EPA’s Proposed Regulations Will Stifle Technologies That Allow Continued Use of Abundant, Affordable Coal

From our friends at Count on Coal -- 

EPA’s Proposed Regulations Will Stifle Technologies                  That Allow Continued Use of Abundant, Affordable Coal

Coal is America’s most abundant fossil fuel energy source and, historically, our most consistently affordable. It can and must continue to play a vital role in the nation’s energy future, with advancing technology assuring us of cleaner-burning coal to address environmental concerns.

Despite these technological advances and cleaner coal burning technologies, the most common use of coal in America – electricity generation – could be brought to a halt by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) new source performance standard (NSPS) regulations for new fossil fuel-based electric generating sources.

These regulations threaten to stifle technological advancement and make coal unusable for power generation in either existing or new power plants – a matter of tremendous importance to a nation that generates 43 percent of its electricity using coal. This could leave business, industrial and residential consumers open to surges in power costs when, inevitably, the cost of natural gas rises. 

The EPA is proposing standards unprecedented under the Clean Air Act, effectively banning construction of new coal-fired power plants. It requires that all future plants using fossil fuels—coal or gas—emit no more than 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour. Even the most modern, efficient coal boiler emits 1,800 pounds, while combined cycle natural gas turbines come in barely under that threshold. This is simply a matter of regulatory policy favoring natural gas as an electricity generator and ignoring the promise that new technology holds for cleaner-burning coal. 

The regulations also will prevent upgrades of existing plants to improve efficiency and facilitate more electricity generation with less fuel and less emissions. This will cost America opportunities to provide economic stimulus through new manufacturing and construction jobs.

The goal of near-zero emissions from coal is within sight. New technologies will allow us to modernize the existing coal-fueled generation fleet, improving efficiency and reducing emissions while continuing to produce low-cost electricity. 

With innovation and technological advances, America can continue to use coal and continue to lower emissions at the same time.

Action Alert: Stop the Gang of 8 Immigration Train Wreck

According to a recent press release issued by Jeff Sessions, US Senator from Alabama, the central sales pitch for the Gang of Eight's immigration legislation has been the claim of strong border security triggers that are supposed to be the "toughest border immigration enforcement measures in U.S. history." But the promised enforcement is nowhere to be found, in fact, this bill would actually weaken requirements previously enacted by Congress-while granting extraordinary new discretion to the Department of Homeland Security to waive security protocols, removal proceedings, and denials of entry. 

This bill also repeals the proven E-Verify workplace enforcement system.

Click Here to Read the Complete Press Release

This Amnesty Bill, like Obamacare, is a massive piece of legislation that is quickly ramming its way through the Senate. During one of the Judiciary committee hearings it was clear that the Senate has not had enough time to read and understand all of the impacts of this bill.

Take Action

No More Train Wrecks

You may have heard last week that Senator Max Baucus, The Architect of Obamacare, said that its implementation was going to be a "train wreck!"

Now the Senate is dead set on pushing another piece of legislation that has all of the same characteristics of Obamacare - The Amnesty Bill. 

The Senate is on recess this week, so this is perfect timing for you to show up and let your voices be heard!

If you don't stand up against the "Gangsters of Eight", who will do it for you?

This Week's Action Items

Tuesday: Tuesday is Social Media Blitz day and "Tweet It Tuesday." The hashtag campaign this week is: #NoMoreTrainWrecks. Click for Sample Tweets and Facebook Posts

Wednesday: Today's focus is on making phone calls and visiting the district office for your U.S. Senators to drop off letters. Click to Find Your Senators Local Offices

Click for Thank You Letter for Senators who are standing for principle (Note: Senators Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, Jeff Sessions, James Inhofe, and Rand Paul will receive these letters.)

Click for Train Wreck Letter for Senators who are not doing anything to stop the ramming of this bill

Click to Call Your Senators
Thursday: Thursday's focus is on hosting Street Rallies at busy intersections. The ideal time for these rallies is 5:00-7:00 pm (local time). 

Click for How to Host a Sign Waving Event
Click for Sample Sign Messages

If you are organizing any events for the week, please let us know so we can help you promote it.

Friday: On Friday we will re-cap all of our activities this week and begin planning for next week’s theme and messaging opportunities.

