Virginian's for Energy Independence

Energy Roundup - 17 Nov. 2009

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Todays Featured Energy Source comes from Moonbattery
EPA Cracks Down on Cap & Trade Dissenters

The EPA has told two longtime agency veterans and outspoken critics of the administration's cap-and-trade plan to remove any references to the agency in their critiques and to get approval for any future "outside writing projects." That includes removing their critical video from You Tube.

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Obama Stimulus Bill ‘Saves or Creates” Thousands of Green Manufacturing Jobs… In China
Source: Gateway Pundit

The Obama Stimulus Plan will help pay for a $1.5 billion wind farm in Texas. The project will mean thousands of new jobs for wind turbine manufacturers… in China.
Only 30 of the 330 jobs created in Texas will be fulltime jobs after the project is complete.

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In Senate, coal fuels climate deals
Source: Politico

Forget the debate over green jobs, wind farms and solar power. In the Senate, all deals on climate change run through coal country.

Black gold has maintained a tight hold over the climate bill — despite a damaging lobbying scandal this summer, growing public health concerns and a destructive toxic coal ash spill that smothered 300 acres in eastern Tennessee last December.

Thirty-four states rely on coal as a driver of economic activity. Department of Energy studies from 2007 found that coal provides about half of all American power and employed more than 80,000 people in mines. Each one of those positions creates another 3½ jobs on railways, barges and elsewhere in the economy, according to the National Mining Association.

Coal’s economic reach has translated into significant lobbying power in Washington. Coal provides more jobs than nearly any other energy source because of the low degree of automation in the mining process. Most of those jobs — either in the mines or on the railways that send coal shipments across the country — are unionized.

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Obama strikes clean energy deal with China
Source: USA Today

The seven point announcement also includes a $150 million joint research institute and the start-up of a cooperative program starting with 22 companies to develop clean energy production sites, such as wind, solar or geothermal power, which do not release atmosphere-heating greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

U.S. and Chinese researchers last month revealed that China possess geological reservoirs sufficient to hold at least a century's worth of carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants there. Both nations, which produce about 40% of the world's emissions, rely largely on coal for electricity, spurring interest in "clean" coal. "There are growing global challenges, and countries in today's world have become more and more interdependent. In this context, it is necessary to step up international cooperation," Jintao said.

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Obama Has Failed the World on Climate Change
Source: Spiegel

US President Barack Obama came to office promising hope and change. But on climate change, he has followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, George W. Bush. Now, should the climate summit in Copenhagen fail, the blame will lie squarely with Obama.

Obama Lied to the Europeans
Barack Obama cast himself as a "citizen of the world" when he delivered his well-received campaign speech in Berlin in the summer of 2008. But the US president has now betrayed this claim. In his Berlin speech, he was dishonest with Europe. Since then, Obama has neglected the single most important issue for an American president who likes to imagine himself as a world citizen, namely, his country's addiction to fossil fuels and the risks of unchecked climate change. Health-care reform and other domestic issues were more important to him than global environmental threats.

A world of flooded coasts, dried-up rivers and disappearing rainforests will lead to massive refugee movements and conflict. The Nobel Committee should postpone the award ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize from Dec. 10 to Dec. 20. Only if Obama has achieved a convincing deal at the Copenhagen conference will there be a real reason to honor him.

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Massey Energy completes purchase of W.Va. reserves
Source: Washington Examiner

CHARLESTON, W.VA. — Massey Energy says it has completed its purchase of 15 million tons of northern West Virginia coal reserves.
Massey says it purchased the metallurgical and steam coal reserves in Barbour County from bankrupt Kentucky-based operator Appalachian Fuels. The company did not disclose the purchase price.
In addition to the reserves, Massey says it acquired various permits that will allow it to begin production on the property.
Massey says the purchase brings its total reserves to 2.3 billion tons.
Richmond, Va.-based Massey has operations in West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky.

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Dominion Virginia Power CFL Bulb Instant Discount Program Saves Enough Energy Thus Far to Power 72,000 Homes
Source: CNN

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Virginians are saving about 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity through Dominion Virginia Power’s compact fluorescent light bulb instant discount program. That is enough energy to serve 72,000 typical Virginia homes, based on 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, per home. Click here to learn more: http://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/energy-conservation/save-big-on-cfls.jsp.

The Home Depot offers a national CFL bulb recycling program at all 1,973 of its stores. This free service offers customers additional options for making environmentally conscious decisions from purchase to disposal. Customers can simply bring in any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk.

Although the CFL program ends on Dec. 31, 2009 it is expected to resume in 2010, pending Virginia State Corporation Commission approval.

Energy Roundup - 16 Nov. 2009

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:21:00 +0000

Todays Featured Energy Source comes from Right Wing News:
Why Won’t Al Gore Debate?

Al Gore refuses to debate Lord Monckton. So, CEI has decided to sweeten the pot.

Newsweek: 74% of Letters About Gore Were From Right-Wing Fringe Wackos, So We Didn’t Run Any of Them
Source: The Powers That Be

Newsweek has done it again: a few weeks after acknowledging half its letters were critical of Joe Biden (but publishing none of them), they proclaimed their Al Gore cover was unpopular. Forty-six percent of their letter writers wrote on the subject of Gore, and 74 percent of them were critical. Still, Newsweek ran only positive letters.

Gore's presentation on climate change draws 800 as 200 protestors gather outside
Source: The Palm Beach Post

Tickets for the event sold for $44 to $339, with proceeds going to the nonprofit Alliance for Climate Protection that Gore chairs.

"Gore's Favorite Green Product? Your money in his pocket," said another sign.

Copenhagen's Collapse - The climate change sequel is a bust.
Source: WSJ

The environmental lobby is blaming Copenhagen's pre-emptive collapse on the Senate's failure to ram through a cap-and-trade scheme like the House did in June, arguing that "the world" won't make commitments until the U.S. does. But there will always be one excuse or another, given that developing countries like China and India will never be masochistic enough to subject their economies to the West's climate neuroses. Meanwhile, Europe has proved with Kyoto that the only emissions quotas it will accept are those that don't actually have to be met.

Hundreds of Protesters Greet Al Gore at Florida Junk Science Speech (Video)
Source: Gateway Pundit

Many of the protesters were with the groups Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow and South Florida Tea Party.

(Video below requires java script)

Energy Efficiency programs available
Source: Star Tribune

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is the source of funding for two Virginia energy programs: 1) Efficiency Rebate Program and 2) Solar and Wind Incentive Program. The programs are available for residential and commercial facilities.
The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME) office has been inundated with calls for these programs. Officials have stated that funds are going quickly and may be gone in about 1 week.

