The Colowyo coal mine in Craig is owned by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Re: “Hot air from WildEarth Guardians on Colowyo mine,” July 5 Vincent Carroll column.
Vincent Carroll’s attack on me and WildEarth Guardians’ efforts to combat climate change is barking up the wrong tree.
As WildEarth Guardians’ Climate and Energy Program director, I’ve made no bones about the fact that we need to move beyond fossil fuels if we have any chance of reducing carbon. Although some, like Gov. John Hickenlooper and the U.S. Interior Department, won’t acknowledge this reality, the truth remains that extracting more coal, oil and gas is a recipe for more global warming.
That means coal mines are going to have to shut down. Thatap where an honest conversation comes in.
Because itap deceitful for Interior and the state of Colorado to rubber-stamp more mining and mislead communities into believing that coal is here to stay. Climate change presents the most costly environmental challenge of our generation, meaning all sides need to come together and plan a transition away from fossil fuels that doesn’t leave people without work.
I’m sincere about having an honest conversation about how best to move beyond coal. If Carroll thinks thatap comedic, as he claims, so be it. At least somebody is willing to show some leadership.
Jeremy Nichols, Denver
This letter was published in the July 12 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
