Now THAT'S Funny!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Shake your groove thing...

Ashlyn is such a crack up! So her newest thing is to bow and thank you after she is done performing. This is at my parents and the dancing snowman was a gift from my sister to my parents about 4 years ago. Since Ashlyn has come along, we have all memorized the song. So join in and "Shake Your Groove Thing!"

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Another Update...and a much need Thank You!

Well I went with my parents to the West Bountiful City Council meeting last night. Thank you to all of those who came! We are making a difference! So instead of writing all of the details out again, click on the ABC4 News link to see the story ABC4 It's good news for now!
Also, I'm hoping you can help me out with a little favor. As many of you may know, Channel 4 has new management and they aren't very nice to their staff...IE: firing Terry and Susan Woods 2 days before Christmas. They have been firing people left and right and my mom was talking to Brent Hunsaker and asked him about all of this and what we the public could do for him. He said, "Write a letter or e-mail"
So to thank him for all of his time, effort and dedication to getting the story out on this power plant, I'm asking you to e-mail his manager and tell him what a great job he has done either overall or on this particular story. He works 7 days a week and up to 12 hour days just to make sure he keeps his job. So here is the information:
ABC4 News General Manager: Matt Jaquint e-mail: matt.jaquint@abc4.com
Thanks!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Air Quality and our local schools

So there is a study that has been released by USA Today rating the air quality of every school in the nation. Here are where our schools stand-click on the link:
Woods Cross Elementary
Woods Cross High
West Bountiful Elementary
Washington Elementary
Millcreek Jr. High
But...this new plant isn't that bad! Right.

Pet Coke Plant Update

Here is an update from the meeting that was held on January 13. Basically the DAQ only looks at the level of pollution on an individual basis not the impact it will add too the whole of the problem. IE: We currently have 5 refineries in the area. Also the location of the pollution monitoring and testing is at Viewmont High School, which is NOT anywhere near the existing plants. The history of the wind patterns in this area show that the pollution is moved south so for an accurate reading they should be monitoring at the source or at Woods Cross High.
Another thing that was uncovered is that Consolidated Energy will be trucking in the Petroleum Coke from off site. It is unclear if the proper coverage will be used to ensure that the material doesn't fall out of the trucks which can cause higher pollution rates as it breaks down. We were told by DAQ that they don't monitor that and haven't looked into it. There were over 300 people at the meeting and I really appreciate those of you who took the time to come down. IF we don't speak up and fight for ourselves, no one else will. There is strength in numbers!

So now we move on to the next meeting which is with West Bountiful City Council. The Mayor of West Bountiful is opposed to it, but the ultimate decision lies with the council. I found most of the information below on the Utah Mom's for Clean Air website.

Again, thank you for taking a stand for our kids and ourselves!

Six Ways You Can Help Stop the Pet Coke Plant in West Bountiful

1. Attend the West Bountiful City Council meeting (550 North 800 West, West Bountiful)scheduled for Tuesday January 20 at 7:30 pm. We need to fill up the room and show our support by being at the meeting or vocalizing your opinion. West Bountiful is the city that has the control over whether or not the land will be re-zoned from Residential to Industrial.

2. E-mail or call the Corporate Office of Holly Refinery located in Dallas, Texas and let them know we don't want this here and we don't appreciate the bait and switch they are pulling on the residents. Here is the information: Corporate Office Holly Corporation 100 Crescent Court Suite 1600 Dallas, Texas 75201-6915 (214) 871-3555 Email Investor Relations:investors@hollycorp.com Email Human Resources:hr@hollycorp.com

~The original agreement between Holly Refinery and West Bountiful when Holly purchased this land was for them to invest ways to beautify and reduce pollution in the area. Not so they could build another plant and lease it out.

