Wilson Co-Sponsors a Pair of Bills to Stop EPA from Killing Jobs

February 26, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep Charlie Wilson signed onto a pair of bills drafted to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from expanding the Clean Air Act and stifling job creation.

“Regulating greenhouse gas emissions through the Clean Air Act could kill jobs and hurt the economic recovery. That’s not what we need right now,” Wilson said. “I’ve always vowed to protect the coal industry and I will continue do so.”

In mid-March, the EPA plans to issue new standards for greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). According to EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act, the GHG standards will automatically trigger new requirements on all facilities that produce GHG emissions.

“The Clean Air Act, as I understand it, wasn’t created so that the EPA could regulate greenhouse gas emissions,” Wilson said. “And I believe their actions could significantly hurt our area. I can’t let that happen.”

Wilson believes that these new standards will mean overwhelmed permit offices, slowed down construction, and could even potentially shut down existing plants.

“I’ve just signed onto two different bills that, if enacted, would achieve the same result – to stop the EPA – but they go about doing that in different ways,” Wilson said. “I just want to cover all the bases and make sure the EPA doesn’t get ahead of Congress and create economic problems for areas like ours that are just starting to recover.”

The first approach, H.R. 4396, the Save our Energy Jobs Act, would amend the Clean Air Act to state that greenhouse gases are not subject to the Clean Air Act.

H.J. Res. 76 is a procedural approach. This joint resolution of disapproval would nullify the EPA’s finding in December 2009 that greenhouse gases are a threat to human health and therefore could be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Under the Congressional Review Act of 1996, Congress has 60 legislative days to review a major rule under expedited legislative procedures and consider a resolution to disapprove of the rulemaking.

Both bills have been sent to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for review.

Web Extra: Fur Ball Benefits Local Shelter

by Jessica Crossfield
February 25, 2010

Candy Nelson and Lisa Merrow, along with quite a few friends, are putting on their dancing shoes to help out some needy animals.

“We do the Fur Ball every year,” said Nelson, a seven-year Humane Society of the Ohio Valley volunteer. “It is a fun, fun event.”

The Fur Ball started about seven years ago when a group volunteers and friends decided to raise some extra money for the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley. The event has turned into a huge fundraiser, expecting from about 250-300 guests and raising about $10,000.

“It is the largest fundraiser for the year,” Nelson said. “Most of the shelter money is based all on donations,”

Lisa Merrow was also one of the originators of the event and said that part of the event taking place in February is a way to combat cabin fever and get people out and active during the cold weather.

“It was something to do in the winter to make money for the shelter,” Merrow said. “We always have a full house, and it is great seeing people out supporting such a great cause.”

The Humane Society completely subsists on donations and grants, and with the money raised from the Fur Ball, lots of animals are able to be saved and made adoptable.

“A lot of the money goes towards medical expenses,” Nelson said. “Medicine is a huge expense for the Humane Society, and if you are able to get treatment for the dogs then you can make them adoptable.”

Both Merrow and Nelson have pets that were either adopted from the shelter or were strays. Nelson herself has four pets that she adopted or prevented from going to the shelter; two cats and two dogs, one of them a kitten she got about six months ago.

“I just love them,” she said.

The Fur Ball will be held at the American Legion Post 159, in Williamstown, WV on February 27. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the Silent Auction only and, the dance starts at 8:00 p.m. Other donations are always accepted, such as cash, cat litter, dry cat and dog food, toys, and anything else an animal may need.

Eramet Marietta and United Steelworkers Union Reach New 3-Year Labor Contract

February 26, 2010

Officials at manganese alloys manufacturer Eramet Marietta announce that the members of United Steelworkers Local 1-00639 voted tonight to ratify the proposed 3-year labor agreement reached earlier this week between company and union officials.

Through the efforts of both the plant’s and union’s negotiations teams – as well as all of the employees at Eramet Marietta – the company is now poised to continue to be competitive in the global marketplace, which is seeing a very slight rebound since the severe economic downturn in late 2008. The new contract, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2010, runs through February 27, 2013.