We are learning to protect & share this planet

From the PRI Broadcast by Steve Curwood, et al., April 23, 2021

Over the last 30 years human-caused emissions have increased by 60 percent. Today the atmosphere holds the equivalent of about 420 parts per million of CO2. That is not good news. We began the industrial age in 1760 with concentrations of CO2 at about half those levels and we are now living through the hottest decade in modern human history. As a result we are seeing record breaking heat waves and wildfires from California to Siberia, floods, rising sea levels and shrinking Arctic sea ice. Not to mention, record-breaking Atlantic hurricane seasons, searing droughts and massive tornado clusters. And all this climate disruption is a result of just a single degree centigrade rise in average earth surface temperatures since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

But our broadcast today is not simply a look back or lament. We are also looking ahead, to shine a light on some possibilities to head off climate disruption before civilization as we know it becomes untenable. We will consider the possibilities of economics, politics, applied science and technology to address climate disruption, though so far they have fallen short. So, we will look to see what they may be missing.

CURWOOD: Correlation doesn’t necessarily mean causation, but there are two striking trends that run parallel to the alarming rise in global warming gases. One is the astonishing growth of economic wealth, and in recent years that increase in wealth in the US has been confined to the very richest. In fact, most families in the US have seen little or no gain, with many losing economic power, as many young adults today can’t afford to buy homes like the ones they grew up in. The other trend is the loss of confidence in government action at the national and local levels and the failure of international rules governing climate change emissions to go beyond the honor system.

The concentration of economic and political power related to those trends has historically thrived on the extraction and burning of fossil resources. Climate policy critics including Van Jones, Kristina Karlsson and Bill McKibben say that has to change, if we are to halt our present march toward climate Armageddon. Kristina Karlsson is a program manager for the climate and economic transformation team at the Roosevelt Institute.

JONES: The first industrial revolution hurt the people and the planet, too. The next industrial revolution has to help the people and the planet.

KARLSSON: Meaningfully addressing climate requires an economic transformation in basically all corners of our economy.

MCKIBBEN: I think we’re reaching a turning point. I think that the political power of the fossil fuel industry has begun to wane after a century or two of waxing. And our job is to accelerate that to push hard for really rapid, rapid change.

CURWOOD: There are plenty of ideas about how to preserve a livable climate. And the conventional answer so far has been to double down on approaches that have yet to work, including unproven technology. To save us many advocates say we need market-based solutions such as pricing carbon and technologies such as renewable electricity from solar, wind and other clean energy sources to power our lives. They say we just need to update the systems of the Industrial Revolution that relied on abundant fossil fuels.

GROSS: We had all this energy available, a huge quantity that had never been available before. And that allowed just a complete revolution in the world: revolutions of transportation and manufacturing, all kinds of things that we just never had been able to do before.

CURWOOD: Samantha Gross was a senior climate and energy official for the Obama Administration. Now at the Brookings Institution, she notes that by the twentieth century, oil had become the most valuable commodity on world markets.
GROSS: If you were to design a fuel to be used for transportation, you really couldn’t do a lot better. It’s very energy dense, it has a lot of energy within it for its weight and its size. It’s easily transportable. It’s a liquid, so it works in an internal combustion engine. It’s really an excellent transportation fuel.

CURWOOD: So, she calls for new technologies to power the world while avoiding more climate disruption.
GROSS: We absolutely need both cleaner energy and more energy. There’s roughly a billion people in the world right now who don’t have access to modern energy services. And so, dealing with climate change, while not providing those people with a better standard of living is no solution at all.

CURWOOD: But even with the advent of electric cars like the Tesla and pricing of solar power well below that of coal, the growing profits of green tech have yet to halt the climate emergency. More is needed, says Kristina Karlsson, program manager for the climate and economic transformation team at the Roosevelt Institute.
KARLSSON: The markets will have to be a part of this, we can’t do this without private money. But focusing on those types of mechanisms alone will not get us anywhere near where we need to be in terms of mitigating climate, and it will also further deepen the unequal structurally racist outcomes that that system has already created.