Allegheny Gets Regulatory Approval - Analyst Blog
Source: Benzinga

Allegheny Energy Inc. (AYE) bagged approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission to recover its cost of purchased power through rate hike. As per the approval, the company will be able to recover purchased power costs for the state of Virginia during the 12-month period ending Jun 30, 2010. However the regulatory body reduced the utility's proposed rate increase of $19.4 million rate hike by $3.2 million.
Looking ahead, we expect that the company’s regulated delivery utility business will provide steady earnings growth while the disposal of retail distribution operations in Virginia will infuse liquidity. However, the positives would be offset by lower industrial demand and higher emission and hedging costs.

New program will ease rising electric costs
Source: Roanoke.com

The company, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, has teamed up its Neighbor-to-Neighbor program with Dollar Energy Fund, a nonprofit organization described in a joint news release as "one of the largest hardship funds in the United States." The fund, which operates in six states, already has partnerships with several other utilities.
Donations can be made by check enclosed in monthly bills or online at www.dollarenergyfund.org. All donations to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, now administered by Dollar Energy Fund, will assist low-income families residing in Virginia.
According to Appalachian, since Neighbor-to-Neighbor launched in 1983, utility customers and stockholders have contributed about $5.4 million to help pay the energy bills of nearly 82,000 low-income customers in West Virginia and Virginia.

Missed Last week:
Virginia, Maryland and Delaware join forces for wind energy
Source: evwind

Virginia is already positioned to be a leader in the development of offshore wind energy. In September, Governor Kaine submitted a letter to Elizabeth Birnbaum, director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service, formally requesting the formation of a federal-state-local task force to guide and facilitate the process of leasing federal waters off the Virginia coast for wind power development. The formation of the task force will be the first step in what will ultimately be the development of a clean, renewable energy source for Virginians and the introduction of a new sector to the Hampton Roads and Virginia economy.

Global Warming - "Playstation Climatology"

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:22:00 +0000

Remember?
American Clean Energy and Security Act H R 2454 (aka Cap and Tax)

As Note here:

June 26, 2009, will go down as an historic moment in world’s efforts to tackle climate change. For the first time, a Congressional body passed legislation that would place mandatory limits on the emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. By the barest margin of 219 to 212, the House of Representatives voted for a bill spearheaded by Representatives Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.). If it becomes law, the measure would require a massive switch to cleaner sources of energy over the next four decades. “This is the landmark energy and environmental legislative achievement of a generation,” says Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Environment Group’s U.S. Global Warming Campaign.

Ahh...grab some popcorn and lets see why the Finnish think - Climate Catastrophe is Canceled

Pretty amazing that "Transparency" thing just goes right out the window when talking about Global Warming discussions?

So who are the Virginia House of Representatives that voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act H R 2454:
Gerald E. Connolly - Dem.
James P. Moran - Dem.
Thomas S. P. Perriello - Dem.
Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott - Dem.
Rick Boucher - Dem.

I think 2010 should be a hot year for some members of Congress.

All seven Senate Republicans boycott the Cap-And-Trade working session

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:04:00 +0000

Republican Heroes Will Stall Senate Dem’s Junk Science Vote
Source: Gateway Pundit
- All seven Senate Republicans on the Environment and Public Works Committee will boycott the work session next week essentially stalling the democrat’s cap-&-tax junk science bill.
- Under committee rules, at least two Republicans are needed for Chairwoman Barbara Boxer to hold the work sessions that would give senators an opportunity to amend the controversial legislation and then vote to approve it in the panel, which is controlled by President Barack Obama’s fellow Democrats.
- The democrat’s cap and trade policies will likely cost Americans $700 to $1,400 dollars per family per year. The Department of Energy estimated GDP losses would be between $444 billion and $1.308 trillion over the 21-year period. Cap and trade also could cost the US 4 million jobs.

Clean Coal Is ‘Technological Fantasy’

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:33:00 +0000

Nat Gas CEO: Clean Coal Is ‘Technological Fantasy’
Source: CNBC
- Chairman and CEO Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy (CHK)
- Watch the video for the latest from this top industry CEO. Find out why McClendon says clean coal, which seems to be favored over nat gas here in the US, is a “technological fantasy” and “financial insanity.”

Did you catch that? Biggest beneficiary to Cap-and-Trade is Coal?

The potential future of Natural Gas gives some credence for Virginia to continue to explore the possibilities of off-shore drilling and energy options while industry tries to figure how to upgrade the infrastructure.

Scrap Cap-and-Trade

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Newsweek post:
Scrap Cap-and-Trade
Climate-change legislation that doesn't add up.
By Karl Rove | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Oct 31, 2009

There's much debate about the efficacy of controlling pollutants with economic incentives, also known as cap-and-trade. Its advocates dress it up with a lot of moral indignation. Cap-and-trade would not achieve its goals—and it would put America on a ruinous course. Here's why:
- The price tag would be huge.
- Cap-and-trade is also a regressive tax.
- Cap-and-trade would shift jobs overseas.
- The policy is not properly focused.
- Cap-and-trade does very little at a very high cost.

Great summary article.

Energy Roundup - 30 Oct. 2009

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Todays Featured Energy Source comes from Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck & Christopher Booker -- The Global Warming Hoax, Part 1
October 27, 2009

Glenn Beck & Christopher Booker -- The Global Warming Hoax, Part 2
October 27, 2009

Graph of the Day for October 30, 2009
Source: American Thinker
Political Contributions by Industry in 2010 Election Cycle as of Sept. 25, 2009
Energy Related Contributions:
- #15 - Oil & Gas - ~$5.5 million - Leans Republican
- #16 - Electric Utilites - ~$5.4 million - Leans Democratic
Who is the big fat cat donor?
- #1 - Lawyers/Law Firms - Total ~$29.3 million - Tilt Strongly Democratic

Gore Gone Wild: Predicts 220 Foot Sea Level Rise in 10 years
Source: American Thinker
-Gore states that the North Pole ice cap is 40% gone. Is that Goracle-speak for the fact that according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2007 arctic sea ice extent was 40% below its 20-year mean? Perhaps. But if so, it seems he somehow forgot to check back recently, or he would have noticed that the ice began recovering in 2008 and is now at about 32% below that same average.

Republicans may stall climate change bill
Source: Washington Times
- Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer said late Thursday that she wants to hold drafting sessions as early as Tuesday on the climate change bill pending before her committee, but the meetings could be delayed by Republican stalling tactics.
-A spokesman for Sen. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the panel, said committee Republicans were leaning toward boycotting the sessions and would meet soon to decide whether they would stay away. At least two members of the minority must attend the sessions, known as markups, for them to be convened, according to committee rules.
- Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Democrat, also raised concerns about the so-called price collar that would establish minimum and maximum prices for emissions permits, or allowances, that polluters would need to obtain to comply with the law.