Protect and Secure Our Borders First

PRESS RELEASE

April 26, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Marianne Gasiecki

State Co-coordinator (OH) -Tea Party Patriots

(419) 961-4439 

Immigration Reform  Low Priority for Voters Protect and Secure Our Borders First Ohio - April 26, 2013 -  A recent poll showed that immigration is a low priority for voters, with only four percent saying it is the most important issue facing the country.  That's well behind the economy (42 percent) and the federal deficit (17 percent), and yet this is where the Senate is focusing its time.  In that same poll, 60 percent of voters think border security is not strict enough.   "The gang of eight claim that illegal immigrants granted provisional status will not receive any entitlements, because Section 212(a)(4) of the U.S. Code states no immigrant who's at risk of becoming a "public charge" can get a green card," stated Arzella Melnyk, Co-Founder of the Grassroots Rally Team of Ohio.  "But in reading Sec. 245c, anyone who is unemployed, in job training, getting a high school or GED diploma, taking care of a child, younger than 21 or older than 60, or attending college can actually be given a waiver by The Secretary of Homeland Security. Millions will fall into this category." With many of the Republican lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee and their staffs reading and analyzing the 844 page bill, they have still been unable to read all it's intricacies, and have no idea how many illegals would be granted this status.  According to a recent estimate by NumbersUSA, this bill would bring at least thirty-three million people into this county in the first decade alone.  "Once again our government is looking to jam a monstrosity of a bill down the throats of the American people," said Marianne Gasiecki, State Co-coordinator for Tea Party Patriots and Founder of the Mansfield Tea Party. "What's even more sickening is that we are rewarding people for breaking our laws, while spitting in the faces of the people who made the sacrifices to come here legally, worked hard to assimilate, and are proud to become Americans.  How anyone can say "everybody's benefiting from the situation" and doesn't "know why we need this debate" on immigration is beyond me.  They are obviously uneducated on the repercussions of this bill."  The amnesty granted in 1986 was to be a one time deal with the promise that our borders were to be secured and our immigration laws enforced.  To this day, our borders are crossed by a countless number of illegal immigrants, creating national security issues and an unsustainable social and financial burden to the American taxpayer.

New Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party

Plunderbund has the report on today's election of Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party (ORP):

Today the Kasich-controlled Central Committee elected Matt Borges to the job with a vote of 48 to 7 [emphasis added] over his Tea Party opponent Tom Zawistowski. 

Kasich’s hand-picked candidate may have won the vote, but this is far from a win for Kasich.  There will be continued backlash against Kasich and the Ohio GOP from the Tea Party and other “true believers” primarily because every reason they gave for ousting DeWine can now be applied to Borges and the Governor. 

Start with Zawistowski.  The fact that Borges had a Tea Party opponent is already pretty telling.  Kasich counted on their support to win control of the Central Committee.  And now he’s getting challenged by them for his pick to lead the party.  And it comes down to Kasich’s agenda, and Borges’ assumed support for it. 

Weeks before announcing his plan to challenge Borges, Zawistowski sent a letter to Kasich calling his agenda, which includes expanding medicaid, increasing state spending and taxing oil and gas exploration, “a betrayal of the party platform and our conservative values.”
The letter, signed by “over 80 social and fiscal conservative leaders”, also ripped Borges for being wishy-washy on social issues, mentioning his time as a “lobbyist for the liberal homosexual activist group, Equality Ohio.” 

And corruption? 

While 3BP gave no actual evidence DeWine had done anything illegal, Borges pleaded guilty to actual corruption charges back in 2004 for helping to funnel state business to campaign donors.   And just recently it was revealed that Borges had racked up somewhere between $100K and $500K in unpaid taxes. 

This guy is now in charge of all Republican Party finances.  What could possibly go wrong?

And the vote was 48 to 7 in favor of Borges. Not good.

Action Alert: Contact Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee Now!

As the election for Ohio Republican Party (ORP) Chairman will also effect GOP races at all levels -- county, state and federal elections in our state, including the 2016 Presidential election -- it is important that all levels of the Republican Party are also contacted in a final push before this Friday's vote for State Chairman

Your conservative views and voices will NOT be represented with the selection of their hand picked candidate Matt Borges as Ohio Republican Party Chairman and it is up to you - rank and file Republicans, Tea Party supporters and conservative Independents - to stop the GOP establishment elite and their hand picked candidate with a checkered past.

