versus the way the utility wants. There is always the chance that PATH will reapply, but today is a very good day. Very Best, Bri West Piedmont Environmental Council, Warrenton, Virginia _bwest(a)pecva.org_ (mailto:bwest@pecva.org) , 540-347-2334

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Appeal of Natural Gas Compressor Station Air Permits In WV
by duane330＠aol.com 28 Feb '11

28 Feb '11

To: Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition Date: February 26, 2011. RE: Appeal No. 10-03-AQB, WV Air Quality Board (AQB), October 13, 2010. This Appeal involves Construction Permits R13-2829 and R13-2831, for Compressor Stations named the Pleasants Compressor Station and the Miller Compressor Station, both near the border of Marshall and Wetzel Counties in West Virginia. (This border is equivalent to the extended Mason-Dixon line, i.e. the extended southern border of Pennsylvania, directly west of Monongalia County, WV). This appeal also relates to the existing Victory Compressor Station and to the natural gas wells in Wetzel and Marshall Counties, as well as to a "Central Delivery Point" ("CDP") proposed by the Appalachia Midstream Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation. This Appeal 10-03-AQB asserts that (1) "the Miller, Pleasants, and CDP sites must be aggregated and considered a single stationary source for air permitting purposes", and (2) "the WV Division of Air Quality must include well sites and process equipment in its major source determination for the compressor stations." [This summary prepared February 23, 2011 by Duane Nichols, MVCAC.] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NOTE: The Appellant is William J. Hughes of Wetzel County. The Appellee is the Director of the WV Division of Air Quality. An Intervenor is: Appalachia Midstream Services, LLC. It is proposed that Duane G. Nichols and the Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition join the Appeal as additional Appellants, given that Monongalia County is also at risk from the air pollution involved. This Appeal 10-03-AQB is scheduled for an Evidentiary Hearing before the WV Air Quality Board on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 in Charleston, WV. You can read about the Appeal Process at: www.wvaqb.org >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you have questions, or wish to comment on this Appeal, please contact: Duane330(a)aol.com

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of interest- EPA sends power plant toxic rules to OMB
by dfvet＠aol.com 22 Feb '11

22 Feb '11

Get mercury out if the air then get it out of the scrubber waste water before its dumped into the rivers and dispose of CCW (coal combustion waste) properly. It's a hydra monster....many headed. So our electric plants are either hydropowered or hydrapowered. ;) AIR POLLUTION: EPA sends power-plant toxics rules to White House(02/22/2011) EMAIL THIS STORY PRINT THIS STORY READ FULL EDITION CUSTOMIZE EDITION Advertisement Gabriel Nelson, E&E reporter U.S. EPA has sent the White House Office of Management and Budget a set of proposed rules aimed at reducing the amount of mercury and other toxic emissions released by coal-fired power plants. The high-profile proposal, known as the "Utility MACT" rule, is due by March 16. On Saturday, EPA sent its draft rules to the White House Office of Management and Budget, which is usually the last step before a rule is released. The utility rules were ordered as a replacement for the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), a cap-and-trade program for mercury that was created by the George W. Bush administration but was struck down when a federal court decided that the rule violated the Clean Air Act. They are being issued under a section of the Clean Air Act that requires plant-by-plant limits on more than 150 chemicals, including mercury. Coal plants would be required to install the maximum achievable control technology, or MACT, which is based on the most effective equipment that is being used by existing units. The proposal is expected to be one of the most expensive in recent memory, setting up another clash between EPA and critics of regulation, but experts say the rules will also offer some of the heftiest public health benefits. Frank O'Donnell, president of the advocacy group Clean Air Watch, said they would have a greater impact than anything else the Obama administration has done on the issue of air pollution. Toxic pollution is dangerous on its own, but requiring power plants to control those chemicals will also reduce emissions that form soot and smog, he said. The new requirements would cause older coal plants without pollution controls to install the equipment or shut down. A recent analysis by the North American Electric Reliability Corp. concluded that the requirements could affect 753 coal-fired units and cause up to 15 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity to be retired (E&ENews PM, Oct. 26, 2010). Most types of toxic pollution can be controlled through well-established equipment, such as scrubbers and baghouses. Mercury controls used to be the exception, but when the George W. Bush administration decided not to set plant-by-plant limits, some states in the Northeast started requiring their power plants to cut their mercury pollution by more than 90 percent. "Thanks to some state requirements, we are seeing tremendously effective cleanup of mercury and other toxics in the real world," O'Donnell said. "Now it's just a matter of seeing the worst performers brought up to the level of the best performers." As of last summer, mercury controls had been installed on 169 boilers with a total capacity of more than 60 gigawatts, according to the Institute of Clean Air Companies. Mercury controls have now been installed on units with about 20 percent of the generating capacity of the nation's entire fleet of coal plants.

