Duke Energy’s Asheville-area coal-fired power plant
From the Wall Street Journal, Sept. 16, 2014
WASHINGTON—The Obama administration said Tuesday it is allowing more time for the public to weigh in on draft regulations controlling carbon emissions from hundreds of fossil-fuel power plants across the country after a majority of senators called for the extension.
The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it was extending by 45 days its public-comment period that was originally scheduled to end Oct. 16.
In a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy last week, 53 senators, including several Democrats up for re-election this year, urged the administration to allow 60 more days; the comment period was originally 120 days. The new closing date is Dec. 1.
Announced on June 2, the proposed rule seeks to cut carbon emissions from the nation’s power plants 30% by 2030 based on emissions levels from 2005. EPA has set different standards for each state, based upon regional energy mixes and what the agency has deemed each state can do to shift to cleaner sources of electricity.
The agency is still scheduled to issue a final rule by its original deadline of June 2015, EPA Acting Administrator for Air and Radiation Janet McCabe said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday. “Because of the strong amount of interest we’ve seen from stakeholders, we are announcing today that we are extending the comment period for an additional 45 days,” Ms. McCabe said.
The regulations are the cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s climate-change agenda and affect most detrimentally coal-fired power plants, which produce the most carbon emissions and provide about 40% of the nation’s electricity today.
EPA’s announcement Tuesday comes a week before Mr. Obama travels to New York City to participate in a United Nations summit where he is expected to lay out his administration’s climate-change agenda to world leaders.
WNCA’s official statement/comments on proposed fracking rules in NC:
Read or download the statement here.
WNC fracking news updates:
Sylva Herald: Opponents dominate WCU fracking hearing
Asheville Citizen-Times: Large crowd turns thumbs down on fracking rules
WLOS TV: Fracking debate at WCU
WNCN: Hundreds cram last NC fracking hearing in west
The concern about fracking in the mountains was galvanized by the passage this summer of Senate Bill 786, which lifted the moratorium on issuing state permits for hydraulic fracturing for gas.
Fracking is a process using high-pressure injection of water, sand and chemicals to release natural gas trapped in underground shale formations.
WNCA and our environmental partners are concerned about risks of fracking, including the potential contamination of ground water, risks to air quality, the potential migration of gases and hydraulic fracturing chemicals to the surface, the potential mishandling of waste, and the health effects of these.
The comment deadline is Sept 30.
CLICK HERE to send a comment NOW to oil&gas@ncdenr.gov
Or send a comment by mail to:
Mining & Energy Commission
ATTN: Oil and Gas Program
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612
Look for more information from us as the hearing date approaches.
- Click here for updates and tips from Frack Free NC.
- Click here for updates from the policy blog of the N.C. Conservation Network.
Join our friends with A Greener Day, in conjunction with the Sierra Club and Clean Water for NC, for an abridged showing of “Gasland II” at 11:30 am. Sept. 8 at The Millroom, 66 Asheland Ave., in Asheville.
Gasland II chronicles some of the worst impacts of the natural gas extraction industry. The screening will be followed by a talk and discussion led by Sally Morgan of Clean Water for North Carolina, who will talk about fracking and what it means for us here in North Carolina.
Please RSVP here, to help us figure out how much food we need!
(Iced herbal tea will be provided by Green Sage Cafe.)
News release from Buncombe County:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) will hold a listening session to solicit input from community members regarding the EPA’s communication with residents impacted by the CTS of Asheville Superfund Site. Comments must address communications that occurred after January 2012 related to:
- Site sampling and monitoring.
- Schedules and milestones for planned and completed site activities.
- Site cleanup progress to date.
- Safeguards in place for protecting human health as cleanup activities continue.
Thursday, August 21, 6 – 8 p.m.
T.C. Roberson High School Auditorium
250 Overlook Road, Asheville
All local residents are invited to share their experiences.
Each community member will be given three minutes to speak on the specified subject areas – with the possibility of additional time after all others have spoken. The OIG requests that participants follow a few ground rules: (1) Avoid talking while others are speaking, (2) Refrain from personal confrontations or attacks, and (3) Respect agreements about time. The OIG will hear oral statements and collect supporting documentation to aid in determining whether the EPA has been communicating as required and if communication has been timely. A comment box also will be made available to submit written statements.
