Comments

1. 

   TBill

   August 3, 2015

   OK I agree the initial target for Va. seemed draconian, the final target seems more reasonable. I also felt strongly that the original 2020 interim deadline was impossible to meet, now we have 2022. It’s too early for me to make a final comment on the new Va. target, and other specifics. One Politico article suggested the final proposal was less friendly to natural gas in general, Dominion saying the opposite above. That is confusing for me at the moment.

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2. 

   Rowinguy

   August 3, 2015

   According to a fact sheet on the EPA’s website, states may choose either of two types of plans. One is the “Emissions standards plan” that would assign source-specific requirements directly to each affected generating unit and would be federally enforceable.

   The other is called the “State measures plan” that allows a state to incorporate such measures as “renewable energy standards and programs to improve residential energy efficiency that are not included as federally enforceable components of the plan.”

   Thus, it appears that the EPA decided that their authority to federally enforce such types of “outside the fence” activity was questionable.

   http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan

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3. 

   LarrytheG

   August 3, 2015

   didn’t faze Bill Howell and company:

   “The E.P.A. rule released today is not only another example of an overreaching federal government, but more importantly it will drive up energy costs for hardworking Virginians and further damage our already struggling economy,” said House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “The United States Supreme Court just struck down one of the E.P.A.’s last major regulations and litigation over this rule is virtually guaranteed. Governor McAuliffe should delay implementation in Virginia to provide families and businesses with certainty while the case is litigated.”

   “Seven years ago, President Obama promised that under his energy plan, ‘electricity rates will necessarily skyrocket,’” said House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights). “The State Corporation Commission staff estimates this rule could mean $6 billion in higher electricity costs for the working poor, senior citizens and people all across the Commonwealth. It is clear that President Obama has followed through on his promise. Governor McAuliffe should protect families, the working class, seniors and businesses by delaying the implementation of this rule until any lawsuits are finalized.”

   Speaking about the regulations, House Commerce & Labor Chairman Terry Kilgore (R-Scott) said, “No area of the Commonwealth has felt the effects of the Obama-Clinton-McAuliffe war on coal more than Southwest Virginia. These regulations are another striking blow to our way of life. Coal-fired power plants will be forced to close, meaning less demand for coal and fewer jobs at home. At the same time, the people without jobs because of these regulations will face higher energy prices. This is a punch to the gut for Southwest Virginia.”
   “Whether you live in Southwest Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley or inside the suburbs of Northern Virginia, Central Virginia and Hampton Roads, you will feel the effects of these overreaching regulations,” said House Republican Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax). “These mandates will ripple throughout the economy, raising energy prices for business that will be undoubtedly be passed on to customers. Virginia’s economy is already struggling. We reported zero percent growth in the first quarter and recently fell to 12th on CNBC’s list of Top States for Business. President Obama and Governor McAuliffe’s regulatory policies will only make it that much more difficult for us to recover.”

   “When I work with people looking to buy a home, energy costs are always one of their biggest concerns,” said House Majority Whip Jackson Miller (R-Manassas). “Unfortunately because of the Obama-Clinton-McAuliffe agenda, those energy costs are going up, making it harder for working-class families to afford a home and harder for seniors to stay in their homes. The billions of dollars this rule will cost our economy pales in comparison to the human costs it will impose.”

   “California billionaire Tom Steyer and his liberal environmentalist allies gave Governor McAuliffe over $3.3 million during his campaign,” said Deputy Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah). “The Governor faces a choice. Either side with the extremist donors who bankroll him and his good friend Hillary Clinton, or fight for the cash-strapped Virginians who are going to suffer from new regulations by paying much higher monthly energy bills. Unfortunately, I think I already know the answer.”

   http://augustafreepress.com/virginia-house-republicans-criticize-new-epa-regulations/

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   1. 

      Reed Fawell 3rd

      August 3, 2015

      excellent comment.

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   2. 

      Rowinguy

      August 3, 2015

      Given that the end targets for Virginia are so much more reasonable and the time frame for meeting them has been appropriately extended, my view is that the costs for compliance in Virginia will be markedly reduced. The quotations that you have provided, LarryG, seem pretty predictable to me, don’t they to you?

