FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Bob Concilus, M.D. (814) 332 0768
Leah Humes (814) 450 6850
Crawford County Residents to Challenge DEP, CRE in Front of Environmental Hearing Board
On November 24, 2011 we filed an appeal to the Environmental Hearing Board concerning the Air Quality Permit that the DEP issued to CRE, the company that plans to build the nation’s largest tire-to-energy plant in Crawford County. The company plans to burn 900 tons of shredded tires per day in order to produce electricity. This will result in air emissions of 690 tons per year of carbon monoxide, 253 tons per year of nitrogen oxides, 153 tons per year of sulfur dioxides, 92 tons per year of particulate matter-10, 46 tons per year of particulate matter-2.5, 27 tons per year of volatile organic compounds, 622,000 tons per year of greenhouse gases, 65 pounds per year of lead, 3 pounds per year of mercury, and 2.2 pounds per year of arsenic.
Exposure to these emissions could potentially increase the incidence of cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and cause other human health complications.
Our appeal specifies fifteen legal objections to the Air Quality Permit approved by the DEP. Among the objections is our contention that CRE provided emission estimates without supporting data. Without the supporting data, we believe, based upon review of scientific studies, that the emissions of various substances may have been underestimated. Thus the air modeling performed subsequently may have underestimated the levels of emissions that citizens of the surrounding communities, as well as plant and animal populations downwind of this plant, will be exposed to.
Our backgrounds as an elementary school teacher and as a physician motivated us to file this appeal, as did our shared interest in protecting the environment of Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is our belief, that if the CRE plant is constructed and operated as presently described, it will have significant deleterious effects on both human health and the health of the surrounding environment.
The Geneva Marsh, an irreplaceable and fragile wetland that is home to Pennsylvania’s largest breeding population of bald eagles and a very popular waterfowl hunting area, is in close proximity to the facility and may be significantly impacted by the emissions from this plant. The water that flows through the Marsh is a major tributary of French Creek, one of the most diverse and important streams in the Northeastern United States. These invaluable environmental treasures and the health of the people of our community deserve a high level of protection.
In our final analysis, this appeal is nothing less than concerned citizens rising up in self-defense of our community. We have faith in the appeal process and feel confident that our objections to the Air Quality Permit will be sustained.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tire Burning Vs. Clean Renewable Energy
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20101217/NEWS01/12170310
The wind project from the above link is off I-71 southwest of Cleveland. The projected cost is $300 million, with a resulting power generation of 200 Megawatts. This is from wind, which is a clean renewable energy source. This is 110 megawatts more than the resultant energy from burning 2 million pounds of tires a day at CRE. This is also millions of dollars less than the projected cost of the Tire Incinerator that Rubino and friends like calling CRE (Crawford Renewable Energy). There is no definition anywhere that calls burning tires renewable energy.
Twice in the last PA Energy Bill, two state Representatives tried to insert language to redefine tire burning as renewable energy. A statewide effort persuaded both Representatives to pull their amendments. One of these Representatives was John Evans who represents Edinboro and Crawford County. So now you know whose side he is on. Ask him how much money he took from Rubino.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_House_of_Representatives,_District_5
June 30, 2008 REVISED 4:05PM
TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RE: Special Session Senate Bill 25 WASTE TIRE / RENEWABLE ENERGY
PLEASE SUPPORT WITH ADOPTION of Amendment A08252
Dear Representative:
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO supports Special Session Senate Bill 25 with the adoption of Amendment 08252, the J. Evans amendment. This amendment will reclassify rubber tires to allow them to be used in TIER 2 generation as part of the renewable energy portfolio. While addressing the waste tire problem and generating needed power we will also be creating numerous short-term and long-term quality family sustaining jobs. If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding this issue, please contact Bethany Bobb at 717-231-2852 or bbobb@paaflcio.org. Thank you for your consideration of this very important issue.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM M. GEORGE, President
RICHARD W. BLOOMINGDALE, Secretary-Treasurer
So the construction people support this project. Will they be living next to it after they complete building it?
