(The following letters are in response to the May commentary, "The battle for affordable energy." by Scott R. Bowers.)

Fossil fuel use must be reduced

This is in response to Mr. Bowers’ commentary in the May issue, titled “The battle for affordable energy.” The message was EPA regulation of green house gases ignores the will of Congress. I would like to point out that the majority is not always right.
   
Mr. Bowers used such words as “affordability” and “reliability,” which in this case are politically correct words meaning coal and oil. To ignore the effects of fossil fuels on global warming in order to keep our electric bills lower is to jeopardize the future of our grandchildren and great grandchildren.

It’s absolutely necessary to reduce the use of fossil fuels in order to save our existence on this planet. A by product of coal is coal ash which is extremely hazardous, but can be recycled and put to good uses. The problem is most of it is dumped and there are no regulations as to how and where it can be safely disposed, which is why the EPA is taking on this task and should not be opposed.

He mentioned expanding use of the Rural Utilities Service loan program, which provides funding for alternative energy projects, which is good because I think our co-op leaders should be concentrating on replacing coal and oil power plants with alternate energy sources. Times are changing, and we need leaders who are willing to accept the challenge.

Meanwhile, to help keep our electric bills lower, I think the Electric Consumer is doing a great job publishing energy saving tips in every issue, and people should take advantage of these suggestions.

Ray Wilson, New Middletown, Ind.


Let Congress know how we feel

Regarding “The Battle for Affordable Energy” by Scott R. Bowers in May’s issue Electric Consumer, Mr. Bowers mentioned how co-op leaders visited Capitol Hill to work with congressional leaders on issues such as reining in uncontrolled regulatory mandates that negatively impact electric consumers. He also mentioned that we, the consumer, should stay informed on issues and keep in touch with our REMC.

I’d like to see more concise and detailed information detailing how we can contact the appropriate legislators and let them know how we feel about legislation that is detrimental to affordability and reliability of electric generation and transmission.
 
Kit Ehrman, Columbus, Ind.

(Please visit ourenergy.coop for information and to send e-mails to your lawmakers in Washington.)


Is this a chance you'd take?

We were confronted by yet another editorial in the May “Electric Consumer” coming out against plans to regulate greenhouse gasses (and coal ash). We don’t want to pay any more for electricity than the next guy, but we want even less to leave a world for our children and grandchildren that is becoming uninhabitable.

We wish the Congress had the fortitude to address the challenge, and we are sorry to see our co-op using our electric funds to lobby and work against it.

The vast majority of scientists studying the issue have no doubt about the growing problem of greenhouse gases. But even if you think it is only a 50/50 chance this is real, would you buy a ticket on an airline for your child that had a 50/50 chance of arriving safely?

Dean and Reba Beery, Huntington, Ind.