Pickens Plan District Group PA-05

Comment

Comment by Mike Johnston on December 17, 2009 at 5:10pm

Send a holiday e-card to Sen. Specter asking him to support green energy in the new year (sponsored by the Sierra Club).

Link: http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Ecard?ecard_id=2321

Comment by Mike Johnston on December 7, 2009 at 9:12am

I think that it would be nice if we all had a visual aid to show to people when we try to educate them about the potential of natural gas as a cleaner, abundant, domestic energy source and one which can serve as a bridge to a green energy economy.

I found a documentary film, just released a short time ago, that does all these things. It profiles the lives of people in the Haynesville Louisiana area after the find of massive gas deposits there. It also uses a group of experts in the areas of energy and the environment to flesh out all of the things that we have been saying about natural gas. Many of the comments sound like things Boone has been saying since last year...

I am thinking that Army members could use the film to hold screenings for their friends/family/governement representatives/community, etc. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and so a film must be worth a million, lol

Many Army members have told me that they don't know what to say to people or things of that nature and a film like this does the talking for you. At the moment I am working to bring the film to Plan members but I thought I would put this up so you can go have a look at the film website and trailer at least.

Website: http://www.haynesvillemovie.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/haynesvillemovie

Comment by Mike Johnston on November 13, 2009 at 7:15am

This week I used the "contact your Representative(s)"feature on the site AND I submitted a Letter To The Editor to the Patriot News in Harrisburg.

Story link:
http://www.pennlive.com/letters/index.ssf/2009/11/state_is_missing_out_on_natura.html

Please join me by doing these two things yourself. It is very easy and only takes a few minutes of your time. Or just click on the story link and leave a comment of your own after my story :-)

Comment by Mike Johnston on November 6, 2009 at 7:44am

Surge in Natural Gas Has Utah Driving Cheaply

According to this recent story in The New York Times people in Utah have embraced natural gas as a vehicle fuel and are filling up on CNG for as little as .87 a gallon (as of last fall). Where is your state at in relation to this?

Pennsylvania is a prime example of states who are missing the ball on CNG. We have huge deposits of natural gas within our borders and in a short time we could have municipal fleets and local/regional trucking operations running on this clean, domestic fuel. Why are we losing in this new energy race to Utah? Our state leaders and national representatives need to be given a wake up call.

Natural gas will bring jobs to Pennsylvania and will cut transportation costs for manufacturers and service providers who depend on truck transportation. In this miserable economic climate you would think that our elected representatives would be scrambling to put our state first in taking advantage of this economic goldmine but, from what I have seen this isn't the case.

The people of Pennsylvania need to understand this. That is where we come in. By writing to our representatives and writing letters to local newspapers and or radio/TV stations we can help inform other Pennsylvanians and in this way bring the benefits of CNG fuel (which is OUR natural resource!) to Pennsylvania.

Comment by Mike Johnston on November 6, 2009 at 6:56am

If the link on the image below that takes you to the letter writing page isn't working for you here is the direct link:

http://www.capwiz.com/pickensplan/issues/alert/?alertid=13702871&type=CO

Comment by Mike Johnston on November 5, 2009 at 4:33pm

Would you be willing to tell your representatives that you support natural gas fuel and want them to take action NOW? All you have to do is click above and fill you some very basic info then hit send.. Really, that's it. Under 5 minutes. We need to make our voices heard and this is a very simple yet effective way to do it. Thanks..

Comment by Michael T. Vender on October 11, 2009 at 2:35pm

Every healthcare provider, whether it is the hospital, clinic, physician or nurse, has experienced out-of-control increases in malpractice insurance. It seems that the trial lawyers in this country are having a field day suing medical practitioners at the drop of a hat. The obvious result; everyone is practicing defensive medicine to the extreme. Some estimates of the cost of defensive medicine to our healthcare system range to as much as 25-30% of the total cost of healthcare. If our representatives in Congress had any political courage, they would go after the trial bar. However, since 70% of the lawmakers in this country are attorneys, there is little likelihood of anything being done about this outrage. It feels like a new lie about health insurance reform crops up each day. Government taking over all health care? Not true. Euthanasia for seniors? Couldn't be more false. Rationing of care? Reform will stop rationing, not increase it. These lies create fear and anger, and we're seeing the results around the country. Frightened crowds have flooded town halls, and the office of a Georgia representative was defaced with a swastika.It's time to set the record straight -- and, more importantly, expose the special interests and partisan attack organizations behind the lies and misinformation.

