MVCAC

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1014 discussions

GASP is the Group Against Smog and Pollution
by Duane330＠aol.com 19 Dec '14

19 Dec '14

Dear Fellow Breathers, Meet Ted Popovich. For 40 years he worked around the globe in India, Brazil, and beyond. He was the China Operations Manager for Corning and an instructor at a Rochester Institute of Technology school in Kosovo. These days, he’s a clean air warrior in Pittsburgh—and a heart bypass survivor. He often developed bronchitis and other ailments in his travels due to pollution-generated inflammation. When he came to Pittsburgh, he never imagined the air here would harm him as well. However, he moved to a house overlooking the Ohio River and soon discovered Pittsburgh’s pollution problem. “In my neighborhood, people can’t open their windows without fear of letting in pollutants that smell nasty and damage our health.” Emissions from the industrialized end of Neville Island regularly saturate Ted’s community. “I began to realize the scope of the problem when I volunteered to become an opacity evaluator, or Smoke Reader.” Through GASP, Ted learned how to observe smoke stack emissions and note violations. He made readings of the Shenango Coke works, a source of many of the foul odors he and his neighbors suffer through. He took photographs and called complaints in to the county Health Department. “I mastered a whole new vocabulary, with phrases like ‘continuous opacity monitor’ and ‘inhalation cancer risk.’ I learned about the complex relationship between the polluters, the regulators, the legal system, and the political system.” As Ted’s knowledge of air pollution grew, so did his clean air activism. He joined GASP’s board in 2009 and worked with many other local environmental groups. He instructed T’ai Chi and Group Exercise at the YMCA. And then in May his efforts screeched to a halt after his doctor handed him worrying test results. In June, Ted had quintuple bypass surgery. “My cardiovascular system has been compromised, in part, by the pollution from industrial sources near my home. Our region has some of the worst air in the nation. We need clean air now!” Thankfully, Ted is solidly on the road to recovery and more active than ever. He co-founded Allegheny County Clean Air Now, which brought 150 citizens last month to meet with county Health Department officials about continuing problems at Shenango Coke. He works daily to improve air quality for the community. “GASP was a catalyst for me. They know our health is jeopardized by dirty air, and they’re fighting to clean it up. Will you support them today as I do?” On behalf of residents like Ted, GASP recently sued Shenango for hundreds of violations over the last few years. The case awaits a judge’s decision. But Ted is right—you don’t have to wait to support GASP today! Your gift will fund our future work to reduce industrial pollution; increase compliance with PA’s idling law by bus drivers and Pittsburgh Public Schools; and teach hundreds of school children about air quality and how they can help, even at their young age. We will review permit applications of new sources of pollution, train more Smoke Readers, and continue to loan air monitors to concerned citizens so they can understand conditions in their neighborhoods. Without the support of our members, our work wouldn’t be possible. Please join or renew your membership in GASP or make an additional gift today by visiting gasp-pgh.org. Thank you! For clean air, Jonathan Nadle, President, and Rachel Filippini, Executive Director All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Group Against Smog & Pollution, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working for a healthy environment. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution. Visit our website at www._gasp-pgh.org_ (http://www.gasp-pgh.org/) or call us at (412) 924-0604 for more information. Thank you!

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Successful tree planting
by Duane 09 Dec '14

09 Dec '14

STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL TREE PLANTING BY DAN MAGILL Well it is the Autumn Season again with winter just around the corner and now is a good time to start planning woodland improvement activities such as planting trees in the upcoming Spring Season. Although this may seem too far ahead of time to get things rolling for Spring-time tree planting, there are several steps to accomplish successful tree planting, growth, and survival. Choosing the right site in woodlands or fields is important because different tree species require distinct site conditions like aspect, soil type and moisture, shade and sunlight conditions, terrain (bottom land, ridge-top, stream-sides) etc. Conducting a soil test for type, pH, moisture and nutrient levels is also one of the most crucial activities that should be conducted to insure successful tree planting, growth, and survival. Additionally, newly planted trees will need to be protected from damage from deer and rabbit browsing, and even bears that will often break off the trees either from curiosity or the bears are trying to get food such as nuts or fruits, or trying to get insects from the tree roots. It is likewise a good idea to order trees well ahead of time such as in autumn to insure the desired tree species to plant can be obtained for the Spring-time planting season. In WV, the Clements State Tree Nursery is currently taking tree orders for the autumn 2014 or spring-time 2015 planting season and the online store-front at:http://www.wvcommerce.org/ClementsNursery, allows customers to shop 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Deliveries start the week of Thanksgiving. The Clements State Tree Nursery can also be reached at 304-675-1820. Duane Nichols, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Statins: Widely used drugs may protect people from air pollution — Environmental Health News
by Duane 24 Nov '14