      As you have pointed out, coal is diminishing as a prime source of power, although it should continue to prove valuable for many years yet. There just won’t be nearly as much coal power as there was in the past. Gas will be the bridge fuel until costs of renewables approach parity and deployment of renewables can be effected and the necessary adjustments to grid management can be made.

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4. 

   LarrytheG

   August 3, 2015

   Here’s another perspective:

   ” Why Obama’s epic climate plan isn’t such a big deal”

   The carbon regulations that President Obama is unveiling today sound like they’ll be a bit stronger than the toothless draft rules he unveiled last year. That doesn’t mean they’ll be strong. And it certainly doesn’t mean they’ll be “the strongest action ever taken to combat climate change,” as The New York Times breathlessly referred to them in its news pages yesterday morning.

   It’s not yet clear exactly what they’ll be, because so far the Obama administration has only revealed some non-binding national goals, not the hard emissions targets that states will be required to meet. But the early leaks suggest that the Clean Power Plan will require the electricity sector to decarbonize slightly more than it would have under the draft plan. The sector’s emissions are expected to drop 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, up from 30 percent in the draft. The plan now anticipates renewable energy to rise to 28 percent of the grid’s capacity by 2030, instead of 22 percent, and coal to drop to 27 percent of capacity, instead of 31 percent.

   That’s nice, but by the end of this year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the power sector’s emissions will already be down 15.4 percent from 2005 levels — about half the anticipated reductions in just a decade, and before the plan goes into effect.”

   http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/08/why-obamas-epic-climate-plan-isnt-such-a-big-deal-000183

   and yes Rowinguy – the politics are about as expected – and it would not matter a whole lot what the specifics of the plan is – the message would be the same.

   The POTUS pointed out that the same folks came out against getting lead out of gasoline, reducing acid rain, and fuel mileage standards for vehicles. same folks. same message. and just as wrong.

   I cannot recall a single EPA regulation that has been determined to be just as horrible as the detractors argued – and subsequently was rolled back.

   we still have unleaded gas. we’ve removed CFCs from refrigerants, we’ve substantially reduced acid rain, the rivers and air are cleaner, PCBs and Dioxin and other toxics are pretty much gone, – and our cars get such good mileage that it’s imperiled the gas tax and yet the gloom and doom torch and pitchfork crowd can’t seem to help themselves.

   again – what EPA regs have been repealed because they turned out to be the disaster the opposition claimed?

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   1. 

      TooManyTaxes

      August 4, 2015

      EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy admitted that the steps being taken would only prevent .01 degrees Celsius of warming, but it was the example that counted for the rest of the world.

      http://patriotpost.us/opinion/36771

      http://www.examiner.com/article/epa-head-we-don-t-need-to-justify-our-regulations-with-data

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5. 

   Reed Fawell 3rd

   August 4, 2015

   One reads this caption – “EPA Cuts Virginia Slack with New CO2 Emission Targets” – and one does not know whether to laugh or cry.

   Here is the article’s stated reason “EPA cuts Virginia slack”:

   “The roll-back represents a significant victory for Governor Terry McAuliffe, who had lobbied EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to give consideration to Virginia’s previous progress in replacing coal-fired power plants with natural gas, which, though a fossil fuel, releases less CO2 per unit of electricity generated than does coal. Virginia has reduced CO2 emissions 16% since 2008, according to the EPA’s own data.”

   Now we all know Governor Terry McAuliffe (who would have guessed 10 years ago he be Virginia’s governor) is the Clintons great bundler of money for campaigns and, of course, he’s a known master of crony capitalism. Take Greentech’s MyCar, for example.

   So who in the world is better positioned to get “EPA to cut Virginia Slack” on how it regulates the generation of Virginian’s electricity?

   But what does political influence and crony capitalism in Washington DC have to do with how much Virginians pay for electricity in their state?

   Why are we even having to ask this question?

   Are we watching in real time the collapse or representative government in the United States?

   Is not the US Congress supposed to make the federal laws of the US?

   Is not the US President supposed to “faithfully” execute the Federal laws that the US Congress makes? And is not the same thing supposed to happen in Virginia except its state laws (regulating electricity say) are made by the General Assembly and executed (not made) by the Governor of Virginia?

   Why is what is going on now appear to be the exact reverse? The President makes the laws then tells his own Federal Agency EPA to fill in the details, and then tells EPA who it is to enforce those laws against based on their political behavior – say for example the Obama administrations and Clinton’s political friends and big cash bundlers like Terry McAuliffe who are to be “Cut the Slack” while states with Republican Governors likely get the knife, another words States with Republican Governors Are Hosed.

