A federal judge on Wednesday rebuffed the Obama administration's attempt to reverse a Bush-era rule that allows surface mine waste to be dumped near streams.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar wanted to return to a 1983 regulation that kept coal companies 100 feet from streams unless they could prove that mining would not harm water quality or quantity. But U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr. wrote in his ruling that granting Salazar's request would be tantamount to changing a federal regulation without public input. The Interior Department is reviewing the decision.
In mountaintop removal mining, companies remove vast areas to expose coal. Although they are required to restore much of the land, the removal creates tons of debris that is used to fill nearby valleys.
-Associated Press
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Ohio EPA Proposes Revisions to State WQ Standards
On August 6, 2009, Ohio EPA filed proposed revisions to rules addressing water quality standards for surface waters of the state. This rulemaking addresses: submittal, public notice and public hearing requirements for Section 401 water quality certification projects; recreation use designations; and water quality criteria for bacteria.
Comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on September 10, 2009. For more information go to http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/prop_wqs_aug09.html.
Note: The draft version of this rulemaking, made available for public comment in March 2009, also included revisions to rule 3745-1-31 (Lake Erie standards) that would restrict disposal of dredge material in Lake Erie. The Agency has decided to delay proposal of the rule 3745-1-31 revisions to allow more time to discuss them with stakeholders.
Comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on September 10, 2009. For more information go to http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/prop_wqs_aug09.html.
Note: The draft version of this rulemaking, made available for public comment in March 2009, also included revisions to rule 3745-1-31 (Lake Erie standards) that would restrict disposal of dredge material in Lake Erie. The Agency has decided to delay proposal of the rule 3745-1-31 revisions to allow more time to discuss them with stakeholders.
USGS says Appalachian coal will reach peak production in 10 years
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has completed the National Coal Resource Assessment (NCRA), a multiyear project by the USGS Energy Resources Program, in partnership with State geological surveys in the coal producing regions of the United States. The NCRA is the first digital national coal-resource assessment. Coal beds and zones were assessed in five regions that account for more than 90 percent of the Nation’s coal production—(1) the Appalachian Basin, (2) the Illinois Basin, (3) the Gulf Coastal Plain, (4) the Colorado Plateau, and (5) the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains. The purpose of this Professional Paper, USGS Professional Paper 1625–F, is to present a tabulation and overview of the assessment results, insight into the methods used in the NCRA, and supplemental information on coal quality, economics, and other factors that affect coal production in the United States.
Read the study here.
Read the study here.
Possible Coal Industry Link to Forged Letters
By Red Green and Blue - Red Green and Blue
Written by Tom Schueneman
Last week we reported on a series of forged letters sent to freshman Congressman Tom Perriello, purportedly from constituent groups, but in reality from an employee for "grassroots" lobbying firm Bonner & Associates. The letters urged Perriello to vote against the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
A total of 12 forged letters, sent to three House Democrats, have thus far been uncovered. As well, as Perriello, who voted for ACES, Kathy Dahlkemper and Chris Carney of Pennsylvania also received letters claiming authorship from community organizations. Dahlkemper and Carney voted against ACES.
The task now is unraveling the extent of the connection between the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, the forged letters, and Bonner & Associates.
Read the entire article here.
Written by Tom Schueneman
Last week we reported on a series of forged letters sent to freshman Congressman Tom Perriello, purportedly from constituent groups, but in reality from an employee for "grassroots" lobbying firm Bonner & Associates. The letters urged Perriello to vote against the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
A total of 12 forged letters, sent to three House Democrats, have thus far been uncovered. As well, as Perriello, who voted for ACES, Kathy Dahlkemper and Chris Carney of Pennsylvania also received letters claiming authorship from community organizations. Dahlkemper and Carney voted against ACES.
The task now is unraveling the extent of the connection between the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, the forged letters, and Bonner & Associates.
Read the entire article here.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
USDA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE NEW CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
USDA News Release
New Program To Be Available Nationwide With Continuous Enrollments
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking public comment on the new Conservation Stewardship Program, which is designed to encourage agricultural and forestry producers to maintain existing conservation practices and adopt additional ones in their operations. The public can submit comments for 60 days and must be
submitted on or before Sept. 28, 2009. For full details about the new Conservation Stewardship Program, please visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/new_csp/ or visit your local NRCS field office.
"It is important for Americans to provide feedback about the programs that their government provides on their behalf and they now have this opportunity to comment on the Conservation Stewardship Program," Vilsack said. "We developed the interim final rule for this program in order to appeal to our diverse customers and offer them an equal chance to participate."