24 Nov '14

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2014/nov/statins-and-air-po… Statins: Widely used drugs may protect people from air pollution By Brian Bienkowski, Environmental Health News, Nov. 24, 2014 One of the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States may have an extra benefit: protecting people from air pollution. Statins, prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce risks of heart attacks and strokes, seem to diminish inflammation that occurs after people breathe airborne particles. “Health impacts from spikes in particulates in the air are substantial. Statins seem to protect not only lungs from these impacts but the heart, too,” said Dr. Norman Edelman, the American Lung Association's senior medical advisor. About one in four Americans over the age of 45 takes statins, including Lipitor, Zocor and other brand names. Although drugs cannot be prescribed to protect people from air pollution, several studies show that people who take statins have fewer proteins in their blood that indicate inflammation of tissues, said Dr. Stephan van Eeden, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia who specializes in lung health. This inflammation may aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Most recently, a study of 1,923 U.S. women found that those taking statins are less likely to have signs of inflammation, said Bart Ostro, an epidemiologist with California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment who led the study. “There are some specific groups [such as diabetics] that seem to have higher levels of inflammation after long-term exposure,” Ostro said. “On the converse side, we found that people on statins seem to be protected from the inflammatory effects of PM2.5.” In the women taking statins, there was no association between PM2.5 – the tiny particles emitted mostly by burning diesel and other fossil fuels – and the proteins indicating inflammation, while for most of the other groups the links were quite strong. It’s not the first time researchers have noticed this link: University of Michigan researchers found decreased blood indicators of inflammation in people who took statins in a study of 92 people in Boston. A national study of 5,778 people also reported that statins canceled out the presence of signs of inflammation from PM2.5, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. “Health impacts from spikes in particulates in the air are substantial. Statins seem to protect not only lungs from these impacts but the heart, too.” –Dr. Norman Edelman, American Lung AssociationScientists believe that inflammation is a key factor in heart disease. “The older thinking was that plaque in coronary arteries caused heart attacks,” Edelman said. “Now the thinking is that it’s also due to some living tissue under plague that gets inflamed and that disrupts the plaque. We already knew statins ameliorate heart disease, and always thought it was through lipids, but here’s a new pathway.” Around the world, studies have shown that whenever particulates increase, deaths from heart attacks and respiratory disease rise, too. Experts estimate that fine particles are linked to about 800,000 deaths annually worldwide. Particulate pollution has been on a steady decline in the United States: The national average for PM2.5 decreased 34 percent from 2000 to 2013, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. However, high concentrations of the pollution still persist in some cities with heavy traffic and industry, such as Los Angeles and Chicago. When van Eeden and colleagues gave statins to rabbits before exposing them to particulate matter they had decreased lung inflammation. In a second study of rabbits, statins seemed to help clear large particles from the lungs by promoting the movement of white blood cells to nearby lymph nodes, which protects the lungs against pending inflammation. “It’s clear that if the animals are treated for about a month with statins before they’re exposed to particles, you can significantly lower the amount of particles generated in the lungs and decrease the blood vessel inflammatory process,” van Eeden said. It’s not clear how statins may cause fewer particles in the lungs, but van Eeden said statin-treated rabbits have more particles in lymph nodes, suggesting the drugs stimulate particles to move to the nodes. In another animal test mice given Zocor prior to oil fly ash or particulate exposure did not experience lung injuries and inflammation like their non-treated counterparts did, according to a 2011 study in Argentina. “It's clear that if the animals are treated for about a month with statins before they're exposed to particles, you can significantly lower the amount of particles generated in the lungs and decrease the blood vessel inflammatory process.” –Dr. Stephan van Eeden, University of British ColumbiaVan Eeden and colleagues are now trying to figure out if the animal findings hold true for human lungs. So far, their work looks “very promising,” he said. His lab is examining lung tissue from people who had part of a lung removed. Many were smokers and had a lot of particles in their lungs. They haven’t finished the study but so far they’re seeing that “it’s quite clear that people who used statins had less particles in their lungs,” van Eeden said. “Once again it suggests anti-inflammatory properties and seems to clear the particles,” van Eeden said. “And these were people chronically exposed to air pollution or cigarette smoke.” However, it’s too early for doctors to prescribe statins for people exposed to air pollution, said Dr. Martha Daviglus, a cardiovascular epidemiologist at Northwestern University and University of Illinois. “We need more evidence. We already have a lot of people taking statins for cholesterol, and we don’t fully know the effect of taking the drugs for years and years, and decades yet,” Daviglus said. The number of people taking the drugs is already expected to rise as the American Heart Association last year advocated for increased statin use to combat high cholesterol. It remains unclear if people would have to take statins immediately prior to breathing air pollution, and, if so, for how long, in order for the drugs to help. “It seems they have some good effects with regards to air pollution, but we need to conduct clinical trials with people living near roads or high-emitting facilities,” Daviglus said. Ostro said it would be “somewhat of a leap” to prescribe statins to mitigate air pollution impacts, given some of their known side effects, such as liver problems. Food and Drug Administration spokesman Kristofer Baumgartner said that any new claims about additional benefits for a drug have to be reviewed by a team of scientists, and the benefit would have to outweigh any risks. Two pharmaceutical giants who sell statins, Pfizer and AstraZeneca, would not comment on the air pollution studies. There is no research on whether other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, would also protect people from air pollution. Van Eeden sees potential for statins to play a role in reducing effects of air pollution, possibly in the near future. One possible group could be those suffering from asthma, which causes inflamed and constricted air passages. “If this human study confirms what we found in rabbits, then if there is an episode of air pollution, maybe people at high risk can get a short course of statins for that period until the air pollution clears,” he said. He is currently seeking funding to test statins on firefighters to see if they reduce lung inflammation caused by smoke. Edelman said the answer to protecting people is still cleaning the air. “We don’t want people to start thinking now we have a drug to control effects of air pollution so we don’t have to worry about air pollution,” he said. “It’s still a large threat.”

