Xcel’s plan for a coal-based energy plant
I am outraged after finding out that Xcel expects the citizens to fund another dirty coal plant in Pueblo through rate increases. We will be forced to start paying Jan. 1, 2007, even though the plant will not be producing electricity. We do not need another air-polluting, water-guzzling power plant. Coal plants are one of the biggest polluters of our air, lakes and rivers. Coal plants contribute to global warming, too. This plant would emit thousands of tons of pollutants and would require millions of gallons of water a day to run.
In Minnesota, Xcel is planning a combination of hydro and wind energy instead of a coal plant. Colorado has more sun and wind than Minnesota, so why can’t we get our energy from clean and renewable resources? Both of these are clean, energy-efficient ways Colorado could get its power. I would much rather pay an additional fee for clean, renewable energy than a polluting coal plant.
Shelly Colwell, Lafayette
Editor’s note: Xcel is currently planning to build a clean-coal plant near Brush and a solar plant in the San Luis Valley.
…
For those concerned citizens eager to criticize the new coal-fired electrical power plant to be constructed near Pueblo, I would like to point out that the wind does not blow nor does the sun shine all the time, and electricity cannot be stored economically in large quantities. Therefore, wind and solar electrical generation, regardless of how much it costs, can only augment, not supplant, base-load systems such as those powered by natural gas, coal, or nuclear fission.
It seems some people are under the misguided impression that all we need to do is create huge wind and/or solar power facilities, and our energy and environmental dilemmas will be solved. Those presently dissatisfied with our energy systems are probably downright angry on the occasional January morning or hot July afternoon when the power goes off.
Base-load, or on-demand, electrical power capacity needs to be large enough to handle the maximum energy needs of a power grid. So, folks, unless you are willing to live with rolling brownouts when you need the electricity the most, here are our options in order of increasing carbon dioxide emissions per energy unit: nuclear, natural gas, biofuels, coal.
Monte Naylor, Denver
Trial of Saudi who raped nanny in Aurora
Re: “Saudis need a mirror to see injustice,” Nov. 23 David Harsanyi column.
As a former 23-year resident of Colorado and a Muslim, I am dismayed while reading about the case of Homaidan Al-Turki. I am upset because I have yet to find a public statement by the local Muslim leadership refuting the inaccurate portrayal of Islamic practices that have been derived from Al-Turki’s trial and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers’ trip to Saudi Arabia.
Without comment on Al-Turki or his case, I am compelled to state a few facts about Islam that seem to have been lost in the reporting of the trial:
Islam does not permit human trafficking, blackmail, or withholding of wages.
Islam does not permit physical contact between men and women outside the sanctity of marriage.
In Islam, all people are equal in the sight of God, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or social class.
Why aren’t the leaders in the Muslim community coming forward to clarify the true teachings of Islam that have been misrepresented to the public due the salacious nature of this case? Why haven’t the media sought statements from local Muslims regarding “traditional Muslim behaviors”?
Because the Colorado Muslim leadership and the media do not communicate with each other, both are driving the Islamiphobia bandwagon further on down the road.
Kari Ansari, Herndon, Va.
The writer is editor in chief of America’s Muslim Family magazine.
A little perspective
Re: “Election officials back up director,” Nov. 29 news story.
Let us remind election supervisor Carol Tone, who said it was “inhumane” how long Denver poll workers had to sit in front of computers on Election Day, that state-sponsored genocide is inhumane. Systemic abuse, degradation and murder of women is inhumane. Children bought and sold for sexual purposes is inhumane. Starvation brought by greed is inhumane. Torture is inhumane.
Working at a computer for an extended period of time, no matter how uncomfortable, is not inhumane. I believe Ms. Tone and the larger community need to maintain a realistic perspective as we examine how to change our voting system.
Ingrid Oliphant, Denver
Trading columnists
Could we work out a trade? Please give us more of talented Colorado Voices columnist Marilyn Flanigan’s wonderful writing (“The guest was a turkey, Nov. 22”) and less of sports writer Mark Kiszla. His mean and insulting comments about Jake Plummer after his last game with the Broncos (“QB mess has Broncs in disarray,” Nov. 26) are beneath the standards of any newspaper and should not have been published.
Maybe you should dismiss Mark and give Marilyn his regular column space. If he cries, as he said that Jake nearly did in front of reporters after the game, just handle it the way that Mark would have: comment on his cheesy shirt and say, “Tough luck, cowboy.”
Unreal.
Beverly Bennett, Aurora
Park Meadows and RTD
Thanks to Mary Staton, president of Silk Tree Ltd., for showing me and so many others where not to shop this holiday season (Nov 24 Open Forum). I wonder if other local retailers and politicians share Staton’s mind-numbingly callous and short-sighted position on the obviously foreseen lack of access from the Park Meadows Mall to the light-rail station. Catering to the solo, selfish, spendthrift, SUV shopper over the more conscientious, thrifty mass-transit rider may be good for business. Just not mine. Ever.
J. Brandeis Sperandeo, Denver
In defense of the Dixie Chicks
Re: “Dixie Chicks backlash,” Nov. 29 Open Forum.
Letter-writers Penny Mitchell and Merl Jennings had quite a few negative things to say about the Dixie Chicks. In my opinion, most if not all of their criticisms were unwarranted. While I am not a big country music fan, I have enjoyed much of their music and have followed the controversy about them since the incident involving Natalie Maines.
I saw the Dixie Chicks documentary “Shut Up & Sing” last weekend and attended their concert in Denver on Monday. Their love of country music came through loud and clear to me. It is my distinct impression that their problem is not with country music fans but with country music stations. Obviously, they must feel hurt by the reactions of some of their fans. I’m not sure I would be ready to make nice.
I do believe that the reaction to Ms. Maines’ comment was a sorry situation. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the Iraq war, anyone who was opposed to it was branded as unpatriotic. In the case of the Dixie Chicks, this was carried to an extreme. After receiving death threats, they are entitled to a few comments at their concerts.
Leslie Markovchick, Golden
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