On July 22, 2014, the OIG announced a review of CTS site sampling, monitoring, communication and opportunities for site cleanup efficiencies. The OIG is an independent office within the EPA that performs audits, evaluations and investigations of the EPA and its contractors to promote economy and efficiency, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse. Through program evaluation work, the OIG contributes to improved environmental quality and human health. The OIG strives to provide solutions to problems that ultimately result in making America a cleaner and healthier place.
For more information about the OIG, visit www.epa.gov/oig and follow us on Twitter at @EPAoig.
Would you or someone you know like to be considered for a leadership position at the only grassroots environmental advocacy group focused solely on conserving Western North Carolina’s natural heritage?
We are looking for candidates to fill four positions on the board of this newly merged organization that includes the Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA), the Environmental and Conservation Organization (ECO), and the Jackson Macon Conservation Alliance (JMCA) beginning Jan. 1, 2015.
Board members ensure that the organization continues to be well managed and remains fiscally sound. Members also support the organization by raising money, bringing contacts to the organization and acting as ambassadors to the community.
We are seeking candidates who:
- Bring geographic and much-needed racial diversity to the composition of our leadership
- Are well networked in the community
- Are strategic thinkers
- Have skills and experience that will benefit the organization especially in accounting/finance, fundraising, communications, and legal
- Will commit the necessary time (i.e. attend bi-monthly meetings, serve on subcommittees and attend events)
Nomination Guidelines:
Nominations must be submitted to WNCA Co-Director Bob Wagner at BobW@WNCA.org by Aug. 31.
In your nomination, please include the person’s name, contact information (email, phone), county they live in, and one to two paragraphs describing why you are nominating this person.
It is not necessary to contact the person prior to submitting their nomination. The Governance Committee will follow up with you and the nominee.
Watauga River Gorge
The Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA) is seeking an individual to serve as both Regional Director and Watauga Riverkeeper in its high country regional office based in Boone.
For more than 30 years, WNCA has been a trusted community partner, marshaling grassroots support to keep our forests healthy, our air and water clean, and our communities vibrant. With a combination of policy advocacy, scientific research, and community collaboration, the Alliance unleashes the power of citizens’ voices to protect the natural heritage of our region, so that people and the environment can thrive.
Regional offices serve the following functions in their respective regions:
- To be a resource for the public on environmental issues
- To engage, organize, and lead citizens in work/advocacy on local environmental issues and on state and federal issues that are priorities for the organization
- To organize membership outreach events
- To build and maintain relationships with major donors
The Watauga Riverkeeper serves the following functions in its watershed:
- To be a public advocate for the watershed with government agencies, partner groups, the community, and the media, including taking these stakeholders on the river as needed and monitoring, investigating, documenting, and reporting harmful activity
- To create programs and initiatives to improve the watershed and to recruit and manage volunteers to support those programs
- To work in partnership with other NC Riverkeepers on statewide initiatives and the Waterkeeper Alliance on national campaigns that relate to the Watauga River watershed
- To actively seek funding to support Riverkeeper programs and initiatives
To fulfill their duties, the Regional Director/Riverkeeper should be:
- Passionate and committed to preserving the environment, fluent on environmental issues (particularly water), and able to teach and engage people on these issues
- Able to organize, coordinate, and lead people toward a common goal
- Comfortable engaging and leading citizens in policy advocacy at all levels of government
- Comfortable working with a range of people and interests
- Able to build relationships with major donors and other funders
- Able to coordinate with staff working in other locations
- Able to formulate for the region yearly goals, benchmarks, and operating budget.
Therefore, the following are requirements for the Regional Director/Riverkeeper:
- Significant experience with watershed science, stream ecology, Clean Water Act enforcement, environmental policy, or other relevant areas such as conservation, water access and recreation, or environmental advocacy
- Experience in community organizing, membership development, campaigns, or other position requiring coordination of people
- Experience paddling and ability to safely take others on the river
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Good decision-making, problem-solving and interpersonal skills
- Teaching skills
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
- Ability to work on many projects at once and maintain attention to details
- Ability to work across political, social, and economic lines
- A bachelor’s degree
The following are preferred:
- Master’s degree or other advanced degree in a field related to the environment
- Advocacy experience
- Fundraising or membership outreach experience
- Familiarity with Waterkeeper grassroots model and movement
- Experience with online communications tools and video technology
Competitive salary commensurate with experience and excellent benefits package.
How to apply:
Send cover letter, resume and three references to Julie Mayfield, Co-Director, Julie@WNCA.org.
Subject line should read: “Regional Director/Watauga Riverkeeper.”
Application deadline: Aug. 31, 2014
EEO
