EC June 2013

ec@lists.wvsierraclub.org

10 participants
19 discussions

Lawsuit challenges use of coal ash for remediating mine waste
by Frank Young 27 Jun '13

27 Jun '13

THE STATE JOURNAL Lawsuit tests use of coal ash for remediating mine waste Posted: Jun 26, 2013 2:50 PM EST Updated: Jun 26, 2013 2:57 PM EST By Pam Kasey Residents living near the LaBelle Refuse Site, a coal waste site located along the Monongahela River in southwestern Pennsylvania, are going to court over what they claim is illegal disposal of coal ash and treatment of coal mine waste. The Citizens Coal Council, a national alliance of citizens' groups, filed a <http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/news_reports/documents/2013_06_26_FIN AL_CCC%20Canestrale%20Complaint.pdf> legal complaint against Matt Canestrale Contracting Inc. on June 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Attorneys from the Environmental Integrity Project, Public Justice, and Goldberg, Persky & White P.C. representing CCC announced the lawsuit. Canestrale disposes of more than 100,000 tons per year of coal combustion residuals, or CCRs - commonly known as coal ash - from FirstEnergy's Mitchell plant and GenOn Energy's Elrama plant at an old, <https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Luzerne+Township,+PA&hl=en&ll=39.999479,-79. 970083&spn=0.032481,0.084543&sll=41.286062,-75.893555&sspn=4.077969,10.82153 3&oq=Luzerne+township,+PA&hnear=Luzerne,+Fayette,+Pennsylvania&t=h&z=14> unlined coal waste disposal site at LaBelle, Pa., on the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh. It's an activity FirstEnergy calls a " <https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/fecorp/newsroom/news_releases/first energy-announces-plans-to-beneficially-use-scrubber-materia.html> coal mine reclamation project" and CCC's attorneys call a "coal ash mine dump" - a difference of language that points to a gap, a still ill-formed gray area, in the ongoing dialogue about the disposition of CCRs. Electric utilities and coal producers like to mix alkaline coal ash with acidic coal mine refuse as a mine remediation technique. Both industries claim it's a mutually beneficial arrangement that makes good use of what otherwise would be alkaline power plant waste to solidify and neutralize coal refuse that otherwise would create acidic, polluting runoff and leachate. But citizens' and environmental groups point to evidence that the acidic and alkaline materials don't neutralize each other and the coal ash doesn't solidify, and that adding coal ash to coal refuse only increases the leaching of toxic substances. But there's not yet any clear regulatory guidance. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages beneficial re-use of any waste product for substances that are judged to be safe. For CCRs, that can mean, for example, re-use in cement block or in drywall. For CCRs that aren't re-used, the agency currently is in a long-delayed process of determining whether those that are disposed of should be regulated as hazardous waste or as household waste. But even that won't address the question of their use for coal mine reclamation. That is expected to be addressed by the federal Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement, possibly not until after the EPA's delayed rules are finalized. "One of the goals of this suit is to illustrate that we do need a good rule from OSM," said Public Justice attorney Richard Webster. The June 26 complaint alleges that Canestrale is violating the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and state laws designed to protect rivers and streams as well as laws that reduce fugitive particulate matter pollution. The refuse site is polluting local streams with high levels of sulfate, iron, manganese and other salts that damage fish and other aquatic life, according to suit. It also is leaking aluminum, manganese, sulfates and total dissolved solids into groundwater at levels that are above Pennsylvania drinking water standards. Fugitive particulate matter also blows from trucks hauling coal ash without required covers, the suit states. Concerns about pollution caused by the refuse site prevent local residents from hunting, fishing and engaging in outdoor recreation along the Monongahela River and its tributaries near the dump, the groups say. Canestrale currently is seeking the site's third permit renewal since it opened in 1998, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. And when FirstEnergy committed earlier this year to close its Little Blue Run coal ash impoundment at the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border by 2017, it announced that it would shift the disposal of 3 million tons per year of power plant scrubber waste to the LaBelle Refuse Site. The arrangement would have to be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the company said at the time.

