None of us would think about driving without insurance. Indeed, we are legally required to be insured-both by law and good common sense. Even the safest drivers now and then come close to a collision. Alas, a few us have had that experience. We may drive for years along the same roads without the misfortune of a collision, yet it is always out there ahead of us as a possibility. If it happens, we are grateful that we have our insurance to cover us-although we grumbled at the annoying expense.

Try as we might to anticipate what might be ahead, we never know what is around the next curve until we get there.

A lot of life is like that.

Well, we're all heading for a collision of curves ahead-our demand for energy. Katrina and her girlfriends gave us the wake up call. Whether it is a monopolistically artificial increase or pure Keynesian economics, the price curve of the finite fossil fuels is climbing more steeply than it ever has.

It is interesting to note, for example, that the Australian scientists recently determined that carbon sequestration will probably double the cost of coal fired electric power. So far, American research into sequestration has been suspiciously silent about the anticipated costs.

In the meantime, the price of the infinite energy sources, like sun and wind, is dropping. While a residential photovoltaic (PV) solar system using rigid silicon panels could cost between $15,000 and $25,000 today, new breakthroughs using Mylar forecast cutting those costs in half. (Mylar is the material in your Starbucks coffee bag.see how shiny it is inside).

Several case studies show that, in one month, Katrina's impact has brought the break even point for a silicon paneled solar PV system in Maine down from 13.5 to 9.4 years. The price curves of renewable energies are descending!

The price curves of fossil fuels-rising-are on a collision course with the price curves of renewable fuels-falling!

Are you ready? Will you pay that extra to be ahead of the curve, to insure your energy future? The costs of grid-delivered power are destined to become more expensive than having an array of PV solar cells on your roof or a wind generator in your yard. You can pay the premium now or wait for the collision.

What about the low income folks who are hurt the most by the upward swing of fossil fuel prices.how can they even think of laying out these kinds of dollars for a solar system? Should the State offer a subsidy, a tax break, and low interest loans?

A daunting question in the shadow of recent reports that there will be 530,000 qualified Massachusetts families who will NOT receive Low Income Energy Assistance Program funds (LIHEAP) because of inadequate federal funding. It's the result of the Bush Administration shortfall-where the Bush Energy Bill shot $8 BILLION to the oil companies who so far in 2005 have reported 9 month profits of $81 BILLION.

Do you support supporting those folks in West Virginia who want to avoid the collision of the curves? Should YOUR legislature figure out how to help us all buy that insurance, and avoid the collision?

I'd like to hear your good thoughts on this.

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By Senator Jon Blair Hunter

Don Garvin asked me to write this so the rest of you who have not been able to purchase a hybrid vehicle would eat your hearts out.

I purchased my Prius last summer when gas prices were close to $3.00 a gallon - and it looks like they may go there again. I was quite surprised when I went shopping for a hybrid to see the amount of room they have in both the front and back seat. Anyone who knows me knows I am not a little person, so space is important to me.

Also, when I test drove the demo I was again surprised to feel the amount of power and acceleration it has. Of course, since I am learning how to drive it to save gas, I now understand that you should not gun it when you take off and you should try to keep your lead foot off the gas. If you do this you will get 50 miles or more to the gallon. However, if you are late to a meeting like I am frequently and violate these rules you will still get some where in the high thirties or low forties, which is still twice as much as I was getting from my Tracker.

Now, in addition to the fuel savings you can get up to $3,000 in tax credits. Of course, to get the credit you have to be able to afford the $21,000 purchase price for the car.

I now have almost 20,000 miles on the car and so far no problems. It also has a brake gear for descending down mountains, which helps save your brakes.

So folks - I suggest we all put our principles in action! Buy a hybrid.

"My Prius" column will be featured regularly, as many of our friends now own them. Stay tuned for more interesting peeks into the world of hybrids in future Legislative Updates and GREEN newsletters. Editor

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By Julie Archer, WVEC Lobbyist/WV-CAG

The WV Clean Elections Act, known in the Legislature as the "WV Public Campaign Financing Act", was introduced last week in the Senate, and the Senate Judiciary is likely to take the bill up as early as next week. This is good news, as we would like to see the bill voted out with plenty of time for the Senate Finance Committee to also act on the bill.