Controlling Climate? More Like Controlling Humans
Source CNSnews
- MIT climate scientist Dr. Richard Lindzen has warned: "'He who controls carbon controls life. It is a bureaucrat's dream to control carbon dioxide." Washington, D.C., and the U.N. are in a field of dreams right now as they envision one of the most massive expansions of controls on human individual freedom ever contemplated by governments. .com
- Controlling climate change appears not to be about controlling temperatures, but about controlling human freedom.

Gullible eager-beaver planet savers
Source: by Mark Steyn
- ‘The environment’ is the most ingenious cover story ever devised for Big Government
- At their Monday night poker game in hell, I’ll bet Stalin, Hitler and Mao are kicking themselves: “ ‘It’s about leaving a better planet to our children?’ Why didn’t I think of that?”

Europe Signs Deal To Commit Collective Suicide
Source: Hot Air
- Good news! It took the European Union a couple of decades and many years of socialist indoctrination, but it has finally been able to sign a treaty to collectively commit suicide.

EU strikes climate funding deal
Source: BBC
- The EU has agreed a conditional deal on how much it will pay to help other countries fight global warming, ahead of a key climate summit in December.
- The EU agreed climate change would need 100bn euros ($148bn; £90bn) a year by 2020, and would pay up to 50bn euros a year, conditional on other nations.

Coast Guard Assesses San Francisco Bay Fuel Spill
Source: WSJ
- SAN FRANCISCO -- The Coast Guard rushed cleanup equipment to the scene of a fuel spill early Friday in San Francisco Bay while investigators assessed the leak, estimated at fewer than 100 gallons.
- The spill apparently consisted of bunker fuel that leaked out as the Dubai Star, a Panamanian-registered tanker, was taking on the fuel at a dock in Oakland, Calif., said Coast Guard Petty Officer Caleb Critchfield.

Massey settles age discrimination suit for $8.75M
Source: Seattle Times
- The case stems from Massey's 2004 purchase of a bankrupt eastern Kanawha County mine. The mine was closed at the time but the lawsuit claimed Massey refused to rehire the mine's union workers.
- More than 200 miners who were not rehired after Massey Energy bought a bankrupt West Virginia mine have settled an age discrimination lawsuit against the Richmond, Va.-based coal producer for $8.75 million.

Energy Roundup - 29 Oct. 2009

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Todays Featured Energy Source comes from American Solutions:

Breaking news: The cap and trade balloon, which had promised to deliver 1.7 million new green jobs, lands with no jobs inside. In fact, cap and trade will actually destroy jobs.

Global Warming Panel Nixes GOP Witness
Source: Roll Call

Morning Bell: The Cap and Trade Threat to Our National Security
Source: THE FOUNDRY
- In poll, after poll, after poll, the American people have clearly expressed their preference for prioritizing economic growth over global warming.
- The left has shifted gears and is trying a new tack: global warming is a threat to national security. So Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) recently blogged at the Center for American Progress:
- Cap and Trade Would Do Nothing to Stop Climate Change:
- Cap and Trade Would Cripple the U.S. Economy:
- Inflicting cap and trade on the U.S. economy may well create the world we want to avoid.

Baucus opposition chills climate bill
Source: Politico
- The Montana Democrat threw a bomb into the committee hearing room Tuesday when he said he had “serious reservations” about the Democrats’ climate change bill, a statement that immediately sparked fierce speculation that he would vote against the legislation.
- Baucus wants to weaken the short-term target for the legislation, currently set at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. Legislation passed by the House in early June set a 17 percent target. President Barack Obama proposed a 14 percent target in his budget last spring.

Personalities Tested on Climate Change
Source: Roll Call
- Senate Democrats are hopeful that despite their acrimonious past, Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) can find middle ground on climate change legislation before electoral politics kills the issue for good next year.

EU Nears Passage of Treaty After Czechs Win Exemption
Source: Bloomberg
- European Union leaders granted the Czech Republic an exemption from the EU’s planned bill of rights, removing one of the last obstacles to a new governing treaty designed to strengthen the bloc’s global clout.
- The concession was demanded by Czech President Vaclav Klaus as the price for abandoning his one-man campaign to sabotage the treaty, which will create the post of permanent EU president.

Aw. There May Be No Copenhagen Global Warming Deal
Source: Right Wind News
- Denmark’s prime minister says he does not think a legally binding deal on climate change will be agreed upon at a December summit in Copenhagen.
- Essentially, that is all the Kyoto Protocol was, a political agreement. That is still a bad thing, though, since the majority of signatories harmed their economies and still failed to reach their assigned targets.

China-India Accord to Scuttle UN Climate Treaty
Source: American Thinker (23 Oct. 09)
- The two Asian powers will collaborate on the development of renewable power projects and improved energy efficiency programs, while rejecting any outside mandates that would slow economic growth.
- China and India, along with Brazil, Mexico and South Africa, have been adamant about staying out of any global requirement.
- Why do the developed countries put an arguable scientific problem on the international negotiation table?
-The danger is that the West will draft a treaty that will only apply to America and Europe, crippling their economies. This was certainly the hope of the Nobel Committee when it awarded its Peace Prize to President Barack Obama.
- It was also on President Obama's mind when he accepted the award, "We cannot accept the growing threat posed by climate change, which could forever damage the world that we pass on to our children -- sowing conflict and famine; destroying coastlines and emptying cities.
- The Kerry-Boxer draft aims to reduce CO2 emissions 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 compared to the 17 percent cut set in the House bill.
- The majority of the world's population wants to progress and improve its material standard of living. The governments which represent them outside America and Europe reject the notion that they should give up their aspirations for a better world to appease an unfounded climate paranoia among Western liberals.

EU leaders debate climate aid to poor at summit
Source: Associated Press
- EU leaders will hold two day summit talks beginning on Thursday, Oct. 29, 209. On the agenda are solving Czech President's misgivings over signing a reform treaty and trying to reach an aid figure to offer poor countries at global climate change talks in December.

White House Panel on Oceans Visits Great Lakes
Source: CNSNews.com
- Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. A House-Senate conference committee approved $475 million Tuesday to launch the initiative
- One idea the task force may bring to the region is "marine spatial planning," a process of determining which activities should be allowed in which parts of the oceans and the Great Lakes.