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Proposed Appeal of Gas Compressor Permits
by Duane330＠aol.com 22 Feb '11

22 Feb '11

To: MVCAC Bill Hughes of the Wetzel County Action Group is appealing the granting of permits to two natural gas compressor stations in Wetzel County to the WV Air Quality Board. The issue is whether the WV Division of Air Quality should take responsibility to monitor and regulate such facilities, beyond just granting of permits. Bill Hughes spoke at the January and February meetings of the WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact on this topic and the more general aspects of air impacts from Marcellus shale drilling and development. See: _http://www.uppermon.org/Mon_Watershed_Group/Hughes-WCAG-5Jan11.pdf_ (http://www.uppermon.org/Mon_Watershed_Group/Hughes-WCAG-5Jan11.pdf) Monongalia County is directly downwind of Wetzel County and so we are at increased risk of air pollution effects here because of air pollution in Wetzel and the other counties adjacent to us. The primary impacts would be from ozone and fine particulates resulting from the volatile organic compounds and partial combustion by-products coming from flares, from vents, from leakage, etc. I have submitted my request as an individual to join Bill Hughes in this appeal. The Steering Committee of the MVCAC proposes that the Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition request to be listed as a participant in this appeal, with Bill Hughes and myself. The legal team is headed by Joe Osborne (Attorney) with the Group Against Smog and Pollution. Please consult the web-site _www.gasp-pgh.org_ (http://www.gasp-pgh.org) if you wish to read more about the compressor stations, or about GASP. There are no costs proposed for MVCAC; and, we are simply appealing the questions of (1) whether the WV Division of Air Quality has the authority and responsibility to monitor and regulate such compressor stations, and (2) whether two or more compressor stations can be or should be aggregated for purposes of permitting such facilities. PLEASE LET ME KNOW A.S.A.P. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, IF YOU APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE OF M.V.C.A.C. JOINING THIS APPEAL.

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Background Information (Appeal of Compressor Permits)
by Duane330＠aol.com 22 Feb '11