   And while all this lawless behavior is going on, the US Congress and Virginia’s General Assembly who are supposed to represent the people of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, respectively, are left out in the Cold, doing absolutely nothing and being clueless as to what is going on. Hence the fact that we today are watching in real time the collapse or representative government in the United States.

   If you doubt that the White House in Washington DC is not doing this to Virginia and its citizens, then read the words of the Obama Administration’s White house that are set out below, and decide for yourself.

   And if you worry the political crony game going on now in this country is not for a great cause, the read the words of the White House below declaring that Global warming caused by affordable electric power is Public Enemy Number One –

   THE WHITE HOUSE yesterday tells us, indeed ANNOUNCES:

   “- A CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT POWER SECTOR IN
   VIRGINIA-”

   “We have a moral obligation to leave our children a planet that’s not polluted or damaged. By taking action now to combat climate change, including developing homegrown clean energy and cutting energy waste, we can help protect our kids’ health, cut carbon pollution, and begin to slow the effects of climate change so we leave a cleaner, safer environment for future generations.”

   “We are already feeling the dangerous and costly effects of a changing climate across the nation. In the past three decades, the percentage of Americans with asthma has more than doubled, and climate change is putting those Americans at greater risk of landing in the hospital. And extreme weather events from more severe droughts and wildfires in the west to more powerful hurricanes and record heat waves are affecting communities across the country. Now is the time to act. We have already made progress by moving to cleaner sources of energy and improving the energy efficiency of our cars, trucks, and buildings.”

   The Clean Power Plan, a key part of the President’s Climate Action Plan, cuts harmful carbon pollution from the power sector that’s fueling climate change. By setting the first ever national standards to limit carbon pollution from power plants, the largest single source of U.S. carbon pollution, it will improve the health of Americans across the country, create clean energy jobs, and help households and businesses save on their energy bills. The final plan takes into account the more than 4 million comments received from states and stakeholders across the country, creating strong but achievable standards for power plants that provide flexibility and choices for states and utilities on how to achieve their clean energy future.

   – The Clean Power Plan Will Improve the Health of Virginia Residents –

   “We know climate change will put vulnerable populations at greater risk –including the elderly, our kids, and people already suffering from burdensome allergies, asthma, and other illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8. 7 percent of Virginia’s adult population suffers from asthma. The sooner we act, by taking responsible steps to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants, the more we can do to prevent impacts that affect all Americans – especially the most vulnerable.”

   “In 2013, 35 million metric tons of carbon pollution were emitted from power plants in Virginia — equal to the yearly pollution from over 7 million cars. In addition to reducing a portion of this carbon pollution, EPA’ s guidelines will also cut other forms of air pollution like soot and smog. Overall, these reductions will provide significant health benefits.”

   “Since the Clean Air Act was implemented more than 40 years ago, the EPA has continued to protect the health of communities, in particular those vulnerable to the impacts of harmful pollution, while growing the economy. In fact, since 1970, air pollution has decreased by nearly 70 percent while the economy has tripled in size. The Clean Power Plan builds on this progress, while providing states the flexibility to have clean, reliable, and affordable electricity.”

   – Reducing Carbon Pollution Lowers Risks and Costs for Virginia –

   “Virginia is part of the U.S. National Climate Assessment’s
   Southeast Region. The findings in the National Climate Assessment underscore the need for urgent action to combat the threats from climate change, protect American citizens and communities today, and build a sustainable future for our kids and grand kids. According to the third U.S. National Climate Assessment Highlights report, regional and state specific impacts include:

   • “Sea Level Rise: Large numbers of cities, roads, railways, ports, airports, oil and gas facilities, and water supplies are at low elevations and potentially vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise. The cumulative costs to the national economy of responding to sea level rise and flooding events alone could be as high as $325 billion by 2100 for 4 feet of sea level rise, with $88 billion in the North Atlantic region. The projected costs associated with one foot of sea level rise by 2100 nationally are roughly $200 billion. Flooding and sea water intrusion from sea level rise and increasing storm surge threaten eastern coastal cities including Virginia Beach and many other coastal cities.”

