EC June 2008

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6 participants
20 discussions

Fwd: Bill News 21 -- KY & MA approve energy bills
by James Kotcon 30 Jun '08

30 Jun '08

Check out he bill just passed by our neighbor Kentucky. JBK >>> Paula Carrell <Paula.Carrell(a)sierraclub.org> 6/27/2008 7:42 PM >>> CONTENTS 1. KY Acts on Energy Efficiency 2. MA Energy Bill a Mixed Bag 1. KY Acts on Energy Efficiency -- HB 2 signed by the Governor And here's a challenge for other southern states: * Establishes high performance buildings standards and timeframes for state-funded construction, and requires that by 2018, state-leased buildings meet … [View More]those same standards; * An opportunity for boards of education to conserve more of their funding for instructional and other purposes by requiring enrollment in the very-successful Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program that is offered by the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center and which has demonstrated the ability to conserve energy and save money for its current enrollees through common-sense efforts and monitoring of energy usage; * Residential Energy Efficiency -- Kentucky Income Tax Credits for a percentage of installed costs of upgraded insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, and heating and cooling systems; * Commercial Property Energy Efficiency -- State Income Tax Credits for a percentage of installed costs of energy-efficiency interior lighting systems and HVAC systems; * Energy Star Home and Manufactured Home Credits -- for builders of ENERGY STAR homes and purchasers of ENERGY STAR manufactured homes. * A directive to the Public Service Commission to consider next-generation residential utility meters when reviewing utility demand management plans. The first step to ratepayers being able to better control their energy bills, and to utilities being able to manage their load in order to avoid or defer costly investments in meeting peak power demands, is so-called “smart metering” that offers customers and utilities a way to work in partnership to manage electricity demand and utility bill costs. * State Income Tax Credits for a percentage of installed costs of active and passive solar space heating systems, solar water heating systems, wind turbines, and solar photovoltaics systems. . . . and there's more. Full bill text at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08RS/HB2.htm 2. MA Enacts Problematic Energy Bill -- Gov. expected to sign next week Jay McCaffrey says, "We support the bill, it will make significant strides to put Massachusetts on a path to a sustainable energy future. However, the hydro language is weak on environmental safeguards, and the bill includes a coal gasification proposal that was a total inside deal for a plant here in MA that wants gov handouts to jump start its crummy program. Unfortunately that standard is bad enough to wipe out some of the other gains in the bill." Bill Summary * Instructs the state to meet at least 25 percent of its electric load with demand-side resources like energy efficiency and load management by the year 2020, and 20 percent of the load through renewable and alternative energy generation by the same year. Utility companies would have to acquire 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020. * Energy distributors would have to consider all energy options for power, and electric companies would be required to buy resources based on cost effectiveness and stability, with enforcement mechanisms attached. Fossil fuel use in buildings would be cut by 10 percent from 2007 levels by the year 2020, and total energy consumption would have to fall at least 10 percent by the year 2017. * Regional Green House Gas Initiative: Establishes a RGGI trust fund and requires 100% auction. At least 80% of the auction revenues will go to utility-administered efficiency and Demand Response programs, with the rest going to communities affected by RGGI-forced plant closings and "green communities". * Least Cost Procurement: The bill dramatically increases energy efficiency potential in Massachusetts by changing the way utilities (NStar, National Grid, etc) purchase energy. Now they will have to purchase efficiency when possible to cover load requirements. This should spur increased Energy Efficiency opportunities in Massachusetts. * Coal Gasification: The bill does allow coal gasification to receive benefits under RPS. This was a defeat for the advocacy community. The emission cap is weaker than we would have liked, allowing co2 emissions levels equal to those of the Massachusetts Natural Gas plant average. Instead of requiring coal gasification projects to operate as cleanly as a new combined cycle natural gas power plant, they only have to operate as cleanly as an average natural gas plant. Some other states don’t even allow base-load power plants to be built unless they meet a more stringent standard than this, so it is disappointing that Massachusetts would set a lower bar for such projects to qualify for incentives. However, the bill does include some important protections, including a requirement for carbon capture and sequestration. * Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund: The Mass Renewable Trust will still exist but with tighter controls and oversight by a new governing board. The Governing board will create 5-year plans for the regular board and could take Trust money for the new "Green Communities" program. Several new technologies included in fundable items for Renewable Energy Trust (geothermal, for example and improvements to the internal combustion engine). * International Energy Conservation Code (IECC): Massachusetts will adopt and enforce the IECC within 1 yr of each revision, and the state has discretion to adopt more stringent provisions to the extent the relevant agencies “conclude they are warranted” * Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS): Extends the RPS so that it will continue to grow at 1% per year past 2009. Full bill text at http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st02pdf/st02768.pdf [View Less]

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Re: [EC] AP Trail
by Grubb, Karen 30 Jun '08