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Open Burning Win at County Council; Now on to Coke & Indoor Air
by Duane330＠aol.com 20 Nov '14

20 Nov '14

Sent: 11/19/2014 Subj: Open Burning Win at County Council; Now on to Coke & Indoor Air GASP AlertAction and News from Group Against Smog and Pollution JOIN OUR LIST (http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102402694952) November 19, 2014 Community Meeting With Health Department About Shenango Coke This evening, please join Allegheny County Clean Air Now (ACCAN) as they meet with the Health Department about the Shenango Coke Works. ACCAN formed from a core group of residents that live near the coke works who have been working to reduce emissions at the facility for years. The group includes many GASP members, Smoke Readers, and supporters. The meeting is Wednesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. Learn more about how you can have your voice heard _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MVoFHayfD4rNdjd76u-0gwNpmxonkQvDt3iY4QPC_xjf… my-JLqdAf-wsg6oNR8WI-clr6nKIPgubLbdXB2grIboBOPxyD5MJdnK3ZqDHC9OkPo0fs77JRhDs Kxmr2krb75yhMVWeTeWSCCWZb4LcVUUDqJR6wdy5YvkbGu1_NhZ_wWTIbmnbEV-JO5fOWJrakpU8 xvA=&c=lmHKwRk3WF6Vh6f4I0E2e8P9zQfWJd2Nwuuyww0FJJBgHan703MJzw==&ch=5Jxz99YXM xIZTYg2Z_BIcg52amju6yBy39TCGhuNIvk2nE1wJ3AQJQ==) . Open Burning Victory! Thanks to your support, Allegheny County Council voted 9-4 on November 5 to approve the changes to the county's regulations on open burning. Thank you to all who appeared at the hearing and to those who called or emailed your Council member to show support for the updates. If you'd like to _email your representative_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MVoFHayfD4rNdjd76u-0gwNpmxonkQvDt3iY4QPC_xjf… nS3keWfShLHYv4Kx6Uwce0qRDXG4GAueb3qCdhNf5tisR2dPaGJjVQ6ewUvUarxjOa4dNqzlJWun xVaV8CxmIO35no6nKKZLSaMBjkoprPW_zyB4ltA==&c=lmHKwRk3WF6Vh6f4I0E2e8P9zQfWJd2N wuuyww0FJJBgHan703MJzw==&ch=5Jxz99YXMxIZTYg2Z_BIcg52amju6yBy39TCGhuNIvk2nE1w J3AQJQ==) , here's the tally: For: Baker, Danko, DeFazio, Ellenbogen, Finnerty, Kress, Macey, Martoni, Palmiere Against: Heidelbaugh, Futules, Means, Rea Absent: Hawkins, Robinson The changes will require a set back of 15' from neighboring property lines, roads, etc. for the open burning of wood, providing a minimum of fire safety and air pollution protection. The changes state only clean wood or other cleaner fuels like propane, charcoal, or natural gas can be burned. These changes also give more power to an inspector to reduce or prohibit burning activities that are nuisances to neighbors. You can see the current rules and the proposed changes _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MVoFHayfD4rNdjd76u-0gwNpmxonkQvDt3iY4QPC_xjf… yA0AR2QbMlxpjtGiwnLm6XdmyyAwUqVBmJaIEjaFuhk97O-UoRIcqH46DQLUa-LsCt4G-r2ubfNW 4BHMrXknRMQ8BOh5isihF69vXndjmuaY_5sIT8w_Vnttnj3Qd5A8dcYafxi&c=lmHKwRk3WF6Vh6 f4I0E2e8P9zQfWJd2Nwuuyww0FJJBgHan703MJzw==&ch=5Jxz99YXMxIZTYg2Z_BIcg52amju6y By39TCGhuNIvk2nE1wJ3AQJQ==) . (Look in the boxes on the right and scroll down to "Open Burning.") Please contact _jamin(a)gasp-pgh.org_ (mailto:jamin@gasp-pgh.org) to learn more or to discuss how your