3. Contact Consolidated Energy and tell them we don't want their plant.
Consolidated Energy Systems LLC
1200 Chase Tower
50 West Broadway
Salt Lake City
Utah 84101
801-355-6111
info@conenersys.com

4. Write or call Gov. Huntsman and your state legislators stating your opposition to the petcoke plant.
Locate your legislator View the state Senate map to find your senator.
Send correspondence to the Governor at Governor John Huntsman, Jr.Utah State Capitol Complex 350 North State Street, Suite 200 P. O. Box 142220 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2220
801-538-1000 800-705-2464 Find his email form here.

5. Send an email or letter to the Mayor of West Bountiful: jbehunin@gmail.com West Bountiful City Hall - 550 North 800 West, West Bountiful, Utah 84087 Even if you don’t live in West Bountiful, pollutants from this proposed plant will affect you if you live along the Wasatch Front.

6. Write a letter to the editor to one or more local newspaper(s) : Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News, Davis County Clipper
To help you write your letters, please refer to the following talking points, background information, and a sample letter.

Thank you for your participation!

Talking Points
Like coal, petroleum coke is not a clean source of energy. We need to be investing in clean, renewable energy, such as wind, solar and geothermal, all plentiful in Utah.

Consolidated Energy says their plant will contribute just a little more pollution, but it is time to draw the line and reduce the pollutants in the air we breathe. The pollution from this plant would be the equivalent to putting 10,000 additional cars on the road.

The one million pounds of pollution from this plant will permeate the Salt Lake Valley for the next 50 years. The heavy metals from its smokestack will land on every carpet, counter top, playground, garden, and swimming pool and end up on the hands of every child.

This plant is especially dangerous to our children because of the many tons of toxic chemicals and heavy metals called “HAP’s” (Hazardous Air Pollutants) that will be emitted. Even the Utah Department of Environmental Quality that is preparing to approve the permit admits that no amount of exposure to HAPs is safe. Even trace amounts of HAP’s can cause genetic damage, cancer, brain damage, and metabolic and reproductive diseases. The unborn are the most at risk.

This plant is not needed to keep your lights on. Rocky Mountain Power has not asked for this plant and you may not even receive any of its electricity. While your family’s health will be put at risk, you will receive no benefit or compensation.

More pollution in the Salt Lake Valley has a negative economic impact. It discourages new business, stifles existing businesses like tourism, and hurts your property values.

Background Information
What is it? Consolidated Energy Systems is seeking a permit for a 109-megawatt, petroleum coke-fired power plant in West Bountiful, Utah. (This is on the border with Woods Cross, so you may have seen that name mentioned in the press or elsewhere.)

What is petroleum coke? It’s what is left over from refining petroleum, after all the usable elements (gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, etc.) have been removed. It is much dirtier than coal, containing higher concentrations of heavy metals, which are released when combusted.

Where would the petroleum coke come from? Montana and Wyoming. This means it must be brought by train or truck. (If shipped uncovered it could contribute to pollution because it is a very dusty material. The Port of Los Angeles has required that petroleum coke be kept covered.)

The preliminary emissions permit from the Division of Air Quality allows the following emissions (in tons per year):
Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) ( 60.9 tons )
Nitrogen Oxides ( 98.1 tons )
Sulfur Dioxide ( 97.8 tons )
Carbon Monoxide ( 98 tons )
Volatile Organic Compounds ( 49 tons )
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) ( 9.59 tons )
Single non-metal HAP ( 8.67 tons )
Single metal HAP ( .92 tons )
Particulates: PM10 includes particles 10 microns in diameter or smaller. PM2.5, the subset of PM10 responsible for health effects, is increasingly being tracked instead of PM10. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), long-term particle exposure can lead to a variety of health problems, such as increased hospital admissions, emergency room visits, death from heart or lung diseases. People exposed to particulate pollution may experience reduced lung function, chronic bronchitis and even death. Even short-term exposure is linked to aggravated lung disease, asthma attacks, increased respiratory infections, and higher hospitalization and death rates.

HAPs: Hazardous Air Pollutants, either metal or non-metal. These compounds have been specifically linked to cancer. Petroleum coke is especially high in the metal HAP’s vanadium and nickel, which are carcinogens or likely carcinogens.
What about Carbon Dioxide emissions? This plant is estimated to emit 900,000 to 1,000,000 tons of CO2 per year. This is, of course, one of the major green house gases causing global warming or climate change.

