Xcel’s plan to build new clean-coal power plant
Re: “Xcel smart to seek clean coal technology,” Aug. 20 editorial.
The Post’s editorial praises Xcel’s move to seek clean-coal technology. It’s a wise move to curb greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s a stutter-step that places Xcel’s interests before those of the general public.
Converting dirty coal to clean-burning synthetic gas is a no-brainer – it has been for decades. Environmentalists have known it. Citizens and investors – those without ties the Eastern coal industries – agree that benefits are substantial. But saddling Xcel’s residential customers with more expenses and sapping government grants, particularly for a “feasibility study,” is bad news. According to Xcel’s estimates, it would force us to delay making important changes until 2009. This means that Xcel will continue to burn “bad” coal, and pollute for the next two or more years. Even worse, using the Public Utilities Commission to grant contracts with non-competitive bids to build a plant is a huge waste and should raise suspicions regarding Xcel’s proposal and real motivation.
Why are we reinventing the wheel? The fact is, clean-coal technology works, and it’s already here in Colorado. Denver-based KFx Inc., with a brand-new plant located in Wyoming which has already conducted multiple independent feasibility studies, is manufacturing clean-coal presently, and is shipping it out to businesses in the U.S. In addition to cutting carbon dioxide, KFx’s clean coal has substantially reduced mercury content and it burns with more BTUs, which translates to more efficient energy with less gas emissions.
Jeff Kupfer, Erie
…
Bravo to Xcel Energy for its plan to build a coal-fired power plant that will capture carbon dioxide. Coal-burning plants are among the world’s biggest sources of heat-trapping gases that are causing our planet to overheat. It only makes sense to build one of these “clean coal” plants in Colorado, because our state has so much to lose as ever-increasing temperatures alter our environment. We’re already experiencing shorter ski seasons and decreasing snowpacks. More tragic is the effect global warming is having on our forests. Have you visited Summit County lately? Pine beetle infestations in the 1940s and 1970s went away as severe cold snaps killed the beetles. But that kind of cold in Colorado looks to be a thing of the past as each passing year sets a record for heat. The overwhelming majority of climate scientists say global warming will cause wet areas to get wetter and dry areas to get dryer. Colorado can’t afford to get dryer, not if we want to continue irrigating crops, fishing and rafting.
I applaud Xcel for trying to protect our quality of life at a time when most energy companies can’t see beyond the next quarter’s profits.
Tim Rehder, Golden
Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
I had the opportunity to leave my Allenspark home for 10 months to help those in need in the southeast region of this country. I left on Sept. 7 last year knowing that I would be assisting in Hurricane Katrina relief. The experiences I had on the Gulf Coast are ones I will never forget.
On the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I am personally reminded of the work I did as an AmeriCorps*NCCC member, a service organization for 18- to 24-year- olds. During my service with NCCC, I spent three months taking part in hurricane recovery efforts in Gulfport, Miss., and Slidell, La. The work was hard. We worked alongside FEMA, going trailer to trailer filling out paperwork and listening to the amazing stories that the locals told. In Louisiana, I gutted houses while wearing a hazardous materials suit and a respirator. Some of the houses hadn’t been touched since the storm.
Despite the hardships, I was privileged to be among the hundreds of thousands of Americans who traveled to hurricane-ravaged areas as part of the recovery effort. I look back on the experience as extremely eye-opening and rewarding. I met people who had lost everything, yet still were able to offer a warm welcome to those who had come to help. There is much work left to be done. The work is not easy, and at times, its heartbreaking, but I wouldn’t trade my time in the Gulf for anything in the world.
Rachel Brooks, Lyons
Colorado governor’s race and negative ads
Re: “Early ad bodes bitter for governor contest,” Aug. 13 news story.
It comes as no surprise to Colorado voters that this year’s governor’s race between Bob Beauprez and Bill Ritter will inevitably devolve into an ugly contest marked by a deluge of negative advertisements. As The Post’s article points out, the majority of these vitriol attacks will be funded and aired by so-called 527s.
While this style of negative campaigning can be expected, I was shocked by the hypocritical and disingenuous plea of Congressman Beauprez for Mr. Ritter to denounce the anti-Beauprez ads that outside groups are preparing to launch. Beauprez promised to “condemn these ads if condemns them.”
I applaud the congressman’s newfound penchant for fairness and integrity, but I would be interested to know why Beauprez could not take the time in June and July to denounce the nasty and falsified radio advertisements that The Trailhead Group put on the air. Trailhead’s origins can be traced to three men, Governor Bill Owens, Bruce Benson and Pete Coors, with whom Beauprez has close contacts. If Beauprez was indeed interested in pursuing a clean and positive campaign, he could have used his relationships with the founders of Trailhead to call for a cease-fire on negative advertising.
Yoni Gruskin, Englewood
More tours for troops
Re: “Marines to call back thousands for duty,” Aug. 23 news story.
Although not as plentiful now as a couple of years ago, one still sees many “Support our Troops” ribbons or bumper stickers. The concern for our fighting forces is there among the citizens, but it is hard to believe it exists at all in our gutless Congress and current administration when the same troops are sent back to Iraq or Afghanistan time after time. The Army has been doing it (up to four tours), and now even the Marines are, too. In times past, when we had to fight wars or “actions” requiring major forces on the ground and heavy support, most civilian leaders did two things: implement the draft to have enough troops, and raise taxes to pay the costs. Everyone thereby had to sacrifice for the war. But not now. The prime motive of our elected officials, above all else, is to stay in office. Rather than take a political hit for the draft or taxes, they just keep sending the same troops back until they are disabled (physically or mentally) or killed. And about the cost – why, just charge it.
B. Stotts, Thornton
Mineral boom in Wyo.
Re: “U. of Wyoming milks boom,” Aug. 21 news story.
Thank you for Jennifer Brown’s informative article about how Wyoming is spending its surplus to help educate future generations. How refreshing that Wyoming politicians chose not to build roads to nowhere, or other pork-barrel projects. Perhaps other state legislators can learn something here. Come to think of it, the federal House and Senate might also pay heed. My only complaint is that the article was printed in the second section. We need more uplifting news like this on the front page.
Kenneth Wetcher, Edwards
Sex-abuse lawsuits
The headline said it all: “Money reportedly sinks talks on sex-abuse suits” (Aug. 23 news story). With sex-abuse as rampant, if not more so, in the public schools, attorneys have chosen to go after the Catholic Church because of its deep pockets. If these attorneys really were concerned about fair compensation for victims, they would be representing those abused in the public schools. Money is sinking the talks because the attorneys are going for the big bucks.
J.D. Moyers, Centennial
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