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The Coal Lobby's Fight for Survival
by James Kotcon 27 Jun '13

27 Jun '13

>From the National Journal. Full story at: http://news.yahoo.com/coal-lobbys-fight-survival-060025322.html "The coal industry hopes that even if U.S. coal production shuts down, it could find salvation in overseas markets, by exporting coal to China and Europe. But Obama put the kibosh on that this week, too. He called on all world governments to end public funding for coal-fired power plants—a move the U.S. can enforce through its influence in organizations like the World Bank. "That definitely sent a signal that the U.S. doesn't support coal in the world," said Jennifer Morgan, an analyst with the World Resources Institute, a think tank." In the coming weeks, the {Coal Lobby} will roll out a new public-relations and lobbying blitz aimed at resetting its message and defusing antagonism with the administration. Instead of saturating Fox News with "war on coal" ads, the group will send Duncan on cable news and the editorial-board circuit to talk about coal's role in the economy and how to create a "path forward" for with new technology. Anyone want to speculate on what the efforts on coal exports will do? I have not followed that aspect of Obama's Climate Action Plan. And the key pitch of the story is that the Coal lobby will have to surrender the "War on Coal" rhetoric, and ask the Obama Administration for help, or it won't survive at all. Jim Kotcon

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Fwd: [CONS-EQST-WATER-FORUM] Study: Drinking Water Contamination Linked to Fracking, Horizontal Drilling | Common Dreams
by Paul Wilson 27 Jun '13

27 Jun '13

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Dow <ddow420(a)comcast.net> Date: Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 9:54 AM Subject: Fwd: [CONS-EQST-WATER-FORUM] Study: Drinking Water Contamination Linked to Fracking, Horizontal Drilling | Common Dreams To: Alison Robb <nature(a)cape.com>, Paul Wilson <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com>, Becky Bartovics <bartovi(a)earthlink.net> fyi Begin forwarded message: *From: *John S Glenn <Johnsglenn(a)hotmail.com> *Date: *June 26, 2013 9:17:37 AM EDT *To: *CONS-EQST-WATER-FORUM(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG *Subject: **[CONS-EQST-WATER-FORUM] Study: Drinking Water Contamination Linked to Fracking, Horizontal Drilling | Common Dreams* * * *http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/06/25-4*<http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/06/25-4> Well, We all knew that years ago; what happens henceforth? Just guess. <snip> Published on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 by Common Dreams Study: Drinking Water Contamination Linked to Fracking, Horizontal Drilling Concentrations of methane in drinking water near gas wells six times higher than levels farther away - Andrea Germanos, staff writer <snip - more > John S Glenn 214 N 17th Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-2608 Home: 904-261-9468 Skype: 904-572-1812 Cell: 904-583-4128 OnStar 904-652-6897 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CONS-EQST-WATER-FORUM list, send any message to: CONS-EQST-WATER-FORUM-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/ -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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President's Climate Action Plan
by James Kotcon 25 Jun '13

25 Jun '13

>From the White House web page. The graphics are short on details, but he seems to have hit many of the key elements. http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/climate-action-plan JBK

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Fwd: CONFERENCE CALL TUES (Jun 25): Obama Climate Plan and the Sierra Club
by Jim Sconyers 24 Jun '13

24 Jun '13

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Julia Reitan" <julia.reitan(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Jun 24, 2013 4:07 PM Subject: CONFERENCE CALL TUES (Jun 25): Obama Climate Plan and the Sierra Club To: <CCL-CHAPTER-CHAIRS(a)lists.sierraclub.org> TO: Chapter Staff and Volunteer Leaders FR: Office of Chapter Support: Julia Reitan, Gwyn Jones, Greg Casini Please join the call if you can! Obama Climate Plan and the Sierra Club Please join us at 9pm EST, 6pm PST Tuesday evening for a call with Michael Brune to report on the President's Climate Change Plan announcement and the Club's response. Mary Anne Hitt, Beyond Coal Campaign Director, will also discuss details of the anticipated announcement on power plant standards. There will be Q&A with Michael Brune and Mary Anne Hitt for questions submitted in advance or during the call via email. If you have specific questions please email them to michael.bosse(a)sierraclub.org ahead of or during the call. Please share this invitation with other members and supporters of the Sierra Club. Tuesday 9pm EST, 6pm PST 1-866-501-6174 2000001# -- Julia Reitan Director, Office of Chapter Support Sierra Club 85 Second St, 2nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 415-977-5597 julia.reitan(a)sierraclub.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the CCL-CHAPTER-CHAIRS list, send any message to: CCL-CHAPTER-CHAIRS-signoff-request(a)LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