22 Feb '11

WEST VIRGINIA RESIDENTS AND GROUP AGAINST SMOG & POLLUTION APPEAL CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARCELLUS SHALE PERMITS. CHARLESTON, West Virginia (October 14, 2010) – On Tuesday West Virginia residents filed an appeal before the West Virginia Air Quality Board challenging two air permits recently issued to Chesapeake Energy for a large—and growing—Marcellus Shale operation in West Virginia’s northern panhandle. The new permits allow Chesapeake Energy to construct two new natural gas compressor stations. With these two facilities included, the Chesapeake project will expand to include 3 compressor stations; over 25 well pads; and a complex, interconnected network of pipes, storage tanks, and flares all five miles or less from each other on a patch of land straddling Wetzel and Marshall Counties. (This project includes the McDowell B well, where a late-September well explosion resulted in a fire emergency crews battled for 8 days.) The compressors themselves produce significant quantities of air pollution, and the many flares, storage tanks, gas processing activities, and equipment leaks produce air pollution as well. “When you add it all up, it’s hundreds of tons of pollution.” said Bill Hughes, a Wetzel County resident and the named appellant in this case. The appeal challenges the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to treat each of these air pollution-emitting activities as separate sources for permitting purposes. The Clean Air Act establishes tougher air pollution control requirements for major sources of air pollution. WVDEP has permitted these compressor stations under less-protective minor source permits, and Chesapeake’s other emissions sources avoid permitting requirements entirely. When asked to comment on the importance of this appeal, Ed Wade, Jr. of the Wetzel County Action Group (WCAG) stated, “there have been many complaints about noxious gas releases over the past few years by residents who have wells on all sides of their homes. Regulating emissions at just the new compressor stations will not eliminate those problems.” “Rather than considering total air pollution from the Chesapeake project, WVDEP is dividing these related activities up piecemeal. As it stands right now, air pollution from the Chesapeake project isn’t adequately monitored or controlled to satisfy the requirements of the Clean Air Act. Left unaddressed, this would be bad news for our air quality and bad news for our health,” said Joe Osborne, Legal Director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution, the organization filing the appeal on behalf of Mr. Hughes. The most significant pollutants generated by Marcellus Shale operations like Chesapeake’s are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and a variety of air toxics such benzene, toluene, and hydrogen sulfide. The amount of pollution oil and gas extraction and processing creates is hard to believe. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, located in the Barnett Shale gas play, annual NOx and VOC emissions from the oil and gas sector exceed emissions from all motor vehicles. A 2008 analysis by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment concluded that VOC and NOx emissions from Colorado’s oil and gas operations exceed motor vehicle emissions for the entire state. In addition to being unhealthy in their own right, NOx and VOCs react with other compounds in the atmosphere to produce ozone and particulate matter. Much of the Northeastern U.S. already fails to meet federal health-based standards for ozone and particulate matter. The Chesapeake project is less than 10 miles from the Pennsylvania border. Southwestern Pennsylvania fails to meet federal standards for ozone and particulate matter. Marshall County, WV fails to meet federal standards for particulate matter. “Because so many areas in or downwind of the Marcellus Shale region fail to meet these standards, it’s all the more important that the air impacts of operations like Chesapeake’s are minimized. One way to help do that is by making sure permitting authorities like WVDEP are properly aggregating air emissions from Marcellus operations,” Osborne said. “I’ve told people from neighboring counties in Pennsylvania that tons of air pollution are being sent your way, we don’t want them, you can’t return them and they are marked ‘do not return to sender’ it’s your problem now,” Hughes added. ### MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GASP The Group Against Smog and Pollution, Inc. (GASP) is Pittsburgh-based non-profit citizens group working for a healthy, sustainable environment. Founded in 1969, GASP serves as a watchdog, educator, litigator, and policy-maker on many environmental issues with a focus on air quality in southwestern Pennsylvania. _http://www.gasp-pgh.org_ (http://www.gasp-pgh.org) ABOUT WCAG The Wetzel County Action Group is located near New Martinsville, in Wetzel County WV. It supports economic development for the county and state; and works to ensure that economic development does not negatively impact the safety, economic interests, and quality of life of the Citizens of Wetzel County. It has been actively focused on the economic, social and environmental impact of Marcellus Shale gas exploration for over four years. _http://www.wcag-wv.org/Default.htm_ (http://www.wcag-wv.org/Default.htm) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ABOUT AIR POLLUTANTS Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) NOx is linked to acid rain and respiratory problems. NOx may form particulate matter or ozone. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Are a large class of chemicals with a high vapor pressure. Some VOCs are highly toxic. VOC exposure may produce eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, poor coordination, nausea; and liver, kidney, or brain damage. Some VOCs are suspected or known carcinogens. VOCs may form particulate matter or ozone Particulate Matter Particulates include both solid particles and liquid droplets that commonly result from fossil fuel combustion. Fine particulates are linked to such health problems as asthma attacks and possible asthma onset, coughing and difficulty breathing, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, heart attacks, stroke, cancer, and premature death. Children, the elderly and people with existing respiratory or cardiovascular ailments are especially sensitive to particulate matter. Ground-level Ozone Ozone exposure is linked to respiratory problems, asthma aggravation, and permanent lung damage. Children, the elderly, and individuals with existing respiratory problems are most susceptible to ozone exposure. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Low level exposure to CO may produce fatigue and chest pain. Higher concentrations result in impair vision, poor coordination, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Exposure to high concentrations of CO can be fatal. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Contact: Joe Osborne Legal Director, Group Against Smog & Pollution office: (412) 325-7382 cell: (617) 909-8365 _joe(a)gasp-pgh.org_ (mailto:joe@gasp-pgh.org) William J Hughes Wetzel County Action Group (304) 386-4692 _hughes(a)ovis.net_ (mailto:hughes@ovis.net)

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Death & Disease. Fine Particles. Coal Fired Power Plants
by Duane330＠aol.com 22 Feb '11