When you compare the two projects, how much cheaper will the energy cost be from a plant that will generate over double what CRE will, (200 MW vs 90MW) at less initial cost than that of the Tire Burner, and especially with no toxic emissions? How much more will it cost to add controls for CO2 greenhouse gas emissions from the Tire Incinerator? This currently is not factored into the initial projected Incinerator costs.
There are cons associated with wind power. The article mentions a danger to birds. Would this be better than being subjected to almost 3 million pounds of toxic air emissions yearly? How will the 400 million gallons per year of water that CRE would use affect the area? How much will it cost everyone to clean up the contaminated water that must be treated?
The emissions from the Tire plant will affect not only birds, but every living thing, both plants and animals. What about your health, what is it worth? Here in Erie, the added emissions were projected to cause over 40 additional deaths a year. This was presented by Dr. Falasca of the Erie County Medical Association.
Why aren't people asking for a business plan? Who is going to pay for this white elephant? What is the real experience of the players involved with building these incinerators, operating them, and bankrupting them? Start demanding answers, don't believe everything you hear from the man behind the curtain.
Dennis Stratton
The wind project from the above link is off I-71 southwest of Cleveland. The projected cost is $300 million, with a resulting power generation of 200 Megawatts. This is from wind, which is a clean renewable energy source. This is 110 megawatts more than the resultant energy from burning 2 million pounds of tires a day at CRE. This is also millions of dollars less than the projected cost of the Tire Incinerator that Rubino and friends like calling CRE (Crawford Renewable Energy). There is no definition anywhere that calls burning tires renewable energy.
Twice in the last PA Energy Bill, two state Representatives tried to insert language to redefine tire burning as renewable energy. A statewide effort persuaded both Representatives to pull their amendments. One of these Representatives was John Evans who represents Edinboro and Crawford County. So now you know whose side he is on. Ask him how much money he took from Rubino.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_House_of_Representatives,_District_5
June 30, 2008 REVISED 4:05PM
TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RE: Special Session Senate Bill 25 WASTE TIRE / RENEWABLE ENERGY
PLEASE SUPPORT WITH ADOPTION of Amendment A08252
Dear Representative:
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO supports Special Session Senate Bill 25 with the adoption of Amendment 08252, the J. Evans amendment. This amendment will reclassify rubber tires to allow them to be used in TIER 2 generation as part of the renewable energy portfolio. While addressing the waste tire problem and generating needed power we will also be creating numerous short-term and long-term quality family sustaining jobs. If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding this issue, please contact Bethany Bobb at 717-231-2852 or bbobb@paaflcio.org. Thank you for your consideration of this very important issue.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM M. GEORGE, President
RICHARD W. BLOOMINGDALE, Secretary-Treasurer
So the construction people support this project. Will they be living next to it after they complete building it?
When you compare the two projects, how much cheaper will the energy cost be from a plant that will generate over double what CRE will, (200 MW vs 90MW) at less initial cost than that of the Tire Burner, and especially with no toxic emissions? How much more will it cost to add controls for CO2 greenhouse gas emissions from the Tire Incinerator? This currently is not factored into the initial projected Incinerator costs.
There are cons associated with wind power. The article mentions a danger to birds. Would this be better than being subjected to almost 3 million pounds of toxic air emissions yearly? How will the 400 million gallons per year of water that CRE would use affect the area? How much will it cost everyone to clean up the contaminated water that must be treated?
The emissions from the Tire plant will affect not only birds, but every living thing, both plants and animals. What about your health, what is it worth? Here in Erie, the added emissions were projected to cause over 40 additional deaths a year. This was presented by Dr. Falasca of the Erie County Medical Association.
Why aren't people asking for a business plan? Who is going to pay for this white elephant? What is the real experience of the players involved with building these incinerators, operating them, and bankrupting them? Start demanding answers, don't believe everything you hear from the man behind the curtain.