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Fwd: [Coal Volunteers List] WEBINAR: Help Stop Toxic Water Pollution from Power Plants!
by Paul Wilson 18 Jun '13

18 Jun '13

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Becki Clayborn <becki.clayborn(a)sierraclub.org> Date: Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 4:29 PM Subject: [Coal Volunteers List] WEBINAR: Help Stop Toxic Water Pollution from Power Plants! To: #Coal-Volunteers <coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org> Help Stop Toxic Water Pollution from Power Plants! Join us for a Webinar on Thursday June 27th at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT <https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/160279351> EPA has proposed a rule that could end the dumping of toxic water pollution from coal power plants! Coal power plants are the source of nearly three-quarters of the toxic water pollution in this country, dumping millions of pounds of poisons into the water each year (ie: arsenic, selenium, boron, cadmium, mercury and lead) which in turn can affect our drinking water, fishing areas and local rivers and streams. The water pollution standards for coal plants are 31 years old, and 4 out of 5 plants lack any limits on the toxic metals they emit. This EPA rule is about to change that. This summer we will focus much of our field work on showing strong support for this standard to reduce toxic water pollution from coal plants. Our successful demonstration of public support for water standards on coal fired power plants will protect our communities from dangerous chemicals that can lead to birth defects, cancer and even death. To learn more about the toxic water pollution standard for power plants, and the activities that will help build support across the nation, please join us for this webinar on June 27 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT. Speakers will cover the details of the rule; how the rule will affect power plants, examples of activities and events in the works for the summer, and the next steps to take locally. There will also be a Q&A session at the end of the call. This call will be recorded for future viewing. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/160279351 *Title:* Help Stop Toxic Water Pollution from Power Plants! *Date:* Thursday, June 27, 2013 * Time:* 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. *System Requirements* PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Mac®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer Mobile attendees Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet -- Becki Clayborn Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign Internal Capacities and Communications Coordinator Chicago, IL 312-251-1680 630-881-3480 (cell) -- To access the Beyond Coal Campaign Resource Portal, go to: https://sites.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/beyond-coal-resource-portal/ To sign up for this list, email becki.clayborn(a)sierraclub.org with the subject and message "SUBSCRIBE #coal-volunteer" --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "#Coal-Volunteers" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coal-volunteers-list+unsubscribe(a)sierraclub.org. To post to this group, send email to coal-volunteers-list(a)sierraclub.org. -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fwd: FW: DEP Public Notice - 2014 Proposed Legislative Rules Hearing Scheduled
by James Kotcon 14 Jun '13

14 Jun '13

>>> Angie Rosser <arosser(a)wvrivers.org> 6/13/2013 6:04 PM >>> Triennial Review Public Hearing on July 15, 6:00pm. Comment period ends July 29th. Next step: Angie will pull together draft comments and will circulate those next week for group review and editing. =========================================================== The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled public hearings for its 2014 proposed legislative rules for the Division of Water and Waste and Voluntary Remediation and Development Program. All three hearings will take place at the DEP’s Charleston headquarters, 601 57th Street S.E., Charleston, WV 25304. Oral and written comments will be limited to the proposed revisions and will be made a part of the rulemaking record. Copies of the rules are available from the Secretary of State’s office or from the DEP at www.dep.wv.gov/pio/Pages/Rules.aspx. You may also obtain printed copies of the information by calling the phone numbers listed below. Written comments may be submitted to the Public Information Office at the above address. Comments may also be e-mailed to DEP.Comments(a)wv.gov. The hearing date, location and time for all three rules are the same. The public record will be opened, comments will be taken, the record closed and then the next rule will follow. Division of Water and Waste Management 47CSR2 – Requirement governing Water Quality Standards The comment period for this rule ends July 29, 2013. 47CSR5A – Rules for Individual Certification of Activities Requiring a Federal Permit The comment period for this rule will end at the conclusion of the hearing. The public hearing for these rules will begin at 6 p.m., Monday, July 15 in the Coopers Rock Training Room. For more information on the Water and Waste Management Rules call 304-926-0495. Division of Land Restoration 60CSR30 – Voluntary Remediation and Redevelopment Rule The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m., Monday, July 15 in the Coopers Rock Training Room. The comment period will end at the conclusion of the hearing. For more information on the Voluntary Remediation and Redevelopment rule call 304-926-0455.

