Will Amerens Nuclear Plant be like the Florida Nuclear Plants?

 Progress Energy Expects Florida Customers To Double Down on Nuclear Energy Bet

Share This:

Dear Scotts Contracting,   Have you heard what is happening to utility rates in Florida? Progress Energy announced that it expects customers to pay for an expansion of a broken nuclear plant and continue to finance another proposed nuclear plant which may never be built. The Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board had a lot to say on the matter…   "Businesses that make big mistakes and force their customers to pay for them can expect a smarter competitor to take away their customers. But Progress Energy is a regulated monopoly, and it announced last week it expects customers to pay to expand a broken nuclear plant and to continue to finance a proposed nuclear plant that may never be built. Yet Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Legislature and the Public Service Commission have failed to lift a finger to stop this fleecing of the ratepayers.   Progress Energy isn't just maintaining its increasingly expensive bet on nuclear energy. It expects its Florida customers to double down as well. The company plans to ask the Florida Public Service Commission in August to raise rates on consumers to cover $49 million in up-front costs for a planned expansion of capacity at the troubled Crystal River nuclear plant under a 2006 law that allows for so-called advanced nuclear cost recovery. Never mind that there's still significant doubt about whether the plant will ever be repaired and returned to service. It's been shut down since 2009 after Progress Energy bungled a first-of-its-kind, do-it-yourself repair job.   The other bad news for consumers: The cost of the proposed new Levy County nuclear plant — which still has not received federal approval — could reach as high as $24 billion, up from the last estimate of $22.4 billion. What's more, the plant won't be complete until 2024, eight years later than originally proposed. Progress Energy Florida customers are already on the hook for $1.1 billion in up-front costs that include an estimated $150 million in revenue for the company. That price tag can only be expected to grow unless Tallahassee changes the law."   Let's make sure that Missouri isn't in the same position as Florida. Contact your legislator today to let them know you oppose paying up front cost for energy plants that may never be built. Also, please sign the petition and forward this email to a friend to get others involved.   Sincerely, The FERAF Team Fair Energy Rate Action Fund • PO Box 1153 • Jefferson City, MO 65102 Paid for by the Fair Energy Rate Action Fund. www.fairenergyrates.org

T

Tell EPA to step in to ensure Keystone XL southern segment has thorough review

Tell EPA to step in to ensure Keystone XL southern segment has thorough review

Tell EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson: Prevent the rubber-stamping of the Keystone XL pipeline through Oklahoma and Texas.

In less than 45 days, Canadian oil giant TransCanada could receive the rubber stamp it wants to build the southern leg of the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline from Oklahoma through Texas to the Gulf Coast -- unless we convince the Environmental Protection Agency to intervene.

News broke last week that, in addition to submitting its re-application to the State Department for the transboundary, northern half of its pipeline, TransCanada has also submitted its application for the only federal permit it needs to start building the southern half -- a water permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps of Engineers, which has an abysmal environmental track record, has a maximum of 45 days to approve or reject TransCanada’s application. Or, if they do nothing it will be approved by default.

The EPA regional office already objected to this fast-tracked approval process -- and pressure from you will help convince EPA headquarters to stop it.

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Congress To Do List via Whitehouse.Gov

President Obama has put together a "to do" list for Congress that, if acted upon quickly, will create jobs and help restore middle class security.

These initiatives all have bipartisan support, and the President believes that they will help create an economy built to last that supports secure American jobs and makes things the rest of the world buys - not one built on outsourcing, loopholes, or risky financial deals. 

 

post shared from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/08/president-obamas-do-list-congress?utm_source=050812&utm_medium=graphic&utm_campaign=daily

Twitter         <----    Find Me   --->         Facebook

Web Site: http://stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scottscontracting@gmail.com
Job Site Photo Album 
Green Blog

CADD Kitchen Design 2 Island Cook Top and Exhaust Hood

Scotts Contracting Latest Kitchen Design CAD Drawings

by clicking on the Photo you will be redirect to
Google Picasa Web Albums for Scotts Contracting

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Sewer Pipe Leak Detection

 

Kingshighway House Sewer Line Inspection Video

• Found Sink Hole in Yard by Down Spout Sewer Line

• Called Plumbing Companies for Repair EstimatesVerbal Repair Estimates started at $3,000.00Suggested to Video Scope Drain prices started at $125.00

• Dug Inspection Trench to determine what was causing Sink Hole.

1. I traced the Downspout Lateral Line down 8-10 ft and have not found the lateral line connection at the Main Line.
2. I've feel I've dug enough and determined that we should do option 1 & 3 in the suggested fixes below.

