Letter to the Editor
Energy ideas
Published Sunday, May 25, 2008
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Stumble It!May 16, 2008
To the editor:
I suggest Andy Warwick (May 4 letter) re-read David van den Berg’s community perspective column from April 30. He and the Northern Alaska Environmental Center support most of the recommendations of the recent Interior Issues Council Cost of Energy task force, formerly headed by Steve Haagenson. To wit:
1. Energy conservation and efficiency. The No. 1 short-term suggestion of the Cost of Energy task force. The cheapest unit of energy is the one you do not use. 2. Supporting clean, renewable energy production. NAEC was a strong voice in helping pass the recent Renewable Energy bill ($250 million), and the Weatherization bill, funding $300 million to help Alaskans lower our cost of energy.
3. Support higher fuel efficiency standards for all vehicles. Should we drill Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, our last untouched wild place, for a few cents reduction in gas prices when oil finally gets pumped 10 years from now, and gas costs $8/gallon? Influencing price through supply is a thing of the past and beyond our control.
Mr. Warwick suggests nuclear? The Japanese do not allow new nuclear plants on their own soil, why put one here, on the Yukon, the lifeblood of the Interior?
Coal? Current usage of coal is one of the greatest causes of greenhouse gas pollution driving climate change. New technologies might make it more environmentally friendly, but not in the next 10 years.
Susitna dam? NAEC’s policy states “We will evaluate other large-scale energy projects on a case-by-case basis.” Besides, it would take at least 10-15 years to complete.
The problem is now! This summer, NAEC will be undergoing an energy retrofit of their building on College Road. I hope you and everybody else visit us, our web site, http://fairbanksenergywise.wordpress.com/, and watch the televised programs we will be making later this summer. So, with fuel prices rising, Mr. Warwick should take stock of his own energy use. No need to blame anyone but ourselves, for 150 years of uninformed energy waste. And, he should help be a part of the solution and lead by example.
Community Discussion
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Yes, let's not do anything ever to produce any non-renewable energy. After all, any project that we would do would take time to build. And any one project could not make a difference.
Wait, maybe if we worked on more than one project at a time, and used a little forethought, we could make a difference. And maybe the 10-15 years estimated to build anything could be shortened. After all, we have managed some pretty intense projects in our country's history.
Ah, the heck with it. Let's just stay at the mercy of oil producing nations that hate us. Turn our thermostats down, walk everywhere, and pay through our proverbial noses for groceries. At least the global warmers and bunny huggers will be happy.
PS. Before I be preached at by some good soul, I DO BELIEVE in energy conservation. And practice it.
only way i'm visiting any environmental organizatons place of business is with protest signs for the damage they've done to humanity by placing the planets interest before people. a good idea that has gone way way overboard (developing earths resources in a responsible fashion) they now threaten our and our childrens lives. how many will starve to death because we diverted food production to fuel production? and this is just the beginning. environmental groups deserve the full wrath of the american peoples anger because they soon won't be able to afford to survive because of lack of domestic energy development and refining capacity. i will do my best to channel any of that anger towards these groups. they are selfish and shortsighted. they take advantage of good hearted people with their outright lies and disinformation to separate them from their cash to carry on their incidious activities. yes.... the only way i'm visiting any environmental center would be carrying a protest sign... and that's as civil as i'm going to get. i am not, and never will be GREEN.
glacierles -
Maybe you should re-read David van den Berg's column as well! NAEC whole-heartedly supports the development of renewable energy, but its focus is on conservation as both an immediate step in saving energy and money (as well as creating jobs) and an interim step to wean the US (and the world) from burning fossil fuels.
polarmark -
Maybe you should follow Obama's example and talk to your (perceived) "enemies" unconditionally! You may find out that we are just normal people trying to do our part to help solve some of life's persistent challenges and create a more livable planet for us and those that follow in the process. You may even find that we, too, care about people and that we may have a lot in common - even if we may not agree on the solutions.
Franz---
Well, that is enlightening of you to report that the NAEC supports renewable energy, and weaning us peasants from burning fossil fuels. And here I thought that environmentalists had an ulterior motive. You know, like destroying our society. But now I feel better, knowing that you just want what's better for us. Pain and suffering shall set us free, and make us right with the planet. Hallelujah, brother.
Karl; Japan has 55 nuclear power plants that produce 30% of their electrical power, with plans to increase to 40% by 2017.
this letter to the editor is more of the same - totally off base on Japan's nuclear power generation, there are over 50 nuclear power plants in Japan. Also the unsubstantiated claims on the length of time oil would flow from ANWR and unsubstantiated claims on the effects of ANWR oil towards energy costs. Exactly how are these figures derived?
I get really tired of people polluting the letters to the editor page with mindless opinion. try checking some of your FACTS before sending them in.
Mark says: "I get really tired of people polluting the letters to the editor page with mindless opinion. try checking some of your FACTS before sending them in."
And, um, the stuff that gets posted here is, um, better?
Oh My goodness, It's getting warmer,and it's going to get more warmer.....Hot Even,
Ohh Yeah, its Summer !!!
Thanks God for global warming! Just imagine trying to farm the land under a few hundred feet of ice (which could very well be the case during an ice age)?
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