Mat-Su Valley COALition

08/17/2015

Just spent the better part of my day on a working surface coal mine. The coal industry is truly one of the most demonized and misrepresented of industries. One that feeds families and powers a nation. Coming from one of the most environmentally conscious people you know, I am ashamed at how little I knew about the actual practice of coal mining and how willing I was to believe the media hype surrounding it...often for political gain wrapped in a touchy feely package. After five months of personal research I am willing to admit that I had no idea. It's funny just how stuff gets amplified and/or played down in the media. And I can see how hard it is to know the truth...cause it sure was for me. Unless you've actually been on one and seen it in every stage of reclamation, you wouldn't believe it and are just regurgitating the hype you've been fed. (Bear that in mind as you wave your flags in the comments...I used to wave the same flag. So I won't fault you, my friends. I only encourage you to do what I did and do your own personal research.)
They take the power lines down. They put the soil and rock back. The roads are gone. They reforest it and clean the runoff to be purer than most of your drinking water. It is amazing to see and something all of us on both sides of the discussion can be proud of. I grew up in the mountains and I can't tell the difference in habitat once these areas have been reclaimed. More mountains are destroyed making roads and shopping malls... and they don't reclaim those mountains while we celebrate progress.
We're all the ones to blame when we waste energy...and we do it constantly.
It is absolutely true that we need to look to the future for more energy answers, but we have yet to find an answer for our energy situation that beats coal. Solar doesn't have the storage capacity and the battery disposal is way worse than you imagine. Hydroelectric is limited... We harness all we can. And who wants to live next to a nuclear power plant? I guess it goes to show you shouldn't believe everything you hear, folks. Just sharing my experience and my embarrassment at how little I knew about how I charge my iPhone.
Much love to you all.
Loggins out.
P.S. Here's a little photo of me in front of a reclaimed surface mine.

08/17/2015

http://www.adn.com/article/20150815/sagging-exports-hit-usibelli-coal-production-fifth-year-row

With international customers shunning Alaska coal for cheaper sources, Usibelli, the state's sole working coal mine, faces more layoffs and a possible sixth straight year of declining production, mine officials said.

06/29/2015

http://www.frontiersman.com/news/dnr-rules-for-usibelli-permits/article_242446d6-1bc0-11e5-af5f-2ffd45e161bb.html -comment-area

PALMER — The Alaska Department of Natural Resources ruled this week in favor of the Usibelli Coal Mining company’s Wishbone Hill mining operation near Sutton.

06/23/2015

GOOD NEWS! Judge's Denies Adjudicatory Hearing Request http://conta.cc/1Bzwirt

Attached is a press release regarding the Wishbone Hill Mine. Today Usibelli learned that the administrative law judge affirmed DNR's decision to renew our mining permit at Wishbone Hill. This final decision comes after the last appeal by the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council, Castle Mountain C…

05/14/2015

Earthjustice on behalf of Chickaloon Village Traditional Council Request Adjudicatory Hearing http://conta.cc/1EEHFub

Let's give Usibelli a hand and send in our comments. You can bet that Earthjustice and Chickaloon are sending in their comments.  Keep it simple and direct.

04/12/2015

IMPORTANT Information on MEA Propositions from Mat Su Business Alliance http://conta.cc/1GYQhzL

The Association should publish not "make available" information to allow the public enough information to make a solid decision. Consistent material electronically and print is important.

04/06/2015

MARK YOU CALENDARS! SATURDAY, JUNE 6TH 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Mile 58.2 Glenn Hwy. Sutton, Alaska.

What a great way to give back to our community! Be sure to bring proof you are a Sutton resident and proof of age to be eligible for the gun drawing. You must be 21 and older. Bring your own chairs and blankets for seating.

04/05/2015

MEA’s Runaway costs

MEA is doing a great disservice to all of us who are its members. The cost for electric energy is now rising at an unreasonable rate simply because the present board and management cannot control costs.

