Letter to Governor Gregoire about TransAlta

At our February Meeting, we had a presentation by Doug Howell of the Sierra Club about what we can do immediately here in Washington State to make a significant step towards our goal of reducing our CO2 emissions. The membership of the district agreed to sign on to a letter to Gov. Gregoire to encourage her to do the right thing when it comes to both our environment and the jobs in Centralia, Washington where the TransAlta Coal Plant is located. The following is the letter that was sent of today:

February 27, 2010

The Hon. Chris Gregoire
Governor, State of Washington
P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Re: The State’s negotiation with TransAlta Centralia Generation L.L.C.

Dear Governor Gregoire:
This letter is a follow-up to conversations with your office regarding the ongoing negotiations with TransAlta Centralia Generation L.L.C. (“TransAlta”) on the future of its coal-fired power plant in Centralia, Washington. We applaud your leadership on many significant climate protection initiatives, including the Energy Independence Act (I-937), the emissions performance standard, statutory goals for greenhouse gas reductions, clean car standards and stronger building codes. We are confident that the final agreement with TransAlta on its coal plant will reflect the same commitment to public protection that has been your touchstone.
The TransAlta coal plant is the state’s dirtiest single source of pollution and No. 1 emitter of greenhouse gases, toxic mercury and nitrogen oxides. The mercury and climate emissions damage Puget Sound, and the air pollution places a substantial disease burden on our state. In fact, TransAlta is the second-worst coal plant in the country in terms of creating haze in national parks and wilderness areas.

While the State’s entire settlement proposal has not been made available to the public, the following details have been disclosed:

By 2012, TransAlta will increase on-site natural gas output by 250 average megawatts (aMW) and reduce the output from one of its coal-fired boilers by an equal amount.
By 2018, TransAlta will develop 700 megawatts of renewable energy and retire one of its two coal-fired boilers.
By 2025, TransAlta will retire the other coal-fired boiler and starts operating a new 700- to 900-megawatt natural gas electricity generation unit.
The State will seek policy changes to facilitate a market for TransAlta's products.

Given our climate crisis and the public health and visibility issues associated with this coal plant, we continue to oppose the State’s proposal to TransAlta for a 2025 transition off of coal. We remain concerned that alternatives – including increased use of available clean energy resources – have not been adequately explored. We are confident that the state can facilitate a more rapid transition for TransAlta that requires less use of natural gas than has been proposed.

Analyzing all alternatives and scenarios – with emphasis on timing, interim pollution reductions and replacement energy -- is fundamental to the State’s obligations to protect Washington’s citizens and to exercise due diligence on important decisions. The public needs to be informed and included throughout the development of this agreement.

Analyze options

We strongly recommend that the State analyze earlier alternative transition dates than 2025, including the year 2015. Our own preliminary analysis finds no compelling evidence that a 2015 transition cannot be achieved or that 2025 is the best option to protect the public health and welfare. With climate scientists and physicians urging the fastest possible transition to a clean energy economy, it is appropriate for the State to examine the feasibility of a quicker transition.

The State has said it is willing to support TransAlta’s full 2025 transition by helping to explore financing options for a large gas plant, by lining up government buyers for a new TransAlta energy resources, and by changing the State’s emissions performance standard. We urge the State to explore similarly creative ideas to make full transition by 2015 a reality. The solutions must maintain grid stability and reliability, provide just transitions for coal-plant workers, and create clean energy development opportunities for Lewis County.

The complex set of compliance obligations the TransAlta coal plant will soon confront must be addressed in a holistic rather than piecemeal fashion. The fact that the current negotiations resulted from the Climate Change Executive Order should not preclude a comprehensive dialogue on the issues. Concern for public health and the environment may well drive new federal standards for fine particulates, sulfur dioxide, coal combustion waste and coal mining waste. New federal standards on hazardous air pollutants such as hydrochloric acid are expected next year. All of these regulations may apply to TransAlta and should be a part of this conversation.
Inform the public

The past year has featured many large public gatherings across the state addressing climate change and the need for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (EPA endangerment hearings, 350 events, etc.). The public is engaged and seeking solutions. We believe more transparent discussion of options with TransAlta will strengthen the State's negotiating position and help build momentum for a timely resolution.

Given the statewide impact of the coal plant’s pollution, we recommend a set of public hearings across Washington and specifically in Seattle, Vancouver and Spokane.
We are confident that with your leadership we can transition TransAlta off of coal as early as 2015; we can protect the health of our citizens and our natural resources; we can ensure energy reliability and we can support displaced workers while clean energy alternatives create even more jobs. Such a result will be consistent with the Governor’s climate leadership and will inspire the nation. But to make this powerful vision a reality, the State needs to fully analyze the options and engage the public as soon as possible.