30 Jun '08

I can suggest where to look and forward your email in case someone knows of a more recent map. http://www.aptrailinfo.com/ http://www.aptrailinfo.com/index.php?page=propertyowners http://www.aptrailinfo.com/index.php?page=propertyowners_west_virginia Karen Grubb Sierra Club ________________________________ From: Tom Frame [mailto:Tom.Frame@RaymondJames.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 4:47 PM To: Grubb, Karen Subject: AP Trail I am a property owner on the Monongalia / … [View More]

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Re: [EC] energy/coal
by Grubb, Karen 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

I hope Jonathan has already put you on the energy committee list, but as Conservation Chair, you should be on that list and get wilderness updates. Can you be Chair and Conservation Chair? ________________________________ From: Jim Sconyers [mailto:jim_scon@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:17 AM To: Barbara Fallon; Grubb, Karen; bill.price(a)sierraclub.org Subject: energy/coal Hi folks- I'm still catching up to speed after being away. I know there is an Energy Committee … [View More]

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Fwd: Story calendar openings - let's brainstorm!
by Paul Wilson 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public NewsService Web Site <wvns(a)publicnewsservice.org> Date: Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 1:33 PM Subject: Story calendar openings - let's brainstorm! To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com Greetings! We have openings in our story calendar for the remained of June, as well as into July. July 7th will be a great day to position stories as radio stations will be coming back to an empty story folder after the July 4th long holiday weekend. If … [View More]sending me an email reply - please CC debbienews(a)gmail.com, as we've noticed some email glitches on the regular wyns(a)publicnewsservice.orgaddress and I want to make sure I don't miss a thing! Let us know if there are events, reports, editorials, campaigns, education projects, or anything else on your calendars. The more info, the better! Some notes on current news that may help with brainstorming. The economic downtown - rising prices for just about everything - increases economic pressure on families. Those already predisposed to abuse issues are at a higher risk during tough family budget times. More complaints coming in about Google Earth - from people worried about privacy, and those who being stalked. Google will remove pictures of a person's home by request - but they don't make a big public campaign about it - and maybe we should. If a person leaves a domestic violence situation, or is being stalked, they ought to be able to keep a picture of their safe location out of the public world. James Hansen, one of the world's leading climate scientists, is calling for the chief executives of large fossil fuel companies to be put on trial for high crimes against humanity and nature, accusing them of actively spreading doubt about global warming in the same way that tobacco companies blurred the links between smoking and cancer. Pocketbook issues are big because of rising consumer prices – nonprofits are hit hard to deliver services, especially with increasing demand, because the prices hit them, too. "Staycation" is a buzz word this summer as people look for ways to avoid rising travel costs. The number of underinsured U.S. adults--people who have health coverage that does not adequately protect them from high medical expenses--has risen dramatically, finds a new Commonwealth Fund study. As of 2007, there were an estimated 25 million underinsured adults in the United States, up 60 percent from 2003. Microsoft's Bill Gates retires this week – to focus full-time on philanthropy. Will he inspire more philanthropy, spark a revival? New research suggests that the average supermarket shopper is willing to pay a premium price for locally produced foods, providing some farmers an attractive option to enter a niche market that could boost their revenues. Interesting since food prices are rising anyway – how does this fit in with being a healthy, conscious consumer? The study also showed that shoppers at farm markets are willing to pay almost twice as much extra as retail grocery shoppers for the same locally produced foods. Thanks for taking a look! Deborah Courson Smith/ Regional Editor Public News Service/ West Virginia News Service 888-692-8362 dcourson(a)publicnewsservice.org debbienews(a)gmail.com www.publicnewsservice.org --- To be removed from this list please send an e-mail to remove(a)publicnewsservice.org and put the word "remove" in the subject line. -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-6975 [View Less]

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info somewhere about more plants
by Barbara Fallon 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

I am trying to recall something I read about more powerplants being build if the transmission lines are approved. Can someone direct me to that info. I need a writable byte for a grant...

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FW: PATH Web Site Contact Form
by Grubb, Karen 23 Jun '08