• Did Water Test to Determine if there was any stoppage in the Main Sewer Line. (I opened the Man Hole Directly behind the house and watched the water that was dumped into a house drain run into the City Sewer Line.)

• Contacted Retired Plumber for Advice. Joe came by and gave these suggestions:
• Suggested Fixes:

1. Cap and Seal Down Spout Sewer Line since Water Test Determined Main Sewer Line was UN-obstructed. Redirect Down Spouts to drain into yard.

2. Replace or Un-Clog Down Spout Line. Warning from Plumbers: “Do Not Interfere with Main Line or the Old Clay Pipes could become dislodged and start leaking. Creating a need for more digging and more pipe to need replaced.”

3. Un-Clog all down spouts to eliminate future plumbing “lateral” line issues. All these clogs in Down Spouts are from the Trees out front and over the years the “helicopter seeds have stuck in the downspouts lateral lines.”

• Scotty adds:
• Add Gutter Screens to prevent future problems.

Notes:

I did not want to spend money on an Inspection (I would rather spend the same amount of money on a plumbing snake to clean out the remaining clogged Downspouts) and after talking with Joe I dug an inspection trench and determined: Original Problem was from helicopter seeds from trees out front of the house. I traced the line and found clogged areas but didn't find the lateral line / main line connection point (I've dug 8-10ft). I did a water test and determined main line was unobstructed. Since main line not clogged I suggest: seal the down spout line and redirect water into garden area along fence line by church. Problem solved. Add Gutter Screens or Downspout Screens to prevent future problems.

Upcoming Post will be on the Fix to the Sewer Line Problems.

From

See the Concrete Side Walk Repair You Tube Video

 Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Ameren Meeting-HCR 35 Hearing-3 environmental shareholder resolutions include

The 3 environmental shareholder resolutions include:

• report on coal combustion waste
• report on coal-related costs and risks
• assessment and report on greenhouse gas and other air emissions reductions through customer energy efficiency and renewable energy programs

---

From: Labadie_Environmental_Organizati@mail.vresp.com

Subject: Ameren Meeting, HCR 35 Hearing, Bees!
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:02:06 +0000

Labadie Environmental Organization (LEO) Clean Water and Sustainable Communities LEO Blog from the Bottoms: Up to Date NEWS  Launch of NEW Website Soon! Support Ameren Shareholders in saying YES! Tell friends and family to vote YES on Coal Ash Resolution NEXT TUES, April 24th, Ameren shareholders will hear MCRI make a logical argument for why shareholders should expect Ameren policies to keep coal ash waste out of floodplains and to support comprehensive groundwater monitoring around coal ash sites. Ameren operates numerous risky coal ash ponds and landfills both in Missouri and Illinois. Responsible company management is even more important with Congressional Representatives voting this past week to disable EPA from regulating coal ash wastes.  How will Missouri protect communities from the toxins in leaching coal ash waste? Missouri fails to protect us as evidenced in the State of Failure report released last year. The largest Labadie pond has no liner, no groundwater monitoring and has had leaked for over 20 years under a MO DNR permit! If you have stock in Ameren you have every right to vote on directors, executive compensation and 3 shareholder initiatives (environmental) this year. You can vote in person at the meeting or choose to vote by proxy (internet). See the official notice of the annual meeting and details on how to vote (proxy or in person). The 3 environmental shareholder resolutions include: report on coal combustion waste report on coal-related costs and risks assessment and report on greenhouse gas and other air emissions reductions through customer energy efficiency and renewable energy programs Meeting Details: Date:  April 24th, 2012 Time:  9 AM Place:  Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd. St. Louis MO 63103  FREE PARKING Come down and support MCRI at the press conference likely to start about 8 a.m. HCR 35 Moving Forward Help Us Get a Hearing Before End of Session! HCR 35 Coal Ash Monitoring and Cleanup Resolution has been assigned to the MO House Tourism and Natural Resources Committee.  Unfortunately, we are fast running out of time to get discussion on the issue and move it to a House vote. Contact YOUR MO State Rep if they are on the Committee and/or the Chair of the Committee, Don Ruzicka (R-132) to say all Missourians deserve the right to know if ash ponds and landfills are contaminating drinking water and if they are, we want them cleaned up! Rep Ruzicka is responsible deciding which issues will receive a hearing in his Committee. Rep Ruzicka was a former MO State Conservation Agent for 27 years with a BS in Wildlife and Conservation from Missouri State University. His job as a Conservation Agent was to "protect the natural resources of the state." He should be our ally on this issue. Contact Info: Look up your State Representative contact info here. Compare to the list of Reps on the Committee here. Call Don Ruzicka directly to say "assign a hearing date" Phone:  573-751-4077 email:  don.ruzicka@house.mo.gov There are at least 12 Counties in Missouri with coal ash dump sites that could be contaminating groundwater. MO DNR does not require groundwater monitoring. See if your County is on the map. Take a moment right now to call your State Rep and/or Representative Ruzicka to get HCR 35 assigned a hearing before the end of session on May 18th! We deserve this issue to be discussed by our legislators. Thank you for taking action. Follow events, activities and actions on Labadie Environmental Organization (LEO) and Save OUR Bottoms!!! Celebrate Earth Day TOMORROW April 22, 2012 Earth Day festivities in Forest Park SUNDAY, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stop by the Ameren tent and DNR Booth and ask them what they are doing to protect the public from the risks of coal ash pollution. If you are available to help give out fliers at Earth Day St. Louis call Patricia at 636-402-8460 What do honeybees, fish and humans have in common? None of us do well when we ingest or are exposed to high amounts of metal pollutants. Could heavy metal pollutants be linked to colony collapse? Read the article below for more details. Selenium Toxicity to Honey Bees Forward the LEO e-newsletter to friends and family! They can become a FREE member and get on the monthly e-newsletter list by emailing: contact@leomo.info "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." - Aldo Leopold Contact Us | www.leomo.info | contact@leomo.info

