Coal Costs Rise. Will Your Power Bill Skyrocket Next?

by: TheGreenMiles

Cross-posted from Raising Kaine on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 11:00:16 AM EDT

From the front page of this morning’s Washington Post, Coal Can’t Fill World’s Burning Appetite:

Big swings in the prices of coal and other commodities are common. But while the price of coal has slipped slightly in recent weeks, many analysts and companies are wondering whether high prices are here to stay. […] If high prices last, that would raise the cost of U.S. electricity, half of which is generated by coal-fired powered plants.

Expensive or not, coal is almost always dirtier to burn than are other fossil fuels. Although its use accounts for a quarter of world energy consumption, it generates 39 percent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Climate change concerns could lead to legislation in many countries imposing higher costs on those who burn coal, forcing utilities and factories to become more efficient and curtail its use. Climatologists warn that without technology to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions, burning more coal would be disastrous.

The more you learn about coal, the more you realize Virginia is some sort of Coal Bizarro World. Everywhere else it’s dirty, but here it’s clean! Everywhere else it’s scarce and getting more expensive, but here it’s cheap and abundant! Everywhere else they’re anticipating carbon cap legislation with plans for clean energy, but here we act like greenhouse gas pollution will be free forever.

And everywhere else, our governor is seen as doing the bidding of his energy donors, but here we know there’s still time for Gov. Tim Kaine to prove them wrong. If you haven’t done so yet, take a minute right now to tell Gov. Kaine to do the right thing.

A Widening Gulf?

Army Corps climate efforts in New Orleans may not be enough

By Mike Tidwell
Published in Grist 20 Mar 2008


No one wants to see this again — but can post-Katrina protection efforts keep the Big Easy safe?
Photo: NOAA

Here’s the good news: The Army Corps of Engineers is “racing” to complete a comprehensive levee system for metropolitan New Orleans by 2011 that actually takes into account global warming, at least in terms of sea-level rise.

Here’s the bad news: the levee system under development is wildly insufficient to the growing climate problem, according to many informed critics.

That’s because the vast and flat Louisiana coastal area — sometimes called the “Bangladesh of America” because it could disappear due to sea-level rise alone — cannot be saved just by building levees. It’s the one area of America which, to survive the rising water and bigger hurricanes of a warming world, must develop human-made barrier islands and coastal marshes as an additional emergency defense. These landforms, which can be crafted using the voluminous sediments of the Mississippi River itself, would create a vital buffer that complements the levees, according to a wide range of engineers.

“It all comes down to this: You simply can’t build the levees high enough under any scenario in Louisiana,” said Clifford Smith, a member of the prestigious Mississippi River Commission, a seven-member panel created by Congress to advise the corps on works projects. “That the corps still doesn’t act on this fact, doesn’t commit to building wetlands and barrier islands immediately, leaves me so depressed you can’t imagine it. I’m in depression over this.” Continue reading

I heart SB 309!

The Global Warming Solutions Act (SB 309) was voted out of committee and on to the senate floor, but got put off until tomorrow for votes on amendments and the bill. We’re going to be headed back again tomorrow, and are biting our nails until they pass it!

Over 40 volunteers showed up to help us greet senators and give them crunch bars that said “Help End the Job Crunch: Clean energy Industries Create Jobs.” I went with 5 other volunteers to haunt the tunnels under the capital, and was able to catch some senators and delegates on their way to the capital. It was great to see that several of the senators we met had their crunch bars displayed on their desks throughout the meeting.

It’s a real testament to the success of our efforts to educate the citizens of this area that nothing was mentioned about the reality or proof of global warming. A few years ago, when the Healthy Air Act was under debate, opponents tried to argue that global warming might not be man-made, that it’s a natural cycle

Marylanders! Senate to vote on GWSA tomorrow. WE NEED YOUR BODIES!

The Senate will vote on the Global Warming Solutions Act TOMORROW and need your help to get our message out that the Global Warming Solutions Act will create jobs in Maryland.

FREE CRUNCH BARS!

We’re going to fight the bad guys by being sweet, so we’re going to be passing out crunch bars to get the attention of legislators. If you think you can make it to Annapolis, meet us a Lawyer’s Mall PROMPTLY at 9 am. We’ll be wearing blue t-shirts–so should you!

Stay tuned to this blog tomorrow for LIVE UPDATES on the bill. We’ll let you know what happens as soon as it happens.