While we have several friends on the Judiciary Committee, including our lead sponsor, Senator Randy White (D-Webster), along with Senator Jon Blair Hunter (D-Monongalia), Senator Dan Foster (D-Kanawha), Senator Tracy Dempsey (D-Lincoln), Senator Evan Jenkins (D-Cabell) and committee chairman, Senator Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall), who has publicly expressed strong support for the bill, the vote is anticipated to be close.

This is where you come in - particularly if you live in Monongalia, Putnam, Pocahontas or Randolph County. The following Senators from these counties are critical to the bills passage and your calls of support could make all the difference:

Senator Mike Oliverio, (D-Monongalia): 357-7880

Senator Charles Lanham, (R-Mason, also representing Putnam, Jackson and parts of Roane): 357-7880

Senator Clark Barnes, (R-Randolph, also representing Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy, Pendleton, Upshur, Grant and Pocahontas): 357-7373

Please call these Senators and urge their support for SB 124, the "WV Public Campaign Financing Act". If you need talking points call the WV-CAG office, 346-5891, e-mail julie@wvcag.org, or visit www.wvoter-owned.org.

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By Linda Frame, WV-CAG

In its first meeting of the 2006 Legislative Session, the Senate Judiciary Committee took up the WV Bottle Bill. This was the first time the bill has been heard by a full committee. We are happy to report that SB 136 was referred to a subcommittee whose members are Senators Randy White, Jon Blair Hunter and Frank Deem. Our belief is that the subcommittee will make necessary technical changes to the bill and send it back to the full committee quickly.

Anticipating that quick turn-around, now is the time to contact Senate Judiciary committee members and ask them to vote for SB 136. These legislators have been approached by the retailers who still oppose the bill and they need to hear from citizens who support it! The committee members are: Senators Kessler (Chair), Oliverio (Vice Chair), Carruth, Foster, Barnes, Deem, Hunter, White, Harrison, Lanham, McKenzie, Weeks, Minard, Jenkins, Fanning, Dempsey and Chafin. You can quickly click on their e-mail addresses at www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/senate/judiciary/sencomJUD.cfm or you can call them toll-free at 1 877-565-3447. In your message, ask them to support SB 136 to reduce litter and increase recycling in West Virginia. You can also thank Chairman Kessler for taking up the bill. For more info, please e-mail linda@wvcag.org.

In other good news, the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority and the Webster County Watershed Association have both passed resolutions of support for the WV Bottle Bill. Welcome to our growing list of supporters!

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Bio Pick of the Week: Ted Boettner

By Ted Boettner, WVEC Lobbyist
ted@wvcag.org

Hello! My name is Ted Boettner, and I was born in West Virginia and grew up on Charleston's west side. After graduating from Capitol High School in 1997, I attended college and studied journalism and political science.

In 2002, I moved back to Charleston and worked as a law clerk investigating flood damage in southern West Virginia. During this time, I also became active in WV Patriots for Peace and the National Lawyers Guild. In the fall of 2003, I moved to New Hampshire to begin post-graduate work in international relations and political science.

While in New Hampshire, I became an intern with the Howard Dean campaign and worked as a research assistant at the university. After completing my graduate course work, I moved back to Charleston and helped manage the Erik Wells' campaign for U.S. Congress.

When the dust settled after November 2nd, I spent the next three months working on my masters thesis on the neo-conservatives and post-Cold War foreign policy. Upon completion, I began volunteering at the WV Environmental Council and this led me accepting a position at WV Citizen Action Group and now at E-Council.

In my brief time in politics, I've learned two important things: first, that we should not uncritically accept what we are told and think for ourselves; and second, that what happens at the bottom echelons of society is as critical as what happens at the upper reaches of society. When I'm not working, I enjoy riding my road bike, hiking, reading (especially American foreign policy), and spending time with family and friends. Also, on occasion, I enjoy brewing beer and traveling around the Mountain State.

Ted is also a candidate for House of Delegates in the 30th District, Kanawha County. Stay tuned for "Bio Pick of the Week" on another WVEC Lobby Team member in the next Legislative Update ..... editor.

