MVCAC July 2005

mvcac@lists.osenergy.org

3 participants
7 discussions

01 Aug '05

I have attached the sign up sheets to write a letter to the editor and to attend city council meetings. Thanks to you who have already made and completed the commitment. There are still some slots available for both sheets. Please, look them over and sign up for any space you can fill. When you decide which space you would like to claim, email me and I will tag it as yours. Thank you, Sandy SCress(a)verizon.net

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MVCAC Minutes 7-25-05
by Duane330＠aol.com 26 Jul '05

26 Jul '05

MVCAC Minutes July 25, 2005 The July 25th meeting of the MVCAC was held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Patteson Drive, with eleven people in attendance. Duane began the meeting by letting the group know that after a valiant battle, Holly Rieke succumbed to lung cancer on Sunday evening, July 24. Holly was a tireless advocate for the causes in which she believed, such as CALP. We will miss her humor, energy, and determination. Duane completed the paperwork to register MVCAC as a “voluntary association” with the state. We are now official. In addition, he obtained a post office box at the Star City post office. The new MVCAC mailing address is: Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition PO Box 4679 Star City, WV 26504-4679 CALP is also now registered as a “volunteer association” with Paula Hunt as the chairperson of the group. Deb discussed our financial status. She received a financial report from Mary Davis, treasurer of the state Sierra Club. The state Sierra has been managing donations to CALP/MVCAC. Deb has several questions about the report, but Mary is out of town, so she could not clarify these issues. She will contact Mary when Mary returns. Duane suggested that it would be helpful for MVCAC to have its own bank account. By consensus and without opposition, the group agreed that Deb, as our treasurer, should open a bank account. Duane informed the group that we could obtain a tax ID number, which would exempt us from paying state sales tax on purchases. Duane brought up the issue of MVCAC becoming a non-profit 501-c-3 organization. The pros and cons were discussed, and Deb volunteered to research the issue and bring her findings to the next meeting. Duane described the appeal of the Monongalia County Circuit Court's decision to dismiss the lawsuit in regard to the PILOT agreement for Longview Power. Attorney Robert Bastress has agreed to file the appeal with the State Supreme Court of Appeals by August 1. Duane, Bill and Jim have been working with Bob on this. Jarrett provided a report on the CALP committee meeting that was held the second week in July. Jarrett, Paula, and Linda attended. The group discussed the status of the transmission line for Longview Power. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled that Allegheny Power and Longview must negotiate an agreement for Longview to make a connection to the grid across Allegheny Power's property. Longview must pay $5.5 million for the access and another $313,000 for the land. Jarrett has sent a FOIA to FERC requesting any letters from companies that suggested that we need a 500 kV transmission line. Duane indicated that there is already a problem with congestion on the grid and this must be addressed if new companies continue to come on-line. Jarrett also sent a letter to the Office of Homeland Security suggesting that it Longview was built, the location of the two power plants in such close proximity may pose a security threat. Also in regard to Longview, Duane sent a FOIA to the FAA requesting two files related to the stack height issue. Duane discussed the noise issues related to the proposed Longview plant. Longview complained to the Public Service Commission (PSC) that the final rules for the citing certificate for the plant should be revised, because the noise guidelines were too stringent (the rules mandated no increase in the already high noise levels at Fort Martin). The PSC opened up only the noise portion of the certificate for reconsideration. To read the PSC's order, go to the following website: http://www.psc.state.wv.us/orders/2005_07/go2551ch.htm The PSC ordered the establishment of a task force to further study the noise issue. It will be headed by a member of the PSC and will consist of a variety of parties, including GenPower and a number of members of MVCAC. A major concern is that the task force will meet on a week day in Charleston when many our members cannot attend. It was recommended that MVCAC members write letters to the PSC requesting that the task force meet on a weekend or evening in Morgantown, or some location closer to Morgantown than Charleston. Dennis reported on the power plant situation in Pennsylvania. A number of waste coal burning plants have been proposed, because the PA governor and Secretary of Energy want to make it appear as if they are concerned about "alternative energy." There are at least three plants proposed for SW PA. One in Robinson Township has already been permitted, but is being appealed by a group who has retained a lawyer from the University of Pittsburgh's Environmental Law Center. Dennis is involved with the proposed plant in Nemacolin, PA (the so-called GERRP plant). This plant was issued a permit around July 1. [MVCAC is generally in favor of appealing this permit.] Dennis is meeting with the same lawyer from Pitt tomorrow to discuss a possible appeal; however, it is not clear that the lawyer will take the case as he is "stretched thin" with the Robinson Township plant appeal. At the suggestion of Jim K., Dennis has left messages with the PA Sierra Club's air quality person regarding this issue, but he has received no response. Dennis also left a message with the National Parks Conservation Association, but has not heard from them, either. Duane mentioned that there is a proposed waste coal plant in Greenbrier County, WV, and that they have received federal money to be a "demonstration plant." Deb reported that there is a group who is trying to influence the upcoming school board elections, because they are unhappy with how the current board is managing the schools. She suggested that, in light of the fact that the current school board played a major role in trying to bring us Longview, we might want to connect with the group. Cindy said she would find the name of the contact person and pass it on to Duane. Karen has spoken with Boggs Environmental about the air monitoring equipment. Her contact in Morgantown is checking with the corporate administration to determine whether they are interested in a written letter memorandum of cooperation. At the last meeting, Sandy passed around sheets for people to sign up to write letters to the editor or attend city council meetings and discuss clean air. Larry S. attended a city council meeting and spoke there. Bill reported on the air quality training workshop that was held on June 20. Everyone learned a lot, but agreed that a few hours was not long enough. The Speakers Bureau will aim to organize a longer training for the fall. Jim K. has been working on a Power Point presentation for this purpose. The next MVCAC meeting will be held on Monday August 22 at the home of Martha and Larry Schwab. Arrive at 6:30 for the social half hour. The meeting will begin at 7:00. Prepared by Linda Shuster, July 26, 2005.