Dennis Stratton
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Crane Paying Off Barber Center
Here is a site with links to many papers on a variety of topics. Khup.com
Khup.com is an unique Search Engine which provides updated and quality results for ebook, book, magazine, user's guides, references, etc. in pdf format. Just type your search keyword and hit enter then you'll find what you want. I typed "Coke oven waste water." There are 51 results.
From looking at these papers do you think that we have anything to worry about in the water coming from Erie Coke?
Read the article written by Mike Scott of the Buffalo News (http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article90949.ece). The Erie Times news has never covered this, or the rate of Cancer on Queen Street, Why? Is Crane donating money to the Times the way it does to the Barber Center? There are links to autism from both the PAHs and Mercury from the Coke plant which is next door to the Barber Center. It's a win-win situation for both places. The Barber Center never complains or reports the Coke plant for its emissions, which result in a steady stream of patients for the Center....
Dennis Stratton
Khup.com is an unique Search Engine which provides updated and quality results for ebook, book, magazine, user's guides, references, etc. in pdf format. Just type your search keyword and hit enter then you'll find what you want. I typed "Coke oven waste water." There are 51 results.
From looking at these papers do you think that we have anything to worry about in the water coming from Erie Coke?
Read the article written by Mike Scott of the Buffalo News (http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article90949.ece). The Erie Times news has never covered this, or the rate of Cancer on Queen Street, Why? Is Crane donating money to the Times the way it does to the Barber Center? There are links to autism from both the PAHs and Mercury from the Coke plant which is next door to the Barber Center. It's a win-win situation for both places. The Barber Center never complains or reports the Coke plant for its emissions, which result in a steady stream of patients for the Center....
Dennis Stratton
Friday, November 12, 2010
The PASSHE Prevarication
Who exactly is responsible for retrenchment? Is it the state government, whose officials have not adequately funded the state system? Is it PASSHE's Board of Governors who refuse to raise tuition despite evidence that tuition is needed to keep the Universities properly functioning? Is it the fault of the Universities' managers who seemingly have some unacademic and odd priorities and who made some rather strange decisions? Is it the fault of PASSHE officials who encourage those managers to use budget assumptions not grounded in reality? If you're a PASSHE official, the answer is none of the above. Who is the PASSHE scapegoat? The faculty!
Perhaps you heard some of the whispers emanating from the administrator rumor mill? The theory is that because APSCUF refused the retirement package and because APSCUF refused to defer its salary increases, it is APSCUF that is responsible. Well, what was only rumor became accusation at last Wednesday's special meet and discuss on retrenchment when PASSHE officials openly accused APSCUF of being responsible. Such statements would be humorous, if only retrenchment were not so serious. Then again, it should surprise nobody that PASSHE would take this stand, since PASSHE might otherwise have to admit responsibility for the senseless retrenchment it is undertaking. Further, this being a negotiations year, what better way to attempt to undermine our association's credibility?
The reality is that there is no truth in either charge. With regard to salary increases, it should be remembered that it was PASSHE that wanted salary increases in the latter years of the contract. Further, there was NEVER any formal proposal that EVER suggested that APSCUF should defer or not take salary increases to avoid any kind of retrenchment. There was only one mention of deferring salary increases to APSCUF, but it was general, asking only whether APSCUF would be open to the giveback. President Hicks's response was what we all would hope it would be under those circumstances. "NO."
How would this give back make sense anyway? How would Slippery Rock professors deferring salary increases have an impact on the Mansfield or Kutztown budgets? Would the idea be that everyone should not take their salary increase so that some senseless retrenchment not take place at Universities that, while retrenching, are hiring tenure-track faculty and even administrators? Perhaps the biggest joke is that while these rumors swirl, PASSHE is currently budgeting for a 3% managerial merit-based INCREASE!
Equally ridiculous is the claim about the retirement package. When APSCUF showed up ready to negotiate, PASSHE made it clear that there was to be no real negotiation. Not only wouldn't there be a contract extension, but there would be no promise to replace retiring faculty, and no promise not to retrench; there was nothing to discuss. Further, APSCUF's research uncovered expert opinion suggesting that the bonuses PASSHE propsed were an inefficient and inequitable retirement incentive. APSCUF leadership overwhelmingly rejected participation given PASSHE's terms.