22 Feb '11

The attached press release is for your information. Duane Nichols >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Death and Disease from Fine Particle Pollution by Coal Fired Power Plants in 2010 in West Virginia The people and land of West Virginia pay many of the true costs of coal. One example is detailed in the report of a new study. These are “externalized ” costs, costs created by the coal industry but paid by us in a backdoor subsidy. It is paid in dollars as well as lives and health. The Clean Air Task Force commissioned studies in 2000 and 2004, with a new update for 2010. The study is narrow and focused on one dimension of the costs we as citizens pay: death and disease from fine particle pollution by coal fired power plants. The information is in the table below. The table lists an assortment of power plants around the state, and the deaths and disease incidents attributable to that specific power plant. Note that this is only a partial list of West Virginia power plants. Death and Disease from Fine Particle Pollution by Coal Fired Power Plants 2010 Power Plant Deaths Heart Asthma Hospital Chronic Asthma ER Attacks Attacks Admissions Bronchitis Visits Albright 18 29 280 13 11 14 Preston Co Amos 87 140 1400 65 52 70 Putnam Co Fort Martin 150 240 2300 110 88 110 Monongalia Co Harrison 28 45 440 21 17 22 Harrison Co Kanawha 40 63 640 31 24 33 Kanawha Co Mitchell 51 83 780 38 30 39 Marshall Co Mt. Storm 47 75 740 35 28 37 Grant Co Pleasants 41 66 640 31 24 33 Pleasants Co Sporn 110 180 1700 84 66 89 Mason Co Data Source: Clean Air Task Force _http://www.catf.us/coal/problems/power_plants/existing/map.php?state=West_V irginia_ (http://www.catf.us/coal/problems/power_plants/existing/map.php?state=West_V…) The data is cold and crisp, but indeed stark. For example, this kind of pollution from Allegheny Energy’s Albright plant in Preston County was responsible for 18 deaths and 29 heart attacks in 2010. Is there a solution? Yes - it’s one that’s well-known. We should be phasing out coal-fired power plants. We can do this by making new commitments to electric energy conservation and efficiency, while expanding renewable energy and the thousands of jobs it will bring. The full report is available online at: _http://www.catf.us/coal/problems/power_plants/existing/map.php?state=West_Virginia_ (http://www.catf.us/coal/problems/power_plants/existing/map.php?state=West_V…) Contact: Jim Sconyers Chair, West Virginia Sierra Club 304.698.9628 _jim_scon(a)yahoo.com_ (mailto:jim_scon@yahoo.com) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

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.. GASP -- Action and News Report
by Duane330＠aol.com 17 Feb '11