Offshore-drilling debate reveals upcoming battle lines
Source: Sentinel
- Offshore-oil-drilling supporters and foes described competing scenarios during a televised debate in Tallahassee on Wednesday night.

SAIC Hosts Energy Summit Addressing Green Jobs and a Vision for Climate Change Solutions
Source: GIS User
- More than 4,000 of the nation's top energy decision-makers will meet in Washington, D.C. at the 32nd World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC), Nov. 4-6, 2009 to address green jobs, climate change and the impact of new energy policies.
- Features Robert F. Kennedy Jr., environmental activist and attorney, who will speak on "A Vision for Energy Independence, Jobs and National Wealth."
- The Conference includes sessions developed by industry leading organizations including:
-- Smart Grid developed by the Electric Power Research Institute
-- Green Jobs developed by SAIC
-- Challenges Facing Renewable Energy developed by the American Council on
Renewable Energy (ACORE)
-- How to Leverage Energy Policy and Regulatory Change developed by the
Alliance to Save Energy
- Additional information on the event is available at www.energycongress.com

Energy Roundup - 28 Oct. 2009

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:53:00 +0000

Todays Featured Energy Source comes from Michelle Malkin

Schooling global warming blowhard John Kerry
Source: Michelle Malkin
- GOP Sen. Jim Inhofe meticulously deconstructs John Kerry’s eco-hysteria. Must-read here and must-watch:

Barbara Boxer – Thank Goodness for National Poverty!
Source: Hot Air
- Not happy with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) writing a Cap and Trade bill Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) Writing his own energy bill and its not pretty.

Clean coal more costly than first thought, imagine that?
Source: Australia's ABC NET
- Carbon capture is a complicated process that not surprisingly has both engineering and environmental challenges, and now financial ones too.
- The Federal Government has already promised $2.4 billion to build demonstration projects over the next nine years.
- Global Carbon Capture And Storage Institute, set up by the Federal Government to fast-track projects using clean coal technology.
- The Federal Government has already promised $2.4 billion to build demonstration projects over the next nine years.
- Clean coal power generation won't be commercially worthwhile unless the carbon price hits at least $60 a ton and that's not expected until 2030.

Senate climate bill hearings: What about coal?
Source: Coal Tattoo
- Hearings started yesterday and continued today on the Senate climate change bill, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.
http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=84691b8e-802a-23ad-4728-e60de8d50fea
- Senators, Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, are both said to be “on the fence” on the Senate bill
- Thursday is coal day … testimony is expected from Mike Carey, President of the Ohio Coal Association and Gene Trisko of the United Mine Workers of America union.
- David Hawkins of the Natural Resources Defense Council: critical of coal, but also is a big supporter of CCS technology.

Danville, Va. Nov. 12th - Conference explores energy-efficient tobacco curing
Source: WPCVA
-Funded by Virginia Foundation for Agriculture Innovation & Rural Sustainability (FAIRS), the conference will present information on flue-cured tobacco energy efficiency technologies and practices, wood-fired boiler systems, use of micro-biorefineries for the production of renewable energy and bioproducts, and the Cap & Trade legislation.

Sunshine Is The Best Disinfectant--SEC Changes Climate Risk Disclosure Rules
Source: GBLB
- Yesterday, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued revisions to Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14E (CF).
- So, if a company has a large financial risk due to carbon belching power plants or portfolios of resource sapping buildings, it is possible that shareholders will be able to call for an accounting of the risk to their investments.

U.S. climate bill spurs low-carbon jobs debate
Source: Reuters
* Google: Climate bill creates millions of new energy jobs
* Democrats from coal states concerned about employment
* Sen Boxer says bill gives oil co's enough carbon permits

Hefty bill to come from clean coal power
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
-The report released yesterday found there were 213 active or planned carbon capture projects around the world for coal, gas and oil, with 61 planned to capture, transport and store carbon. Just seven projects were operating at present, none of which captures carbon from coal.

“Clean Coal” Might Not Work…But It’s Still Well-Liked
Source: Understanding Government
- Senator Dick Durbin, The Illinois Congressional delegation has relentlessly pushed the Energy Dept. to give $1 billion toward an energy company alliance named future FutureGen for a clean coal plant in rural, southern Illinois.

Bob McDonnell Commerical - New Energy, New Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:50:00 +0000

More Energy, More Jobs Information

Massey Energy Richmond, Virginia

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:15:00 +0000

One coal company with corporate headquarters in Richmond, Virginia is Massey Energy. It is publicly traded company (NYSE: MEE). I thought I would give some blog space for it since they reported earnings today and hopefully gain some insight into its economic situation and its contribution to the Virginia economy and energy industry.

Massey Energy has a market capital of about $2.68 billion and employs some 6,743 full time employees. It is included in the Standard and Poors 500 Index. Massey does not appear in the top ten market capitalization list for its Sector/Industry. Still, Massey Energy has a impact on the Virginia economy and its energy industry. Don't be surprised if Massey Energy stock is included in your 401k mutual funds.

Massey Third Quarter profit down, cuts 2009 coal shipment view.
* Q3 profit 19 cents/share vs 61 cents/share a year before
* Revenue drops 16 pct to $641.6 mln vs $687 mln forecast
* Trims 2009 coal shipment forecast to 37.5-38.5 mln tons
* Shares drop 4 pct

Notes Virginians might take notice of from this quarterly news reporting:
1. "Coal contracting and shipment activities remained slow and coal stockpiles increased during the third quarter of 2009 as total electric power generation declined and switching to natural gas fired generation continued,"

2. "But Massey pointed to increased steel production in China and rising natural gas prices as positives amid the generally difficult global market conditions."

3. Massey now expects 2009 produced coal shipments of 37.5 million to 38.5 million tons, down from a forecast in July of 38.5 million to 40.5 million tons.

4. "To cut costs, Massey has idled higher-cost mines, limited overtime and renegotiated supply contracts. It has cut 700 jobs this year and five senior executives, including Chief Executive Don Blankenship, said they were taking 10 percent salary cuts."
5. "The Bandmill preparation plant was destroyed by fire on August 27, 2009. This incident impacted the operations at the Logan County resource group and, to a lesser extent, the Company as a whole during the quarter.

Only Coal Mine in Virginia operated by Massey:
QUICK FACTS:
Knox Creek Minning Location
Location: Tazewell County, VA
2007 Production: 706
2007 Shipments: 724
Status: 1 Active
Mine Type(s): Underground
Established/Acquired: 1997
The Knox Creek complex includes one underground room and pillar mine and a preparation plant. Production from the mine is belted by conveyor system to the preparation plant. The preparation plant serves customers on the Norfolk Southern rail system with unit trains of up to 100 railcars.