---

St Louis Earth Day Invitation-The Festival has arrived!

Come one, come all [species]: Let's celebrate the planet!
2012 FESTIVAL Sunday, April 22nd 11am to 6pm Muny Grounds, Forest Park PLAN YOUR VISIT All Species [& Superhero] Parade Band Scramble Booth Listing Earth Day Cafe GETTING THERE! Green Strum Project Educational Activities Entertainment MAP! Operation Wild Lands Pedal for the Planet PROGRAM! Recycling Extravaganza Yoga TAKE THE EARTH DAY CHALLENGE 1.) Bring a bottle to re-fill with water at the Festival. 2.) Bring a bag that will be used to carry any purchases or give-a-ways that you acquire at the Festival. 3.) Use alternative transport to the Festival. Read more.... THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS If you happen to see someone wearing a blue Festival shirt this weekend, chances are, they're a volunteer! Not only can you ask them where the Information Booth is and other important Festival landmarks, but give 'em a high five for the vital support they provide. Without them, the St. Louis Earth Day Festival would not be possible.	This Sunday is the 23rd annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival! We've done it again! The St. Louis Earth Day staff, board members, committees and community partners have worked together to create another remarkable celebration that we hope you'll enjoy. In addition to the fun of a festival, we look forward to showcasing the local programs, organizations and businesses that have made a commitment to honor the Earth and be leaders for our region in stewardship. Make sure you seek out the many educational activities scattered throughout the Festival. While some are designed for kids – like puppet shows, storytelling and up-cycling activities — there are interactive exhibits for adults too — learn  more about electric cars in the Transportation Neighborhood or how to reduce your household energy consumption through simple home improvements and energy efficient appliances at Ameren Missouri and EarthWays Center's booths. New this year, Chipotle hosts a giant cinema featuring short films about sustainable food and agriculture. Earth Day also welcomes a new presenting sponsor to the region — Nature's Own. Stop by their tent for special giveaways and the opportunity to win a year's supply of bread! And, what would any Festival be without its food and entertainment? Explore great local talent on three stages with performances all day. You can eat both lunch and dinner, or graze on the delectable and diverse offerings at the Earth Day Café and Farmers Market, washing it down with a cold Schlafly draft or refreshing lemonade. We bring all this to you with our impact on the environment at the forefront of considerations. Visit our website to learn more about how we consider sustainability throughout the planning process. We hope to leave a big impression in the minds of our visitors, while leaving behind only small tracks to show we've been here. We look forward to sharing all this with you on Sunday. Name us Best Festival in St. Louis! TODAY is the last day that you can vote for the St. Louis Earth Day Festival as "Best Festival" in St. Louis according to St. Louis Magazine's A-List. TO VOTE: Follow these instructions from our website. THANK YOU! Commemorative Festival T-shirts Visit the Festival merchandise tent to pick up a 100% organic cotton "Heroes for the Planet" t-shirt ($15), or stop by the Information Booth to purchase a St. Louis Earth Day water bottle ($3). These tents are located across from the Muny Box Office at the center of the Festival grounds. Proceeds support the non-profit organization, St. Louis Earth Day. The St. Louis Earth Day Festival is grateful for the support and partnership of many local businesses, companies and organizations. This event is presented by Nature's Own and sponsored, in part, by:   stlouisearthday  |  #STLearthday
Call: 314.961.5838 Fax: 314.480.7191 Email: info@stlouisearthday.org

St. Louis Earth Day P.O. Box 190681 St. Louis, MO 63119 USA