Opponents still believe that the bill will be bad for Marylanders. In a recent email, they say that it “is impossible

Reducing Carbon Emissions Could Help, Not Harm, US Economy

On March 10, Yale’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies posted a website looking at the economic impacts of reducing US carbon emissions. While opponents to mandatory climate legislation claim that the costs of adopting the leading proposals would be ruinous to the US economy, Yale says the world’s leading economists who have studied the issue disagree. The website synthesizes the results of thousands of policy simulations from 25 economic models being used to predict the economic impacts of reducing US carbon emissions. The website identifies the seven key assumptions accounting for most of the differences in the models’ predictions. It shows that even under the most pessimistic assumptions, US Gross Domestic Product would still grow by 2.4 percent per year even if emissions are reduced by 40 percent below projected business-as-usual trends by 2030. Under more favorable assumptions, the economy would even grow more rapidly if emissions are reduced than if they are allowed to continue to increase as in the past.

Click on the following links for more information:
http://environment.yale.edu/news/5624-reducing-carbon-emissions-could-help-not/
http://www.climate.yale.edu/seeforyourself/index.php

Vote for Your Fossil Fool

Unroll the green carpet, strap on an eco-gown, and let’s get voting!

Voting for the first annual “Foolies“- the official awards of Fossil Fools Day- has begun.

Vote in the online poll and this year’s winners will get a “special” delivery of their awards, all captured on video of course. Vote today!

Nominees for this year’s top prize include the CEOs of General Motors, Bank of America, ExxonMobil and Dynegy, as well as the premier of Alberta, Canada.

The “Foolies” recognize the world’s biggest contributors to our devastating global addiction to fossil fuels. The awards feature five different categories: Fossil Fool of the Year, Outstanding Performance in Corporate Greenwashing, Most Inauspicious Newcomer, Lifetime Achievement and Biggest Human Toll.

The great Commonwealth of Virginia is being represented in Most Inauspicious Newcomer category. Thomas Farrell, CEO of Dominion Power, has been nominated for the company’s plans to build a new coal-fired power plant in Virginia instead of developing clean energy. Dominion intends to use $1.8 billion of Virginian ratepayer dollars to build this “clean coal” power plant, claiming an empty two acre lot and a pipe make it carbon capture compatible!

Concerned citizens and groups opposing Dominion’s plans to build the coal fired plant are hoping to present Thomas Farrell with the award on Fossil Fool’s Day but they need your help! Cast your ballot for Farrell today.

After you’re done voting, search for a local Fossil Fools Day action targeting your favorite Fossil Fool.

If there are no actions currently scheduled, get some friends together and plan an action targeting your community or campus’s greatest Fossil Fool. Register today!

MD Student Lobby Day a Huge Success!

Last week over 50 students from across Maryland gathered in Annapolis to demand their elected officials make Maryland a national leader and pass the Global Warming Solutions Act. In the morning the students rallied with Governor O’Malley, received lobby training, and then stormed the halls of the state house.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when Michelle Cleveland, a University of Maryland freshman, told a crowd of cheering students at the rally, “As a young person who will live on this planet for many years to come, I feel it is crucial that we do our part to preserve it. Young people today have a strong voice and demand that we commit to addressing global warming right now, before it’s too late. We want twenty-five percent reductions by 2020. That’s what we need to preserve our future and we won’t settle for anything less!”

I had the pleasure to accompany the students on some their lobby visits. A highlight was the student lobby meeting with Delegate Dereck Davis’s Chief of staff, Jim Casen. (Del. Davis is the influential Chairperson of the House Economic Matters Committee).The students prepared for the meeting beforehand on Lawyers Mall, divided the roles between the 16 person lobbying entourage, then bristling with confidence walked to their appointment. There were so many of us excitedly packed into the little room in the Delegate’s office anxiously awaiting the Chief of Staff. The students spoke strongly of how this would boost Maryland’s economy by creating thousands of new green jobs for the state. They also testified to their personal concern for their future. Their concerns were well received when Mr. Casen told the entourage that “the Delegate is fully on board.” Success!

For more on the lobby day here is a press release written by Alicia, a Montgomery county high school student. Just download it here and send to your school newspaper.

The story doesn’t end there! Now back in district the students have been actively organizing letter writing events, call in days, and phone banks to keep the pressure on. Last night alone Towson University got 30 handwritten letters to their state delegates. Keep up the good work!

EPA: More Virginia cities and counties violate Clean Air Act

Apparently dirty air isn’t just for Northern Virginia. Under new EPA standards released today, several Virginia communities around Richmond and Hampton Roads will receive a time-honored label of “non-attainment” with the Clean Air Act. Fourteen cities and counties in Virginia are projected to be in non-attainment: Alexandria City, Arlington, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Hampton City, Hanover, Henrico, Loudoun, Madison, Prince William, Stafford, Suffolk City.