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grad ass't. position Marcellus/birds
by Frank Young 10 Jun '13

10 Jun '13

Subject grad ass't. position Marcellus/birds http://www.osnabirds.org/Jobs/Ph-D--GRADUATE-ASSISTANTSHIP.aspx -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 304 206-0083 cdellis(a)wildblue.net Thousands have lived without love---not one without water. ~W.H. Auden __._,_.___ <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WVHCBOARD/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwOWtxcTAyBF9TAzk3M zU5NzE0BGdycElkAzEwODEwOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjQxNzcEbXNnSWQDMjEzMzUEc2VjA2Z0c gRzbGsDcnBseQRzdGltZQMxMzcwOTEwNzgy?act=reply&messageNum=21335> Reply via web post <mailto:cdellis@wildblue.net?subject=Re%3A%20grad%20ass%27t%2E%20position%20 Marcellus%2Fbirds> Reply to sender <mailto:WVHCBOARD@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20grad%20ass%27t%2E%20positi on%20Marcellus%2Fbirds> Reply to group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WVHCBOARD/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJkbWNwOTIzBF9TAzk3M zU5NzE0BGdycElkAzEwODEwOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjQxNzcEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDbnRwYwRzd GltZQMxMzcwOTEwNzgy> Start a New Topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WVHCBOARD/message/21335;_ylc=X3oDMTM1YjY5ZnBy BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzEwODEwOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjQxNzcEbXNnSWQDMjEzMzUE c2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMzcwOTEwNzgyBHRwY0lkAzIxMzM1> Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WVHCBOARD;_ylc=X3oDMTJkN2txYWNwBF9TAzk3MzU5Nz E0BGdycElkAzEwODEwOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjQxNzcEc2VjA3Z0bARzbGsDdmdocARzdGltZQ MxMzcwOTEwNzgy> Visit Your Group Working since 1967 for the conservation and wise management of West Virginia's natural resources <http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJjZDZtYmt0BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzEwO DEwOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjQxNzcEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDZ2ZwBHN0aW1lAzEzNzA5MTA3ODI-> Yahoo! Groups Switch to: <mailto:WVHCBOARD-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change%20Delivery%20Fo rmat:%20Traditional> Text-Only, <mailto:WVHCBOARD-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email%20Delivery:%20Digest> Daily Digest . <mailto:WVHCBOARD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> Unsubscribe . <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> Terms of Use . <mailto:ygroupsnotifications@yahoogroups.com?subject=Feedback%20on%20the%20r edesigned%20individual%20mail%20v1> Send us Feedback . <http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=108108/grpspId=1705064177/msgId= 21335/stime=1370910782> __,_._,___

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from today's Washington Post: Utilities, solar advocates battle over future rates
by Paul Wilson 10 Jun '13

10 Jun '13

*NATION* *Utilities, solar advocates battle over future rates<http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/8VXTM7/S3JJQR/ZZER1R/5OLO03/26HKVE/6…> * Distributed generation threatens century-old business model of electricity providers. ( by Lenny Bernstein , The Washington Post) -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fwd: Webinar: Grid Integration of Wind Energy
by Paul Wilson 09 Jun '13

