To the editor:

The Wednesday Nov. 7 editorial complained about the Corps of Engineers releasing 9 million gallons of stored water to fill the “mill pond” so that the new power plant could generate green electricity. This activity is analogous to a gas company filling a newly constructed pipeline with gas so that when its customers turn on their appliances there is gas to burn.

The 9 million gallons will not generate any electricity, it will simply fill the pond to the level required by the new plant to produce electricity from the current or future river flows. It will, however, also raise the river level at the water plant intakes, thus ensuring adequate water for Lawrence residents to drink, water their lawns, and keep the golf courses green.