We look forward to working with your office toward such a positive outcome -- for the sake of our climate, public health and tomorrow’s clean energy jobs.
Sincerely,

Doug Howell, Senior Representative, Beyond Coal Campaign
Sierra Club

Sean Smith, Regional Policy Director
National Parks Conservation Association

Mark Riskedahl, Executive Director
Northwest Environmental Defense Center

LeeAnne Beres, Executive Director
Earth Mnistry

Cara H. Dolan, Environmental Associate
Environment Washington

Barb Gottlieb, Deputy Director, Health & Environment Program
Physicians for Social Responsibility

Chad Lupkes, Chair
46th Legislative Districts Democrats

Gerald Pollet, Executive Director
Heart of America Northwest

Sara Patton, Executive Director
NW Energy Coalition

General Assistance-Unemployable (GAU)

The Senate budget cuts $90 million from General Assistance-Unemployable (GAU) recipients. The "reforms" assume that with professional assistance, people can document their disability sufficiently to qualify for Social Security within 18 months, instead of the two to three years it takes now, with appeals. It cuts the stipend from a measly $339 to $50 and ties that to accepting shelter or housing, mental health or chemical dependency treatment.

Meanwhile, mental health treatment is cut 2% across the board (in both budgets) and I cannot find any increase in chemical dependency treatment. What happens when people relapse, or are kicked out of treatment? They lose their housing, too? We know that most people need multiple chances to get clean and sober, yet we don't provide enough treatment slots, especially residential beds, for long enough to establish new friends, new habits, new places and jobs.

The Senate limits GAU medical coupons to 12 months in any 24-month period. Can we think of any justification? Since 44% of GAU recipients have a mental illness, this will cause them to go off their meds, which will likely put many back in the streets after a short period. This sounds like a prescription for "homeless musical chairs" while some people get to take turns with others for housing and medical treatment.

The House budget fully funds GAU. The reform bill renames it the Disability Lifeline. We support the House budget for Disability Lifeline (GAU) and ask you to ask your legislators to do the same.

Sarajane Siegfriedt

Organizing for America coming to North Seattle

Organizing for America‘s Organizing Committee Meetings are a chance for OFA staff to talk with volunteers across our state about OFA’s legislative and electoral plan for 2010. As an organization, we have come a long way in the past year. We have lessons to learn from the budget pledge drive, health insurance reform and the Massachusetts Senate Race.

The Strategy Sessions are a time to bring those lessons together and look to the future. Staff will talk through national strategy and simultaneously gather feedback from our supporters for our plan to lead OFA forward in 2010.

The North Seattle Organizing Committee will be on Thursday, February 25th starting at 6pm at the University Heights Community Center located at 5031 University Way NE.

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact Priscilla at (206) 295-2126 or minp@dnc.org.

Please download this flyer and spread the word about this meeting!

Our LegActionTeam in the news!

Seattle Times' columnist Lance Dickie wrote about efforts in this Legislative session to clean up Puget Sound. He included one of the King County Democrats' legislative priorities, the safe medicine return bill:

"One smart bill that did not survive legislative deadlines was a medicine-return program that created a statewide system for environmentally safe disposal of opiates, prescription drugs and over-the-counter products. It was a sane option to flushing pills down the toilet or having them filched by prescription-drug abusers of all ages. It had broad support — law enforcement, drugstores and successful programs in Snohomish and Clark counties — but could not overcome Big Pharma."

This is a bill that one of our members worked hard on. We agree that the bill and its key lobbyist 46th member Margaret Shield are plenty smart, but the massed forces of Big Pharma were too much for a very broad-based coalition of youth and drug prevention advocates, law enforcement and municipalities.

Click over to the Seattle Times article for more about efforts to clean up Puget Sound:

The Seattle Times Company:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2011121836_lance19.html

Originally published Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 4:03 PM

Lance Dickie / Seattle Times editorial columnist

Legislative Update from Rep. Scott White

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe we are already half-way through the short 60-day session.

There is still not much solid news to report. Gov. Gregoire recently signed the first three new laws of 2010. All three were devoted to paring state expenses with modest steps such as freezing new government hiring and reducing travel and equipment costs. But the real budget battles are still ahead.

That is one reason why I am writing. We need our 46th District families and businesses to have a strong voice when the major budget and legislative decisions of 2010 are made over the next several weeks. That is why I recently sent out a district-wide survey of citizen priorities, and why the entire 46th District legislative team is holding a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday morning.

46th District survey—still time to respond

It’s not too late to share your priorities and thoughts on my district survey. If you or a member of your household would like another copy of the survey, all you need to do is click the 2010 survey link to download a copy. Then it is just a matter of printing it out and mailing it back to me.

By the way, I’ve told House leaders that citizens should have an easy way to fill out surveys online—because it is faster, more convenient, more environmentally-friendly, and also less expensive, since there are no mailing costs. We are working to create an online survey system now, but it is still in the pilot phase and probably won’t be fully ready until next year. I’ll keep you posted on progress.

Town Hall Meeting just days away

I hope you can find some time to join our Town Hall Meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Meadowbrook Community Center. Because of the recession, we face some extremely difficult choices concerning budget and revenue issues. My job is to represent you and our neighbors as these decisions are made, and I’d like to hear a full range of views as we prepare for the major budget, revenue and policy decisions that will literally be made in the next four weeks.