Comment by Mike Johnston on September 21, 2009 at 6:21pm

Please read this story regarding the potential of natural gas:

"Shale gas is the most important energy development since the discovery of oil"

Then take the time THIS WEEK to write a letter to your local newspaper and/or contact your representatives in the House and Senate and ask them to pass the legislation we need NOW to begin to transition to a clean, secure, domestic energy future. This story shows that the capacity is there and we already know the technology is there. All that remains is to demonstrate enough WILL on the part of the American people to make it so...

Comment by Michael T. Vender on September 21, 2009 at 6:21am

Dear Mr. Vender:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding our nation's energy policy. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

Addressing our nation's energy crisis requires a comprehensive approach. I believe that Congress should vote to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Technological advances allow us to drill in these areas in a way that is more environmentally friendly than the technology in place when the moratorium was enacted. Increased production alone will not solve this problem. America must embrace conservation and energy efficient technologies. Furthermore, Congress should provide appropriate incentives to businesses and consumers in order to develop alternative forms of energy that can compete in the marketplace. Therefore, I support the extension of the renewable energy tax credit.

During my tenure in the U.S. Senate, I have sought to promote a well-balanced energy policy that encourages clean, safe, reliable and affordable forms of energy, and to appropriately weigh environmental protection with our need for economic expansion. Pennsylvania's strong agricultural, manufacturing and other industrial sectors rely heavily on energy production, and Pennsylvania consumers deserve reliable, affordable energy. One of my top energy priorities is reducing U.S. reliance on foreign oil, particularly from OPEC. To rely on unstable regions, such as the Middle East , for our energy needs is to court disaster. Adequate domestic supplies, as well as incentives for conservation, efficiency and use of alternative energy sources are critical to a secure energy future.

In recent years, energy policy has been one of the most contentious issues in Congress, with political and geographical differences on many areas. On August 8, 2005, after more than a decade without a comprehensive energy bill, the President signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Given continued rising energy costs and gasoline price volatility, on December 13, 2007 Congress again acted on energy legislation, passing the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (E.I.S.A) by a final vote of 86-8, which was signed by the President on December 19, 2007.

I was pleased to support the E.I.S.A of 2007, which promotes biofuels, energy efficiency, vehicle fuel economy and carbon storage. This bill expands the renewable fuels standard created in 2005 in order to displace the use of gasoline as a transportation fuel, and modifies it by requiring that an increased amount of biofuel be derived from feedstocks other than corn starch. Dedicated fuel crops, such as switchgrass or fast-growing trees, would be grown for the sole purpose of producing fuel and with such resources PA is well positioned to contribute to the development of advanced and cellulosic biofuel.

In relation to efficiency and conservation measures, E.I.S.A. of 2007 mandates new and revised federal efficiency standards on residential appliances such as: clothes washers, dishwashers, and boilers, and on industrial appliances as well. The bill also includes a directive to reduce energy use in new buildings by 30% in 2010 and 50% in 2020, and a new program designed to promote increased efficiency in federal and commercial buildings. I was also pleased that the Congress acted to increase our national average vehicle fuel economy. The bill requires automakers to raise the average fuel economy standard for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, an increase of 40% over current standards. This provision is similar to other measures I have cosponsored to increase our vehicle fuel efficiency in a manner that provides flexibility to domestic automakers.

Given Pennsylvania's coal mining heritage, I am a strong advocate for research and commercial application of clean coal technologies which could help alleviate pressure on the oil and natural gas markets. These technologies are proven to greatly reduce pollution from power plants while providing much greater efficiency in coal use. As our most abundant domestic energy supply, coal is projected to play a key role in energy production well into the future and we must use it more cleanly and efficiently. I have supported a unique project in Schuylkill County , Pennsylvania , to transform waste coal into ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel or similar products-the first plant of its kind in the U.S. I helped secure a $100 million U.S. Department of Energy award for this plant, which holds the promise of reducing our dependence on foreign oil, while at the same time cleaning the air, using coal waste, and improving water quality by reducing acid mine drainage. I supported an amendment to H.R. 6 aimed at launching the coal-to-liquids industry in the United States and was disappointed it was not included in the final Senate bill. However, the bill did include significant benefits for the research and development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. CCS is a critical component to developing clean coal technology and ensuring coal maintains its rol e in domestic energy production, while reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases which are blamed for global climate change.