Sample letter:
Feel free to state in your own words or insert other points you think are important.
Dear [ insert as appropriate: Division of Air Quality, Governor Huntsman, Representative, Senator, Mayor Behunin] ,
Consolidated energy is seeking a permit to build a 109-megawatt, petroleum coke-fired power plant in West Bountiful, Utah. If approved, the plant would emit a million pounds of air pollution annually into our already impaired airshed. Poor air quality endangers everyone, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems. Furthermore, this plant would contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and diminish our environment.
Utahns want clean, renewable energy, not dirty power. Wind and geothermal projects in our state are already proving themselves to be viable. Please protect public health and our planet by stopping the issuance of this permit. Our future deserves better.
Sincerely,
Add your name

Friday, January 9, 2009

Attention!! Anyone who uses Oxygen to stay alive...Read This!

So it isn't very often I get involved in political issues, but this one makes me mad and worried about Ashlyn's future. Our kids are going to pay for this in the long run.

Last night, Melanie and I went to the meeting regarding the Petroleum Coke plant that the Holly Refinery wants to build to burn off the leftover waste from the crude oil processing. The meeting was put on by the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment. Utah is 3rd in the Nation for the worst air quality and they want to add more pollution to our city. This doesn't only effect Woods Cross, but it effects all surrounding cities as the pollutants will last in the air. The doctors said that this will span along the entire Wasatch Front as far as Draper! Currently this waste is being sent to China.

Holly Refinery and Consolidated Energy have tried to keep this from the public and rush it through on a State level in order to avoid having to get approval from the city. They also want it approved before the Environmentalist Reform that will be taking place once President Obama is in office on January 20th. They also want this plant so that they can save money and show a larger profit increase to their shareholders. They aren't taking into consideration the increase in health problems we will face as well as the increase in health care costs that we will have to pay for.

I have to say I was shocked at the major health risks that come from this sort of plant in our neighborhood. This plant will produce 1 MILLION POUNDS of pollution each year. These Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) are worse than living in a home and breathing second hand smoke for your entire life. It shortens our life by 2 years. HAP's also cause an increase in the level of lead in a child and adults blood as well as lowers the I.Q. Level of our children and causes Brain Shrinkage. In our area we have an increased amount of Asthma, SIDS, Infant Death, Autism, Cancer, decreases lung function which can lead to permanent damage, and causes other mental retardation and nervous system damage. These chemicals are also 100 times greater in a mother's breast milk. These pollutants are also causing many problems with developing fetus' which cause low birth rate, birth defects, reproductive effects and mutations.

One of the doctors said, "This is like lighting a giant cigarette and letting it burn 24/7, 365 days a year. We are not an ash tray"

Another point is that currently the levels of pollution from these plants are not being regulated on a regular basis. And if this plant goes in, our property values are going to decrease again.

So what can we do??? Can we really make a difference?

We start by attending the meeting that is scheduled this coming Tuesday, January 13th at 6:30pm at the Department of Air Quality (DAQ), 168 North 1950 West, Room 101, SLC

This is the meeting where we tell them we don't want this in our backyards. If you want to carpool down, let me know!

Then we need to contact our State Legislators, Congressmen, Senators, and Governor.

One of the doctors said if the Legislators receive 5 phone calls on 1 issue they know it is a problem in the area. If the Congressmen, Senators, and Governor receive 10 phone calls on 1 issue they know it is a problem for the majority of the people and they do something about it.