09 Jun '13

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: UCS Science Network <sciencenetwork(a)ucsusa.org> Date: Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 5:51 PM Subject: Webinar: Grid Integration of Wind Energy To: pjgrunt(a)gmail.com [image: UCS Science Network] *Webinar on Wind Energy* Join UCS on June 19 for a webinar exploring the tools available for accommodating more wind energy while ensuring a reliable electricity supply. *Register for the Webinar Today<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=_KsYanSjl5Pq-3QnEDlmyw> * Related Links Ramping Up Renewables: Energy You Can Count On<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=y1SM6SifswZ0ou4XVJYMNw> Renewable Electricity Standards Deliver Economic Benefits<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=65Ri8EnQBDTu7UkP4NxR8Q> Renewables are Ramping Up to Notable Levels in the U.S.<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=MPszWD1UgIWQGo4m1wt64g> Tell A Colleague Please encourage your colleagues to sign up<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=uhsTGkiXrCY9ZWYiNM1Gng>and help increase our effectiveness in creating a healthy environment and a safer world. CLICK HERE<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=zvmTRz_yz39ESyFh-cqadg> . WEBINAR INVITATION June 19: Grid Integration of Wind Energy Dear Paul, In 2012, wind energy was the number one source of new electricity generating capacity in the U.S., beating out natural gas. Nine states now generate more than 10 percent of their electricity from wind. But what happens when the wind doesn’t blow? Join Steve Clemmer, director of energy research for the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Michael Milligan, principle researcher for the Transmission and Grid Integration Group at the National Renewable Energy Lab, for a Wind Powering America webinar exploring the tools available today for accommodating more wind energy while ensuring a reliable electricity supply. *Webinar: Grid Integration of Wind Energy<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=EX1zhLTT8mXy4F-OhUjvjA> * *Date:* Wednesday, June 19 *Time:* 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT *Register for the webinar today.<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=TmDie0w7oQ0MUTijMVjFqw> * Sincerely, [image: David Anderson] Dave Anderson Outreach Coordinator Climate & Energy Program Union of Concerned Scientists The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future. UCS is a 501(c)(3) organization. All gifts are tax deductible. You can be confident your donations to UCS are spent wisely. <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=2O8cwVtVjwRl8GlHeq4hYA> Union of Concerned Scientists 2 Brattle Square Cambridge, MA 02138-3780 Phone: 800-666-8276<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=DhaoB8xevi2snvyPkbgVVA> Fax: 617-864-9405 <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=ARFSTJ6FFHVIyx_hjbnqzA> *ucsaction(a)ucsusa.org* <ucsaction(a)ucsusa.org> *www.ucsusa.org* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=OX60MbzjKo9gg8PrPIpptQ> *About UCS* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=BeMrGyOAfvwSSmLIhW0V3Q> | *Take Action* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=4-R0Phh5P9c2z2rDoUFHqA> | *Donate * <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=nptdGl3ZURNO3SWSsqqmpQ> | *Contact Us*<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=n5_hmq_KAOLP2gpazWzkkQ>| *Privacy Policy* <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=i7wR3ih823423A5n1TpOjQ>| *Unsubscribe*<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/CO?i=WjTv4khtNRgrpTJ5_Pmx9CsZvLQX0lez&cid=178…>| *Update Your Profile*<http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=_j4JvKF6esfqL7B-Me0vKw> © Union of Concerned Scientists. All rights reserved. [image: powered by CONVIO] <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=RKir5KPFraKFF3NY3b4OuA> nonprofit software <http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=q7SxseaUTPNR7sDAmScJ1Q> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fwd: AlterNet: Sandra Steingraber on Pro-fracking Greens
by Paul Wilson 09 Jun '13

09 Jun '13

fyi, paul ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Dow <ddow420(a)comcast.net> Date: Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 6:56 PM Subjec Pro-Fracking Greens Called Out in Ecologist Sandra Steingraber's New Manifesto <http://act.alternet.org/go/34336?t=17&akid=10540.278737.KYAI4r> By Jeff Biggers, YES! Magazine In a statement, ecologist Sandra Steingraber denounced Illinois’ new fracking regulations and described the need for a movement dedicated to abolishing fracking nationwide. READ MORE»<http://act.alternet.org/go/34336?t=18&akid=10540.278737.KYAI4r> -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Fwd: tri-ennial review
by James Kotcon 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