municipality can go beyond these updates to create even stronger regulations. Burning, Part Two: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words The changes mentioned in the section above only apply to Allegheny County's regulations, but wood smoke affects citizens state-wide. The Clean Air Council's "_I See Smoke_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MVoFHayfD4rNdjd76u-0gwNpmxonkQvDt3iY4QPC_xjf… mtb-1qPvXBP488RWv8Y8lNHd5PnmEEh8wm7FvYz-Wo7hhRbuMoxYwjPZLyOSL-VCDgkEk9BVN3ng PcgRr2Y4ujwOih0H8Egye8PhF9vT9A=&c=lmHKwRk3WF6Vh6f4I0E2e8P9zQfWJd2Nwuuyww0FJJ BgHan703MJzw==&ch=5Jxz99YXMxIZTYg2Z_BIcg52amju6yBy39TCGhuNIvk2nE1wJ3AQJQ==) " program has rolled out a new tool that makes reporting violations and taking action easy. A new app allows users to share information and photos of the smoke pollution in their neighborhood. By using the app, community members fill out information about the pollution they see. That information gets passed on to the Clean Air Council, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, and all appropriate county health agencies. This streamlines the reporting process and makes sure that all violations are being reported to the agencies that oversee air quality enforcement. _Try it today!_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MVoFHayfD4rNdjd76u-0gwNpmxonkQvDt3iY4QPC_xjf… YN7vdFfqRP75HIQm-6UczDGNhFBL4yWnQoxwloyIEtqXwGsitOOU41QOMHx_Rj2RwbhMwTqG_a00 5rpawMmy4mPRnK-01VgrNMa5EpZcnt2C42jJrBZ9GgBvUjPKLDeWVsU9NLBZeKLgFUQd349geTfA 6-SmkGVzyAvI8_CIXlWdgj0g3Gv3g0PTU710i-urRGUX&c=lmHKwRk3WF6Vh6f4I0E2e8P9zQfWJ d2Nwuuyww0FJJBgHan703MJzw==&ch=5Jxz99YXMxIZTYg2Z_BIcg52amju6yBy39TCGhuNIvk2n E1wJ3AQJQ==) Outdoor Particles--How Many Enter Your Home? How much of the particulate matter in outdoor air gets inside? Are there inexpensive ways to predict indoor concentrations of outdoor particle pollution based on simple house characteristics and building operation? Brent Stephens, Director of The Built Environment Research Group at Illinois Institute of Technology, will discuss his work on pathways that allow outdoor particulate matter to infiltrate into living spaces in a webinar this Friday at 2 p.m. He has investigated the link between building envelope airtightness and outdoor particle penetration. Participants will gain a better understanding of variables and the magnitude of their impact. Learn more and register _here_ (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001MVoFHayfD4rNdjd76u-0gwNpmxonkQvDt3iY4QPC_xjf… nXqLR0CLH2fTRccn0gx6FeO7vftUjsCUb7m1YzMEIhZh2A3hdqJw_VF6e2_0xkYFqngl9x0ug_3F jVDS7ozmTXKaLrAo0RatLmwe-dq_u8zr-ZgS3efwoAZwVmDb3PVkKC8gJgvI&c=lmHKwRk3WF6Vh 6f4I0E2e8P9zQfWJd2Nwuuyww0FJJBgHan703MJzw==&ch=5Jxz99YXMxIZTYg2Z_BIcg52amju6 yBy39TCGhuNIvk2nE1wJ3AQJQ==) . We appreciate your participation on the GASP Alert email list. Together, we can make a difference in our region's environment. We won't trade or sell your email address with other organizations or inundate you with messages. Visit our website at _gasp-pgh.org_ (http://www.gasp-pgh.org/) or call us at (412) 924-0604 for more information. Thank you! Group Against Smog and Pollution | 5135 Penn Avenue | Pittsburgh | PA | 15224

