Monday, March 31, 2008

Energy policy: Hydroelectric Seattle Times: "For nearly 50 years, Rocky Reach Dam on the Columbia River has been quietly producing enough low-cost electricity to power two cities the size of Seattle. Now the dam north of Wenatchee is on the front lines of the nation's effort to control greenhouse-gas emissions and curb global warming. The owner and operator of the dam, the Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD), figures that recent improvements it has made mean that 700,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide won't be pumped into the air. And it registered these 'carbon offsets' on the Chicago Climate Exchange for sale to companies that need to reduce their emissions. Other exchanges trade pork bellies, gold, Treasury bonds or wood pulp. But on the Chicago Climate Exchange, carbon offsets or credits are traded in what could be a precursor to a new national effort to slow climate change. The players range from Fortune 500 companies to California's Sacramento County, Florida's Miami-Dade County and the Kentucky Corn Growers Association. The system is called cap and trade." Category: 2008 Presidential Election 6:56:44 PM     Colorado Supreme Court upholds Judge Kuenhold's decision on confined aquifer rules From The Valley Courier, "The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday affirmed District Judge O. John Kuenhold's decision in favor of the state's confined aquifer rules. In part, the rules contend that the San Luis Valley's confined aquifer is overappropriated and any new groundwater withdrawals must be matched in equal measure to the amount withdrawn. "'The court holds that the rules are not in violation of either statutory law or the Colorado Constitution,' the Supreme Court judges stated in their decision. 'The court finds that because the confined aquifer does not contain any unappropriated water, restrictions on withdrawals from that aquifer do not violate the constitutional right to appropriate. It additionally holds that the rules do not extend beyond their statutory authority.'" Category: Colorado Water 10:47:54 AM     Energy policy: Nuclear, HB 08-1161 Here's an editorial in favor of HB 08-1161 from The Fort Collins Coloradoan editorial staff. They write: Colorado lawmakers appear to have been listening to residents' concerns as the prospect of renewed uranium mining becomes more real in the state. Friday, the House of Representatives appropriately passed HB 1161, which increases water quality protections and public oversight on in-situ uranium mining operations. The impetus of the legislation is a Canadian mining company, Powertech, proposing to mine uranium using the in-situ (water injection) process near Nunn in Weld County. Uranium projects are also being considered in Park County and Fremont County. Uranium mining in Colorado already has a history that includes a boom-and-bust mentality, radioactive tailings removal and abandoned mines, primarily on the Western Slope... Protections outlined in HB 1161 are essential. HB 1161 is limited in scope but it should be effective in requiring mining companies using in-situ restore groundwater to original, pre-mining condition based on state standards for radioactive materials and toxic metals. The bill also defines "designated mining operations" to enhance public health and environmental health oversight, and it requires mine operations to inform nearby landowners of their proposed permit. Local state Reps. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins; John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins; and Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, are commended for listening to their constituents' concerns and crafting legislation that will provide more environmental and public health protection in light of increased uranium mining activity. We look forward to seeing Gov. Bill Ritter sign this legislation. More coverage from The Greeley Tribune (free registration required). They write: A bill by Fort Collins Democratic Reps. Randy Fischer and John Kefalas, sponsored in the Senate by Republican Steve Johnson and Democrat Bob Bacon, could be in the Senate as early as this week. The Colorado House of Representatives passed the bill on Friday on an initial voice vote, after more than an hour of heated debate among northern Colorado lawmakers. Gov. Bill Ritter said in a recent interview that he supports the measure, House Bill 1161, because it provides a regulatory framework that does not currently exist. It would require mining companies to show that they can restore groundwater to pre-mining conditions, or to the statewide standard for radioactive materials in water. Companies could not get a state permit unless they meet that standard. Some critics said that would prevent the mining operation from going forward, but Kefalas and Fischer said the bill was intended to provide more state oversight... Ultimately, the House passed it on a voice vote, but it seemed close. The bill faces a final recorded vote in the House before it can move to the Senate, but Kefalas and Fischer said before the second reading that they were confident it would pass. Kefalas noted opposition to the plan by U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., and even recent concerns expressed by Denver Water regarding a proposed in-situ mine in Park County. He said based on Marostica's presentation, which noted that no in-situ mine has ever been proven to have damaged drinking water supplies, mining companies should have no problem with the bill. "Powertech or any other company -- and it's not just about Weld County, it's about the entire state -- should welcome our legislation, because they have said all along that they can conduct their mining without harming the groundwater," Kefalas said. "They should have no problem in demonstrating that it can be done without contaminating the groundwater." Some lawmakers, including Marostica and fellow northern Colorado Reps. