Grounded Blog - Business, Government Legal News from throughout WV

APCo intervenors to PSC: just one unit, efficiency, RFP

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Responding to Appalachian Power's proposal to buy parts of three coal generating units, intervenors filed June 18 with the West Virginia PSC recommending that just one unit is enough for now.  More>>

Rockefeller backs efforts to modernize black lung screenings

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In a news release Wednesday, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-WV, threw his support behind an effort to update digital black lung screening standards. More>>

Energy industry seeks to move forward on exporting coal, gas

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As domestic use of coal slows and gas resources expand so rapidly that prices have plummeted to historic lows, the nation's fossil fuel giants are looking across the ocean for a solution. More>>

Feds propose final rule on digital black lung radiography

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The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs has published for public comment a direct final rule and a companion proposed rule adopting updated standards for administering and interpreting digital radiographs for the Federal Black Lung Program. More>>

Arch wants appeals court to rehear W.Va. mine case

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Arch Coal is preparing to re-argue key points in a long-running battle over the Environmental Protection Agency's retroactive veto of a water pollution permit for a massive West Virginia strip mine. More>>

Ohio budget bill may regulate radioactive oil and gas waste

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Drilling mud, sludge, and some other shale wastes would be subject to radioactivity testing; classification of drill cuttings is in question. Some hope to separate measure from budget bill entirely. More>>

WV Legislature to investigate electric utility billing practices

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The investigation by the Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization, based on ratepayer complaints, adds to one announced last week by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.  More>>

Patriot: UMWA claim company 'walked out' on talks inaccurate

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Patriot Coal says allegations that it "walked out" of post-bankruptcy negotiations with the United Mine Workers of America are "inaccurate and distorted." More>>

Patriot ends talks with UMWA

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According to the UMWA, negotiators from Patriot Coal walked out of bankruptcy talks with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) yesterday.

The company also cancelled negotiations that were scheduled for the remainder of this week and into next week. The union says it will now take to a vote to determine if they will work under the bankruptcy approved plan.
More>>

State senate delegation secures Benwood mine memorial funding

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Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Edgell, D-Wetzel, announced Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, and their Senate colleagues from the northern panhandle, have secured funding for the completion of the Benwood Mine Disaster Memorial. More>>

DOE: Electric cars use less than $1 gasoline equivalent in WV

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The U.S. Department of Energy says West Virginia drivers could be getting around for just $0.93 cents an "eGallon." More>>

Hundreds of documents detail events of Sissonville pipeline explosion

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The release of more than 1,400 documents related to the explosion of the Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline, destroying three homes and ejecting 20 feet of people more than 40 feet from it's original location. More>>

USDA announces up to $98.6 million in available biofuel funding

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of up to $98.6 million to support the production of advanced biofuels, and an opportunity for eligible producers to submit applications. More>>

Biologist: Keep gas industry waste brine off Wheeling’s streets

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Laboratory test results of brine show extremely low pH and elevated levels of heavy metals and radioactive constituents, a professor from Wheeling Jesuit University tells Wheeling City Council. More>>

Measures of technically recoverable shale gas still rising

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New figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show technically recoverable world shale gas resource estimate up 10 percent from a 2011 estimate.
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API economic adviser touting gas development in West Virginia

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The oil and gas industry, increasingly visible in West Virginia, is still working to ensure that citizens of the regions where it's present see the industry as a valuable partner in the community. More>>

Former IOGA-WV president promoted within Gastar

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Former president of the West Virginia Independent Oil and Gas Association Mike McCown was promoted in his position at Gastar Exploration following the closing of a major reserve and leasehold interest acquisition from Chesapeake Energy. More>>

Alpha shuts down Boone mine, cuts 160 jobs

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Alpha Natural Resources is shutting down a Boone County mine, leaving 160 in Madison potentially losing their jobs. More>>

Coal to be banned in nation's capital

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The legislation will take effect 18 months after Capitol Power Plant's planned cogeneration facility becomes operative. More>>

Conference to look at mining, drilling effects on drinking water

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"Water & Wellness II: What is the Future of Our Drinking Water?" will take place June 29-30 on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon. More>>

FirstEnergy workers at Harrison plant vote to remain with union

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The Utility Workers Union of America Local 304 was formed in October 2010 and still does not have a contract. Negotiations with FirstEnergy are scheduled to begin afresh on June 18. More>>

McKinley rallying for push on coal ash reuse bill

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Rep. David McKinley is rallying stakeholders to take another stab at passing legislation that would make it easier to reuse the residual product of coal combustion. More>>