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Is our WV PSC serving me & you, or is it tied to the political interest of the Governor's office!
by Duane 17 Sep '14

17 Sep '14

Bill Howley: Independence is key to new PSC appointment By Bill Howley West Virginia PSC Commissioner Ryan Palmer is leaving the PSC in mid-September. At the same time Palmer’s decision was released to the press, Chairman Mike Albert announced that he was removing himself from the PSC’s general investigation of West Virginia American Water Co.’s response to contamination of its water supply by Freedom Industries. The combination of Palmer’s leaving and Albert’s recusal will not affect other cases before the PSC, but Palmer’s departure is significant for another reason. Commissioner Palmer was the only one of the three commissioners without any ties to large out-of-state corporations doing business in West Virginia. These corporations, such as Akron-based FirstEnergy, St. Louis-based Monsanto Corp. and New Jersey-based American Water Works (owner of West Virginia American Water) have significant impacts on our PSC’s decisions. Albert, as he described in a recent PSC order, was an attorney at the Jackson Kelly law firm. He personally represented West Virginia American Water Co. for three decades in front of the same PSC he now chairs. In 2007, shortly after he was appointed to his first term as chairman by former Gov. Manchin, Albert also had to recuse himself from the TrAIL transmission line case, because he had personally worked on Allegheny Energy’s application to the PSC for approval of that line. In 2012, Allegheny Energy was swallowed by FirstEnergy in a merger. Jackson Kelly continues to represent FirstEnergy before the West Virginia PSC. Commissioner Jon McKinney, the only commissioner left to conduct the PSC’s water company investigation, was for many years an executive of Monsanto Corp. at its South Charleston plant. Monsanto, which recently settled a case concerning chemical contamination of the neighborhood around that plant, is a significant player in water quality issues on the Kanawha River. Many of those water issues may have some bearing on West Virginia American Water’s lack of a secondary intake on the Kanawha River. Back in 2011, when McKinney’s six-year term expired, Gov. Tomblin failed to act to either reappoint him to a new six-year term or to appoint a replacement to a new term. Citizens sent large numbers of letters to Gov. Tomblin in 2011 encouraging him to appoint former PSC general counsel and experienced utility attorney Robert Rodecker to replace Jon McKinney, but Gov. Tomblin ignored those requests. Instead, McKinney has continued on the PSC, and his position has effectively been turned into an at-will seat. Gov. Tomblin now has complete control over whether Commissioner McKinney stays or goes, because Mr. McKinney is now serving on a day-to-day basis. McKinney’s situation violates the Legislature’s intent in setting six-year terms for PSC commissioners. Once an appointment is made, the six-year term is designed to provide a measure of independence to PSC commissioners, who effectively act as judges in ruling on utility rates and practices. McKinney has lost that independence as a result of Gov. Tomblin’s failure to act as the Legislature requires. Commissioner Palmer’s term would have ended in June 2015. If Gov. Tomblin acts quickly to appoint a replacement, there is a possibility that the new commissioner would be able to become an effective participant in the water company investigation, which is still in its early stages. Few candidates are as qualified to serve out the remainder of Palmer’s term as Robert Rodecker. There are other qualified candidates who are not tied in some way to the corporate interests regulated by the PSC. The independence and expertise that Palmer brought to the position should be the governor’s main criteria for the appointment of a new commissioner. In the past, governors made PSC appointments without public involvement or explanation. Now, and in the future, we need to have open, public discussion of candidates and their qualifications. West Virginia deserves better than back-room deals for a regulatory commission that reaches so deeply into the lives (and pockets) of the people of our state. Howley is a small business owner in Chloe, West Virginia, and writes The Power Line, the View from Calhoun County about electric system issues in West Virginia. - See more at:http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140917/ARTICLE/140919409#sthash.ZAMZQ… -- Thanks to Danny Chiotos of the Sierra Club.