However, let's assume, for the sake of argument, that APSCUF did go along. Would there really have been enough retirements at Kutztown or Mansfield to prevent retrenchment? There is absolutely NO evidence that there would have been, and PASSHE has never claimed there would be. It is true that PASSHE officials at one time talked about a connection, but the reality is that they could not, in any way, demonstrate it might be true. They cannot even now.
Again, does PASSHE really mean to imply that retirements at Edinboro would have stopped retrenchment at Kutztown or Mansfield? If they were really serious about this, they would have brought it to the table. They did not.
PASSHE needs to put a stop to this reckless nonsense now, and we need to be armed with the facts. Do not tolerate this obvious attempt to undermine your union and to avoid responsibility. Accountability needs to rest with those actually responsible regardless of whether or not they wish to accept that their hands are dirty, i.e., PASSHE and the college presidents.
In Solidarity,
Ken Mash
Perhaps you heard some of the whispers emanating from the administrator rumor mill? The theory is that because APSCUF refused the retirement package and because APSCUF refused to defer its salary increases, it is APSCUF that is responsible. Well, what was only rumor became accusation at last Wednesday's special meet and discuss on retrenchment when PASSHE officials openly accused APSCUF of being responsible. Such statements would be humorous, if only retrenchment were not so serious. Then again, it should surprise nobody that PASSHE would take this stand, since PASSHE might otherwise have to admit responsibility for the senseless retrenchment it is undertaking. Further, this being a negotiations year, what better way to attempt to undermine our association's credibility?
The reality is that there is no truth in either charge. With regard to salary increases, it should be remembered that it was PASSHE that wanted salary increases in the latter years of the contract. Further, there was NEVER any formal proposal that EVER suggested that APSCUF should defer or not take salary increases to avoid any kind of retrenchment. There was only one mention of deferring salary increases to APSCUF, but it was general, asking only whether APSCUF would be open to the giveback. President Hicks's response was what we all would hope it would be under those circumstances. "NO."
How would this give back make sense anyway? How would Slippery Rock professors deferring salary increases have an impact on the Mansfield or Kutztown budgets? Would the idea be that everyone should not take their salary increase so that some senseless retrenchment not take place at Universities that, while retrenching, are hiring tenure-track faculty and even administrators? Perhaps the biggest joke is that while these rumors swirl, PASSHE is currently budgeting for a 3% managerial merit-based INCREASE!
Equally ridiculous is the claim about the retirement package. When APSCUF showed up ready to negotiate, PASSHE made it clear that there was to be no real negotiation. Not only wouldn't there be a contract extension, but there would be no promise to replace retiring faculty, and no promise not to retrench; there was nothing to discuss. Further, APSCUF's research uncovered expert opinion suggesting that the bonuses PASSHE propsed were an inefficient and inequitable retirement incentive. APSCUF leadership overwhelmingly rejected participation given PASSHE's terms.
However, let's assume, for the sake of argument, that APSCUF did go along. Would there really have been enough retirements at Kutztown or Mansfield to prevent retrenchment? There is absolutely NO evidence that there would have been, and PASSHE has never claimed there would be. It is true that PASSHE officials at one time talked about a connection, but the reality is that they could not, in any way, demonstrate it might be true. They cannot even now.
Again, does PASSHE really mean to imply that retirements at Edinboro would have stopped retrenchment at Kutztown or Mansfield? If they were really serious about this, they would have brought it to the table. They did not.
PASSHE needs to put a stop to this reckless nonsense now, and we need to be armed with the facts. Do not tolerate this obvious attempt to undermine your union and to avoid responsibility. Accountability needs to rest with those actually responsible regardless of whether or not they wish to accept that their hands are dirty, i.e., PASSHE and the college presidents.