Yesterday we asked that you contact the GOP Statewide elected officials who have endorsed Matt Borges.  Today, we are asking you to please call the ORP State Central Committee (SCC) who will be voting this Friday to select the next ORP State Chairman.  The future of conservatism in Ohio -- hinges on this race.

To date the so-called Tea Party members elected to the ORP SCC last year have failed miserably. They sat silent and REFUSED to come out against Medicaid expansion in Ohio and now they sit silent regarding Matt Borges as ORP State Chairman.  

Below are members of the ORP State Central Committee (SCC) for Senate Districts covering Cuyahoga County and surrounding counties.  The ones denoted with *** claimed to be Tea Party or sent out literature with Tea Party logos during their campaign for ORP SCC.

Now is the time to draw the line in the sand
either they represent core conservative value or they don’t!

Take Action

Please contact as many of the ORP SCC members listed below as you can, and ask that they immediately come out publicly against Matt Borges as ORP State Chairman. Ask that they attend this Friday's ORP election for State Chairman, and they support a motion to suspend the rules for an open ballot vote for ORP State Party Chairman.

Senate District 21 / (Cuyahoga County)

Joe Miller ***  (Joe did come out against Medicaid Expansion)

PH #: (216)659-1900
Email: miller9977@roadrunner.com

Sue Rodman 

PH #: (216)381-5861

Email: rodmanreal@aol.com

Senate District 23 / (Cuyahoga County)

Bob Bennett ***

PH #: (216)961-8400

Email: bennett@ohiogop.com

Diane Stover ***

PH #: (440)888-8170

Email: dianestover@aol.com

Senate District 24 / (Cuyahoga County)

Jeff Dean ***

PH #: (440)247-2888

Email: dean@en.com

Nancy Suhadolnik ***

PH #: (440)846-6666

Email: nancegop@roadrunner.com

Senate District 25 (Cuyahoga / Lake County)

Dan Carter ***

PH #: (216)392-4509

Email: carter@buckleyking.com

Brittany Williams

PH #: (440)781-9038

Email: bwilliams@cuyahogacountygop.com 

Surrounding Counties

Senate District 22 / (Medina)

Jim Woods ***

PH #: (330)241-5228

Email: jimwoods@mcfan.org

Sharon Ray ***

PH #: (330)461-3599

Email: sharonray2002@yahoo.com

Senate District 18 (Portage / Geauga & Lake)

Andy Manning ***

PH #: (330)678-1403

Email: ohioandy@aol.com

Amy Sabath

PH #: (440)796-8802

Email: aesabath@aol.com

For a list of contact information on all the current Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee members please click here.

As noted above, the election of Matt Borges as ORP Chairman race will have a negative effect on all races in Ohio, including local, state, U.S. Senate, Congress and the 2016 Presidential race; please also contact the below GOP leaders....

Local County Republican Party's

Cuyahoga County GOP

Chairman Rob Frost

PH#: (216)621-0077

Email: rfrost@cuyahogacountygop.com

To contact your county GOP please click here.

National GOP 

Republican National Committee

Chairman Reince Priebus

PH#: (202)863-8500

Contact: Click Here

House Republican Caucus

Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers

PH#: (202)225-5107

Twitter: @gopconference

Senate Republican Caucus

Chairman Senator John Thune

PH#: (202)224-2764

Contact: Click Here

Twitter: @Senate_GOPs

If you cannot call, at least send off e-mails; you can email all the names above in less than 2 minutes.

Call to Action: Stop the Ohio Republican Party's Backroom Deals

With the retirement of current Ohio Republican Party (ORP) Chairman Bob Bennett, this coming Friday the ORP will be electing a new chairman. The importance of this race is immeasurable as the new ORP Chairman will be the face and will set the course for the future of the Republican Party and the conservative cause in Ohio.

In the announcing of his retirement, Bennett, a known lover of backroom deals, has declared his support for current OPR Executive Director Matt Borges to be his successor as ORP Chairman. 