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Tune In: 24 Hours Of Reality: 24 Reasons For Hope
by Duane 15 Sep '14

15 Sep '14

Join The Climate Reality Project September 16-17 as they share 24 reasons to be hopeful about solving the climate crisis. http://24hoursofreality.org?utm_source=shareemail&utm_medium=email&utm_camp… Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535. www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Flaring+Issues+Workshop+Announcement+9-16-14
by Duane 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

Deadline today for registration. WORKSHOP at WVU. $55. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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Fwd: [EC] Op-Ed in today's Gazette
by Duane 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

> From: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> > Date: September 10, 2014 12:12:48 PM EDT > To: Allan Tweddle <allantweddle(a)msn.com>, "cclwv(a)googlegroups.com" <cclwv(a)googlegroups.com> > Cc: Don GARVIN <dsgjr(a)aol.com>, Vivian Stockman <vivian(a)ohvec.org>, WVEC Email List <paradox(a)spectrumz.com>, John Barry <John.Barry(a)sierraclub.org>, Gary Zuckett CAG <garyz(a)wvcag.org>, Janet Keating <janet.ovec(a)gmail.com>, "Sierra Club Environmental Comm." <ec(a)osenergy.org> > Subject: Re: [EC] Op-Ed in today's Gazette > > Allan, et al. > > We are planning a forum on this topic at the WVEC Fall Convention (Oct. 17-19 at Cedar Lakes in Ripley). This will likely be on Saturday, Oct. 18. The meeting is joint with the WV Highlands Conservancy Fall review, and legislative strategies are the primary topic. I also hope to emphasize some state agency actions, as WV-DEP will need to propose a state implementation Plan to EPA under the proposed greenhouse gas standards for power plants in the Clean Power Plan. > > EPA is urging states to "think beyond the fence" to include energy efficiency, renewables, and fuel switching , something that DEP may not be inclined to do. I think that will mean a significant effort to get DEP (which regulates "inside the fence" pollution controls) to work with the WV-PSC (which would over see energy efficiency and other "outside the fence" activities). > > A key step may be to amend the horrible HB 4346 which limits DEP's authority to implement greenhouse gas standards. > > There may be other, more holistic approaches, but a lot of that may depend on whether the Democrats keep control of the WV House of Delegates, and whether we can defeat some of the most extreme climate deniers. > > Who will be joining us? > > Jim Kotcon > >

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Re: [MVCAC] Op-Ed in today's Gazette
by Duane 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