CURWOOD: She says systemic racism has distorted government policies and spending when it comes to environmental justice and climate justice at home and abroad.
KARLSSON: All fiscal policy, even if it seems completely unrelated to climate will have climate implications. So, it’s, it’s really a framing argument and a sort of a policy development principle that saying, you can’t, you can’t ever be climate blind as you’re making choices.

CURWOOD: And Kristina Karlsson adds that if human rights and fairness guide the conduct of governments and businesses it would have a more positive economic impact in the long run than self-centered free market approaches.
KARLSSON: Climate is already an economic cost and an economic drag on our economy. Not only are we actually spending money to mitigate climate disaster that’s happening now. But we’re also seeding risk in our financial system by not dealing with the issue that we all rely on fossil fuels, you know, so we are actively paying for inaction. And as the more we put it off, the more these economic costs are going to compound over time.

The Green New Deal is good for everyone in the long run

RE: Climate Change, Economic Sustainability and Environmental Preservation

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey just re-introduced the Green New Deal resolution in Congress.

Since this landmark resolution was first introduced two years ago, one thing has become clear: the fight for climate justice can only be won by tackling jobs, justice, and climate. Together.

The Green New Deal is one of the most popular policy proposals in the country. 57% of voters want their members of Congress to co-sponsor the resolution.1 It has inspired countless other bills like the Green New Deal for Public Housing introduced by Sen. Sanders, and the Green New Deal For Cities that Rep. Cori Bush introduced on Monday.

But despite all this, the Green New Deal has yet to pass through Congress. We have a once in a generation opportunity to push forward transformational change through this resolution. The plan for a Green New Deal, and economic, racial, and climate justice is on the table, but it’s up to our grassroots strength to force Congress to act.

Will you sign on as a Grassroots Co-Sponsor of the Green New Deal, and send a message to every Democrat, Republican, and Independent in Congress that we’ve waited long enough and we won’t tolerate inaction any longer?

The Green New Deal is one of the most strongly supported pieces of legislation because people across the country want bold climate action now. Already, over 100 members of Congress signed on as co-sponsors of the resolution, but we need more – and we need bolder action from the White House.

The Biden administration’s current infrastructure plan doesn’t go far enough. $2 trillion over 10 years isn’t enough. We need a minimum of $16 trillion dollars to address the scale of the crisis we are facing.

The Green New Deal makes it clear that we need to transition from fossil fuel jobs to fair, clean energy union jobs that support people and the climate. We can make sure we have a livable planet for future generations if we take action today – if our leaders stand up for people, not profits. If we pass the Green New Deal.

Please add your name now as a Grassroots Co-Sponsor of the Green New Deal. We’ll be in touch with more ways you can help grow support for the Green New Deal and related bills in Congress.

With hope, Team 350

Former Senator John D. Rockefeller IV

Building a Resilient WV by Taking Control of the Mountain State’s Future

Article by Duane Nichols, FrackCheckWV.net, April 9, 2016

On April 8^th, the WVU Center for Energy and Sustainable Development in the College of Law sponsored their “National Energy Conference 2016.”  These conferences are video recorded and made available on the world-wide-web. Program information is available at: http://energy.law.wvu.edu/conference2016

The “keynote speaker” was former US Senator and former Governor John D. Rockefeller, IV, who came to WV as a VISTA Volunteer in 1964. Senator Rockefeller described his optimism and hope for the economy and well being of the residents of the State.  He continues to work to advance the health and welfare of everyone.  And, education is an essential component of this.

Samuel Petsonk, Attorney with Mountain State Justice, spoke on “Current Federal Policy Proposals for Coal-Reliant Community Support.”  He summarized the POWER + Plan now underway in West Virginia.  This program is administered under the WV Hub organization.

What is the Hub?

The WV Hub is a statewide, non-profit organization that helps communities come together to set goals for their future and connects them to the rich network of resources they need to meet those goals. In our network there are resources for:

Convening community conversations, Training community leaders, Recruiting volunteers, Building infrastructure, Reclaiming abandoned buildings, Sustaining healthy food production, Teaching political action, Developing small businesses, Adopting healthy lifestyles, Finding funding for projects, Fostering community life …

> > > > > > > > > > >

What is POWER +?