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) authorized the Conservation Stewardship Program. Congress renamed and revamped the former Conservation Security Program to improve its availability and appeal to agricultural and forestry producers. The Conservation Stewardship Program will be offered in all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through
continuous sign-ups with announced cut-off application dates for ranking periods. Congress capped the annual acreage enrollment at 12,769,000 acres nationwide.
Comments on the Conservation Stewardship Program interim final rule can be submitted online, or through regular mail, e-mail, fax or in person.
Information on how to submit comments is available at the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service's Web site at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2008/index.html and at the Federal Register at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
New Program To Be Available Nationwide With Continuous Enrollments
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking public comment on the new Conservation Stewardship Program, which is designed to encourage agricultural and forestry producers to maintain existing conservation practices and adopt additional ones in their operations. The public can submit comments for 60 days and must be
submitted on or before Sept. 28, 2009. For full details about the new Conservation Stewardship Program, please visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/new_csp/ or visit your local NRCS field office.
"It is important for Americans to provide feedback about the programs that their government provides on their behalf and they now have this opportunity to comment on the Conservation Stewardship Program," Vilsack said. "We developed the interim final rule for this program in order to appeal to our diverse customers and offer them an equal chance to participate."
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) authorized the Conservation Stewardship Program. Congress renamed and revamped the former Conservation Security Program to improve its availability and appeal to agricultural and forestry producers. The Conservation Stewardship Program will be offered in all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through
continuous sign-ups with announced cut-off application dates for ranking periods. Congress capped the annual acreage enrollment at 12,769,000 acres nationwide.
Comments on the Conservation Stewardship Program interim final rule can be submitted online, or through regular mail, e-mail, fax or in person.
Information on how to submit comments is available at the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service's Web site at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2008/index.html and at the Federal Register at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
RECOVERY FUNDS HELP QUADRUPLE INVESTMENT IN CRITICAL REPAIRS, UPGRADES TO WATER SYSTEMS
From PADEP
PROJECTS WILL CREATE 5,600 JOBS, BOOST LOCAL ECONOMIES
HARRISBURG – Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have helped Pennsylvania dramatically increase the amount of money available for repairs and upgrades to failing sewer and wastewater treatment systems, while helping ratepayers in struggling communities better manage the costs for improved water services, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.
The commonwealth is receiving approximately $220 million in Recovery Act funds this year to distribute to communities in grants and loans through PENNVEST for drinking water and wastewater projects. The Governor noted that through wise management of available funding, the state will be able to address significant health and safety concerns that hinder economic development while creating new jobs statewide.
“PENNVEST normally awards approximately $280 million each year for badly needed repairs to our critical infrastructure, but this year we were able to match Recovery Act money with other state and federal funds to distribute more than $1 billion for drinking water and wastewater projects,” Governor Rendell said. “This nearly four-fold increase allows us to address some of the most pressing problems where failing systems are threatening public health and safety and driving away opportunities for economic growth and investment.”
Governor Rendell met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Regional Administrator Bill Early to accept $93 million in recovery funds for the state Clean Water Revolving Fund that will be distributed through PENNVEST for repairs and upgrades to existing wastewater infrastructure. Projects receiving the funding were announced in April and July.
Of the $220 million in recovery funds Pennsylvania will receive in 2009 under the Recovery Act, $155 million is earmarked for wastewater projects and $65 million will go to repairs to existing drinking water systems.
In addition to addressing public safety problems such as leaking and failing wastewater systems that discharge raw sewage into streams and public areas, the repair projects are boosting local economies, providing more than 5,600 construction-related jobs.
Read more here.
###
PROJECTS WILL CREATE 5,600 JOBS, BOOST LOCAL ECONOMIES
HARRISBURG – Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have helped Pennsylvania dramatically increase the amount of money available for repairs and upgrades to failing sewer and wastewater treatment systems, while helping ratepayers in struggling communities better manage the costs for improved water services, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.
The commonwealth is receiving approximately $220 million in Recovery Act funds this year to distribute to communities in grants and loans through PENNVEST for drinking water and wastewater projects. The Governor noted that through wise management of available funding, the state will be able to address significant health and safety concerns that hinder economic development while creating new jobs statewide.