   • Extreme Heat: “Temperatures across the region are expected to increase in the future. Major consequences include significant increases in the number of hot days (95°F or above) and decreases in freezing events. Higher temperatures contribute to the formation of harmful air pollutants and allergens. Higher temperatures are also projected to reduce livestock and crop productivity. Climate change is expected to increase harmful blooms of algae and several disease causing agents in land and coastal waters. The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the North Atlantic and the amount of rain falling in very heavy precipitation events have increased over recent decades, and further increases are projected.”

   • Agriculture: “Summer heat stress is projected to reduce crop productivity, especially when coupled with increased drought. A 2.2ºF increase in temperature would likely reduce overall productivity for corn, soybeans, rice, cotton, and peanuts across the South. Heat stress adversely affects dairy and livestock production. Optimal temperatures for milk production are between 40 degrees F and 75 degrees F, and additional heat stress could shift dairy production northward. A 10 percent decline in livestock yield is projected across the Southeast with a 9oF increase in temperatures (applied as an incremental uniform increase in temperature between 1990 and 2060), related mainly to warmer summers.

   • Forestry:”Forest disturbances caused by insects and pathogens are altered by climate changes due to factors such as increased tree stress, shifting phenology, and altered insect and pathogen life cycles. The overall extent and virulence of some insects and pathogens have been on the rise. Due to southern forests’ vast size and the high cost of management options, adaptation strategies are limited, except through post – epidemic management responses.”

   – Virginia is Already Reducing Carbon Pollution and has Many Tools to Meet its Clean Power Plan Goals-

   “Virginia has already reduced its power sector carbon pollution by 16 percent since 2008. Mayors in twelve cities in Virginia have joined the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, committing to take action in their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2014, there were approximately 2,800 people employed in the wind and solar industries in Virginia.”

   “Virginia, like all states, will have flexibility to meet EPA’s goal by using the energy sources that work best for it and by cutting energy waste. To date,
   all 50 states have demand side energy efficiency programs, 37 have implemented renewable portfolio standards or goals, and 10 have adopted market based greenhouse gas emissions programs. Virginia is no exception.
   The state has a goal to generate 15 percent of its 2007 level of electricity sales from renewable energy resources by 2025 and a goal to cut energy waste 10 percent below 2006 levels by 2022.”

   EPA’s rule builds on progress already underway in each state and provides
   guidelines for states to develop plans to meet their carbon pollution reduction goals. It lets states work alone to develop plans or work together with neighboring states to develop multi-state plans, creating thousands
   of good jobs for Americans who are making our electricity system cleaner and our homes and businesses more energy efficient.

   “Cutting Carbon Pollution and Saving on Energy Bills in Virginia-

   “Through the President’s leadership, and the initiative of the state of
   Virginia, local communities, and the private sector, a number of common sense measures to combat carbon pollution in Virginia are already in place.
   EPA’s flexible guidelines for power plants will continue driving cost – effective measures to reduce carbon pollution in Virginia, building off of recent progress:”

   • “Increasing the Deployment of Clean Energy: Since President Obama took office, the United States has more than doubled its use of renewable energy from wind, solar, and geothermal sources, including tripling wind energy generation and increasing solar generation by more than twenty times. In Virginia, renewable energy generation from these sources has increased by 38 percent since 2008.” The Administration has supported tens of thousands of renewable energy projects throughout the country, including 90 in Virginia, generating enough energy to power over 33,000 homes. Furthermore, the U.S. produces more natural gas than ever before and nearly everyone’s energy bill is lower because of it.”

   • “Improving Energy Efficiency: Using less energy to power our homes and businesses is critical to building a clean and secure energy future. President Obama has made essential investments in research and development to advance energy efficiency, and set new standards to make the things we use every day more efficient. Since October 2009, the Department of Energy and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have jointly completed energy upgrades for more than 1.5 million homes across the country, saving many families more than $400 on their heating and cooling bills in the first year alone. Already, local communities are taking initiative. Through the President’s Better Buildings Challenge, Arlington County and the city of Roanoke both committed to reduce their energy intensity 20 percent by 2020 in a combined 3.1 million square feet of public buildings. To date, Arlington and Roanoke both committed to reduce their energy intensity 20% in 2020 in a combined 3.1 million square feet of public buildings. To date, Arlington and Roanoke have improved energy performance 12 percent and 11 percent respectively. The University of Virginia has committed to the same goal in 15 million square feet of university buildings.”

