Representation / LJWorld.com

Letters to the Editor

March 11, 2008

To the editor:

What's the point of having representatives if they don't represent us? Douglas County overwhelmingly opposes the coal plants. Why is Tom Sloan voting for them?

Sloan says he has worked to make the coal plant bill "greener." There are greener ways to produce energy - wind is one - but at this point in time, there is no such thing as a green coal plant. However great the scrubbers, we still end up with too much mercury in our water and millions of tons of carbon dioxide warming our atmosphere. The first harms developing fetuses, the second threatens the well-being of generations to come. Sloan's vote is on the wrong side of history. I wonder how he will explain it to his grandkids.

Roger Pine says he's voting for the plants because they will be the greenest in the state. Come on. That's like saying it's OK to smoke as long as you use low-tar cigarettes. It's not. You still get lung cancer. He says the transmission lines will be good for wind. But I don't see the wind industry fighting for these plants. Does Mr. Pine know something that wind developers don't?

Douglas County wants to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Our representatives need to represent us instead of Peabody Coal.

Scott Jackson,

Eudora

Discussion

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11 March 2008
at 8:14 a.m.

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Ragingbear (Anonymous) says…

It's coal powered…wind?
11 March 2008
at 11:17 a.m.

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westside (Anonymous) says…

As a citizen in the state of Kansas, you do not have “representatives” you have a single representative. You live in Eudora per your letter, so Tom Sloan is not YOUR State Representative. On the other hand, I live in District 45, so he is MY Representative and I support his position on this issue. Perhaps he is listening to his constituents. Rep. Sloan has a responsibility to the citizens that live in District 45. He owes no duty to a person from Eudora.
11 March 2008
at 12:50 p.m.

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ilovecatsohyeah (Anonymous) says…

One should look in ones own back yard if you are truely looking to make a difference. Perhaps you should be looking at the emissions of CO2 per kilowatt hour of electricity produced at your own power plant, and demand westar do something about that, or the legislature to do something about current emissions. Lawrence's power plant happens to produce more CO2 emission per kilowatt hour than any other plant in the state.

Are you ready for your electricy bill to double and perhaps triple? The demands that we have a nation as a state, as a city, are required to be met by law. As a people, typically we want to pay the lowest prices possible. Currently, the non-renewable fossel fuels are what powers the lower prices for consumers.

More to follow……..
11 March 2008
at 5:56 p.m.

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sinedie (Anonymous) says…

I suppose there are different types of representation. Some will poll their districts to determine what's popular, and then do it. Others do what they believe is right for their districts regardless of the popularity of the decision.

Both styles have their merits, but consider this: the public at large is not always informed with regard to the complexity of the issues. This is often exacerbated by politicians who use generalized statements to inflame people into taking one of two extreme positions.

Let's be honest - there are folks who are just shilling for Sunflower. There are other folks who are just trying to placate the Governor. Douglas County is lucky to have the legislators they have because they are in neither camp. From Davis to Pine to Ballard, they do what they believe is proper for the people they represent - just because you disagree does not make them somehow sinister.
11 March 2008
at 9:56 p.m.

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ilovecatsohyeah (Anonymous) says…

…….more to follow…….

WE “Kansans” are a small pocket in the world: industrially, economically, and environmentally. Our livelihood often depends on a few small choices often made in the world far from our own door, (the new US/French refueling plan contract, the world price of oil, the market price of soybeans/corn/wheat, the amount of water pulled from the aquifers in eastern colorado). We live and breath by the many things that happen outside the confines of our borders. We are not an exceptionally wealthy state, monetarily and therefore those who are on the watch for us either through business/industry/politically do have a huge responsibility to make sound economic decisions for the rest of us. I ask, have YOU personally looked to the future needs of our state for energy? Have you crunched the numbers in your own home to determine how energy producers can afford to increase electric output without exorbanantly increasing the cost of that said electricity. Have YOU looked at the viability of using renewable energy as a resource economically as well as the practicality of its use during peak periods of energy consumption? Have YOU looked at the projected long term needs for each region of our state? or.. are you one who has merely looked at one facet of this energy consumption grid. (energy production emissions)

I urge you to not only look at the passion of your heart in this matter, but the very “REAL” practicality of implementation of what many of you Green Energy promotors are suggesting.

Reality is, that a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources will be required to meet both our short and long term needs as a state, region and nation. Reality is that, we must look on a continuous basis 10, 20 and 50 years out. Reality is, that we must live within the confines of current technology, while continually seeking to move forward the newest of viable ideas, and innovative “out of the box” thought processes and ideas.

Fighting the one fight of emissions, is a narrow, and very naive battle to fight.

There are certain people who are widely informed on a wide array of ideas and thoughts that are both viable and economically feasible for the short and long term, of our energy needs both economically, and environmentally.

Look a little deeper, listen a little harder to all that is around you, no matter what side you presume to stand on.