Yahoo Finance: Massey Energy Co (NYSE: MEE)

Massey Energy Company, through its subsidiaries, produces, processes, and sells bituminous coal primarily in the United States. The company’s customers include electric utilities, steel manufacturers, industrial customers, and energy traders and brokers. As of January 31, 2009, it owned and operated approximately 160 wells, 200 miles of gathering line, and a range of small compression facilities in Appalachian Basin. The company also operated 66 mines, including 46 underground and 20 surface in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia. Massey Energy Company distributes its products through freight and terminal agreements with various providers, including railroads, barge lines, ocean-going vessels, bulk motor carriers, and terminal facilities. The company was founded in 1912 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Massey Energy, a Richmond, Virginia based company is facing some difficult times but management seems to be responsive and looking for ways to keep them in good business shape. One bright spot is the increased steel demand in China could help Massey Energy sell its metallurgical coal overseas amid these difficult coal market conditions since coal for energy is lacking demand because of the recession.

Lastly, note for Virginians is the switching of Coal fired energy plants to natural gas fired generation. If this is being done in Virginia, where are we getting our gas from? Maybe that is why our elected representatives here in Virginia are wanting to drill for natural gas offshore of the Virginia coast. Now that is Energy Independence!

Latest Energy numbers I seen for #Stimulus Bill

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:50:00 +0000

H.R. 1: 111st Congress 2009-2010

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

All this Transparency is confusing...LOL!

Appears these numbers are from the Senate final version voted on 13 Feburary 2009. I will update when I have had time to review GovTracks updates:

Energy:

- Energy efficiency and conservation block grants $3,200,000,000

- Weatherization Assistance Program

(increases maximum income level and maximum

assistance) $5,000,000,000

- State energy program $3,100,000,000

- Advanced batteries manufacturing, including

lithium ion batteries, hybrid electrical systems,

component manufacturers and software designers $2,000,000,000

- Modernize electricity grid $4,400,000,000

- Electricity grid worker training $100,000,000

- Fossil energy research and development $3,400,000,000

- Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and

Decommissioning Fund $390,000,000

- Department of Energy science programs $1,600,000,000

- Advanced Research Projects Agency $400,000,000

- Innovative technology loan guarantee program $6,000,000,000

- Western Area Power Administration construction

and maintenance $10,000,000

- Bonneville Power Administration borrowing

authority $3,250,000,000

- Western Area Power Administration

borrowing authority $3,250,000,000

- Leading edge biofuel projects $500,000,000

- Federal building conversion to

"high-performance green buildings" $4,500,000,000

- Energy efficiency federal vehicle fleet

procurement $300,000,000

Energy Total $41,400,000,000

Other:

- Job training in the renewable energy field $500,000,000

- Defense Department medical facilities repair

and modernization including energy efficiency $400,000,000

- Bureau of Land Management construction of

roads, bridges, trails and facilities, including

energy efficient retrofits $180,000,000

- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service roads, bridges

and facilities, including energy efficient retrofits $115,000,000

- Military hospital construction and energy

conservation investments $1,450,000,000

- Public housing renovations and energy

conservation investments $1,000,000,000

Virginia's Hydroelectric Energy Sources - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Bath County Pumped Storage Station

The Bath County Pumped Storage Station is a pumped storage hydroelectric power plant. Cradled in Virginia's rugged Allegheny Mountains, the world's most powerful pumped storage generating station quietly balances the electricity needs of millions of homes and businesses across six states.

Water is released from the upper reservoir during periods of high demand and is used to generate electricity. What makes this different from other hydroelectric dams is that during times of low demand, power is taken from coal, nuclear, and other power plants and is used to pump water from the lower to the upper reservoir. Although this plant uses more power than it generates, it allows these other plants to operate at close to peak efficiency for an overall cost savings.

The station is located in the northern corner of Bath County, Virginia.

View Larger Map

The Bath County Pumped Storage Station, which went into operation in 1985, is jointly owned by Dominion and the operating companies of the Allegheny Power System, and managed by Dominion Generation. This mammoth station was cited as one of the nation's most outstanding 1985 engineering achievements. The earth and rock fill moved to construct the dams and other project facilities, if piled up, would create a mountain 1,000 feet (305 meters) high. Enough concrete was poured to build 200 miles (322 kilometers) of interstate highway.

The station consists of two large reservoirs — one 1,262 feet (385 meters) higher than the other, a massive power house and the huge tunnels that connect them. When demand is low, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper one.

When demand is high, valves permit water to run through the tunnels to the lower reservoir at a rate as high as 14.5 million gallons (915 cubic meters/second) per minute, turning six 350-megawatt turbine generators. The water level in the 265-acre upper reservoir can fluctuate as much as 60 feet when the unit is operated.

GREAT VIDEO FROM DOMINION POWER! - CLICK HERE!

Brief Facts:

Net Generating Capacity: 2,100 megawatts

License Issued: January, 1977

Commercial Operation: December, 1985

Cost: $1.7 billion (1985)

Owners:

Dominion (60%), Allegheny Power System (40%)

Lower Reservoir:

Dam:

135 feet high (41 meters)

2,400 feet long (732 meters)

Contains 4 million cubic yards (3.1 million cubic meters) of earth and rock fill

Reservoir:

555 surface acres (2.25 sq. kilometers)

Water level fluctuates 60 feet (18 meters) during operation

Upper Reservoir:

Dam:

460 feet high (140 meters)

2,200 feet long (671 meters)

Contains 18 million cubic yards (13.8 million cubic meters) of earth and rock fill

Reservoir:

265 surface acres (1.07 sq. kilometers)

Water level fluctuates 105 feet (32 meters) during operation

Water Flow:

Pumping:

11 million gallons (694 cubic meters/second) per minute

Generating:

14.5 million gallons (915 cubic meters/second) per minute

Turbine Generators:

Six Francis-type 350-megawatt units manufactured by Allis Chalmers

The extreme fluctuations in water levels in the two reservoirs make them unsuitable for recreation. However, a separate 325-acre (1.32 sq. kilometers) public recreation area containing two lakes is located just downstream from the lower dam. The area has facilities for fishing, non-power boating, picnicking, swimming, hiking and camping. The recreation area is open on a seasonal basis only.

Comparisons:

- Bath County Pumped Storage Station capable of generating 2,100 megawatts on 265-acres + 325-acres recreational use.

-North Anna Nuclear Generating Station capable of generating 1.79 gigawatts on 1,075 acre.

-Surry Nuclear Power Plant capable of generating 1.6 gigawatts on 840-acres..