17 Feb '11

GASPalerts Action and News from Group Against Smog and Pollution JOIN OUR LIST (http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102402694952) IN THIS ISSUE _Clean Construction Press Event_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK26) _Newest Member of AQTAC_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK53) _PA DEP Marcellus Studies_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK51) _WTAE Looks at Marcellus_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK46) _GASP Appeals Coal Plant's Permit_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK54) _State Grants to Clean Diesel_ (mip://03812d88/default.html#LETTER.BLOCK56) (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… H6gz1lFlsKNUSf7wh-8BeE6upBIs6_RHVThFBN_RW-dTSuTYkn3qjDwzjZ_Tcz3go34tzGm28qq8 YiPsSm5Y9P_g2t9MIPbn85IUvQa-g==) (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… Vn8vjiDG9L14tZIvipY6EhiPhfTh5cGGm0qA==) February 11, 2011 Help GASP Push for Clean Construction in Pittsburgh Join GASP, Clean Water Action, and other partners on Thursday, February 17th at 10 AM at the _Hill House_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbvJ EBBhwo3eWEjnWJCALQTBJdC9PMmYqwIT8YzLgXecoLJs93X7givu9zTK6_013wYAIglygQI_pb_wj3t59BTCZhA8NM5lYZ4bOev2SDI9EnzzzOQi8Lq7g_ aKGDpU13RGFBBDGv1khzw_KOwbZcIg8q-CMb3i069gILwMlEeDZSeRM6qU-hHExEIupbzSzbI4bY XbU4qHOAAMcw==) as we hold a press conference to draw attention to the health effects from diesel emissions and the Clean Construction legislation being considered by City Council. This legislation would require that large construction projects receiving public subsidies would have to use cleaner construction equipment. The bill is the final one in a trilogy of bills introduced by a broad coalition of labor, faith, environmental, and community groups. Learn more _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… XocDQ-7JTQWigtOeH3Ka_DJx7aWBckBJsT3PcbFlirWEgzMq-P9nvrqWbOxYaWM3qu9Bi7fLXFp5 ygl1Un13Px7iYrp511qVgoBI7_4-VDxGDiF4dLzgju8KNLQAGVAqJV5SkZk94fW) , and for further information about the event or to RSVP, contact _gasp(a)gasp-pgh.org_ (mailto:gasp@gasp-pgh.org) . GASP's Legal Director Named to DEP Committee Joe Osborne, GASP's Legal Director, has joined the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee (_AQTAC_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… V2PzfEVm5RBeA-FYUq78NaFcEXL-kkxsV9r-qsSaBaV6pfGYB5Tis-aTu9sYtExwDfSFF2ZfmjT_ JseI8erpYljG4HzOtzhxIKHpvwCa8blx15Z1XWk=) ). This committee provides advice to PA DEP on impacts of existing, new, or proposed revisions to state regulations and policies concerning air. The naming of Joe to this committee is a great honor, and a testament to his hard work and thorough knowledge of air issues in PA. Kudos, Joe! Marcellus Air Pollution: What PA DEP's Studies Really Say PA DEP recently released two reports which looked at air emissions from Marcellus activity in two parts of the state. While DEP took care to explain that these reports were short-term snapshots, most media sources have been saying "DEP Says No Problem with Marcellus Drilling" or some variation of that theme. Read _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… R4zyMRFGEY-2Y8No2wVdQS7UFv8ItNfCl0qkbfKE4Je2CVlxuHIHzB7xXO7SNVulAD69is5WEWqy EAf0lv8rCqIduTHMalKsYzhlMfPdMpLS2CyEBAWH6P0Prxed6R8ZLGY5PCUOFticsIvvLlfz0FY1 oeX2HNuelJihSn) why DEP's studies do not say that no problems exist, and how further studies can be improved upon. Marcellus Air Pollution, Part Two: WTAE Looks at Emissions from Marcellus Industry WTAE's Team 4 investigative reporter Jim Parsons sat down with our Legal Director recently and got his take on emissions from Marcellus Shale activity. While burning natural gas is cleaner than burning coal, the Marcellus industry has the potential to emit massive amounts of air toxics like benzene, and ozone precursors, such as NOx. See the video report _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… FlsmsYRXAihTBxJalzFX8BWiR5AcqtBnGqzi0q6MgtOmraaDmYJ0vEsOqtfwuU0hlO0KGJj6RYIy LHRlKrXmOf0Ikcy1USeHbC7VPcRW3NGJUSup3174w1-DsvLJrTCvQa7zIgA==) , and visit our _website_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… cwrymEaZ0kSFiZ7j58EFzm-KOQOvXobIObWctvd2qf72w--pPM6lenXz5YeuGB4PCwsdm3KwLRJa s38Mg==) to get more information on GASP's work in the Marcellus play. GASP Asks EPA to Reject Operating Permit at Cheswick Power Plant At the end of January GASP and PennFuture filed a petition with the U.S. EPA, challenging the Title V Operating Permit for the coal-fired Cheswick Power Plant owned by GenOn in Springdale, PA. GASP and PennFuture identified numerous problems with the permit. For instance, it does not include limits on mercury emissions. It does not include certain requirements that were part of the permit given for installation of the new scrubber. And it does not require sufficient monitoring to demonstrate that the plant's emissions control devices operate effectively. Read the full petition _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… 3X7givu9zTK6_013wYAIglygQI_pb_wj3t59BTCZhA8NM5lYZ4bOev2SDI9EnzzzOQi8Lq7g_aKG DpU13RGFBBDGv1khzw_KOwbZcIg8q-CMb3i069gILwMlEeDZSeRM6qU-hHExEIupbzSzbI4bYXbU 4qHOAAMcw==) , and stay informed of the latest news by visiting the _Coal Project_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… ZWy9q6dDulCFZIvX0fKQMfFeaN10q_aAm-gg4gdLOt8eBrxSBrnxZH) page on our website. More Money Available to Clean Up Diesel PA DEP is announcing their Pennsylvania State Clean Diesel Grant Program, which aims to reduce diesel pollution from transit and school bus fleets. The program will support projects that retrofit, re-power, or replace fleet vehicles to lower emissions of pollutants; purchase and install idle reduction technology; or purchase alternatively-fueled fleet vehicles. Search on the words "clean diesel" at DEP's _website_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… 44_4uyZrHV6Ej04FbHXUB9_cQq2b5f7PrpCEsRPD6yJk4CuxgaGVM6PwQ==) for more information. Help us to be as effective as possible by becoming a member or renewing your membership today. Over the last forty-one years, through education, advocacy, helping to set regional and local environmental policy, and at times entering into litigation, GASP has made a positive impact on our region's air quality and environment. Help us to continue this important work in 2011. Gift memberships also available! Membership details and instructions for donating can be found _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=izlefwcab&et=1104483980366&s=244&e=001BtXGwbv… bWLafCPAuK-yGRJHnEMHrEWuR486KPrzRUplEnNVY2S-8PkQmuQQSEW4kRyI6-ntVuKvRW5q5VmB baqH9aKo9elhbXV8ArJNASfl9DcP5wmiz-m-F39T) . We appreciate your participation on the GASPalerts email list. Working together, we can make a difference in our region's environment. We won't trade or sell your address with other organizations or inundate you with mailings. Thank you. Sincerely, Group Against Smog and Pollution

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