POWER + is the second phase of the POWER Initiative.

POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization), is a coordinated effort among multiple federal agencies to provide coordinated investments in communities negatively impacted by changes in the coal industry and power sector.

POWER + will provide investments in communities impacted by changes in the power sector and coal industry, through a competitively awarded series of grants. These funds will help communities to: diversify their economies; create good jobs in existing or new industries; attract new sources of job-creating investment; and provide reemployment services and job training to dislocated workers in order to connect them to high-quality, in-demand jobs.

For West Virginia, POWER + represents a significant opportunity for collaboration amongst regions, sectors and organizations to secure federal funding support for integrated economic development plans and projects.

KEY POINTS:

### The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will provide $50 million this fiscal year for projects that will help rebuild the economies of Appalachian communities suffering from the decline of the coal industry.

### The U.S. Economic Development Administration will have an additional $15 million available for coal-impacted communities across the nation.

### Other federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will also award funds through POWER +.

### It is anticipated the ARC will have an additional $50 million to help rebuild Appalachian communities in FY 2017.

### ARC funding will support a range of economic development planning and implementation activities, including developing entrepreneurial ecosystems, facilitating access to capital investments and new markets, and addressing barriers related to adequate water, sewer, and telecommunication infrastructure.

### Preference will be given to applications that involve regional collaborations and strategic partnerships.

Beginning in 2015, The Hub has served the pivotal role of convening potential applicants and facilitating collaboration between the various agencies, organizations and individuals with a vested interest in diversifying the economy of West Virginia’s coalfields.

That collaboration is actively encouraged by the funding organizations, and will be essential to West Virginia being able to attract the greatest possible share of the available funds, for the greatest impact.

Anyone interested in POWER + funding opportunities is urged to contact The Hub’s Executive Director.

The latest information about POWER +, including the ARC’s funding criteria and call for applications documents, will be made public as soon as they are available.

> > > > > > > > > > >

Appointment of Stephanie Tyree Marks Beginning of New Era at The Hub

From an Article by Hub Staff, www.hub.org, April 8, 2016

Stephanie Tyree was instrumental in organizing the regional POWER information meeting at Hawk’s Nest in 2015.

It gives us tremendous pleasure to announce that Stephanie Tyree is the new Executive Director of the WV Community Development Hub.

Stephanie is a superb choice. She understands and embraces the collaborative culture we have created at The Hub.

We conducted a nationwide search and received dozens of applications from highly qualified and experienced individuals in West Virginia and 13 other states. We were impressed with the diversity of the applicants and appreciative of their interest in and knowledge of The Hub. A number of the out-of-state applicants were hoping that securing this position would give them an opportunity to return to their home state.

The Hub has always embraced change, and continued evolution is necessary for our work to succeed.

The transition of The Hub’s leadership to Stephanie Tyree will officially begin at Hubapalooza, our annual community development network event, on April 28. We encourage each of you to join us there in welcoming her to this new role. Stephanie will move into the role of Executive Director on June 1.

Economy, Energy & Environment

E3 Sustainability in the State of West Virginia

From WV Department of Environmental Protection

Date: October 18, 2013

E3 West Virginia (Economy, Energy and Environment in West Virginia) conducted a Charter Signing Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, at the state Department of Environmental Protection headquarters in Charleston.

E3 West Virginia, formed in 2010, is a collaboration of industries, local governments and state and federal resources geared toward helping the state’s industrial and community sectors thrive in a new era focused on sustainability. E3 West Virginia partners work together to promote sustainable environmental and energy practices and economic growth throughout West Virginia.

E3 West Virginia accomplishes its goals through investing in local communities, addressing energy and sustainability challenges, providing technical training and conducting energy and environmental assessments. Since 2010, E3 West Virginia has helped fund 56 industrial facility assessments statewide and 22 local government assessments, resulting in a potential savings of $3.6 million.

E3 West Virginia partners include Appalachian Power; Bridgemont Community and Technical College; Industries of the Future – West Virginia; National Pollution Prevention Roundtable; Natural Capital Investment Fund; Polymer Alliance Zone of West Virginia; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Small Business Administration; West Virginia Association of Counties; West Virginia Community Development Hub; West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; West Virginia Department of Commerce; West Virginia Manufacturers Association; West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership; West Virginia Municipal League; and West Virginia University Industrial Assessment Center.