We also need to e-mail the project manager of DAQ and tell him we don't want this. His name is John Jenks, phone: 801-536-4459 and e-mail: jjenks@utah.gov

So here is the contact information for all of the above representatives:

Governor Huntsman: 801-538-1000 or http://governor.utah.gov/goca/form_governor.html

Local State Legislators: Roger Barrus rogerbarrus@utah.gov and Becky Edwards and Richard Siddoway and Dan Liljenquist danliljenquist@yahoo.com

U.S. Senators: Bob Bennett http://bennett.senate.gov/contact/emailmain.html

and Orin Hatch http://hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact

U.S. Congressmen: Rob Bishop http://robbishop.house.gov/ContactMe/

Jim Matheson https://forms.house.gov/matheson/contact_sec.shtml

Chris Cannon cannon.ut03@mail.house.gov

At the meeting they handed out postcards for us to mail to Governor Huntsman, but I think it would be good to put in your e-mails. Here it is:

Dear Governor Huntsman:

Consolidated Energy is seeking a permit to build a 109-megawatt, petroleum coke-fired power plant in Woods Cross, Utah. If Approved, the plant would emit a million pounds of air pollution annually in our already impaired air shed. Poor air quality endangers everyone, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems. Furthermore, this plant would contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and diminish our environment.

Utahns want clean, renewable energy, not dirty power. Wind and geothermal projects in our state are already proving themselves as viable. Please protect public health and our planet by stopping the issuance of this permit. Our future deserves better.

Sincerely,

And below is the article that was in today's Salt Lake Tribune:

Power plant opponents vow to fight on

By Judy Fahys
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 01/08/2009 10:06:04 PM MST

Determination to stop more pollution from being pumped into their skies appeared to galvanize Davis County residents Thursday against a new industrial power plant planned for West Bountiful.

"What can we really do?" asked Bountiful doctor Clark Hilbig to neighbors jammed into a Woods Cross meeting room. "We have to make laws. We have to raise a stink. ... How do we stop this rather than just talking about it?"

The first step, agreed many of the nearly 200 assembled, is to raise their concerns with state regulators at a public hearing on the plant Tuesday.

The Division of Air Quality says it intends to give Consolidated Energy Systems LLC a pollution permit for a 109-megawatt power plant at 400 S. 1100 West, West Bountiful. The plant would produce power for the adjacent Holly Refinery and use "dirtier-than-coal" waste petroleum from the refinery as fuel.

Consolidated will compensate for the dirty fuel by using a robust, five-stage pollution-control system -- a system that helps keep the plant well within state and federal pollution restrictions and gives state regulators no grounds to reject the permit.

Locals still don't want the plant. And West Bountiful Mayor James Behunin publicly doubted this week whether his community would be willing to grant the building permit and rezoning that would be needed to accommodate the plant.

Opposition strengthened at Thursday night's meeting, an information session hosted by the
Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment on the plant's potential health impacts.
Members of the doctors' group shared their estimate that 20 people a year would die prematurely because of the plant's emissions if it were to be built. They told how children would suffer numerous respiratory and neurological risks because of the hazardous heavy metals and other toxic pollutants the plant will release into the air.

Brian Moench, founder and president of the doctors' group, urged people to contact their lawmakers and help change the law to allow health issues to be accounted for in future permit decisions. He compared allowing the proposed plant to forcing everyone in proximity to breathe secondhand cigarette smoke.
"We have a moral responsibility to our children," he said, "not to allow Bountiful and Woods Cross to become one big ashtray."

An engineer who has worked on the proposal, David A. Kopta, pointed to state documents that showed emissions from the new plant would be around one-third of one percent of the regulated air pollution in Davis County.

"People who are concerned about air quality should focus on mobile sources, cars and trucks," he said. "That's where they'll get the biggest bang for their buck. This [plant] isn't going to be that bad of a problem."

But Woods Cross resident Julie Checketts, a mother who recently suffered an unexplained miscarriage, challenged the idea the harm was negligible. "Add another" pollution source? she asked him. "That's ridiculous."

Checketts and her girls-night-out group plan to caravan to next Tuesday's public hearing.
State regulators plan a public hearing on the plant's pollution permit on Tuesday January 13, 6:30, in DEQ Room 101, 168 N. 1950 West, Salt Lake City. Only after they hear from the public can the regulators complete their review of the plant. While regulators say the proposal falls well within state and national pollution standards, activists and the community say they don't want to make the air any dirtier.