In order to meet our growing electricity needs, we must promote a policy of diversity in electricity production by providing proper incentives to renewable and alternative means of supply. Two such policies, tax credits and a Renewable Energy Standard, were not part of the E.I.S.A. of 2007. It is my hope that Congress can consider those provisions in the near future. I believe that a renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) that would require 15% of U.S. electricity come from renewable sources by 2020 is necessary to help spur development of renewable sources. Pennsylvania is currently implementing an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard with an 18 % goal by 2020 of electricity production from renewable and other alternative energy sources. I applaud the Commonwealth's recognition that increased use of renewable energy can help improve the environment while utilizing sustainable resources.

While the Senate passage of H.R. 6 was a major step toward diversifying our fuel supply and using it more cleanly and efficiently, it could have done more to increase our domestic production. Our current natural gas imbalance has driven prices to unacceptably high levels and created price volatility. This affects not only energy production, but already-struggling U.S. manufacturing, such as the chemical and fertilizer industries which rely on natural gas as a feedstock (ingredient) and energy source. Additionally, natural gas is a basic source of heating for millions of Americans, including low-income families. I will continue to support efforts such as the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act which the President signed on December 20, 2006 and will allow oil and gas development in a limited portion of the offshore Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico with appropriate environmental protections. I was disappointed that the Energy Policy Act of 2005 did not include a similar oil savings goal , which would have required the administration to identify and implement policies reducing domestic oil consumption by 1 million barrels per day from projections by 2013. This provision was based on the Carper-Specter amendment from 2002 and the Landrieu-Specter amendment in 2003, the latter of which passed by a vote of 99-1. These are modest oil savings goals, but ones which could help focus the Federal Government's attention on reducing oil imports in support of energy independence, national security and lower trade deficits, and I will continue to support such measures.

Furthermore, we must do all we can to ensure a stable price of oil. Although the price is set by external market forces, Congress can act to ensure that the market is functioning properly. Accordingly, as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I held two hearings in February and March of 2006 to consider the effects of consolidation in the energy industry and whether such concentration had resulted in increased prices of gasoline, other petroleum-based fuels and natural gas. Those hearings prompted me to introduce the Oil and Gas Industry Act of 2006 to require the appropriate antitrust agencies to further consider whether mergers within the oil and gas industry have violated antitrust laws and if such mergers and information sharing among companies should receive further scrutiny. Additionally, this legislation would have addressed the industry's record high profits and high prices by prohibiting oil and gas companies from diverting, exporting or refusing to sell existing supplies with the specific intention of raising prices or creating a shortage.

Securing a reliable national energy plan is vital to ensuring the stability of our country. This important issue deserves Congress' consideration so that we may best serve the interests of the environment, national security, taxpayers and consumers. I assure you that I will continue to work in the best interests of Pennsylvania to ensure a secure, responsible energy future.

Thank you for taking the time to bring your concerns about our nation's energy sources to my attention. This is an important issue deserving Congress' consideration. If you have any further thoughts on this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me or visit my website at: http://specter.senate.gov.

Sincerely,
Arlen Specter

Comment by Michael T. Vender on August 14, 2009 at 1:59pm

Dear Mr. Vender:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding S. 1408, the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act. I appreciate hearing from all Pennsylvanians about the issues that matter most to them.

The New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act would extend and increase tax credits for natural gas vehicle purchasing, refueling and manufacturing. This bill would also allow state and local governmental entities to issue tax exempt bonds in order to finance natural gas vehicle projects.

Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey introduced S. 1408 on July 8, 2009. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. Should this legislation reach the full Senate for consideration, please be assured that I will keep your views in mind.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.

If you have access to the Internet, I encourage you to visit my web site, http://casey.senate.gov. I invite you to use this online office as a comprehensive resource to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington, request assistance from my office or share with me your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you and to Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,
Bob Casey
United States Senator

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