>From my backlog of e-mail, here is an idea for a new initiative. DEP is required to do a review of water quality standards every three years. In preparation for that, they solicited public comments last fall (available at: http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/wqs/Pages/2014TriennialReviewofWaterQual… Among the environmental groups, Appalachian Mountain Advocates recommended a standard for conductivity, John and Petra Wood recommended standards for conductivity, sulfates ad TDS, and Duane Nichols recommended a TDS standard. Not surprisingly, First Energy wants to weaken the arsenic standard. And AEP wants to limit the Category A (Public water supply) implementation, as well as restrict uses of the Stream Condition index (benthic insects), rescind the selenium Acute criterion, and weaken standards for mercury, beryllium, iron and aluminum (the aluminum and beryllium changes happened in the Legislature this year). Although we missed the deadline for initial comments, it would be a good step for us to support a WQS for TDS or conductivity as an extra tool for Marcellus activities, and adding a sulfate standard would be useful for coal-related impacts, as this is the dominant toxicant in TDS, and needs a stand-alone standard. Whaddya tink? Jim Kotcon P.S. Please keep the message form the "mole" below to ourselves. >>> Here are some comments from a mole in the water office. What I'm hearing is that it would be good for the environmentalists to request that DEP develop a sulfate criteria, that the Legislature needs to be lobbied to pass the TDS standard, and that they should be keeping up with what DEP's watershed assessment branch is doing with the fish IBI. Both our water quality standards group, Kevin Coyne and Watershed Assessment Branch, John Wirts are willing to meet with them to help them understand what DEP is doing. That used to happen but the enviros have not requested a meeting for a long time. They should try to meet with the staffers vs the politicos to get the best info. There is alot of room for intereference and influence on the fish IBI so it would be best not to let industry get the upper hand. As far as the specifics below, it all looks good. DEP staff feels pretty confident about the fecal coliform/e coli switch and don't see much of a threat there, but welcome the comments. It is suggested that Michael Becher, Appalachian Mt. Advocates is knowledgeable on the Category A issue listed here, but this group is probably aware of that.

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underground mine to close
by Jim Sconyers 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Alpha closing Justice No. 1 mine in Boone County. http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201306070105 -- Jim Sconyers jimscon(a)gmail.com 304.698.9628 Remember, Mother Nature bats last. *There is no Planet B!*

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link from Barbara Fallon
by Barbara Fallon 07 Jun '13

07 Jun '13

http://nukegets.info/gxco/swwgcfvakgv

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from ScienceDaily e-newsletter: Disincentives to energy efficiency can be fixed
by Paul Wilson 05 Jun '13

05 Jun '13

Disincentives to energy efficiency can be fixed<http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/y92…> Posted: 04 Jun 2013 12:35 PM PDT A new study finds that utilities aren't rewarded for adopting energy efficiency programs, and that reforms are needed to make energy efficiency as attractive as renewables. -- Paul Wilson Sierra Club 504 Jefferson Ave Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 Phone: 304-725-4360 Cell: 304-279-1361 "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle

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Re: [EC] Fwd: Article from E&E News on WV Senate race
by Jim Sconyers 04 Jun '13