   WELL THERE YOU HAVE IT. TODAY VIRGINIA CANNOT EVEN SPEAK FOR ITSELF. THE WHITE HOUSE SPEAKS FOR VIRGINIA INSTEAD.

   HAVE WE BECOME A NATION OF SHEEP?

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   1. 

      Reed Fawell 3rd

      August 4, 2015

      “The University of Virginia has committed to the same goal in 15 million square feet of university buildings.”

      Do you know how much space 15 million square feet is? It is a city.

      So how much money do you think UVA President Sullivan has committed to reducing the “energy intensity” of 15 million square feet of space at the University of Virginia?

      And who do you think is going to pay that cost of putting all these solar panels on the Rotunda?

      Why the Students will pay for it, of course.

      And those students will pay for a lot of all these government mandates imposed on UVA to regulate how much energy it uses with government loans or guarantees those students will be saddled with and have to pay back to the Federal government.

      So now it’s obvious that the Federal Government controls UVA, and its President Patricia Sullivan and its students too, all of them lock, stock, and barrel, including (as we recently found out) their sex life in and around UVA.

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6. 

   LarrytheG

   August 4, 2015

   re: ” Are we watching in real time the collapse or representative government in the United States?

   Is not the US Congress supposed to make the federal laws of the US?

   Is not the US President supposed to “faithfully” execute the Federal laws that the US Congress makes?”

   this does seem to be the crux of the complaints of the opposition these days but when it is pointed out that laws get carried out by regulations and regulations can reviewed by the SCOTUS for adherence to the laws – this does not satisfy the opponents who then talk about impeaching or removing the SCOTUS – as if their role as codified in the Constitution is a small matte than can be changed by Congress if it sees fit.

   ;-0

   and I never heard such “sheepie” angst when the prior POTUS was telling the SCOTUS that what the US did overseas was none of their business.

   so here’s the civics lesson for this morning:

   https://youtu.be/NhhYqRjGzBk

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   1. 

      Reed Fawell 3rd

      August 4, 2015

      Larry –

      You are a bit out of date. That chart was the Federal Government before Woodrow Wilson and Barack Obama.

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7. 

   LarrytheG

   August 4, 2015

   oh.. and one more to add to the rolls of the sheep:

   ” Dominion Resources Inc, which owns the state’s largest electric utility, said it was pleased that several of Dominion’s proposed modifications, though not all, to the proposed rules had been made.

   “The compliance targets for Virginia have moved in a positive direction that fairly recognizes the role of natural gas generation in reducing emissions,” said Thomas F. Farrell II, Dominion CEO. “The Administration missed an opportunity, however, to provide appropriate incentives to ensure the viability of the existing nuclear fleet that is critical to meeting the goals of the Clean Power Plan.””

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   1. 

      Reed Fawell 3rd

      August 4, 2015

      What do you expect Dominion to say? And I applaud the last sentence.

      Like I said, Dominion and Virginia has the perfect Governor in this instance.

      Hence Virginia dodged to the bullet.

      Without McAuliffe or his ilk, the Federal Government run by the current administration that would have shot a big hole in the livelihood of most Virginians simply because they failed to elect a governor who did not raise very big bucks, indeed record setting bucks, for the Presidential Campaigns of Bill and Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

      The truth is that the US Federal government today is corrupt to its very core, both the executive branch and Congress. And this matter at hand is an excellent study of why that statement is true.

      Now even the Supreme Court is coming into question.

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8. 

   LarrytheG

   August 4, 2015

   re: ” The truth is that the US Federal government today is corrupt to its very core, both the executive branch and Congress. And this matter at hand is an excellent study of why that statement is true.

   Now even the Supreme Court is coming into question.”

   A common theme these days for sure.

   Haven’t heard any good answers other than give it all to the Tea party to fix…

   😉

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9. 

   LarrytheG

   August 4, 2015

   re: ” What do you expect Dominion to say? And I applaud the last sentence.”

   and I applaud the last sentence also and Fred Krupp of the EDF said something similar..

   I thought what Dominion said was constructive not destructive -unlike what the Va GOP and the SCC said.

   It actually IS an opportunity – for a dialogue and that’s how Dominion reacted.