In a release today, Trip Pollard of the Southern Environmental Law Center elaborated.

“What we’re seeing is that unhealthy air is not just an urban problem anymore,” said Pollard. “Even small and mid-sized cities are going to have to tackle their air problems in order to protect the health of their citizens.”

“The fact that more cities than ever are likely to fail to meet even this standard should serve as a wake up call to all Virginians that dirty air is everyone’s problem,” said Trip Pollard.

This announcement comes at a time the state is considering permitting two new power plants, a coal-burning plant in Wise County and a natural gas plant in Buckingham county. This follows a court ruling earlier last week which would restrict mercury emission from power plants too.

Under the new standard, the metro Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia region is expected to remain in violation of the federal standard, otherwise known as being in “nonattainment.” However, the greater Richmond area and Virginia Beach as well as smaller western cities including Harrisonburg, Martinsville and Culpepper will also likely be added to the list. These areas will face deadlines to reach the new standard or risk federal sanctions including tighter smokestacks controls and the possible loss of federal highway money.

Amy Goodman to attend CCAN benefit

Amy Goodman, investigative journalist and host of Democracy Now, has confirmed as CCAN’s guest at our 2nd Annual Spring Climate Rally. The rally will be held at 7:00 p.m. on the evening of April 22 at The George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. Additional speakers include Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners, Betsy Taylor, founder of the 1Sky campaign, Mike Tidwell and Ted Glick, of CCAN. This is will be the progressive climate event of the year!!

Ms. Goodman, who has been called the “human megaphone for the collective progressive unconscious,” has traveled the world to cover injustice from the front lines. In one instance, the Dili Massacre, she literally put her body between Timorese protesters and the Indonesian Army, who beat her and killed at least 250 of the protesters. Her documentary video and reporting on the incident sparked outrage across the world. Goodman has received dozens of awards for her work, including the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the George Polk Award. “Going to where the silence is,” says Goodman, “that is the responsibility of a journalist: giving a voice to those who have been forgotten, forsaken, and beaten down by the powerful.”

She is now the host of Democracy Now, “the exception to the rulers.” She is known for speaking truth to power, most notably during the 2000 election when she unyieldingly questioned President Clinton for his policies on the death penalty, the Middle East and racial profiling, and other issues. Listen now>> She had Ted Glick on her show in his second month of his fast to protest inaction on climate change from Capitol Hill. Listen now>>

There will be a pre-rally reception with Ms. Goodman and other speakers for an additional cost. You will also receive free copies of Amy’s book, “Standing Up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times” and Rev. Wallis’, “The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America.”

This is an event you don’t want to miss!

Buy your tickets!

A tale of three bad amendments

Once upon a time, the Global Warming Solutions Act was merrily making its way through the Maryland General Assembly. There were minor setbacks, of course, but, obviously, things had been going much too easily. So to make life more interesting for this particular bill, its opponents have started introducing truly terrible amendments.

They are:

1. Require MDE to seek legislative approval for any action required by this bill.
This is designed to slow down the effectiveness of the bill. MDE already has the authority to initiate some new programs to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. It would be a step backward to put an extra step in the process for these programs.

2. Turn the 2020 cap into a soft target.
This is the whole point of the bill: to set goals, make plans to achieve them, and implement.
Nuff said.

3. Allow any federal policy to preempt our state law.
Currently proposed federal legislation is much less comprehensive. Even if it were actually science-based, we do now want to give up the right to make our own laws dealing with pollution and other issues.

The truly scary part? Word on the street is that some of the swing voters think that these sound like *great* ideas.

We need to tell these people that a vote for any of these amendments is a vote against the bill:

Sen. John Astle (District 30) – (410) 841-3578, (301) 858-3578
Roy Dyson (District 29) – (410) 841-3673, (301) 858-3673
Ed DeGrange (District 32) – (410) 841-3593, (301) 858-3593
Nathaniel Exum (District 24) – (410) 841-3148, (301) 858-3148
Edward J. Kasemeyer (District 12) – (410) 841-3653, (301) 858-3653
Delores Kelley (District 10) – (410) 841-3606, (301) 858-3606
Kathy Klausmeier (District 8 – (410) 841-3620, (301) 858-3620
Rona Kramer (District 14) – (410) 841-3625, (301) 858-3625
Doug Peters (District 23) – (410) 841-3631, (301) 858-3631
Jim Robey (District 13) – (410) 841-3572, (301) 858-3572
Norman Stone (District 6) – (410) 841-3587, (301) 858-3587

If you’re feeling action-oriented, make a few phone calls today. I really don’t want to start working to kill GWSA because it turned so bad it wasn’t worth passing.