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Holly Reike......
by Duane330＠aol.com 25 Jul '05

25 Jul '05

> For those who knew Holly Reike and do not know, she passed away Sunday, > July 24, 2005 around 5:15PM at the Monongalia General Hospital. She had > fought the cancer battle. Holly was devoted to the fight against > Longview. She put her all into the Longview fight as she did with any > project she took on. We'll all miss that strong will and mind.

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Re: [MVCAC] Meet Monday 7 pm St. Paul's Lutheran Church
by Paul Brown 22 Jul '05

22 Jul '05

I'm sorry, I refuse to enter churches. paul brown Paul Brown Physiology Department West Virginia University Health Sciences Center Morgantown, WV 26506 (304) 293 - 1512 >>> <Duane330(a)aol.com> 07/22/05 9:42 PM >>> The MVCAC with meet this coming Monday evening, July 25th, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Patterson Drive, 7 pm. If you cannot attend, please send me any information that may be helpful to those who come out. We need the schedules developed by Sandy Cress and others regarding commitments for letter writing and City Council visits. If you have any proposed projects, please send them in so we can discuss them and distribute email info on them to all interested parties. Thanks for your good help. Duane

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Meet Monday 7 pm St. Paul's Lutheran Church
by Duane330＠aol.com 22 Jul '05

22 Jul '05

The MVCAC with meet this coming Monday evening, July 25th, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Patterson Drive, 7 pm. If you cannot attend, please send me any information that may be helpful to those who come out. We need the schedules developed by Sandy Cress and others regarding commitments for letter writing and City Council visits. If you have any proposed projects, please send them in so we can discuss them and distribute email info on them to all interested parties. Thanks for your good help. Duane

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Fwd: Longview story
by Duane330＠aol.com 13 Jul '05

13 Jul '05

Washington (PA) Observer Reporter article on Longview.....below.