Union rallying in Kentucky over Patriot

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Following a bankruptcy court ruling that clears Patriot Coal to modify its contract with United Mine Workers of America employees and retirees, the union is regrouping for a rally in Kentucky. More>>

Harrison Day 3: Gas a no-brainer, the vigor of negotiations, RFP

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Intervenors said on the last day of PSC hearing that Mon Power should consider gas over coal-fired Harrison, that its ratepayers were not represented vigorously, and that the PSC could stay the case. More>>

PSC to investigate FirstEnergy meter-reading and billing

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The commission is responding to a high volume of complaints, primarily from Potomac Edison customers, over the past year. The company said the problems already are on the way to resolution. More>>

ECA breaks ground, announces major community donation

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The Energy Corporation of America broke ground on its new Eastern headquarters and celebrated with a donation of more than $600,000 to the Clay Center. More>>

Harrison Day 2: Let’s talk price

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The price of the Harrison power station and how to arrive at a fair one, if Mon Power were to buy it, were among important issues aired on the May 30 second day of evidentiary hearing before the PSC. More>>

Energy company breaking ground on Charleston expansion Friday

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Energy Corporation of America will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony this Friday for new Eastern headquarters that will be located next to Ticketmaster in Charleston's NorthGate Business Park. More>>

Harrison Day 1: Delmar on the negotiations, CO2, fuel diversity

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Mon Power's proposed purchase of the Harrison power station is not as much the very best option for ratepayers that resulted from a rigorous analysis as it is a good-enough option that offers some benefits.
More>>

Harrison purchase opponents cite rate increases, seek efficiency

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Brief public comment period kicks off PSC hearing about Mon Power's billion-dollar proposal to buy the Harrison power station. More>>

DEP: Selenium law aims to 'righten,' not weaken, strengthen standard

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A new selenium standard touted as regulatory relief by pro-coal officials will not change much for the industry for at least a couple more years. More>>

Cheap power prices to come undermine Mon Power Harrison purchase

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A coming drop in regional power prices in 2016-17 may undermine FirstEnergy's argument that buying the coal-fired Harrison power station is Mon Power's best move on behalf of ratepayers.
More>>

FirstEnergy unimpressed with fuel diversity as price hedge

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FirstEnergy vice president: "I don't really see anything coming in the future that would cause (coal) to be the most expensive fuel out there." More>>

Shale gas innovation competition expands to West Virginia

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West Virginia shale gas investors and entrepreneurs are now open to participate in a contest designed to identify and develop new shale gas technologies. More>>

  • Electricity

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:50:07 GMT
    Responding to Appalachian Power's proposal to buy parts of three coal generating units, intervenors filed June 18 with the West Virginia PSC recommending that just one unit is enough for now. 
    Responding to Appalachian Power's proposal to buy parts of three coal generating units, intervenors filed June 18 with the West Virginia PSC recommending that just one unit is enough for now. 
  • Friday, June 14 2013 10:13 AM EDT2013-06-14 14:13:47 GMT
    The investigation by the Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization, based on ratepayer complaints, adds to one announced last week by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.
    The investigation by the Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization, based on ratepayer complaints, adds to one announced last week by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. 
  • Sunday, June 2 2013 12:40 PM EDT2013-06-02 16:40:02 GMT
    Intervenors said on the last day of PSC hearing that Mon Power should consider gas over coal-fired Harrison, that its ratepayers were not represented vigorously, and that the PSC could stay the case.
    Intervenors said on the last day of PSC hearing that Mon Power should consider gas over coal-fired Harrison, that its ratepayers were not represented vigorously, and that the PSC could stay the case.
  • Energy Reads

  • Tuesday, September 25 2012 5:07 PM EDT2012-09-25 21:07:18 GMT
    Here are a few energy stories compiled from around the web. 3 Glowing Uranium Stocks "In the face of fluctuating energy prices and changing regulation, going nuclear may be a good strategy for you. Energy
    Energy stories from around the web.
  • Monday, August 27 2012 5:25 PM EDT2012-08-27 21:25:57 GMT
    Energy links from around the Web: Study: Carbon tax could raise $1.5 trillion "Taxing carbon would generate $1.5 trillion, potentially giving politicians cover from making politically difficult decisions
    Energy links from around the Web.
  • Tuesday, July 31 2012 5:36 PM EDT2012-07-31 21:36:21 GMT
    Links to energy stories from around the web:  New EIA Chief Says Coal Hurt Most by Cheap NatGas Prices "The new head of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) believes that cheap natural gas prices
    Energy stories from around the web. 
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