   The EPA actually did make a PROPOSAL and actually DID receive comments and DID make changes in response to the input beyond what the SCC said.

   yet you attribute this entire process to “corruption” ?

   come on… this is loony…

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10. 

    Reed Fawell 3rd

    August 4, 2015

    Looney – that is a childish insult.

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11. 

    LarrytheG

    August 4, 2015

    the argument is loony – not the person – all due respect – seriously.

    we cannot continue to cast every controversy in terms of conspiracy theories and claims of total govt corruption. THAT, in my view – IS loony. To continue in that vain – is essentially advocacy for anarchy.

    here’s another REASONABLE discussion

    “CLEAN POWER PLAN
    Editorial: How should Virginia meet its carbon goals?”

    (Richmond Times Dispatch)

    The EPA’s release of its final rules for the Clean Power Plan presents Virginia with an important question: how best to comply with a federal demand to slash carbon emissions from the energy sector.
    There is no question about whether the state will comply. If it doesn’t, then Washington will impose a compliance regime on the state from above. Nobody seems to think that’s the best answer. And the state cannot simply defy the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the Supreme Court’s imprimatur to impose carbon restrictions. Nor should it even try to: Carbon dioxide emissions impose uncompensated costs on the public that should be internalized by power companies’ customers and shareholders. (We’d prefer to see that done through a carbon tax, but the EPA didn’t ask us.)

    http://www.richmond.com/opinion/our-opinion/article_a97d576c-85b6-5292-b64e-dc78097a8a73.html

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12. 

    Reed Fawell 3rd

    August 4, 2015

    If you looked up the definition of “corrupt” and carefully considered my words and those of the White House you might better grasp why your “Looney”, ie

    “1. Extremely foolish or silly.
    2. Mentally deranged; crazy.”

    is a childish insult.

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    1. 

       Reed Fawell 3rd

       August 4, 2015

       A Hint – what most likely would have happened if scott walker as Governor of Virginia had made the very same plea to the Obama’s EPA.

       And this is only one of the almost endless scenerios possible.

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       1. 

          Reed Fawell 3rd

          August 4, 2015

          Thus we have a lawless regime (as to maker, entrepreter, and enforcer of law) disguised as one operating under the rule of law. One with enormous scope, jurisdiction, and applicability which is what lawlessness allows.

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          1. 

             James A. Bacon

             August 4, 2015

             There are two very different sets of issues here: (1) Is EPA policy sound or deficient, and (2) is EPA policy lawful? Regarding the first issue, it looks like Virginia will get off relatively easily (pending review of the fine print). Regarding the second, I find the EPA’s unilateral expansion of its regulatory purview to be indefensible. I have to agree with Reed’s description of the Obama administration action in this case as “lawless.”

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             1. 

                Reed Fawell 3rd

                August 4, 2015

                I agree, Jim.

                Here is a just published article on the first question, namely is EPA’s policy sound or deficient. It appears useful, although I’ve not had time to digest it.

                nationalreview.com/article/421992/clean-power-plan-will-cost-billions-wont-lower-temperature?
             2. 

                LarrytheG

                August 4, 2015

                the characterization of “lawless” is just hyperbole in my view.

                Given the same set of circumstances in any other issue in this administration or prior ones all would be judged equally “lawless”.

                this is nothing more than hyper partisan rhetoric which has become the basic language of the right these days.

                to the first question: ” Is EPA policy sound or deficient”

                you could ask this question about virtually ANY regulation of ANY agency in govt – this administration and prior and it has been so argued in the past with things like unleaded gas, acid rain, toxics, etc…

                so how would you ever resolve this question?

                and the second: “(2) is EPA policy lawful?”

                You have an “app” for that – it’s called the Courts and you may recall that the SCOTUS said the EPA IS lawful in setting carbon rules…

                so why is the question again being asked – and answered by people with partisan views who think it’s their view that settles the issue?

                the only difference this time – with these particular partisans is that NOW they say the SCOTUS is acting illegally and should be impeached or removed.

                right?
    2. 

       LarrytheG

       August 4, 2015

       re: ” The truth is that the US Federal government today is corrupt to its very core, both the executive branch and Congress. And this matter at hand is an excellent study of why that statement is true.

       Now even the Supreme Court is coming into question.”

       and again, my considered opinion of this statement is that it is loony

       once one reaches the stage above – what comes next?

