Submitted by Norm Roulet on Sat, 08/14/2010 - 07:12.
As I explain to "outsiders" what obstacles to true economic development we are confronting here in Northeast Ohio, I point to the concluding half of my "Preamble: Real Co-op for Open Food, Information and Community Development 2009", where I explain "you can't manage what you don't measure. Leadership here does not want to be measured."
At that time - February, 2009 - I explained the risk from having poor local leadership was greatest then, as we had just brought into office a wonderful new President, who must stimulate bad local, state, national and global economies... we had tough battles ahead requiring good local footsoldiers, as $ billions in NEW federal funding initiatives was flowing our way.
They raise the stakes, in exploitation of the difficult economic times here, by attempting to corrupt the good will of our new President.
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Thu, 08/12/2010 - 23:35.
It is worth noting that two days after 70+ Cleveland-area citizens came together in unified citizen action and opposition against coal burning in their neighborhood of University Circle, the EPA sent out a press release that "President Obama’s Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), co-chaired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE), delivered a series of recommendations to the president today on overcoming the barriers to the widespread, cost-effective deployment of CCS within 10 years" and "the report concludes that CCS can play an important role in domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions while preserving the option of using coal and other abundant domestic fossil energy resources."
That conclusion will be at the center of intense debate, experimentation and demonstration, to the tune of $10s billions, over the ten year vision of this policy statement, until some event brings such spending to a stop - science and economic reality push innovation above the industrial din of mountaintop removal and churning urban furnaces.
Federal clean coal funding is the stimulus for plans like MCCO was developing to continue burning coal into the future, and expand coal capacity to DEMONSTRATE innovative clean coal technologies (which are not yet in practice here). Such visionary science has a role in the big system of solutions for the world, but delays clean energy innovation of the type that would offer immediate human benefits in communities like Cleveland that cannot wait for the bleeding edge to arrive... too much real bleeding from environmental injustice here right now.
But that has not been the only dirty clean-coal deal in the works around here, as MCCO has been planning to build additional coal burning capacity for the plant needs of University Circle... a bullet the community is fighting to dodge right now, while attempting to shut down the current coal burning facilities MCCO has polluted the region with since 1932... all of which now seems to be blowing up in the master planners of this region's faces like a mountain-top full of high sulfur coal in West Viginie
As MCCO fights to maintain the rights and economic wherewithal to burn what coal it may - up to 50,000 tons per year - a few sorry other communities weren't so fortunate to have the brakes put on their clean-coal-insanity before the shovels hit dirt, meaning their shit is hitting the fan... as in the cost of the projects are through the roof and rising... the most sorry being the Peabody Energy Prairie State Energy Campus coal industry orgy in Illinois... read the sorry details below from the Chicago Tribune and thank your lucky stars at least we don't have a multi-billion-dollar mess like that to subsidize and breathe emissions from for the next 50 years! Phew... read what happens in REALLY poorly led communities, like outside Chicago, below...
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Thu, 08/12/2010 - 09:08.
Environmental Health Watch Outreach and Education Director Kim Foreman testifying at the August 10, 2010 EPA License Renewal Hearing AGAINST renewing their permit to burn coal, reading into the record and excellent statement offering a holistic, realistic perspective from the Cleveland environmental community - view this video.
In an important development from the Ohio Public Utilities Commission, the Plain Dealer reports today that "FirstEnergy Corp. gets permission to burn biomass as sustainable energy source". I previously highlighted this issue on realNEO, as the environmental concerns raised about this plant revolve around developing sustainable fuel stocks for such massive biomass initiatives as the R. E. Burger power plant in Shadyside, Ohio... as burning wood is not the solution... even refuse wood from recycling. But that is all that is on the horizon, for this plant so far... "FirstEnergy spokeswoman Ellen Raines said the company is spending $200 million to re-design and renovate Burger's boilers to be able to burn a mixture of green wood chips, wood pellets and briquettes and something very similar to charcoal."
There isn't enough refuse wood biomass to go around, and the carbon foot print of deforestation for biomass is poor. That is why I propose the state of Ohio take THE global leadership position innovating agricultural biomass optimization, which I believe includes hemp. Thus, the proposal to make Northeast Ohio the Open Source Capital of the Brightest Greenest State on Earth.
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Wed, 08/11/2010 - 20:55.