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By Donald S. Garvin, Jr., WVEC Leg.Coordinator

The West Virginia Environmental Council has assembled an unbelievably strong lobby team again this year. And with some pre-session planning we were able to hit the ground running, particularly with the Renewable Energy Campaign, a pro-active agenda of our own, in addition to playing our usual defensive role.

We are your voice for the environment at the West Virginia legislature. And without your financial support we cannot be here. So if you have not renewed your membership, now is the time to do so. And if you can, please renew at a higher level this year. If you have already renewed, please consider sending us an additional donation. We need your help more than ever.

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By Donald S. Garvin, Jr., WVEC Legislative Coordinator

I learned at a conference on women's health issues this week that nurses in this state know about the serious risks to human health from air-borne mercury pollution and they care about it as much as we do.Pam Neal, president of the WV Nurses Association, gave an excellent presentation on the threats facing developing fetuses, infants and young children from mercury pollution that results primarily from air emissions from coal burning power plants.

Breast-fed infants and developing fetuses are exposed when their mothers consume tainted fish, which can result in lowered intelligence, learning problems, and brain damage. Anyone who eats contaminated fish is at risk, particularly children. In adults, mercury exposure can cause irreversible damage to the brain and cardiovascular system, and can reduce fertility.

Neal told members attending the conference that West Virginia ranks 7th in the nation in air-borne mercury pollution, and also noted that the Department of Health has posted a fish-consumption advisor for all the streams in the state due to mercury pollution.

The involvement of the WV Nurses Association comes at a critical time, as the legislature is now considering a DEP rule proposal that would roll back the state's air emission standards for mercury.

DEP's proposed rule - Rule 45-CSR 37 - covers mercury air emissions and implements the Bush Administration's mercury Cap and Trade rule announced March 15, 2005. This proposed rule actually delays any specific action to reduce mercury until after 2010.

The Bush rule is being challenged in federal court, because it actually represents significant roll-backs from existing Clean Air Act requirements for "Maximum Achievable Control Technology" (MACT), normally used for hazardous air pollutants such as mercury. More importantly, the Bush Administration mercury rules exempt power plant emissions of a range of other hazardous pollutants such as nickel, cadmium, dioxin, etc. from MACT requirements. The National Nurses Association is a party to this federal lawsuit.

Concerned that new federal standards on mercury emissions will not produce more immediate health benefits, two national groups of state and local air quality regulators - the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials - have developed alternative plans to yield fewer emissions in less time.

And the governor of Illinois is pushing to force Illinois' coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions by an average of 90 percent by July 2009.

But here in West Virginia, DEP is proposing to adopt the federal proposed rule, which is not even finalized. In fact, EPA is now reconsidering parts of the proposal and has re-opened the public comment period.

DEP's thinking on this is wrong headed. EPA has not adopted a new standard yet, so neither should West Virginia. Other states are opting NOT to roll back mercury emission standards. The WV Legislature should send this rule back to DEP and require the agency to develop emission standards for mercury that protect women's and children's health.

And that's the message to the legislature that the conference on women's health issues adopted at their meeting this week - to defeat DEP's proposed rule, Rule 45-CSR 37.

The nurses know. I hope the legislature is listening.

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By Leslee McCarty

The Greenbrier River Trail Association (GRTA) group was founded right after the trail was donated to the state by CSX in 1981.

The 1985 and 1996 floods gave some trouble, chiefly by wiping out the trail from Durbin to Cass, but the trail association has worked to keep the recreational potential of the area alive by obtaining major federal grants to improve the trail, restore the Clover Lick Depot, landscape trail heads, build restrooms and water stops and most recently, interpret the natural and human history of the trail through beautiful signs at major trail heads.

The GRTA sponsors an annual race on the river and trail which brings hundreds of participants to the area. The 20th annual race will be held this year on Saturday, April 29 in Marlinton, WV. Check the Association website www.greenbrierrivertrail.com for details.

WVEC will be featuring groups, organizations and sustainable businesses from around the state regularly in future Legislative Updates and GREEN newsletters .... editor

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