04 Jun '13

Sad, isn't it. Even a Democrat has to kiss King Coal's butt. On Jun 4, 2013 10:18 AM, "Paul Wilson" <pjgrunt(a)gmail.com> wrote: > fyi, paul > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Emily Diamond-Falk <emily_diamond-falk(a)tws.org> > Date: Tue, Jun 4, 2013 at 10:00 AM > Subject: Article from E&E News on WV Senate race > To: Birth Place of Rivers <birthplaceofrivers(a)tws.org> > > > CAMPAIGN 2014:**** W.Va. Dems hopeful of finding pro-coal candidate to > follow Rockefeller**** > > Manuel Quinones, E&E reporter**** > > Published: Tuesday, June 4, 2013**** > > West Virginia Democrats are expressing optimism about their chances of > replacing retiring Sen. Jay Rockefeller with another Democrat in next > year's election, despite their apparent difficulty in tapping a strong > candidate.**** > > Yesterday, well-known West Virginia radio talk show host Hoppy Kercheval > raised eyebrows when he reported that Charleston attorney Nick Preservati > -- who had been called a potential "unicorn" candidate and an electable > pro-coal Democrat -- would not jump into the race because of family reasons. > **** > > Preservati did not return a call to confirm his intentions in time for > publication. But news that he would likely not be running sparked observers > in West Virginia and Washington, D.C., to chatter about the party's uphill > climb against Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, who announced her > intention to run even before Rockefeller announced his retirement.**** > > "I think with or without Preservati, this was looking like a really > difficult hold for Democrats," said Nathan Gonzalez, campaign analyst with > the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report, which has the West Virginia > Senate race leaning in favor of the Republicans.**** > > Gonzalez said Democrats "were excited about Preservati and his family's > connection to the coal industry, but the political reality is that it's > going to take a special Democratic candidate to win in West Virginia in the > second midterm of President Obama in the White House."**** > > West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Larry Puccio brushed off claims > that the party was in dire straits in its efforts to find a candidate.**** > > "The truth of the matter is, we have a couple of individuals who we > believe will have a positive announcement in the near future," Puccio said > in an interview.**** > > One name that keeps popping up is West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie > Tennant, a former journalist who has worked to increase her statewide > profile. She came in third in a 2011 primary for governor.**** > > Puccio, while not revealing names of candidates who have expressed their > interest to run, said support for the state's coal industry was an > important test of electability.**** > > "I think that's extremely important in this state," said Puccio. "And I > will tell you, of the candidates who have spoken to me, they are all > extremely supportive of coal in West Virginia."**** > > In recent days, attorney Ralph Baxter, the former CEO of global law firm > Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe LLP and a West Virginia native, also > decided against taking on Capito.**** > > Republicans were already painting Baxter as too liberal for West Virginia > and highlighting his connections to San Francisco, where the firm is > headquartered.**** > > Former state GOP Chairman Mike Stuart told Kercheval on West Virginia > MetroNews "Talkline" that Baxter's background was "frankly not in tune with > most of the people in West Virginia." Stuart said Baxter would have spent > "millions of his own dollars and [have lost] badly."**** > > George Carenbauer, former state Democratic chairman, shot back, saying > that Capito's record is "not necessarily a record that fits well with the > average West Virginian." He mentioned Medicare, likely referring to > Capito's vote for the GOP budget plan that would rework the system.**** > > Democrats control the West Virginia Legislature and the governor's > mansion. There are more registered Democrats than registered Republicans in > the state. Plus, along with touting their support for the state's coal > industry, Democrats generally also tend to favor strong worker protections, > endearing them to the United Mine Workers union.**** > > "Yeah, Democrats can get elected, but those state offices are built around > a completely different set of issues," said Gonzalez, noting that when it > comes to federal elections, Mountain State voters want to see candidates > who can prove their independence from more liberal national Democrats and > an unpopular Obama.**** > > Popular Sen. Joe Manchin has emerged as a model for an electable West > Virginia Democrat at the national level. Many observers called Preservati, > who has represented the coal companies and has family connections to the > industry, another "Joe Manchin."**** > > But even though some Democrats think Preservati's lack of an electoral > record is a good thing, Gonzalez said, "Joe Manchin didn't just develop his > political profile a year before his election to the Senate. He was a > two-term governor who also ran a good campaign."**** > > Rep. Nick Rahall, a Democrat serving his 19th term in the House, mulled a > Senate run but decided against it earlier this year. He may face a tough > race of his own for re-election.**** > > "West Virginia has lost a tremendous amount of seniority already with the > loss of Sen. [Robert] Byrd and [soon to retire] Sen. Rockefeller," said > Rahall in a recent interview. "And I felt that for the best interests of > the state of West Virginia and its people, that my seniority should stay in > the House of Representatives."**** > > Addressing his party's Senate prospects, Rahall said, "We'll come up with > a good candidate that can attract sufficient votes. The seat, I believe, > can be won by a good, strong Democrat who backs our coal industry and would > continue to diversify our economy and has experience in those areas."**** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > *Emily Diamond-Falk* > > Communications Manager**** > > *The Wilderness Society *| Washington, DC** > > 202.429.2608| cell: 202.841.8605**** > > www.wilderness.org**** > > ** ** > > Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheWildernessSociety**** > > Twitter: twitter.com/Wilderness <http://twitter.com/#!/Wilderness>**** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > *[image: cid:image001.jpg@01CC7170.6F236C10]**We protect wilderness and > inspire Americans to care for our wild places*** > > ** ** > > > > -- > Paul Wilson > Sierra Club > 504 Jefferson Ave > Charles Town, WV 25414-1130 > Phone: 304-725-4360 > Cell: 304-279-1361 > > "There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha > > "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" ~ Aristotle >

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Forwarded article re comeback of coal from Power Line
by william.depaulo＠gmail.com 03 Jun '13

03 Jun '13

COAL MAKES A COMEBACK..... http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/06/coal-makes-a-comeback.php I highly recommend giving it a read. ---------------------------- This e-mail was sent because you were recommended via SmartAddon.com Share Tool - To stop all e-mails coming from us, please visit: http://www.smartaddon.com/?unsubscribe=ec@osenergy.org

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Arch's Leer mining complex ramping up outside Grafton - State Journal Article re vast expansion of production at Arch mine............
by William V. DePaulo, Esq. 03 Jun '13