MORGANTOWN DOMINION POST Sunday 12 August 2012:
 
GUEST COMMENTARY

Is The Shale Industry Too Big to Fail, Now?

BY S. THOMAS BOND

    The shale drilling industry is obviously overbuilt. Over production of natural gas saturated the market and the price of gas has declined to the point many wells already drilled are now not economic to produce. But the drilling goes on, because the companies have sold investment and borrowed money to drill wells. The excess capacity grows daily.

    The technology never had a chance to mature. It went from a single example by Mitchell Energy to a vast industry in three or four years, without undergoing the usual scale-up in other industries. There was no scientific observation of effects on the surrounding landscape or of the health of workers and people living in the neighborhood of drilling. Everybody simple mindedly followed Mitchell, who had been subsidized by the federal government and followed a scheme worked out by the Morgantown Energy Research Laboratory. The only changes to the procedure up to the present have been minor ones involving mechanics or chemistry.

    The great victory of the industry was over legislation. The states are tied hand and foot to give any help, including a great deal of irrational “help,” to shale drilling. Local governments have been overwhelmed. The federal apparatus for health and safety have been attacked tooth and nail. Regulators have been attacked not only for what they do, but personally. This part of the project alone has soaked up a lot of investor’s money, a considerable part of which came from overseas. Much went into denigrating the competition, coal, solar, windmills and nuclear.

    The whole thing was moved by several forces. These include claims of vast reserves in shale; the undeniable need for huge energy supply in the future with the world’s rapidly increasing population and demand for a higher standard of living; the desire to tie up as much land as possible by each of the individual companies since the resource is finite; and the unlimited acquisitiveness of investors.

    This made it possible to spin a story, a myth, unfettered by quantitative or reasonable considerations. The reserve has been downsized, and is still huge, but talk ranges from a few years to 100 years of supply for the U.S. It will give us energy independence, but on the other hand, we should ship it overseas for ready money. Even with endless evidence belying the claims, the public is told that there is no harm from the drilling. Production of wells for decades is part of the myth. Most are no longer economically viable beyond seven to 10 years.

    Economic projections have about the same reality as daydreams. There is no denying local prosperity for areas being drilled. The habit of cultivating small service companies spreads the wealth and increases the political influence, but these are temporary. Dollar damage, even such hard dollar items as property depreciation, health care costs, increased cost of public services such as roads and law enforcement are always left out of economic assessments. It’s like a balance sheet with no costs considered.

    Insurance companies are claiming they do not cover “industrial damage,” read shale development, in farm and home insurance. Much of the wages and profit go elsewhere at every stage. When only production is left, the jobs will mostly be low paying. The costs of plugging the wells is never considered.

    So how big is the industry? There is shale drilling in more than 30 states and a dozen or so foreign countries. Investment in the United States comes from Norway, China, India, Netherlands, France, Australia and the United Kingdom. Each has an investment in the billions. The industry’s story has many believers. When you consider investors’ good faith, and when you look at the confidence with which the story was told to state governments, as well as the effect on legislators, is the industry too big to fail?

    In the beginning, the business plan was to sell investment and lease land. Then the plan was to sell the need for favorable legislation. Now the plan is to sell the need for additional use of natural gas. Will the next big sell be for a government bailout? Several times as much money has been put into shale drilling as into home loans. There is no question the industry is over-invested and over-built now. How will it work out?

    With opposition growing across the nation and the world, is shale drilling too big to fail? How can a government that is already sinking financially bail out an industry using such huge amounts of capital? What happens when solar, wind and wave energy becomes cheaper, as it surely will, because these electricity generating methods have growing efficiency?

S. THOMAS BOND is a retired teacher with a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry. He is a member of the Guardians of the West Fork and the Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact. He lives on and maintains a 500-acre farm near Jane Lew. This commentary should be considered another point of view and not necessarily the opinion or editorial policy of The Morgantown Dominion Post.