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13. 

    TBill

    August 4, 2015

    Even former Pres Jimmy Carter has observed our democracy is not working well right now. But…

    How should Virginia meet its carbon goals? This is an editorial today in the Richmond Times Dispatch. Given this blogs new sponsorship by Dominion, we here are perhaps in a position to offer input. Lot’s a folks saying we should team up with Northeast regional approach…at the moment I feel we might do better job keeping costs lower by ourselves. Most of the nearby states especially Northeast have some of the highest elec costs in the nation, excepting HI and maybe CA.

    Also, I am partial to trash-to-steam… I hate landfills. Just saying we have a potential opportunity.

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    1. 

       LarrytheG

       August 4, 2015

       re: doing it like the Northeast…

       how about doing it like PJM?

       https://edatamobile.pjm.com/eDataImage/images/pjmrtolmpmap5.jpg

       in terms of cost verses usage:
       kwh cost
       used
       national average 12,146
       Virginia 14.489 9.25
       44 Massachusetts 8,591 15.34
       45 Connecticut 8,514 16.98
       46 New Hampshire 8,286 15.25
       47 Alaska 7,952 17.58
       48 New York 7,467 16.25
       49 Rhode Island 7,434 15.57
       50 Hawaii 7,363 33.53
       51 California 6,721 15.23

       these numbers vary accord to source and criteria
       but in general they show a strong correlation
       between the cost per kwh hour and the use.

       so in Virginia – yes the cost of electricity might increase
       but increased conservation would level it out – and that is pretty
       much proven by other states experience.

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       1. 

          TBill

          August 4, 2015

          Larry- I don’t at the moment understand those numbers. Massachusetts residents paying 24 cetns/kWhr right now. Last week we discussed also California is more like 24 cents/kWhr but DoE/EIA apparently cites Tier 1 which is low cost for the first small use. If you look at the EIA numbers, they have a big proviso about how they get costs. As we move forward with CPP we will need to get better numbers.

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          1. 

             LarrytheG

             August 4, 2015

             @Tbill – I just grabbed some quick numbers but did remember your prior comment about different metrics..

             in general the northeast, California, Hawaii and Alaska have two characteristics – high rates and lower use.

             right?

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14. 

    TooManyTaxes

    August 4, 2015

    Jim why am I seeing my comments are being reviewed for moderation on a regular basis?

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    1. 

       James A. Bacon

       August 4, 2015

       I hadn’t noticed that, so I can’t say for sure. Normally, the only comments that should come up for moderation are ones that have two or more links embedded in the text.

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       1. 

          TBill

          August 4, 2015

          I just got the notice but I had 2 links

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       2. 

          LarrytheG

          August 4, 2015

          there’s problems also with email notification of new comments.

          TMT – if you have multiple links you want to post – leave off the leading “HTML” stuff…

          so instead of http://some_linke

          just do: some_link

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       3. 

          Reed Fawell 3rd

          August 4, 2015

          Regarding moderation feature I have found that it often disappears,as problem if you copy then cut then click in and out to reset then copy in new post with same text and hit Post Comment. Sounds hard when explaining in words but it is quick and easy to do. Otherwise I get many more moderations which are frustrating.

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15. 

    Reed Fawell 3rd

    August 4, 2015

    Bill Gates yesterday posted this interesting article.

    linkedin.com/pulse/we-need-clean-energy-innovation-lots-bill-gates

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16. 

    LarrytheG

    August 4, 2015

    Gates supports a Nuclear Reactor company called Terra Power that is pursuing a (in theory) safer Sodium-cooled reactor.

    when folks talk about using natural gas as a “bridge” fuel – this is the future – not naked wind and solar which will likely never be a sole base load generation source.

    conventional nuclear that can only operate as baseload will never be a complementary fuel for wind/solar.

    something will have to be able to modulate sources that fluctuate and I’m forever curious if we can create reactors that sit on aircraft carriers and provide electricity for 5000 sailors why we can’t we replicate that with a safe civilian version.

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17. 

    LarrytheG

    August 4, 2015

    speaking of Bill Gates and Govt corruption and regulation:

    Billionaire Bill Gates runs afoul of Georgia’s Vidalia onion police

    http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2015/08/04/billionaire-bill-gates-runs-afoul-of-georgias-vidalia-onion-police/

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