"EPA’s claim that the statute contemplates that a permit is never really final is not easily squared with Congress’s clear desire to limit duplication and delay so that commerce would not be disrupted more than necessary. What would be the point of insisting upon expedition in granting permits if a permit isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on and commerce could be interrupted at any time?" U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson

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So now we know that when President Obama says he wants an “all of the above” strategy for energy, “the above” doesn’t include the energy source in which America has the biggest advantage over the rest of the world: coal.

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a new regulation that, if enacted, will effectively outlaw the building of new coal-fired electricity-generation plants. In its proposed rule — which, by the way, is 257 pages long – the agency says it is using a “common-sense approach to reducing CO2 and other [greenhouse-gas] emissions, which by causing climate change, pose a serious threat to public health and welfare.”

In last week’s article regarding the official dedication of the FOC Soccer Complex we neglected to mention one of our associate members who was instrumental in assisting with the field’s completion.  Please accept our apology Rish Equipment Company, and thanks so much for all of your assistance and contributions.

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

If you plan to vote in May’s primary election, April 17^th is the last day to register to vote at your county clerk’s office. It is also the last day to mail a voter registration application or to register at one of the state’s voter registration offices. April 17^th is also the last day to file a change of political party for the primary or to register to vote after moving to a new county within the state.

For more information about these and other deadlines, check out the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Election webpage at http://www.sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/VoterRegistrationCalendar.aspx.

Most of all … exercise your rights and VOTE!

EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE

Early voting for the May 8^th primary election begins April 25^th and concludes May 5. For more information contact your County Clerk’s office or the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office.

According to the Public Information Office of the West Virginia Legislature, the following Interim Meetings schedule has been determined for the remainder of the year through the opening of the 2013 regular session. (NOTE: Locations remain to be determined.  Notification will follow once locations have been released).