Our community Town Hall will also give me a chance to update you on the progress of the 2010 legislation I’ve proposed. I’m happy to report that a number of the measures I’ve proposed recently passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. I’ll be sharing details at the Town Hall.

Let’s keep in touch!

If you can’t attend the Town Hall, please remember that you can always get a message to me quickly by email, phone or regular mail. Representing you is a pleasure as well as an honor, so don’t hesitate to call or write with your advice or questions. I will never forget that you are the reason why I’m here.

Scott

Our February Program

Every month, we try to conduct a program that will interest our members and be a draw to the larger community. In February, we hope we have put together a panel that will catch your attention and inform you about the decisions we have to make in the near future. Please join us on February 18th!

Global Climate Change: From Science to Action

Humans are conducting a kind of "science experiment" on the planet. Every year we release over 30 billion tons of atmospheric CO2 along with many other pollutants, including 400 billion pounds of reactive nitrogen in fertilizer.

The experiment asks: What happens to a planet when subjected to these conditions?

The changes that have been documented so far include atmospheric CO2 rise, sea level rise, ocean acidification, polar ice decrease, glacial retreat, early onset of Spring, and many others. Although it is hard to model these changes, a significant majority of scientists agree human pollutants are the primary cause and the worst-case predictions for this century are very distressing.

Is this an experiment we want to continue?

Our three speakers are very concerned and have chosen to speak publicly. Even if you don't share their sense of urgency to act, their views will provide a sense of urgency to learn more about this issue.

Bob Brown is a UW Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Science. He has done research and writing on the mathematics of atmospheric dynamics and has, for many years, been involved in the collection and analysis of satellite data. He will report on the very latest developments in global warming theory and data.

Guillaume Mauger is a climate scientist with the UW Climate Impacts Group studying concrete, identifiable changes resulting from climate change. During his personal time, he studies what we can do to minimize the impacts of climate change, and provides scientific advice to citizen groups. He will tell us about greenhouse gas emissions targets and current Federal legislation designed to reach them.

Doug Howell is the Campaign Director for the Sierra Club's NW Beyond Coal campaign. He has an extensive background in energy policy at Seattle City Light and elsewhere. He is on the forefront of efforts to take action to promote the move away from fossil fuels, especially coal, to clean alternatives. He will discuss Washington State issues, including current negotiations between the Governor and TransAlta (owner of the Centralia coal plant), related legislation, and the status of I-937.

2010 Budget Proposal

Our Executive Board met last night and approved consideration of the proposed 2010 Budget for the district. The budget proposal reflects our expectations for the year, but does not include the Cole Fund.

The money that we received from the Raymond T. Cole Trust has been invested in a revolving set of Certificates of Deposit. As we develop our 5,10 and 20 year plans, we will have more details on a budget for the fund later in the year. However, as this has been placed outside of the normal operating budget, it is not appropriate to include in the Operating Budget that will be approved in February.

Please take a look at the proposed budget. Questions before or at the meeting may be directed to our Finance Chair, Kathryn Lewis, or our Chair, Chad Lupkes.

REMINDER: PLATFORM-DEVELOPMENT MEETING THIS SATURDAY!

You are invited to participate, with your Platform Committee, in a “grass-roots” meeting this coming Saturday, February 6, to help develop the 46th District Democrats’ 2010 platform.

As a part of our State Democrats’ biennial process, all local Democratic organizations have been invited to adopt platforms at their upcoming caucuses. Our caucus will occur on March 14, and it is the duty of your Platform Committee to develop and present a recommended draft platform for your consideration on that occasion, facilitated by the draft’s being included in the Official Call to the caucus.

You will recall, from the excitement of Presidential year 2008, that our platform development that year began with submission of ideas at February precinct caucuses throughout the District. Our previous platform, that of 2006, was re-examined in light of those ideas and an appropriately updated draft for 2008 was presented at the District Caucus in April (after being included in the Call to that event).

This year, however, without the draw of a Presidential-nomination contest, our State Democratic Central Committee decided to forgo the initial step of precinct caucuses and commence the process with caucuses at the next level, which in our case means the Legislative District Democratic organization. As a substitute for the grass-roots contributions from our constituent precincts, we have scheduled this Saturday’s meeting – to hear from YOU!

In the meantime, your Platform Committee has not been idle. A lengthy, plank-by-plank examination of our 2008 adopted platform is almost complete, and we will have a Committee-updated draft ready for your review as a starting point at Saturday’s meeting. We expect to finish that draft at the Committee’s next meeting, this Thursday night, and to have it ready ASAP thereafter for posting on the District’s website, 46dems.com. While waiting for that to occur, it would be wise to prepare yourself for the Saturday meeting by taking another look at that starting point, our 2008 platform (already on the website, via the “Resources” link).

Saturday’s meeting will be held at Olympic View Community Church, 425 NE 95th St. (our former LD meeting site), beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at noon. Please come and give us your reactions and other ideas! Your Committee will carefully consider your contributions and devote its remaining February meetings to developing a final draft for inclusion in the Call and consideration at our March 14 District caucus.

Hope to see you there!

Dean Fournier, Platform Committee Chair

Chad Lupkes, Chair