In a previous post regarding the mindless decision to elect Mr. Borges as the new ORP Chairman, we noted his troubled and checkered past as a former lobbyist for Equality Ohio - a gay rights group was noted. Also noted was his guilty plea to charges of "illegal use of public office" related to pay-to-play schemes (which have been expunged), while working in the State Treasurer's Office .  It has also been reported that Mr. Borges has some outstanding issues  with the I.R.S.

Although, as previously noted, Borges was a lobbyist for a gay rights group, this does not mean he supports gay rights (though he has refused to state his position on same-sex marriage).  However, it does show his willingness to push the agenda of anybody with the money to pay him or in this case make donations to the ORP.

The fact that Borges has plead guilty to pay-to-play type schemes shows, as ORP Chairman, he will be more beholden to donors with the largest checkbook and his lobbyist/consultant class friends, and NOT to the rank & file conservatives and grassroots groups across the state.

In a show of support for backroom deals over integrity, transparency and good government, all the GOP Statewide office holders, with blind party loyalty, have endorsed Bennett's hand picked successor, Matt Borges, for ORP Chairman.

Please contact the below GOP Statewide elected officials and request that they IMMEDIATELY rescind their endorsement of Mr. Borges as ORP Chairman, as their support of a person with such a checkered past is a direct reflection on them as a GOP office holder and as a future GOP candidate for reelection.

Statewide GOP Officials

(Twitter users - #orpbackroomdeals)

Governor John Kasich

PH#: (614)466-3555
Contact: Click Here
Twitter: @JohnKasich
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnRKasich

Lt. Governor Mary Taylor

PH#: (614)466-3555
Contact: Click Here 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryTaylorOH

Secretary of State Jon Husted

PH#: (614)466-0562
Contact: Click Here 
Twitter: @OhioSOSHusted
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohiososhusted

Attorney General Mike DeWine

PH#: (614)466-4986
Contact: Click Here
Twitter: @OhioAG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeDeWine 

State Auditor Dave Yost

PH #: (614)466-3402
Contact: Click Here
Twitter: @OhioAuditor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dave.yost

State Treasurer Josh Mandel

PH#: (614)466-2160
Contact: Click Here
Twitter: @JoshMandelOhio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshMandel

Pot meet Kettle; China Criticizes U.S. on Human Rights

China - the land where Buddhist Monks are free to self-immolate themselves, where families are free to participate in gendercide, religious freedom is embraced, and where free speech and the right to protest are encouraged - has just criticized the United States over Human Rights abuses.

While the big brother/nanny state policies have increased since President Obama has taken office and our God-given and Constitutionally protected rights are constantly under attack from the Obama Administration, China criticizing the U.S. on human rights - is like President Obama's recent "pot meet kettle" moment when he called 2nd Amendment supporters liars after his gun bill was spanked in the U.S. Senate.

From Yahoo News --

China slammed the human rights record of the United States in response to Washington's report on rights around the world, saying that U.S. military operations have infringed on rights abroad and that political donations at home have thwarted the country's democracy.

The report released Sunday in China — which defines human rights primarily in terms of improving living conditions for its 1.3 billion people— also cited gun violence in the U.S. among its examples of human rights violations, saying it was a serious threat to the lives and safety of America's citizens.

The Human Rights Record of the United States in 2012 said the U.S. government continues to strengthen the monitoring of its people and that political donations to election campaigns have undue influence on U.S. policy.

"American citizens do not enjoy a genuinely equal right to vote," the report said, citing a decreased turnout in the 2012 presidential election and a voting rate of 57.5 percent.

The report from the information office of the State Council, or China's Cabinet, which mostly cited media reports, said there was serious sex, racial and religious discrimination in the U.S. and that the country had seriously infringed on the human rights of other nations through its military operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.

The U.S.'s annual global human rights report issued Friday by the State Department said China had imposed new registration requirements to prevent groups from emerging that might challenge government authority. It said Chinese government efforts to silence and intimidate political activists and public interest lawyers continued to increase, and that authorities use extralegal measures such as enforced disappearance to prevent the public voicing of independent opinions.

It also said there was discrimination against women, minorities and people with disabilities, and people trafficking, the use of forced labor, forced sterilization and widespread corruption.

China's authoritarian government maintains strict controls over free speech, religion and political activity — restrictions that the U.S. considers human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch report on China for 2012 and 2013.