23 Jun '08

________________________________ From: MJLippe(a)aol.com [mailto:MJLippe@aol.com] Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 6:00 PM To: nhooff(a)somersetdev.com; WVBiker98(a)aol.com; bellamy(a)frontiernet.net; tbusithi(a)shepherd.edu Cc: Grubb, Karen; martinburke(a)frontiernet.net; bSPICHER(a)frontiernet.net; jcampbell(a)somersetdev.com Subject: Re: PATH Web Site Contact Form Will do. Beth and I were in Canada (Montreal and Quebec) for a week's vacation. Rainy, but the food was great. so we were … [View More]unable to go to the meetings. Generally, I understand no information was given on possible routes, but I am sure there were many statements on the need to avoid Antietam. The meetings for the West Virginia route will be held later in the summer. Deliberations on the TrAIL transmission line to the South continue with the results expected by not later than August 2nd. Presumably, many of the arguments in favor and against will be the same for PATH as for TrAIL, so that is being watched closely. In a message dated 6/23/2008 10:36:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, nhooff(a)somersetdev.com writes: Michael: Thanks for keeping me informed. I hope you can also add Martin Burke and Barbara Spicher who live on Terrapin Neck as well to your emails on this subject. We all want to keep a close eye on this. I have been forwarding your info to them. Did you go to the informational meetings on June 17 and 18th? I hope all is well with you... Nancy Hooff Somerset Development Company 4115 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 210 Washington, DC 20016 Phone: 202-363-2090 Fax: 202-363-1110 www.somersetdev.com ________________________________ From: MJLippe(a)aol.com [mailto:MJLippe@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:26 PM To: WVBiker98(a)aol.com; bellamy(a)frontiernet.net; nhooff(a)somersetdev.com; tbusithi(a)shepherd.edu Cc: kgrubb(a)fairmontstate.edu Subject: Fwd: PATH Web Site Contact Form ________________________________ From: taholliday(a)aep.com To: mjlippe(a)aol.com Sent: 6/4/2008 2:14:47 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time Subj: Re: PATH Web Site Contact Form Hello Mr. Lippe, We appreciate your interest in the PATH project. We're in the process of preparing for two initial informational meetings that will take place in Maryland on June 17 and 18. I've provided the information below. We'll be publishing notices of the meetings in local newspapers and on radio stations in the very near future. These first two meetings will provide general information about the project, but the meetings will not feature specific line routes at this time, as the companies are currently studying routing alternatives. Frederick County Holiday Inn and Conference Center (adjacent to Francis Scott Key Mall) 5400 Holiday Drive Frederick, MD * June 17th * 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Washington County The American Legion-Post 10 710 North Main Street Boonsboro, MD * June 18th * 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM We also plan to hold a series of open houses in late July and early August throughout the West Virginia and Maryland study area to present preliminary siting alternatives and to solicit feedback from area residents. Specific dates, locations and times for those meetings have not been finalized yet. I hope this is helpful. Sincerely, Thomas A. Holliday, APR Director Corporate Communications American Electric Power 1 Riverside Plaza - 19th Fl. Columbus, OH 43215-2373 PH: (614) 716-1403 aud. 222 Email: taholliday(a)aep.com <mjlippe(a)aol.com> 06/04/2008 12:15 To PM <askpath(a)pathtransmission.com> cc <jpolk(a)aep.com> Subject PATH Web Site Contact Form PATH Web Site Contact Form ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Name: Michael Lippe E-mail: mjlippe(a)aol.com Phone #: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Comment: Please advise me the schedule and places for your public meetings or surveys for deciding on issues for the routing of PATH, particularly from Bedington to Kemptown. Thank you! Message sent: 6/4/2008 12:15:36 PM [View Less]

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Re: [EC] energy committee
by James Kotcon 19 Jun '08

19 Jun '08

Duane did decline. Perhaps a committee meeting is in order to plot future startegies. I talked briefly with Bill dePaulo aout where to go from here re TrAIL. He is interested in rsuing some appeals and I think they have merit, but little further action is needed until the PSC issues a decision on August 2. Perhaps a meeting in July is a good idea. Does anyone want to propose a date. JBK >>> "Grubb, Karen" <Karen.Grubb(a)fairmontstate.edu> 06/16/08 3:30 PM >>> … [View More]

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Re: [EC] energy committee
by Barbara Fallon 19 Jun '08