03 Jun '13

http://www.statejournal.com/story/22399790/archs-leer-mining-complex-rampin…

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Re: [EC] ] Articles on Chilling Dissent
by Beth Little 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

This is a quote from the article linked below. If a bill like this were passed in WV, I would be a felon and an ecological terrorist, except that some of the videotaping I did of the Lochgelly UIC by myself. The anti-fracking effort is becoming something much deeper than just trying to curtail pollution. Anybody know a computer geek who could tell if my computer is monitored? It seems pretty slow, but that could just be Frontier. Earlier this year, a bill was introduced into the Pennsylvania legislature that would make it a felony to videotape farming operations in Pennsylvania - so-called "ag-gag" legislation that has already passed in Utah and Iowa, and has been introduced in several other legislatures. Many of the ag-gag bills draw on language crafted by the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) "Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act." (In recent years ALEC has received considerable support from the natural gas industry). Section D of the ALEC bill defines an animal or ecological terrorist organization in broad terms "as any association, organization, entity, coalition, or combination of two or more persons" who seek to "obstruct, impede or deter any person from participating" not only in agricultural activity but also mining, foresting, harvesting, and gathering or processing of natural resources. The proposed law has many anti-drilling activists worried. If such language were included in the bill (it is currently in committee and will be revised before it comes to the floor) it would greatly limit the ability of residents to photograph or video well sites, compressor stations, and pipeline development - all of which could be considered part of the "gathering or processing of natural resources." From: wvec-board(a)yahoogroups.com [mailto:wvec-board@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of cindy rank Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 5:14 PM To: WVEC Subject: Re: [wvec-board] Articles on Chilling Dissent good one.... On Wed, May 29, 2013 at 2:04 PM, Steve Thompson <unclesteve197(a)yahoo.com> wrote: I think it was George Carlin that suggested sending a copy of the Constitution to himself every day by e-mail on the off chance that the national security state might actually read it... May 29, 2013 We Are Being Watched Corporate Spying on Environmental Groups by ADAM FEDERMAN http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/05/29/corporate-spying-on-environmental-gro ups/ May 29, 2013 Welcome to the Freakshow Media Gets Targeted by Obama, Discovers No One Cares Except the Media by BETHANIA PALMA MARKUS http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/05/29/media-gets-targeted-by-obama-administ ration-discovers-no-one-cares-except-the-media/ (Referenced in above article) Obama's personal role in a journalist's imprisonment By Glenn Greenwald Salon.com Wednesday, Mar 14, 2012 http://www.salon.com/2012/03/14/obamas_personal_role_in_a_journalists_impris onment/ <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJxcGY3czB0BF9TAzk3 MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRtc2dJZAMzNDgwBHNlYwNm dHIEc2xrA3JwbHkEc3RpbWUDMTM2OTc2MTQ0OA--?act=reply&messageNum=3480> Reply via web post <mailto:deniseap@earthlink.net?subject=Re%3A%20WVEC%20Calendar%20June%20%26% 20July> Reply to sender <mailto:wvec-board@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20WVEC%20Calendar%20June%20 %26%20July> Reply to group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJmYnJ0Z3VyBF9TAzk3 MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNudHBj BHN0aW1lAzEzNjk3NjE0NDg-> Start a New Topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board/message/3480;_ylc=X3oDMTM1dHZjaGU3 BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRtc2dJZAMzNDgw BHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA3Z0cGMEc3RpbWUDMTM2OTc2MTQ0OAR0cGNJZAMzNDgw> Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvec-board;_ylc=X3oDMTJmOG1yODg3BF9TAzk3MzU5N zE0BGdycElkAzIxNTg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2Z2hwBHN0a W1lAzEzNjk3NjE0NDc-> Visit Your Group <http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJlaHB2NHYzBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzIxN Tg0MDQxBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTM2NTM5MgRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNnZnAEc3RpbWUDMTM2OTc2MTQ0O A--> Error! Filename not specified. Switch to: <mailto:wvec-board-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change+Delivery+Forma t:+Traditional> Text-Only, <mailto:wvec-board-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email+Delivery:+Digest> Daily Digest . <mailto:wvec-board-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> Unsubscribe . <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> Terms of Use . <mailto:ygroupsnotifications@yahoogroups.com?subject=Feedback+on+the+redesig ned+individual+mail+v1> Send us Feedback . Error! 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