How to Stimulate Higher Bills for Using Less Electricity

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 04:19:00 +0000

How to Stimulate Higher Bills for Using Less Electricity

Barton: The stimulus bill is the most anti-competitive, anti-consumer, anti-free market piece of legislation I’ve ever seen on the House floor’

February 13, 2009

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R- Texas, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today made the following statement on H.R. 1, the Democrats’ $1 trillion spending bill:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this conference report. I want to start out by talking a little bit about the process. I know that’s not very sexy but when the president and people complain that Republicans are being bipartisan, they need to know that we haven’t been given much of a chance, if any chance, to be bipartisan.

“When this bill started in the House, there were no hearings in the House of Representatives. There was a markup in Ways and Means, a markup in the Appropriations Committee and a markup in the Energy and Commerce Committee. In the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Waxman, to his credit, had a 12-hour markup. Five Republican amendments were accepted. Three of those were stripped out before the bill came to the floor – one was kept in as-is and one was materially change. When we went to conference with the other body, our chairman, Mr. Waxman, was appointed a conferee as he should have been, because about $200 billion of the bill is in the Energy and Commerce Committee jurisdiction. But no Republican was appointed. So we had no Republican input into the conference. Of course, that’s probably OK because there really wasn’t a conference. There were five House conferees and five Senate conferees. The majority party conferees – three in the House, three in the Senate – signed the conference report without anyone on the Republican side being given a copy to look at. It was a done deal. On process alone, when the president asks why Republicans oppose the bill, it’s because we haven’t been given any input into the finished process.

“On the policy, the Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over energy, over telecommunications and over health care. In the energy section, they took out all the energy grants for things like clean coal technology. They left in a little thing called electricity decoupling, which means that in order to get some of these green energy grants the governor of a state has to certify to the Department of Energy that they’re going to do this decoupling. This means you can allow the public utilities commissions to decouple the price you pay from the amount of electricity you use. It’s a revenue guarantee for the utility company so the utility gets the green grant and goes out and educate you on how to use less electricity. You use less electricity and your bill either stays the same or goes up. It’s the most anti-competitive, anti-consumer, anti-free market piece of legislation I’ve ever seen on the House floor, and it’s in this bill.

“My friends on the other side have made a big point of talking about all the things they’re doing on health care. Well, you have the health IT grants which some of that may be good but do you really need to give every doctor in America $44,000? By the way, a lot of that money is not available until 2012. I’m not sure that’s very stimulative to the economy. We give the states more FMAP money for Medicaid but doesn’t have to be spent on Medicaid. Sixty-five percent is allocated on the standard formula package and the rest is allocated on high unemployment but once the state gets that Medicaid money, they can use it for other purposes. By the way, that’s theoretically temporary but do you really believe that adding $90 billion to the baseline for Medicaid is going to be temporary? It’s going to go into the permanent baseline and raise the cost over time to the U.S. taxpayers.

“I could go on and on, Mr. Speaker, but the point of the subject is, those of us on our side understand that people are hurting. We need to do something to help the economy. Shouldn’t we start by allowing the people who have a job to keep a little bit more of their money by doing some tax cuts? A lot of those got diluted in this bill. Shouldn’t we require that if you’re going to spend money it should have a long-term effect and help basic infrastructure? This bill doesn’t do that. Vote no.

STILL NO SEARCHABLE STIMULUS BILL, TRANSPARENCY YOU CAN BELIEVE IN?

Notes about the Stimulus Bill concerning Energy

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:33:00 +0000

Putting together some notes still haven't found a searchable Stimulus Bill, so much for Transparency!:

1. Conferees have removed language in the Senate stimulus bill that would have given a $50 billion boost to Energy Department loan guarantees after House Speaker Pelosi and environmental groups argued it could have aided nuclear and coal production, congressional aides and environmentalists said today.

2. The reworked stimulus compromise will include $6 billion in new loan guarantees specifically for commercialized renewable energy projects, as well as billions more to aid renewable energy and efficiency.

3. There is $30 billion to spark a renewable electricity "smart grid," advanced battery technology and energy efficiency.

4. $20 billion in renewable energy and efficiency tax incentives over 10 years, including a three-year extension of a production tax credit for wind, biomass, geothermal and other sources.

5. $5 billion for low-income weatherization.

6. $6.3 billion to increase energy efficiency in federally supported housing programs.

7. The stimulus package is expected to include so-called decoupling language, long favored by environmental groups, that removes the link between an electric utility's profits and its sales.

So some $70 billion in stuff that probably won't make a crap of difference to the generation that has to pay for them, nice!

Good Job on that Ethanol Program Congress!

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:21:00 +0000

The International Energy Agency said global demand for oil is expected to fall 1.2% this year, the biggest annual drop in 27 years, as U.S. consumption declines and Chinese growth weakens.

The recession in the U.S. and many other developed nations is expected to roll back world oil consumption to 2006 levels, the IEA said in its monthly oil-market report. Consumption in the U.S., the world's biggest consumer of oil, is seen falling to 1998 levels.

WELL YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS VIRGINIANS!

Barely a year after Congress enacted an energy law meant to foster a huge national enterprise capable of converting plants and agricultural wastes into automotive fuel, the goals lawmakers set for the ethanol industry are in serious jeopardy.

As recently as last summer, plants that make ethanol from corn were sprouting across the Midwest. But now, with motorists driving less in the economic downturn, the industry is burdened with excess capacity, and plants are shutting down virtually every week.

What do these two articles mean Virginia?

- No chance of meeting Congressional ethanol production mandates that kick in next year.

- Ethanol industry is on its back despite the billions of dollars they have gotten in taxpayer assistance, and a guaranteed market wasted away.

- Lower consumption means lower the greenhouse gas emissions.

- Expect higher prices later this year.

- Don't expect much better performance from wind and solar government subsidised energy programs and you won't be disappointed.

Stimulus Conditions Create Confusion, Delay

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:23:00 +0000

For Immediate Release: February 12, 2009

Contact: Rob Thormeyer, 202-898-9382, rthormeyer@naruc.org

'Ambiguous' Ratemaking in Stimulus Conditions Create Confusion, Delay: NARUC

WASHINGTON—National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President Frederick Butler of New Jersey issued the following statement in response to the House-Senate compromise on the stimulus bill, specifically referencing Section 7006, "Additional State Energy Grants."