> From: Allan Tweddle <allantweddle(a)msn.com> > Date: September 10, 2014 10:22:28 AM EDT > To: "cclwv(a)googlegroups.com" <cclwv(a)googlegroups.com> > Cc: "cclwv(a)googlegroups.com" <cclwv(a)googlegroups.com>, Don GARVIN <dsgjr(a)aol.com>, Vivian Stockman <vivian(a)ohvec.org>, WVEC Email List <paradox(a)spectrumz.com>, John Barry <John.Barry(a)sierraclub.org>, Gary Zuckett CAG <garyz(a)wvcag.org>, Janet Keating <janet.ovec(a)gmail.com>, "Sierra Club Environmental Comm." <ec(a)osenergy.org> > Subject: Re: [EC] Op-Ed in today's Gazette > > Colleagues > > First, thank you Paul and Regan for your kind words. I'm better, but not 100% yet. > > I believe part of my condition is caused by the air quality of the area. As and engineer who is dealt with air quality issues for 50 years, including air sampling for pollution conditions around manufacturing operations all the way through to design and clean rooms, I am very familiar with the process and the technical details of air-quality. > > But I do not have the instruments or the support staff to evaluate air-quality here as I used to have and my career days in California and Ontario. > > I do know however that I have often driven near the railway tracks that charge through Charleston and seen, in the proper sunlight conditions, the fine particulate dust blowing off the railcars as they passed through town. I've inquired, but that's never been analyzed, never been measured and is an unknown. > > But one doesn't need sophisticated instruments to see that that dust is being dispersed all on the communities through which these trains, sometimes it very high speeds, traverse. > > That brings me to a point I want to make. Air-quality is definitely a local issue. The EPA can establish national standards, and the local agencies can then implement a plan to measure against those standards. But in my opinion the evaluation of very close proximity conditions in West Virginia are never taken into account unless the public rises up and demands them. > > That also applies to climate change. There is yet another article in the Charleston Gazette today describing how carbon dioxide levels in the upper atmosphere Have already passed 350 ppm last year and are approaching the 400 ppm. Scientists consider the 400 parts, if achieved on a consistent basis to be very seriously detrimental to life as we know it all over the planet including in West Virginia. > > Addressing the issue and pressing for action requires a strong voice here in West Virginia. And I personally believe the economic opportunities that exist for addressing climate change are out there and need to be described to our policy makers repeatedly. > > While CCL is working diligently at the national level to seek logical and incremental steps towards controlling climate change, given the political barriers, we must be doing more at the state level in my opinion. > > That is why I have proposed to WVEC, CAG, OVEC, and others that we come together and join forces to mount a single voice to address climate change in West Virginia. > > It is an issue that is complex and crosses all of the constituencies of the entire environmental movement in West Virginia. To be successful, the legislatures got to know that there is a large constituency, a coming together of all of the organizations, to force them to pay attention to not just the dangers of doing nothing, but of the economic opportunities that are out there for addressing climate change. > > if we can come together somewhere in sometime in October, and begin to develop a comprehensive plan, then we will be ready to present our thoughts to the legislature in January. > > But I must look to each of the leadership of the various organizations to talk to one another and decide where they would like to do this. > > However, I need to hear from the leadership of each of the organizations. Is there interest in coming together in the manner I am suggesting? Or is there an alternative concepts? > > I'd like to hear from the leadership to know if this is making sense, and if so let's plan a specific time and meet, probably here in Charleston, To begin thinking about how to plan and implement a new voice of reason for addressing climate change here in West Virginia. > > I can offer a venue for such a meeting that is easy and convenient to reach. I must ask for permission from Temple Israel for such a meeting, but I believe Rabbi would approve such a gathering as long as it's not on the Sabbath. > > Please, let me hear from you > > Allan Tweddle > >> On Sep 9, 2014, at 7:38 AM, Paul Epstein wrote: >> >>> Good work both of you! Hope you're feeling much better, Allan. >>> >>> >>> www.awarewv.org >>> Paul Epstein >>> 304.343.5074 >>> www.paulepstein.net >>> >>> On Tue, Sep 9, 2014 at 7:29 AM, Jim Probst <probstfurnituremakers(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> It's been a good couple of days for Charleston CCL with Alan's excellent op-ed on Sunday and I got one published in today's paper. >>> http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140909/ARTICLE/140909344/1134 >>> >>> >>> >>

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100 years of poor health in West Virginia ......Sept 5th.
by Duane 29 Aug '14

29 Aug '14

PUBLIC HEALTH DIALOGUES Remember the first in this Speaker Series: A panel discussion on “Black Lung and Chemical Spills: 100 Years of Poor Health in West Virginia” Friday noon, September 5 in Room1905 Health Sciences Center North.The presentations are free and open to the public. To RSVP for a complimentary lunch, please e-mailsph-dialogues(a)hsc.wvu.edu. Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535, www.FrackCheckWV.net

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