Letter to the Editor
Stevens’ energy
Published Sunday, October 12, 2008
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To the editor:
Your recent story highlighting the fact that energy is the biggest challenge to America’s energy security (News-Miner, Sept. 18, 2008) hit the nail on the head. Our nation has ignored this problem for too long. I am proud to note that Sen. Stevens has been a strong, consistent voice on energy independence for as long as I can remember — but not just for increased production.
Sen. Stevens understands that the increased production must go hand in hand with improved conservation — like fuel economy standards.
Look at a nation like Brazil — they were hammered just like the U.S. during the 1970s oil embargo but they chose to take control of their energy destiny. They increased production, added alternative fuels like ethanol to the mix and now are completely energy independent.
With Sen. Stevens fighting for our state — Alaska stands ready to take its place as the nation’s energy leader — with natural gas, alternative energy like wind and geothermal that we ensure that we adopt a sound energy policy that includes Alaska and Alaskans. We can be part of America’s energy solution.
Community Discussion
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Guess I must not have been paying close enough attention. While Stevens may have supported various energy bills I certainly don't remember him showing much leadership on alternative energy technologies nor for energy conservation.
Sen. Stevens was always one of the politicians best funded by the oil industry through campaign contributions. An industry not noted for supporting conservation or rival energy technologies, nor for supporting those that champion such.
OK, so I have to ask how many wind farms are in production today. Talk is great, but I lived in a place that is perfect for this and they essentially said no, it is cost prohibitive.
There are probably 100 communities in Alaska that could be 100 percent alternative energy, but they are not. I wouldn't hang my hat on Senator Stevens changing that!
See, this is the problem that so many of you greenies fail to ever consider...total cost. It doesn't take much effort to calculate how much it would cost to install a wind farm, factor in the lifespan of the turbines and all the maintenance costs and come to a price per MWh. If that price exceeds the amount that the given locale has available in their energy budget, then it IS cost prohibitive. This can be applied to ANY form of energy, even fossil fuel. Witness, all of the people who have switched to wood heat this winter. So many of you are blinded by your religious fervor for the environment, that you will not see some of the very practical roadblocks in front of you.
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