“As Congress debated the economic stimulus language, NARUC encouraged and welcomed the inclusion of additional federal grants to support energy efficiency. It was our hope that the legislation would be consistent with State law and not be conditioned with provisions that interfere with utility ratemaking procedures. Unfortunately, despite NARUC's recommendations, Congress has done exactly the opposite. The language agreed to by House and Senate lawmakers conditions federal funding for energy efficiency programs on State commissioners providing advance assurances on how regulatory matters will be addressed — assurances that, by law, many regulators cannot make. These ambiguous conditions will create confusion and legal uncertainty and will likely delay or preclude the release of these critical funds. This benefits neither the States the utilities, nor, most importantly, the citizens they serve.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Now that is not something you will hear in the Main Stream Media - the Stimulus Bill setting electricity rates? I would bet to wager our electricity prices are not going down as a result.

Ok, so Congress is forcing states to adopt decoupling policies to qualify for $2.1 billion in energy-efficiency block grants? Seems to me this runs counter to the stated stimulus goal of quickly boosting economic growth, let alone abandons free market economics. If they keep the decoupling policies in the bill they would risk having these regulations to be negotiated with the state regulators thru some long and boring process.? What is in the stimulus bill? No one knows at this point as they have not released it for public review, how nice of them!

The fate of another $50 billion in energy loan guarantees included in the Senate bill appears unclear as well as some are worried they will be used for nuclear power and coal-to-liquids transportation fuel, both of which are opposed by environmental advocates. Nuclear and Coal the two viable electricity energy sources. How do they propose to power all those electric whirllie bird electric cars the government is buying?

Virginian's will have to wait and see what our Senators Webb and Warner have in store for us :-(

Energy/Environment Press Clips February 11, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:18:00 +0000

Less Demand, Same Great Revenue

WSJ - By Rebecca Smith

FEBRUARY 8, 2009, 4:29 P.M. ET

WHY YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO SAVE ENERGY!

- Why are we having a new surge of Energy Efficiency? Ever heard the term Decoupling?

Basically, as you save energy, your government allows the Energy companies to raise their rates. You as a energy consumer is the looser in this economic model. Instead of profitable Energy companies providing cheap, reliable, and sustainable energy to their customers their inefficiency is subsidized by you by direction of your government. You might want to pay attention next time you hear politicians and energy companies talking about saving energy. ;-)

Wind Turbines in Europe Do Nothing for Emissions-Reduction

Goals

By Anselm Waldermann

02/10/2009 05:23 PM

Under current EU law, German wind turbines aren't helping to reduce CO2

emissions and in fact maybe encouraging more CO2 generation! They simply allow Eastern European countries to pollute more, Huh?

Green Party email:

"Dear Daniel, sorry, but the EEG won't do anything for the climate anyway." Ever since the introduction of the emissions trading system, the Renewable Energy Law had become "an instrument of structural change, but not an instrument to combat climate change."

So when you hear of the Wind Turbines use in Virginia, listen closely to what they state or claim. Ask why Building Renovations Aren't Better than Windmills at decresaing CO2? Besides the Governor can't all out the National Guard to make the wind blow but politicians sure can blow!

Renewable Energy Sources Act (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz, EEG)

Google taking a step into power metering

By Matthew Wald and Miguel Helft

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Smart grid - A smart grid delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using digital technology to save energy and cost.

Ok, before you think this is really "KEWL", go back and read about decoupling please!

- The company has developed a free Web service called PowerMeter that consumers can use to track energy use in their house or business as it is consumed. Well, this would require "PowerMeter" enabled devices.

The stimulus bill now going to a House-Senate conference committee has allocated $4.4 billion for "smart" technologies, including four million of these next-generation monitors, called smart meters. Proponents say that could make more effective use of existing power lines and generate employment. In other words the government wants the power companies to use it to monitor your energy use? Huh?

Happy Birthday to the Gipper!

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:36:00 +0000

#TCOT #Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan

(February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004)

"All the waste in a year from a nuclear power plant can be stored under a desk"

A Climate Czar, what does it mean?

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:05:00 +0000

We are starting to see President Obama's cabinet and advisor selections and especially the so called "Climate Czar" - Carol Browner. Whom Obama has chosen to take on a new White House position coordinating energy and environmental policy for the president.

The Obama White House May Be a Crowded Mess - Karl Rove
"Tapping Carol Browner as climate czar also centralizes decision making. Her role will displace the leadership of the Council on Environmental Quality and diminish the influence of the Environmental Protection Agency."

ABOUT THE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
The Council on Environmental Quality coordinates federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives.

The Council's Chair serves as the principal environmental policy adviser to the President. In addition, CEQ reports annually to the President on the state of the environment; oversees federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process; and acts as a referee when agencies disagree over the adequacy of such assessments.

ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.

GOP senator questions "climate czar," holds up EPA nominee
A Republican senator is delaying the confirmation of President Obama's pick as the new EPA administrator because he wants more information about what role of the new “energy czar” will play, according to Congressional Quarterly.

Green team - Mark Bergin
Many of President Obama's cabinet and advisor selections have displeased the far-left bloc of his supporters. Not so his energy and environment picks, each of whom ascribe to the school of "environment first, economy third," says conservative analyst Ben Lieberman of the Heritage Foundation.

A Climate Czar, what does it mean?
First, I commend the administration for acknowledging the link of energy and the environment. The problem is that it is still "the economy stupid". I am not sure if this might have been accomplished some other way? You have to wonder if these added levels of government oversight and control are really necessary? Will it do more to hinder Environmental, Energy and Economic policy or will it facilitate a consolidated, quick and sound judgment? Obviously, the Climate Czar will control the environmental and energy message and messengers!

Secondly, in a time of economic downturn the idea of "environment first, economy third," remains to be seen. What I fail to see is a consolidated message of Economy, Energy and Environment from the new administration. So called Green jobs have yet to prove any significant economic advantage over nuclear, coal, petroleum or hydro related jobs as they relate to employment and securing the "American Dream".

Summary, if the new administration could tie all three (Economy, Energy and Environment) into one single administration message they could really do themselves a lot of good instead of having Czars for everything including the White House thermostat.

Virginia's Backbone of Electric Energy Source

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Dominion North Anna Nuclear Generating Station is a nuclear power plant on a 1,075 acre (4.4 km²) site in Louisa County, Virginia.

View Larger Map

North Anna Nuclear Generating Station plant has two Westinghouse pressurized water reactors which went on-line in 1978 and 1980 respectively. Together the reactors generate 1.79 gigawatts of power, which is distributed mainly to the greater Richmond area and to Northern Virginia.

Notes:
Wikipedia North Anna Nuclear Generating Station
Dominion North Anna Power Station

Dominion Surry Power Station The power station lies on an 840-acre (3.4 km²) site adjacent to the James River across from Jamestown

View Larger Map

The Surry Nuclear Power Plant has two triple-loop Westinghouse pressurized water reactors which went on-line in 1972 and 1973 respectively. Each reactor produces approximately 800 megawatts of power, for a combined plant output of 1.6 gigawatts. Surry Power Station draws its condenser cycle water directly from the James River, removing the need for the imposing cooling towers often associated with nuclear plants. Repeated testing shows that Surry Power Station has minimal environmental impact and releases virtually no radiation or harmful emissions.