If you wonder why some powerful people in town and their pawns and puppets have been up in arms about realNEO and us bringing MCCO to trial... take a look at these financials (tons of money) and realize MCCO is listed as a Non-Profit Foundation for "Public, Society Benefit – Multipurpose and Other: Fund Raising and/or Fund Distribution" and a "Charitable Organization" - which is perverse, as they in fact cause immense public harm and they shouldn't even have this exemption... and should be "For Profit" and Paying Taxes
With 2009 assets of $66 million and annual sales over $33 million, MCCO was gaming another $500 million (according to former East Cleveland Mayor Brewer) in new funding (probably federal money) to build a new COAL facility at Lakeview and Euclid... even bought the land. The Opportunity Corridor is also being discussed - and the public is asked to wait a year before seeing any plans... as MCCO asks for a 5 year coal burning extension to operate as is for $150+ million more in activity - to burn 220,000+ TONS more coal... spew around 25,000 TONS more pollution...
Submitted by Evelyn Kiefer on Wed, 08/11/2010 - 00:55.
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it"- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dear Leaders of University Circle Institutions,
Did you or a representative of your institution attend the EPA public hearing on the Medical Center Company's request to renew their steam plant operating permit Tuesday evening August 10th at the MLK branch of the Cleveland Public Library?
If not, please view this video. You will want to hear the powerful testimony given by citizens who attended this meeting.
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Mon, 08/09/2010 - 19:55.
This excellent article on the MCCO coal burning powerplant in University Circle - Old-fashioned Ohio coal still being burned at tech-savvy University Circle institutions - by the Plain Dealer's John Funk speaks for itself... and is truthful to the best of my knowledge... and I learned some important new information. Thank you John Funk! I've included the entire PD article below in the interest of public safety.
Thank you Mattie and the Sierra Club for making all this happen - love the conclusion... "The solutions are not as forth coming as some might think," Reitman said. "You can't just put up a wind turbine and call it warm." Now to get a timeline in writing from MCCO for all aspects of their planning to move off coal, WITH CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT!
The tall smokes stacks at the back of the Case Western Reserve University campus belong to the Medical Center Co., a non-profit that has been burning coal for nearly 80 years to heat CWRU and much of University Circle.
Welcome to East Cleveland the International Cannabis Exchangefor healthcare and industry for the world – The Exchange will put East Cleveland back ON THE MAP!
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 08:11.
The financially influential Kylie Roulet DEMANDS MCCO and all Affiliates STOP BURNING COAL IN HER BACKYARD!
Dear Ronn:
realNEO statistics indicate our content is well trafficked by Cleveland Foundation staff, so I won't preface my comments with introductions... we know each other well.
The Roulet family is in a position whereby my parents have accumulated $ millions in wealth through investment of their incomes working for or affiliated with University Circle institutions - Case, University Hospitals and the Cleveland Institute of Art - and they intend to donate much of their wealth to those and similar causes - except those institutions burn coal, and do so in a harmful way that has been highly deceptive and has resulted in direct physical and financial harm to members of the family: myself, wife and children... indirectly and directly harming our friends and their family.
As such, my family has less money than it should, my parents' money is tainted by their employers having burned coal throughout their careers... and much of their money is intended for institutions that to this day cause harm by burning coal when there are ready alternatives... and those institutions show no real intent nor good will to stop.
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 19:00.
WOW - UCI forgot to put the University Circle MCCO Coal Burning Power Plant EPA Hearing at the University Circle MLK Cleveland Public Library in their August WOW! email blast to and for University Circle stakeholders, which/who are all subject of this hearing... as polluters and/or VICTIMS. It is a shame to waste an excellent opportunity to educate their stakeholder community, like this - perhaps they will see the notice here, or UCI will correct the error and better educate their community...
WOW! University Circle MCCO Coal Burning Power Plant EPA Hearing at the University Circle MLK Cleveland Public Library Thanks to the timely, effective intervention of the Sierra Club, the Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to hold a public hearing for citizens to discuss their concerns about the renewal of the permit for the Medical Center Company (MCCO) to burn coal in their powerplant in University Circle (pictured here), harming residents and workers in the densely populated and economically distressed surrounding neighborhood... August 10, 3:30-5:30 - FREE - More
Roberto Ocasio's Latin Jazz Project on August 11 - the following day - will be an excellent way to celebrate our success moving University CIrcle COAL FREE - THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! SEE BELOW...
WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays Don't miss the last four WOW! concerts this summer. The lineup includes Cats on Holiday and Lost State of Franklin on August 4, Roberto Ocasio's Latin Jazz Project on August 11, Heart & Soul Band on August 18, and Sultans of Bing on August 25. A movie night featuring Raiders of the Lost Ark will take place following the concert on August 18. More
Q&A with EDF’s Steve Cochran, Vice President for Climate and Air
Like many in the EDF community of staff, donors, and activists who have worked so hard for so long to push for comprehensive climate legislation, we’ve all had better weeks. Even at this moment, it is still not entirely clear where the Senate and the rest of Washington are headed. But, if climate action is indeed done for the year, which now seems more likely than not, the challenge that we’ve been working on for so long – to cut our climate pollution – will go on.