In Solidarity,
Ken Mash
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Coal Ash: More Disasters Waiting to Happen
PA is one of the worst states for burning coal. We are the 3rd leading state in CO2 emissions because of coal. In fact, PA exports 40% of the energy created in this state. As a direct result, we have been dumping coal ash for years. In fact, they have dumped ash in old mines, which is contaminating the water in many areas.
The EPA, and DEP are actually trying to get farmers to put this fly ash on their fields. The say that the mercury and other heavy metals won't affect the food grown there or get into the water.
What they are really trying to do is to dump it for free. Several factories have been set up near Coal power plants to make drywall. They are calling the ash synthetic gypsum, which was what was in the bad Chinese drywall that made many people sick.
Coal-burning power plants are the nation's largest unregulated source of mercury pollution and also emit enormous quantities of lead, arsenic and other hazardous chemicals. Some 1,300 coal fired units at existing power plants spew at least 48 tons of mercury alone into the air each year. Significant human health and adverse effects on wildlife are associated with these emissions. For example, much of the mercury and other metals in power plant plumes fall out within 100 miles of the source, and mercury accumulates up the food chain in fish and in the animals that consume it. Mercury exposure is linked to serious neurological disorders in humans and reproductive and neurological effects in animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight percent of American women of childbearing age have mercury in their bodies at levels high enough to put their babies at risk of birth defects, loss of IQ, learning disabilities and developmental problems.
Dennis Stratton
The EPA, and DEP are actually trying to get farmers to put this fly ash on their fields. The say that the mercury and other heavy metals won't affect the food grown there or get into the water.
What they are really trying to do is to dump it for free. Several factories have been set up near Coal power plants to make drywall. They are calling the ash synthetic gypsum, which was what was in the bad Chinese drywall that made many people sick.
Coal-burning power plants are the nation's largest unregulated source of mercury pollution and also emit enormous quantities of lead, arsenic and other hazardous chemicals. Some 1,300 coal fired units at existing power plants spew at least 48 tons of mercury alone into the air each year. Significant human health and adverse effects on wildlife are associated with these emissions. For example, much of the mercury and other metals in power plant plumes fall out within 100 miles of the source, and mercury accumulates up the food chain in fish and in the animals that consume it. Mercury exposure is linked to serious neurological disorders in humans and reproductive and neurological effects in animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight percent of American women of childbearing age have mercury in their bodies at levels high enough to put their babies at risk of birth defects, loss of IQ, learning disabilities and developmental problems.
Dennis Stratton
Friday, November 5, 2010
Republican's "War of Rhetoric" Election Victory!
The 2010 mid-term election was a "War of Rhetoric," pure and simple.
Republicans "took back our country," "stopped Obama's socialist agenda," and will attempt to repeal the "health care bill shoved down our throats" - all GOP/Fox News/Rush Limbaugh rhetorical talking points.
Unfortunately, rhetorical talking points do not create jobs. Long term investments in education, infrastructure, and human services do. Such has not been the case since the Reagan Revolution, and the denouement of the middle class began in 1980.
For the past 30 years, cities and towns across America have continued to decay because the investments in education, infrastructure, and human services were not made. Instead, good paying jobs were shipped overseas and the likes of Walmart destroyed their downtowns, creating minimum wage jobs that need to be supplanted by insufficient government services - health care, public housing, and food stamps.
The American taxpayer subsidizes such economic larceny and then Republicans and corporate America praise the success of low-price foreign products sold in Walmart, et al.
Two years from now, unemployment will still be abhorrently high because the middle class has been eviscerated and is no longer the consumer engine driving the economy.
America has become a corpocracy as epitomized by the recent "Citizens United" Supreme Court ruling. The Constitution no longer represents "We The People" and the Republican party has bamboozled the public into supporting the corporate take-over of the country via the Tea Party.
Until the right (tea party/conservatives) and left (progressives/liberals) unite and realize that the true problem of America is corporate Fascism, nothing will change and unemployment combined with a "race to the bottom" will continue for the middle class.
