Legalectric

Bizarre, but true! Something that makes camping a lot easier — internet access! Week before last, we took a couple of days off  and went up to Lake Itasca so Alan could see more of Minnesota, and given we’ve both got “virtual offices,” it’s really a problem to be off-line. So hearing that Douglas Lodge at Itasca had wireless, yes, Douglas Lodage:

I figured it wouldn’t be that tough to go over there once in a while. Guess again, there was too much to do and then, after we finally got to the desk near the fireplace, and when telling management how much I appreciated having access there, I learned it was all over the park, and even IN THE PINE RIDGE CAMPGROUND! PERFECT.  Yup, here’s the proof, above!

And we had a wonderful visit with Rollie and Shar Jacobsen, who are living now up near Park Rapids, home of a real old fashioned ice cream parlor (Rollie knows what I like!). I so miss having them as neighbors and extended family right downstairs… as we left, Rollie handed me a genuine Jacobsen’s bag, and delight of delights, it was filled with Jerry Garcia Band CD’s, 10-15 (haven’t counted), I’m still on the second one and savoring every bit.

And yes, we did get out in a boat on Lake Itasca, and saw new baby loons, and one huge, HUGE snapping turtle swimming along.  The world’s biggest red pine is a little worse for wear…

No… this wasn’t the one swimming across the lake…

Another coal gasification bites the dust — yes, it took a coon’s age to get this posted, what can I say, the CapX hearings are taking up a lot of time… This was the best news in ages, continuing the theme that IGCC is a bad idea, too risky, too costly. This plant was one that seemed to have a lot of backing, which to me means that IGCC is done. When I’d posted about it, it garnered some wild NRG employee comments on this blog, ones that I hope that those employees’ bosses are aware of! I know NRG is watching, but I think some of their employees need to have their typing fingers taped together and/or not operate a computer while soused!

Here are a few articles with some choice comments:

From the Buffalo News:

Power Authority stops $1.6 billion plans for advanced coal plant at Tonawanda’s Huntley Station

Power Authority officials estimate that it would take an additional $175 million to $200 million per year in subsidies – on top of the significant aid already promised for the project – to bring the price of the electricity produced at the advanced coal plant down to the point where it could compete with other conventional sources of generation.

From newsday.com:

NYPA halts plans for clean-coal plant in Tonawanda

After pursuing various state grants and tax incentives, NYPA determined it is not possible to fully close the gap between what NYPA would have to pay for electricity and competitive market rates.

And from the Post Journal:

NYPA withdraws support for North Tonawanda clean coal project

”The economic, technological and regulatory obstacles are too great to warrant any further efforts at this time,” said Christine Pritchard, a NYPA spokeswoman.

… and…

NYPA officials were also uneasy about the technology. According to the company, there are only two IGCC plants operating nationwide, and 11 IGCC plants were either delayed or cancelled in 2007. In addition, the largest sequestration operation in the world is burying only 1 million tons of carbon dioxide underground annually, a third of what the NRG plant would be required to sequester – and carbon capture and storage technology has never been demonstrated off a clean coal power plant.

… and…

”It is also clear that an explicit and rigorous regulatory process with public support is a prerequisite for sequestration on a large scale. And while some amount of risk is necessary to prove new technology, the financial and environmental risk associated with this large-scale commercial power plant is simply too great,” the report concludes.

… and…

”Simply, at this time, the price gap is too large to overcome” said Pritchard of NYPA.

Tell us something we didn’t already know!!!

Yup, burning coal has an impact, you betcha.  Tell us something we didn’t already know.  But here’s a study that shows some specific results when comparing neurodevelopment of children exposed prenatally with those who were not exposed because the coal plant had been shut down.

Here’s the study:

Benefits of Reducing Prenatal Exposure to Coal Burning Pollutants

So what more do we need to know that shutting down coal plants is overdue?

The Clean Air Interstate Rule has been vacated, and here’s the real deal:

North Carolina v. EPA (consolidated with many more)

OK, one more thing to get figured out…

From this

… to this

What is Tim Pawlenty, the Green Chameleon, thinking? Very odd move… I cannot believe, though I guess it’s good if some of Koppendrayer’s beliefs about Excelsior Energy’s Mesaba Project are genetically implanted in her brain… but some things I find in a search do not bode well. First, she has ZERO experience in utilities. ZERO.

Second, she seems to spout off the way Koppendrayer does. Earlier this session, Wergin weighed in on a bill that would allow chiropractors to practice on animals, saying:

We need to keep in perspective the differences beween animals and humans.

[Animals] do not have the same status of humans… Animals are checked into the cargo space of airplanes.

Here’s Wergin’s take on whistleblower Paul Wotzka testifying:

Paul Wotzka is a hydrologist who worked for the Department of Agriculture for 16 years and then moved to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Last spring, he was invited to testify before a different legislative committee, but his superiors refused permission. Shortly afterward he was fired.

The state maintains Wotzka was fired not for his interest in testifying, but because he took files from the Agriculture Department to his new job.

Sen. Betsy Wergin says that’s reason enough not to have him testify.

“And Senator Marty I’m going to ask that you not have this person testify because I think it’s wrong,” she said.

And then there’s this — Wergin and Laura Brod were leading the GOP charge against Franken:

Here’s Pawlenty’s official blather:

“Betsy has a tremendous combination of small business and public policy experience as well as extensive community involvement,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This perspective will be a great benefit to her on the PUC.”

… now she’s on the PUC… what does this mean? Given a comparison of my little bro’s opinions and mine, it’s even more confusing!