For example:
The new Eklutna Generating Station is now over the original budget by $110 Million plus (nearly 50% over budget). It is also seven (7) months behind schedule. According to Chugach Electric, who will dispatch the power from this plant, the Eklutna plant still did not meet industry operating standards as of late March. The membership of MEA will pay this bill through higher rates, and we have a plant that is still below industry operating standards. It can be brought up to standard by investing even more time and money.

Another example of the lack of basic cost control is the labor contracts with the IBEW union. MEA has posted these contracts on their website. Looking at just the Outside agreement which covers the warehouse workers, equipment operators, auto mechanics, lineman and meter relay technicians we see that the wages for these workers at the termination of the contract will be $114,000 a year plus. This calculates to over $55 per hour. Keep in mind this is just wages. When we add in the benefits of pension, health plans, paid vacation, and the like at 76% (MEA’s own calculated number) of direct wages the annual cost for these workmen is over $200,000 per year. We MEA members are paying these exorbitant costs in our light bill.

Now on top of all this, when the present board majority of Janet Kincaid, Kit Jones, Peter Burchell and Lois Lester took over, MEA had 112 full time employees. This number has now bloated to 166 full time employees. Multiply that by the $200,000 a year and see where we get. Remember, we are paying for this with our light bills!!!

The incumbents are bragging about what a great job they have done for us. It seems obvious to me they have done a great job to us.

No incumbent deserves our vote.

04/05/2015

They are at it again! As they live off grants and donations paid for by taxpayers dollars and wealthy donors they (enviromental groups) continue to try to stop any possible chance for the rest of us to work for a living and a great company like Usibelli Coal Mine to do business here in the Valley.

SUTTON — A coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit in federal court hoping to void one of the main permits Usibelli Coal Mine will need to bring coal mining back to Mat-Su.

04/04/2015

Get your tickets soon times running out!

11/13/2014

Announcement and Update from Usibelli Coal Mine Inc.

Greetings,

Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. (UCM) is pleased to report that the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has renewed UCM’s two mining permits at Wishbone Hill. Additionally, the federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSMRE) recently sent a letter to DNR confirming the validity of these permits.

You may recall that citizen groups (Castle Mountain Coalition, Chickaloon Village Traditional Council, Friends of Mat-Su (now Envision Mat-Su) Alaska Center for the Environment, Alaska Community Action on Toxins, Cook Inlet Keeper, Earth Justice, Pacific Environment and the Alaska Chapter of the Sierra Club) submitted complaints to both DNR and to OSMRE in 2011 regarding the validity of UCM’s permits. DNR rejected the complainants’ assertions. OSMRE, however, requested DNR to submit a detailed explanation of the validity of UCM’s permits. Again, DNR stated that the permits were valid.

After three years of careful review, OSMRE has concluded that, in fact, UCM’s permits are valid and that there is not cause for taking action against Usibelli (as the citizen groups suggested).

While UCM is not surprised that both the State and Federal governments have upheld the validity of the permits, we are nonetheless pleased to have these questions answered. UCM has maintained the legitimacy of our permits since day one. Remember, Usibelli acquired the leases and permits to the Wishbone Hill project in 1997, and we have actively maintained them with the desire to further develop the Wishbone Hill coal mine.

Most of the same environmental citizen groups have recently appealed DNR’s recent renewal of the permits. A hearing officer will hear each side later this month and should make a determination shortly thereafter.

What does this mean for Usibelli and the Wishbone Hill project now? UCM will work towards further development of the Wishbone Hill coal mine. As you may recall, UCM completed a feasibility study on the project in 2011. Market conditions have softened since that time, however, UCM is still committed to developing Alaska’s coal resources in the Mat-Su Borough. We are reviewing the 2011 feasibility study to identify a mine project that fits today’s coal market demands.

As always, we appreciate your interest in the Wishbone Hill project and will do our best to keep you posted on its progress. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Lorali M. Simon
Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc.
Vice President, External Affairs
(907) 745-6028 office
(907) 982-6744 cell
(907) 745-6083 fax
634 S . Bailey St. #204, Palmer, AK 99645

11/01/2014

Join the Pro Development Team and Attend the Rally!

Join the Pro Development Team and attend the Rally!
Turns out this is going to be so large that is has been moved to AT&T Sports Center. Same time.