This Saturday, 3-5 PM - at Peace Park and around Coventry Village, in Cleveland Heights - you are encouraged to meetup with a representative of the Sierra Club to learn more about the pollution and harm caused by MCCO - and alternatives to burning coal in your neighborhood.
Location
Coventry Entrance to Peace Park
Corner of Euclid Heights and Coventry Shaded sculpture area
This Friday, 5-7 PM, you are encouraged to meet a representative of the Sierra Club to learn more about the pollution and harm caused by MCCO, and alternatives to burning coal in your neighborhood - the Sierra Club is supporting our community to "Move Beyond Coal" and in preparation for a Federal EPA hearing on the renewal of the permit for the MCCO plant to continue burning coal in your neighborhood - August 10, 2010, 4:30-6:45 PM at the MLK Branch of the Cleveland Public Library
You are encouraged to attend that public meeting to speak out against needless pollution of your neighborhoods and families by MCCO, to "Move Beyond Coal".
Location
The Chateau
13124 Euclid Ave. Free parking on Euclid, sidestreets and in rear
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Mon, 07/19/2010 - 13:40.
C'harm'ing Little Italy Double for rent - free cancer brought to you by MCCO, Green City Blue Lake Institute University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University and 20 other great non-profits
As shall be made abundantly clear before August 10, 2010, when "EPA Hosting Public Hearing to Discuss Citizen Concerns Over MCCO University Circle Coal Powerplant Permit Renewal", over 20 major University Circle institutions including Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals and the Cleveland Natural History Museum - home of the "sustainability"-oriented "Green City Blue Lake Institute" - are connected to utility services provided by the Medical Center Company, which burns coal in the heart of a residential community of University Circle, bordering East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights and the Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland. Burning coal causes pollution that kills people and the MCCO coal plant is very old and very dirty - one of the most polluting point sources in Ohio.
...and who are interested to help the Sierra Club with preparations for an upcoming EPA hearing on the renewal of the permit for the MCCO plant to continue burning coal in our neighborhood - August 10, 2010, 4:30-6:45 PM at the MLK Branch of the Cleveland Public Library...
...you are invited to join Sierra Club Campuses Beyond Coal field organizer Matthew/Mattie Reitman for an informal planning session at 1894 Roxbury Road, East Cleveland, Ohio, tomorrow, July 7, 2010, from 8-9 AM.
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Mon, 06/21/2010 - 00:00.
It is safe to say the #1 financial and empowering supporter of realNEO is and has always been my wife, Evelyn Kiefer Roulet. A founding member of realNEO (member #7), who has consistently posted some of the most interesting and globally appreciated content, she administers the Putnam Sculpture Colledction at Case (beautifully presented in Drupal), conducts art appraisals, consults in art history - maintains the brightest greenest home and garden in town - all to significantly support our large family so I may focus on realNEO and other regional and global initiatives. She has allowed this flower to grow.
Submitted by Norm Roulet on Sat, 06/05/2010 - 22:59.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer missed a nice opportunity to pick up on a major social injustice issue today when they announced with much stupidity and little diagnosis "Lakeview Road in East Cleveland picked as area's worst road: Road Rant"... leading to the usual cackles from the cleveland.commies about how my city should be rototilled and dissolved into Oz... while the big story is why Lakeview Road is the worst road in Ohio, as that is the fault of adjoining property owners MCCO and University Hospitals. Those parasitic corporate charities, along with RTA, if I recall right, have for years been using THEIR TAX-EXEMPT blighted brownfields on either side of Lakeview at Euclid as staging areas for their ego-tripping across Greater University Circle, all leading to MCCO plans to build a $250-300 million coal-fired powerplant AT Lakeview and Euclid, for University Circle institution use... already approved by Cuyahoga County and the City of East Cleveland... now all boarded-up. Work on the Euclid Corridor, the Ireland Cancer Center, and MCCO expansion, featuring a period of years of heavy construction equipment access, has abused our tax-base, roads and trust entirely. All while University Hospitals and MCCO contaminate the neighborhood by burning coal. And the ignorant, disrespectful, inaccurate Plain Dealer declares this EC's fault. This is the PD's fault!
Thanks to the timely, effective intervention of the Sierra Club, the Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to hold a public hearing for citizens to discuss their concerns about the renewal of the permit for the Medical Center Company (MCCO) to burn coal in their powerplant in University Circle (