Richard McVay
Republicans "took back our country," "stopped Obama's socialist agenda," and will attempt to repeal the "health care bill shoved down our throats" - all GOP/Fox News/Rush Limbaugh rhetorical talking points.
Unfortunately, rhetorical talking points do not create jobs. Long term investments in education, infrastructure, and human services do. Such has not been the case since the Reagan Revolution, and the denouement of the middle class began in 1980.
For the past 30 years, cities and towns across America have continued to decay because the investments in education, infrastructure, and human services were not made. Instead, good paying jobs were shipped overseas and the likes of Walmart destroyed their downtowns, creating minimum wage jobs that need to be supplanted by insufficient government services - health care, public housing, and food stamps.
The American taxpayer subsidizes such economic larceny and then Republicans and corporate America praise the success of low-price foreign products sold in Walmart, et al.
Two years from now, unemployment will still be abhorrently high because the middle class has been eviscerated and is no longer the consumer engine driving the economy.
America has become a corpocracy as epitomized by the recent "Citizens United" Supreme Court ruling. The Constitution no longer represents "We The People" and the Republican party has bamboozled the public into supporting the corporate take-over of the country via the Tea Party.
Until the right (tea party/conservatives) and left (progressives/liberals) unite and realize that the true problem of America is corporate Fascism, nothing will change and unemployment combined with a "race to the bottom" will continue for the middle class.
Richard McVay
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Adsit's Prayer Accusations
In regards to Adsit making assumptions and accusations about who is behind the blocking of Greenwood twp meeting Lord's prayer we need to look at the players involved.
The old divide and conquer concept is being played out here in the public opinion arena...but in reality by whom???
Adsit herself is and has always been a hugely biased cheerleader of the tire incinerator. Rubino is known for dividing people in order to achieve his agenda, having been involved in drugs and organized crime (according to the FBI), he knows how to manipulate people.
Look at Erie when he wanted his incinerator there. He tried to pit races against each other to achieve his agenda - ask KEEP members about him trying to rally the African American community against KEEP. Also someone called local unions as well before the Conneaut Lake meeting and instructed union members, along with some local construction company workers to show up in full force and be vocal in order or to keep their jobs...whom do you suppose was behind that??? Whom do you suppose called the law enforcement to be present at that meeting as well, as though a bunch of radical protesters would be there?
It would be just like CRE (remember they were there at the July Greenwood twp meeting as well) to try a disgusting stunt like this in order to turn public sentiment against CARE. They too heard the prayer being said there. CRE may have seen yet another way to turn a small rural community against their opposition. It would be just like CRE to be the ones behind this or even Adsit herself. Who has the most to gain from this publicity stunt? Sadly, once again the local paper is only regurgitating what they are being told rather then investigating.
As always, follow the money....
The old divide and conquer concept is being played out here in the public opinion arena...but in reality by whom???
Adsit herself is and has always been a hugely biased cheerleader of the tire incinerator. Rubino is known for dividing people in order to achieve his agenda, having been involved in drugs and organized crime (according to the FBI), he knows how to manipulate people.
Look at Erie when he wanted his incinerator there. He tried to pit races against each other to achieve his agenda - ask KEEP members about him trying to rally the African American community against KEEP. Also someone called local unions as well before the Conneaut Lake meeting and instructed union members, along with some local construction company workers to show up in full force and be vocal in order or to keep their jobs...whom do you suppose was behind that??? Whom do you suppose called the law enforcement to be present at that meeting as well, as though a bunch of radical protesters would be there?
It would be just like CRE (remember they were there at the July Greenwood twp meeting as well) to try a disgusting stunt like this in order to turn public sentiment against CARE. They too heard the prayer being said there. CRE may have seen yet another way to turn a small rural community against their opposition. It would be just like CRE to be the ones behind this or even Adsit herself. Who has the most to gain from this publicity stunt? Sadly, once again the local paper is only regurgitating what they are being told rather then investigating.
As always, follow the money....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)