To the editor:

No matter “what’s the matter with Kansas” we Kansans ought to be demanding that the energy used in our homes, workplaces and vehicles be generated by clean, safe and renewable methods. This means (1) converting as soon as possible to wind, solar and hydroelectric power, (2) converting coal, gas and oil fueled plants to these cleaner sources, which are readily available in Kansas, and the technology for which already exists to produce, store and transmit their inherent energy, (3) not allowing shale oil to cross Kansas on its way from Canada to Texas, and (4) closing down Kansas’ only nuclear energy plant, Wolf Creek, which is aging, beset with technical problems and overdue for decommissioning. As though the Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters were not enough to convince us that tornado- and earthquake-prone Kansas is no place for nuclear reactors.

With federal and state authorities acting in tandem with the energy producing experts to implement this conversion, the cost of power will come down, more energy jobs will be available, we will be safer, and the future of Kansas will be brighter. Perhaps, someday, nothing will be the matter with Kansas.