In an apparent confirmation of the potentially heavy costs of pending climate change legislation, an internal U.S. Department of the Treasury memo last week conceded that a cap and trade law could cost American taxpayers up to $200 billion a year. At that upper end, said Treasury officials, the per household cost could rise to $1,761 annually – equivalent to a 15 percent tax increase! The memo was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by a conservative think tank and the Obama Administration dismissed the memo as "unofficial."  Activist groups argued the analysis did not weigh benefits from slower global warming.

Last week, Governor Manchin told a U.S. Chamber of Commerce meeting in Washington, that carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology deserves a financial commitment commensurate with coal’s 50 percent share of the U.S. electricity market.  He said, "If 50 percent of the energy is produced by coal, then proportionately, there should be that type of effort going back" into CCS technology development.”  He called for, “monies collected through carbon credits or carbon taxes should help finance CCS technology projects.”  Governor Manchin, the incoming chairman of the Southern States Energy Board, joined with Senator Rockefeller in calling on Congress to step up funding for the development of CCS technologies that will provide sustainable energy and employment. Manchin warned that cap and trade would add substantial costs to coal use, and would "drive down our industrial jobs."

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training announced on Thursday that all 180 underground mines that were required to have an approved emergency shelter within 1,000’ of the working face are in compliance.  More than 300 shelters are in place across the State.  In a similar note, a nationwide survey recently completed by NMA, indicated the industry has spent more than $800 million to comply with the requirements of the MINER Act of 2006.  According to the survey, $91 million was spent for more than 150,000 new self-contained self-rescuers (SCSR) and 907 emergency shelters cost $90 million.  Sealing of all abandoned areas, as required by the law, cost $89 million, and $86 million has been spent on tracking systems and related Emergency Response Plans.

Both underground mines and coal suppliers have been removed from the final rule on source categories required to report their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to EPA. The September 22 rule is designed to inform EPA of emissions from major domestic sources. The agency said it may ask for additional sources to report at a later time pending further review of comments and reporting options. An estimated 85 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions from about 10,000 facilities are covered under the rule. Since downstream users of coal would be included in the reporting requirements, NMA had argued that including coal operations would amount to double counting of emissions. The final rule is posted on EPA’s website but has not yet been published in the Federal Register.

W.Va. man on verge of bass fishing Super Bowl
Top five finish this weekend will send Charleston native to pro fishing event in Ala.
Daily Mail staff
Courtesy photo
 
Charleston native Jeremy Starks, seen with his Bass Cat fishing boat sponsored by Friends of Coal, is set to compete this weekend in Sandusky, Ohio, for a shot a the 2010 Bassmaster Classic in February.
 
NASCAR's top drivers have started the Chase, the series to determine the stock car racing league's champion.
 
It's similar for bass fisherman Jeremy Starks, who is preparing for the windy challenges of Lake Erie as he gears up for the Northern Open 3, in Sandusky, Ohio, this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday.