Em Free Hold Texas

To show 'em what free men can really do. ...

And we'll show 'em what free men can really do! ... [Read More]

D0501055 Gottstein Adopted Administrative Structure for Energy Efficiency: Threshold Issues
54. Allowing EM&V consultants (or their firms) that perform program and portfolio impacts-related studies to also be involved in energy efficiency program delivery--as either a non-IOU program implementer or as a subcontractor to IOU implementer(s)--creates conflict-of-interest problems. These problems can be effectively addressed by prohibiting entities from performing these types of EM&V studies at the same time they are under contract for program delivery work. As discussed in this decision, excluding program design evaluation and market assessment studies from this strict firewall and allowing the narrow exception that TURN, ORA and CCSF propose, will mitigate some of the practical concerns raised by parties regarding a firewall without compromising the principle guiding our choice of EM&V structure, i.e, that of ensuring non-biased program evaluation results. ... [Read More]

Brown Alternate Comment Dec Interim Opinion on the Administrative Structure for Energy Efficiency: Threshold Issues
58. Allowing EM&V consultants (or their firms) that perform program and portfolio impacts-related studies to also be involved in energy efficiency program delivery--as either a non-IOU program implementer or as a subcontractor to IOU implementer(s)--creates conflict-of-interest problems. These problems can be effectively addressed by prohibiting entities from performing these types of EM&V studies at the same time they are under contract for program delivery work.. As discussed in this decision, excluding program design evaluation and market assessment studies from this strict firewall and allowing the narrow exception that TURN, ORA and CCSF propose, will mitigate some of the practical concerns raised by parties regarding a firewall without compromising the principle guiding our choice of EM&V structure, i.e, that of ensuring non-biased program evaluation results. ... [Read More]

Kennedy Gottstein Comment Dec
The most important issue remaining is what EM&V administrative structure we should put in place to: (1) develop EM&V policies, protocols and reporting requirements for Commission consideration; (2) contract for EM&V studies, and (3) assess the results of those studies. As described in Attachment 2, the recommendations in this proceeding on EM&V administrative structure share several similarities, but there are also differences with respect to what role advisory groups, program administrators and implementers should play in EM&V contract management. On the one hand, some parties argue that program administrators and implementers should have no role in contracting for or managing EM&V studies-even with contractors approved by the Commission. Other parties take the position that contracting by program administrators and implementers is appropriate, as long as it is coupled with an independent review process overseen by a measurement advisory group, Commission staf ... [Read More]

Articles of Interest
The following are articles of interest concerning charitable gaming. The articles are available in a Portable Document Format (PDF). In order to view or print documents in PDF format, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This free software requires only a one-time download. Click on the icon below to download the Acrobat Reader 6.0 for free from Adobe's website. ... [Read More]

State Gambling Control Agents Shut Down Illegal Gambling Operation
Yesterday, special agents again went undercover and arrested Duran for illegally operating a controlled game, "Texas Hold'em", without a state license. The case has been referred to the Merced County District Attorney's Office. ABC investigators also cited an 18-year old underage male for the misdemeanor of illegally entering and remaining in a bar without a lawful purpose. Duran was also cited for allowing the minor to be in his bar. ABC will file an administrative accusation against Duran's license alleging violations of state laws prohibiting the purchase of alcoholic beverages from an unauthorized licensee and the acceptance of free goods. These violations could lead to a fine, suspension or revocation of Duran's license. Under California law, any person or business that operates a gambling operation must be licensed with the Division of Gambling Control. However, it is legal to play card games for money in private homes where no person makes money for operating the game. The A ... [Read More]

Write 'Em Cowboy
The old cowboy poetry always rhymed, and was marked by a heavy metrical pattern that matched the cadence of riding horseback. Cowboy poems were meant to be read aloud, says Cannon. “Cowboy poetry is a folk art in every sense of the word. The voice is the essential part of the poem -- it’s the music.” Poems by Bret Harte, Bruce Kiskaddon, and Badger Clark were savored, memorized, and repeated. “They are plain simple tales, of the roundups and trails,” writes Kiskaddon in his introductory poem to “Rhymes of the Ranges”: “When he worked on the range with the cattle; /Not ofwild woolly nights, nor of gambling hall fights, / But the days and the nights in the saddle.” ... [Read More]

II. DOE CERCLA Compliance Strategy
This report was prepared by the Department of Energy's(DOE's)Office of Environmental Restoration (EM-40) within the Officeof Environmental Management (EM). EM was created in 1989 to consolidateresponsibility within DOE for environmental management activitiesat the nuclear weapons complex sites. Additional EM functionsrelated to environmental restoration at the nuclear weapons complexsites include 1) ensuring worker safety and health, 2) managingand planning budgets, 3) resolving legal and compliance issues,4) implementing public participation programs, 5) safelytransporting all DOE materials, and 6) minimizing waste generated. ... [Read More]

Endnotes
Thomas P. Grumbly, Implementation of the New Organization of EnvironmentalManagement, Memorandum, December 12, 1995. Also see: Assistant Secretary Thomas P.Grumbly, Alignment Initiative Newsletter , August 3, 1995: "The EM Alignment focusesthe line programs on meeting current RCRA and CERCLA program management requirementsand providing the ES&H execution guidance needed for the field to implement the programs. TheOffice of Site Operations will focus on EM-wide ES&H guidance, cross-cutting issues, and issueresolution. I have become convinced that a small...staff can track, appraise us of problems, andremedy at high-risk, high visibility safety and conduct of operations problems, at our sites...". ... [Read More]

Kennedy Gottstein Comment Dec
53. Allowing EM&V consultants (or their firms) that perform program and portfolio impacts-related studies to also be involved in energy efficiency program delivery--as either a non-IOU program implementer or as a subcontractor to IOU implementer(s)--creates conflict-of-interest problems. These problems can be effectively addressed by prohibiting entities from performing these types of EM&V studies at the same time they are under contract for program delivery work, as well as for six months after the program delivery contract expires. As discussed in this decision, excluding program design evaluation and market assessment studies from this strict firewall and allowing the narrow exception that TURN, ORA and CCSF propose, will mitigate some of the practical concerns raised by parties regarding a firewall without compromising the principle guiding our choice of EM&V structure, i.e, that of ensuring non-biased program evaluation results. ... [Read More]