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, and Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, were concerned the measure was being done too hastily. "We better not rush into it," Lundberg said, in support of an amendment that would have provided more time. "Let's put the brakes on it; let's have a little bit of a cooling-off period, if you will." Rep. Ray Rose, R-Montrose, suggested a year-long moratorium on mining so the issue could be studied further, but Kefalas and Fischer said mining industry representatives want the bill to go forward. Some lawmakers also worried about a section in the measure that deals with conventional uranium mining. That kind of mining is conducted like hard-rock mining, in an open pit or mine. But the meat of the bill deals with in-situ leaching of uranium... Ritter said he supports HB1161, noting that Colorado does not have a regulatory structure for in-situ mining. The process is not new, but is likely to become more common because it is less intrusive than a conventional mine. "The main concern is about groundwater, but there's a lot of people who I think are concerned about surface users and surface owners and how we protect them. So I'm supportive of legislation moving through. I want to make sure that we hear all sides of this," Ritter said in an interview. "It's like all other things that we talk about that are related to natural resources, which is how important it is for us to make sure the regulatory structure takes into consideration the impacts. And the thing that I think is most significant here is the impact on groundwater." The bill still faces several hurdles before Ritter would have a chance to sign it, but its sponsors feel confident, Fischer said. "Rep. Kefalas and I have done our homework, and based on the conversations we've had with our members, with our colleagues on the floor, we believe there is plenty of support to get this bill out of the House and over to the Senate," he said last week. Kefalas said he hoped the bill would move forward. "As you can see, it's never over 'till it's over. But I think this thing is ready to get done in this session," he said. It looks like Park County intends to enforce their land use regulations in conjunction with Horizon Nevada's proposed uranium operation, according to The Fairplay Flume. From the article: Horizon Nevada Uranium's proposed uranium mining in Park County near Hartsel isn't compatible with residentially zoned land, and that is something the county is going to enforce, according to a March 25 Park County press release. Park County Commissioner John Tighe said the incompatibility was made pretty clear to commissioners after a March 20 meeting with Tom Eisenman, Park County development services coordinator. "We're going to stand behind our LURs," Tighe said. According to the Park County press release, there are two zoned districts that allow for any type of mining: conservation/recreation and mining. The majority of the land notices sent out by Horizon Nevada Uranium Inc. were for agricultural or residentially zoned properties, said the release. "Even though in-situ mining is permitted in a C/R Zone District, not only are there requirement provisions for mining operations, but this operation will be subject to a 1041 Park County Regulations review process," said the release. Eisenman said in an e-mail that "the applicant, in this case [Horizon Nevada Uranium], would have to submit an application, in the format defined in the 1041 regulations for review by the county 1041 administrator." Once reviewed, the administrator must determine if there is a finding of no significance or that there will be a formal hearing on the said mentioned project, he said. If a formal hearing is required, the board of county commissioners would be the officiating party. Under current land use regulations, mining is defined as, "an enterprise or operation involving underground or surface excavation for the purpose of extraction of ore, mineral, rock or other earthen materials; together with other activities often associated with mining, such as but not limited to exploration, development, milling, concentrating, refining or other procedures designed to separate valuable products from waste material." While in-situ mining is solution mining (uranium removal from the ore body), it clearly meets the county definition associated with exploration, development and extraction, according to the release... Two public meetings will be held in April aiming to inform the public about the proposed uranium mines. Park County Assessor Dave Wissel said a meeting will be held at the cafetorium at the South Park High School on April 2 starting at 6 p.m. Horizon Nevada's Wilson will attend the meeting and speak, as will three other individuals, said Wissel. "We wanted to give him an opportunity to present his side," said Wissel. "We wanted to make this factual and informational." Jeff Parsons, with the Western Mining Action Project, will speak at the meeting, as will James O'Brien, from the Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge. Jim Kulichia, the attorney for the Center of Colorado Water Conservancy, will also speak at the meeting. Each speaker will be limited to 30 minutes, and public comments and questions will be heard. "I would expect a full house," said Wissel. "That's why we obtained the cafetorium. It's probably the largest venue we have." Wissel said there was the possibility of more meetings in the future. Another meeting will be held on April 5 at 1 p.m. at the Hartsel Community Center held by the Save Our South Park Water 2008. The group's Web site is: www.freewebs.com/sospw08/home.htm. More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here. Category: 2008 Presidential Election 7:57:50 AM     Upper San Juan Water Quality Forum From The Durango Herald: "A 21-year-old blueprint for water quality in Southwest Colorado will be the focus of attention at a two-day workshop starting Thursday in Durango...Much has changed since the water-quality plan for Southwest Colorado was written in 1987, [Chuck Wanner, the water-issues coordinator for the San Juan Citizens Alliance] said: The regional population has increased, there has been an accompanying increase in number and variety of activities, and regulatory agency mandates have changed. The regional plan is one of 11 prepared under the aegis of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to comply with Section 208 of the federal Clean Water Act. Southwest Colorado - Region 9 - is comprised of Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan and Dolores counties...The Upper San Juan Water Quality Forum will be held Thursday and Friday in the Fort Lewis College ballroom. Activities are scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday." Category: Colorado Water 7:53:10 AM

© Copyright 2008 John Orr. Last update: 4/1/08; 8:19:08 AM.