19 Jun '08

I am coordinating fundraising now. This is my window of opportunity. Currently I am coordinating a conference call with the fundraising committee. Perhaps prior to that call a conference call should be made with the entire energy committee and the EXCOM. Karen as the vice chair of the Energy coommittee will you please coordinate a conference call of the energy committee. A meeting in July is also in order. As I recall I owe Jim K. a chicken dinnner. Barbara -----… [View More] Original Message ---- From: "William V. DePaulo, Esq." <william.depaulo(a)gmail.com> To: James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> Cc: ec(a)osenergy.org Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:03:20 AM Subject: Re: [EC] energy committee JIM THE BIG EXCEPTION TO "LITTLE TO DO RIGHT NOW" IS TO LOCATE AND HIRE AN EXPERT FOR PATH. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL JIM BUFORD, CPV'S GUY, AND ASK WHAT HE'D CHARGE, OR WHO HE'D RECOMMEND. BILL On Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 2:32 AM, James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)wvu.edu> wrote: Duane did decline. Perhaps a committee meeting is in order to plot future startegies. I talked briefly with Bill dePaulo aout where to go from here re TrAIL. He is interested in rsuing some appeals and I think they have merit, but little further action is needed until the PSC issues a decision on August 2. Perhaps a meeting in July is a good idea. Does anyone want to propose a date. JBK >>> "Grubb, Karen" <Karen.Grubb(a)fairmontstate.edu> 06/16/08 3:30 PM >>> Barbara and I are concerned that there is still no energy chair. Jim K. was going to ask Duane and I think he said no. Barbara wants more direction on where we are going with TrAIL and PATH to help her in grant writing. She says that Bill has asked her to also do fundraising for the membership committee, but I'm not sure she has time to be involved with that also. I was hoping that Bill could be energy chair if he is not involved in us paying him, but Barbara says it would not look good on grant applications for him to be the chair and attorney. Also, I don't feel comfortable committing $10,000 to Blackwater Canyon at this time. $5000 would be acceptable since Friends of Blackwater are contributing $5000. Do you know how the vote is going on that motion? People do not always reply to all when voting, so I may have missed a vote. Thanks, Karen P.S. I was able to vote on the Democrat Primary since I was just asked if I wanted a Democrat or Republican ballot. Were you able to vote Dem, Jim? _______________________________________________ EC mailing list EC(a)osenergy.org http://osenergy.org/mailman/listinfo/ec -- William V. DePaulo, Esq. 179 Summers Street, Suite 232 Charleston, WV 25301-2163 Tel: 304-342-5588 Fax: 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com [View Less]

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SIERRA CLUB RESPONSE IN SUPPORT OF HILDEBRAND MOTION TO REOPEN
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 14 Jun '08

14 Jun '08

Folks: I attach the Sierra Club's filing Friday, June 13, supporting a motion to reopen TrAILCo filed by Thomas Hildebrand -- a pro se intervenor who lives in Va but has a planned retirement home in WV. The Hildebrand motion and the materials on which it is based are also attached. The same motion was filed with -- and granted by -- the Virginia State Corporation Commission in Virginia's TrAILCo proceeding. The underlying reason to reopen is simple -- PJM, the operator of the electric grid … [View More]who in 2006 ordered Allegheny to build the Trail line, filed a May 21, 2008 "update" report with the Maryland PSC. The May 21, 2008 projects, under at least one scenario, that TrAILCo's line is not needed to avoid the 2006 RTEP's projection of reliabiilty issues in June 2011. In somewhat plainer English, the 2006 projection upon which TrAILCo's application was filed in March 2007 is now obsolete -- according to PJM's May 21, 2008 report. As noted, Virginia's State Corporation Commission (equivalent to our PSC) reopened the TrAILCo case there, based on the Maryland filing by PJM. We will see what our own PSC does. If they decline to reopen, it is an important procedural flaw on the record for appeal. If they reopen and admit the report, they then have to grapple with the fact that it contradicts TrAILCo's case for "need", irrespective of the environmental impact. Best regards, Bill ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: William V. DePaulo, Esq. <william.depaulo(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 9:20 AM Subject: SIERRA CLUB RESPONSE IN SUPPORT OF HILDEBRAND MOTION TO REOPEN To: jwatkins(a)psc.state.wv.us Dear Mr. Watkins: I enclose a pdf copy of the Sierra Club's response in support of Thomas Hildebrand's June 11, 2008 motion to reopen the case to take judicial notice of the May 21, 2008 PJM report filed with the Maryland public service commission, which report has caused the Virginia State Corporation Commission to reopen the evidentiary proceeding relating to the TrAILCo application pending before it. Copies of this submission are being filed with the Commission today and served on all parties. Please call if you have any questions regarding this filing. Very truly yours, William V. DePaulo, Esq. 179 Summers Street, Suite 232 Charleston, WV 25301-2163 Tel: 304-342-5588 Fax: 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com -- William V. DePaulo, Esq. 179 Summers Street, Suite 232 Charleston, WV 25301-2163 Tel: 304-342-5588 Fax: 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com -- William V. DePaulo, Esq. 179 Summers Street, Suite 232 Charleston, WV 25301-2163 Tel: 304-342-5588 Fax: 304-342-5505 william.depaulo(a)gmail.com www.passeggiata.com [View Less]

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Fwd: House Natural Resources Committee -- The Weekly Preivew, June 9-13
by Paul Wilson 11 Jun '08

11 Jun '08

Scroll down and check out the special report on oil stockpiles and drilling. best, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Groff, Allyson <Allyson.Groff(a)mail.house.gov> Date: Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 1:23 PM Subject: House Natural Resources Committee -- The Weekly Preivew, June 9-13 To: * * *The Weekly Preview*** *June 9 – 13, 2008* *On the House Floor:* - On Monday, the *House of Representatives* is expected to consider under suspension of the rules the … [View More]

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EC June 2008