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Official address, meeting minutes
by Duane330＠aol.com 05 Jul '05

05 Jul '05

New mailing address: MonValley Clean Air Coalition P. O. Box 4679 Star City, WV 26504-4679 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Minutes MVCAC June 13, 2005 Duane provided a handout with a list of current issues. We began by reviewing these issues. 1. The PILOT agreement for the proposed Longview Power Plant – if we are going to appeal the decision to dismiss the case by Judge Clawges in the WV Supreme Court, we need to do so by August 1, 2005. Phil is recommending that we file an appeal, but he is unable to do it himself at this time. The Legal Committee was to meet with an attorney who might be willing to take this on for us. The group in attendance unanimously agreed that we should undertake this appeal. 2. There will be a public hearing in Charleston at the Public Service Commission (PSC) when Longview applies for a transmission certificate. The conditional siting certificate that was granted to Longview will also be considered at this time. Longview has filed a complaint to the US Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) charging that Allegheny Energy (owner of the Ft Martin power plant) has not cooperated with them in their attempts to obtain a connection to the high voltage grid system. The Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection Organization [P-J-M] has intervened on the side of Longview and asked for federal arbitration to settle the matter. 3. There were two appeals of the air quality permit granted to Longview before the Kanawha County Circuit Court, one by the Forks of Cheat Property Owners Association and one by Jarrett Jamison. The appeal of the Forks of Cheat group was rejected last week. The hearing for Jarrett’s appeal is to take place in early July. 4. The PSC has finalized the Rules for Siting Certificates; however, issues remain regarding the permitted noise levels. 5. The proposed Longview smoke stack would be 54 feet above the level permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Longview has applied to the FAA for approval of the stack. A variety of groups and individuals provided comments to the FAA during the public comment period. 6. Allegheny Energy (AE) was granted a permit to construct and operate a “ synfuels” plant at the Ft Martin plant. This would not truly be a synthetic fuels plant, as AE would simply be spraying oil on the coal; however, they would still receive the tax break granted to synthetic fuels plants. 7. AE has applied to the PSC for a rate hike (“environmental charge”) of about $3-$4 per month to each residential electric bill to pay for scrubbers for the Ft Martin plant. Since this would make our air cleaner, Karen suggested that we send a letter to the PSC in support of this increase. The group agreed that this should be done. 8. Alcon LLC of Buckhannon, WV had applied to the WV DEP Division of Air Quality for a permit to construct and operate a batch cement plant. The plant would be located off Bakers Ridge Road near The Madison nursing home and the proposed site of the new University High School on the site of an old surface mine that is unusually dusty. At a public hearing that was held last week attended by twenty local residents and five staff personnel of the Division of Air Quality, no one spoke in favor of the plant. Despite this fact, it looks like the permit will be granted. [The permit was granted (registered) on June 16th. The period of possible appeals is 30 days.] In new business: Duane brought up the issue of registering MVCAC as a not-for-profit with the WV Secretary of State. Linda moved that we should do this, Paula seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Jonathan suggested that we needed a real address. Duane will look into obtaining a PO Box. Martha indicated that she thought it was possible that mail addressed to a PO Box could be delivered to an individual. This way, the mail could be delivered to the current convener, and no one would have the responsibility of checking the PO Box. Sierra Club has earmarked $5,000 for CALP. According to Paul Wilson, president of the WV Chapter, these monies must be used for 501c3 activities. If they are to be used to support litigation, this must be approved by the national Sierra Club. Duane asked Paul if Sierra would support using the funds for the purchase of air monitoring equipment and Paul said “no,” because that is considered a capital expense. Monies for capital expenses come from a different source. Karen has spoken to Boggs Environmental about air monitoring equipment. They would be willing to purchase the equipment to support educational activities if MVCAC will pay maintenance and repair expenses. Duane moved that we empower the Executive Committee to write a letter indicating that we wish to work with them on this endeavor. Larry seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Sandy reported on activities of the Media Committee. They established initiatives to: 1. encourage people to attend City Council meetings and speak on air quality issues; and 2. write letters to the editor. Sign-up sheets were passed around, so that members could choose one or both of these activities. Sandy also reported that she is designing a logo for the group. The air training workshop will be held Sunday, June 20 as planned. The location is to be announced. [Training was held at the Cheat Lake Fire Hall.] Paula reported that the CALP Committee met, and the FAA and FERC issues were discussed. Minutes prepared by Linda Shuster, Secretary; and, distributed by Duane Nichols, Convenor. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The next regular general meeting of MVCAC will be on July 25th at 7 pm, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Patteson Drive in the Suncrest area of Morgantown. Committees are encouraged to meet on Monday, July 11th, or at other convenient times.

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MVCAC July 2005