“PENNVEST normally awards approximately $280 million each year for badly needed repairs to our critical infrastructure, but this year we were able to match Recovery Act money with other state and federal funds to distribute more than $1 billion for drinking water and wastewater projects,” Governor Rendell said. “This nearly four-fold increase allows us to address some of the most pressing problems where failing systems are threatening public health and safety and driving away opportunities for economic growth and investment.”
Governor Rendell met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Regional Administrator Bill Early to accept $93 million in recovery funds for the state Clean Water Revolving Fund that will be distributed through PENNVEST for repairs and upgrades to existing wastewater infrastructure. Projects receiving the funding were announced in April and July.
Of the $220 million in recovery funds Pennsylvania will receive in 2009 under the Recovery Act, $155 million is earmarked for wastewater projects and $65 million will go to repairs to existing drinking water systems.
In addition to addressing public safety problems such as leaking and failing wastewater systems that discharge raw sewage into streams and public areas, the repair projects are boosting local economies, providing more than 5,600 construction-related jobs.
Read more here.
###
No Funds for Acid Mine Drainage in Deckers Creek... Yet
Story by Stacy Moniot
Channel 12 News
MORGANTOWN -- A Monongalia County group wants the state to move a little faster on cleaning up acid mine drainage in Decker's Creek, but state officials say the funds just are not there.
The amount of money it is going to take to clean up a portion of Decker's Creek is just about as scary as the creek's water, but a group, the Friends of Decker's Creek, won't give up on the project.
To their members, it is worth the cost. "We're ready!" says the group's executive director, Sarah Veselka. "And the community's willing and there' been a lot of hard work going into cleaning up AMD in the watershed, Richard Mine is the last problem. It's the biggest problem, but it's the last problem."
It is also the most expensive problem. There is an agreement for the state to fund the cleanup, but after several years, the project has not moved forward. The group has asked city council, county commission, and others to join them in trying to get Governor Joe Manchin's attention.
"We'd like to see Manchin urge the DEP to abandoned mine land funds to put a treatment facility at the Richard Mine," Veselka says.
"We are totally committed and dedicated to getting that done," Gov. Manchin replied at a separate public event. "And I have been brought up, a little bit to speed on it, not the details of it, because I asked the same question when I heard it- 'Why aren't we doing that?'"
The WV DEP says it comes down to money. They estimate it would take $500,000 to maintain a treatment facility, on top of the millions it will take to start the process.There just are not enough funds left to fund the expensive cleanup, after taking care of higher priority projects, according to DEP officials.
"Decker's Creek could have a thriving bass fishery, people could access the creek from the Rail Trail, and I think it could promote a lot of creekside development," Veselka says.
But that is just the problem, according to DEP officials. Decker's Creek would be mostly a recreation site, while mine reclamation funds are better used by improving drinking water.
State officials say they will try to use incoming federal funds to store up money for the project.
Channel 12 News
MORGANTOWN -- A Monongalia County group wants the state to move a little faster on cleaning up acid mine drainage in Decker's Creek, but state officials say the funds just are not there.
The amount of money it is going to take to clean up a portion of Decker's Creek is just about as scary as the creek's water, but a group, the Friends of Decker's Creek, won't give up on the project.
To their members, it is worth the cost. "We're ready!" says the group's executive director, Sarah Veselka. "And the community's willing and there' been a lot of hard work going into cleaning up AMD in the watershed, Richard Mine is the last problem. It's the biggest problem, but it's the last problem."
It is also the most expensive problem. There is an agreement for the state to fund the cleanup, but after several years, the project has not moved forward. The group has asked city council, county commission, and others to join them in trying to get Governor Joe Manchin's attention.
"We'd like to see Manchin urge the DEP to abandoned mine land funds to put a treatment facility at the Richard Mine," Veselka says.
"We are totally committed and dedicated to getting that done," Gov. Manchin replied at a separate public event. "And I have been brought up, a little bit to speed on it, not the details of it, because I asked the same question when I heard it- 'Why aren't we doing that?'"
The WV DEP says it comes down to money. They estimate it would take $500,000 to maintain a treatment facility, on top of the millions it will take to start the process.There just are not enough funds left to fund the expensive cleanup, after taking care of higher priority projects, according to DEP officials.
"Decker's Creek could have a thriving bass fishery, people could access the creek from the Rail Trail, and I think it could promote a lot of creekside development," Veselka says.
But that is just the problem, according to DEP officials. Decker's Creek would be mostly a recreation site, while mine reclamation funds are better used by improving drinking water.
State officials say they will try to use incoming federal funds to store up money for the project.
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