Via the FACES Newsroom (7-27-10)
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is holding a public “open house” at the Beckley Convention Center today from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. to discuss potential changes to its already complex mining regulatory program. A similar event will be held tomorrow – Wednesday, July 28 – in Morgantown at Mylan Park from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Christopher Hopkins, Senior Vice President Mining
Ben Kelahan, Senior Vice President Energy
The Saint Consulting Group
Wednesday, July 28th – 11:30 am-12:30 pm Eastern
We’ve seen & heard the anti-coal campaigns -
What are the most effective strategies to counter the issues & claims in these campaigns?
What are the key message points for industry to emphasize?
What techniques can be used to counter false claims & set the record straight?
Where should our education & grassroots efforts be focused?
How to transfer community involvement into community goodwill.
Attacking claims on a local, state and national level.
Admin note: We recently invited ACC member and coal emissions reduction experts, ADA – Environmental Solutions to prepare an editorial for the Coalblog and quarterly newsletter. In this article, they describe how they are helping their clients prepare for the changes to the EPA MACT rules. We invite you to check out the article and ADAs website (www.adaes.com) to learn more about their products and services.
Getting Ready for MACT
The American Coal Council is pleased to offer the latest issue of American Coal magazine for download. In this issue, we consider coal’s role in protecting North Americans, our markets and our energy supply from instability and fluctuations. Coal is our ROCK. It is a solid base on which we rely to ensure energy and economic security.
We encourage you to download a copy of this new issue (and the 2010 Membership Directory insert) and read about,
30 states have renewable portfolio standards ranging from 10-33% between 2015-2025. Pending Federal legislation would establish a national renewable energy/efficiency standard of 20% in 2020. Coal consuming utilities and industrials are exploring biomass as an option for RPS compliance.
Biomass is expected to be the largest source of renewable energy ~ comprising 6.4% of the targeted 15% RES by 2020 according to JP Morgan.
Admin note: We recently invited ACC member and coal combustion products (CCP) management experts, Charah, Inc. to prepare an editorial for the Coalblog and monthly member update newsletter. In this article, they describe how they beneficially used CCPs to help ensure their newly constructed corporate headquarters met LEEDs program requirements. We invite you to check out the article and Charah’s website (www.charah.com) to learn more about their offerings.
Citizens for Recycling First (CFRF) has updated its information on the EPA and its stance on coal ash recycling. In a recent blog post, they describe how the EPA has quietly abandoned its support of, and participation in, the Coal Combustion Products Partnership (C2P2) program earlier this week with a small note at the top of the C2P2 page.
On May 4th, 2010, EPA proposed the first-ever national rules to ensure the safe disposal and management of coal combustion residuals from coal-fired power plants. While EPA is engaged in the rulemaking process, the Agency has suspended active participation in the Coal Combustion Products Partnership. EPA continues to believe that beneficial use of coal combustion residuals, when performed properly and in a safe manner, is beneficial to the environment.
ACC members are welcome to access the latest edition of Robert Wilson’s “The Un-Comfort Zone” in the member’s section of the ACC website. Robert Wilson’s Un-Comfort Zone is offered as special content for ACC members only.
THE UN-COMFORT ZONE by Robert Wilson
On my Honor
With the morning mist still on the Hudson River, and the sun just kissing the cliff tops of the New Jersey Palisade, Aaron Burr, Vice President of the United States shot and killed former Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Political opponents for years, the duelists faced each other after Burr sent these words to Hamilton: “Political opposition can never absolve gentlemen from the necessity of a rigid adherence to the laws of honor.”
National Mining Assoc. launches “Hands-on for Safety” initiative – aimed at reducing accidents and injuries to hands.
Learn more about this important program at nma.org/hand_safe.asp. You can download the “Hands-On for Safety” poster (in pdf format) here. You can also request copies of program materials on this page so that they can be integrated into your company’s safety program.
PLEASE!! Help the mining industry do all it can to make sure every miner comes home safely at the end of the work day.
If you haven’t registered for the Implementing Fuel Flexibility Strategies Conference, July 20-21, 2010 at the Allerton Hotel in Chicago, IL, visit http://www.fuelflexibility.org to reserve your seat.
Conference highlights include a Vendors Poster Session, a Networking Luncheon and a Coal Consumers’ Roundtable Breakfast. The program on “Implementing Fuel Flexibility Strategies” examines marketplace and public policy factors driving the need for fuel flexibility approaches. The program details both mandated and elective fuel flex tactics, including associated challenges and opportunities. The agenda includes a blend of presentations and case studies from technical engineering and economic consulting firms, coal power industry representatives, and public policy authorities.