Notes:
Wikipedia Surry Nuclear Power Plant
Dominion Surry Power Station Website

Please note the footprint size of a Nuclear Engergy plant vs. Alternative Energy (wind, solar, algae, etc.)

Dominion, BP Announce Plans To Evaluate Potential Wind Farms In Tazewell County, Wise County, Va.

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:32:00 +0000

Dominion (NYSE:D) and BP Wind Energy North America Inc. announced today that they are evaluating wind energy projects in Tazewell County, Va. and Wise County, Va. These potential wind facilities represent the first projects announced since Dominion and BP said in April 2008 that they had entered into an agreement to jointly own, operate and develop wind energy projects in Virginia. Both projects would be subject to all applicable local, state and federal permits and approvals.

The exact size of each project and scope of economic benefits have not been determined.

Thomas F. Farrell II, Dominion’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said: "This is a small but important step for Virginia’s nascent wind industry, an industry whose roots must grow stronger if the state is to achieve its renewable energy goals. Dominion is committed to increasing renewable generating capacity, and these projects would move us closer to fulfilling that commitment."

David Stoner, senior vice president, BP Wind Energy, said: "Several areas in the state of Virginia have reasonable wind resources and wind power is a key component of delivering a diverse and adequate energy supply for future generations of Americans. If wind power is developed in the right way, in the right places, it offers a very attractive option as part of the energy mix."

These potential wind farms in Tazewell and Wise counties would be developed by Dominion’s Virginia electric utility subsidiary and BP Wind Energy North America Inc.

Earlier this month, Dominion’s Virginia electric utility subsidiary and BP Wind Energy purchased about 2,560 acres of land in Tazewell County.

View Larger Map

In addition to the joint venture in Virginia, Dominion and BP are partners in 650 megawatts of the 750-megawatt Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County, Ind.

View Larger Map

About Dominion:

Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27,000 megawatts of generation, 1.1 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas and oil reserves, 14,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,000 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates the nation’s largest natural gas storage facility with 975 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 12 states.

Its renewable portfolio includes nearly 1,300 megawatts in various stages of development or in operation.

For more information about Dominion, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.dom.com.

About BP Wind Energy/BP America:

BP Wind Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of BP, one of the world’s leading energy companies. BP Wind Energy is one of the leading wind developers in the U.S. with a wind portfolio that includes the opportunity to develop almost 100 projects and a potential total generating capacity of 20,000 megawatts (MW). BP Wind Energy has over 1,000 MW in or nearing commercial operation and more than 1,000 MW in an advanced stage of development.

BP America is the largest producer of oil and gas in the United States and one of the nation’s largest energy investors. For more information, visit the company’s Web sites at http://www.bpalternativenergy.com and http://www.bp.com/us.

###
CONTACTS:
Media: Dominion: Ryan Frazier, (804) 819-2521
BP Press Office: 281-366-1236

Analysts: Dominion: Laura Kottkamp, (804) 819-2254

Notes:
Dominion Press Release Link

This is Smart? Virginia adding Mercury to its State Parks.

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:45:00 +0000

Governor Kaine Announces Energy Saving Donation in Virginia State Parks
– Virginia's Electric Co-ops donate energy-efficient lighting statewide –

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced a donation by Virginia's electric cooperatives that can cut energy usage and save the Commonwealth money for years to come. The co-ops are donating 4,200 compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), allowing the state to replace all incandescent lights in Virginia's 35 state parks.

But the bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin, and the companies and federal government haven't come up with effective ways to get Americans to recycle them.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and it's especially dangerous for children and fetuses. Most exposure to mercury comes from eating fish contaminated with mercury

Really? So Virginia has a CFL recycling and disposal policies and procedures with whom? IKEEA? Virginia has a Hazardous Clean Up procedure for CFL bulbs? You might want to share this information with the EPA because they haven't figured out what to do with these bulbs.

How did you account for the increase in your maintenance budgets for when you have to replace expensive CFL's when they are broken or need replaced? Or will those be donated also?

Last I looked Nuclear Power Plants didn't emit mercury emissions from its power generation? Why not just build more Nuclear Power Plants?

Notes:
CFL Bulbs Have One Hitch: Toxic Mercury
Frequently Asked Questions
Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury July 2008
Emission-free Nuclear Power

Virginia Lieutenant Governor’s Energy agenda

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:41:00 +0000

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling has released his 2009 Legislative Agenda. Lieutenant Governor Bolling’s agenda builds on the efforts he has made over the past two years to work on a bipartisan basis to find realistic, workable solutions to the challenges facing Virginia.

Full text PDF file of the 2009 Legislative Agenda can be found here.

Energy – We must act now to position Virginia as the nation’s leader in advancing existing and new energy resources. We can do this by approving the following legislation:

• Offshore Drilling (HB 1633 – Saxman) - This legislation affirms Virginia’s desire to proceed with the exploration and development of off shore energy resources and appropriates any royalties the Commonwealth might receive from the development of natural gas and oil among the Transportation Trust Fund, Renewable Electricity Production Grant Fund, the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, and programs developed by the Secretary of Natural Resources to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.

• Wind Energy Development Act of 2009 – (SB 1347 – Wagner / HB 2525 Miller, J.) During the 2008 legislative interim we worked with a diverse group of parties interested in developing wind energy projects in Virginia to identify steps the Commonwealth can take to better position our state to take advantage of developing technologies in wind energy. This legislation would enact a number of these recommendations that involve tax credits and

regulatory changes to make wind energy projects easier and more profitable to pursue.

• South Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Infrastructure Development Compact

(SB1349 – Wagner) - This bill establishes the South Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Infrastructure Development Compact. Under the bill, the party states to the compact will be Virginia, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina. The purpose of the compact is to study, develop, and promote coordinated research and planning of the design, construction, utility interconnection, financing, and operation of offshore wind energy

infrastructure and operations directly adjacent to the shores of the party states.

Another heretic looking for sober solutions in a world drunk on hysteria

noreply@blogger.com (bmo) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:47:00 +0000

The recent Virginia cold spell has me wondering where is the media on this calmity? My cat refuses to go outside! I guess I am another heretic looking for sober solutions in a world drunk on hysteria. “Media is a business, fear sells.”You need warming before CO2 can rise? Where’s the hockeystick?