Coal article contained a lot of misinformation



There was so much misinformation in the recent article, “What would our world be like without coal?”, that I hardly know where to start.

First of all, despite repeated assertions that coal provides over half of our nation’s electricity, it does not. It provides 42 percent, and while that is still significant, coal’s share in our energy mix continues to decline. New coal plants are scrapped, old ones are decommissioned or converted to cleaner fuels, our appliances and gadgets are becoming more efficient and Americans are demanding better energy sources. Even China is now building more wind turbines than coal plants.

Secondly, it’s true that wind, solar and hydro alone can’t meet our current energy demand. However, investments in energy efficiency — using technology that is ready right this minute — can reduce that demand by up to 50 percent. Not only does this save each and every one of us money on our utility bills, but it allows renewable energy to meet even more of our energy needs.

Speaking of utility bills, Rick Taylor mentioned his mother’s struggle to pay her high electric bills. I’m assuming her electricity comes from coal. Kentucky Utilities, which burns mostly coal (although I pay a little more on my bill to get my power from hydro and wind), just informed me of a planned 12 percent rate hike. The cost of coal is increasing, despite the massive tax breaks and subsidies that come from state and federal governments. This is an inevitable economic reality — as the supply of something goes down, the costs go up.

Taylor also said that people are asking “Where’s that global warming now?” This makes me weep for the state of science education in our schools. Whether you believe in climate change, one should understand that weather is not the same as climate. A hard winter one year is a blip on the radar for the overall climate, which takes into account the entire planet over many thousands of years. If your child is failing every subject, but one semester gets a B in gym class, do you suddenly say that he’s a great student?

If we’re going to argue about coal and climate change, let’s at least do it with the right information.

Carrie Traud

 Lexington, Ky.



May God bless the miners, keep them safe



My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Upper Big Branch family members in the tragedy of the 29 miners on April 5, 2010.

I watched CNN every day and I cried and prayed along with all of you for I could feel your pain. I lost my brother in a mine accident Nov. 18, 1991. He was only 37 years old, way too young to die. This was also a Massey Energy mine with many violations and situations that were overlooked.

My prayers are with each and every member of the family of these miners.

May God reach down from Heaven and give you some peace.

I know the job is very dangerous, but without them, we wouldn’t have any electricity so they keep the lights on.

God bless the miners and keep them safe as possible.



Mina L. Bailey

Lester

Those with money should share it



Like many American families, our family of five is struggling to keep our heads above turbulent financial waters. We literally live paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet. With our eldest child soon starting college, we are completely strapped.

I realize that there are lots of other families in our country much worse off than we are financially. That is why I think it is an absolute outrage that baseball player Ryan Howard will be earning an astounding $125 million for the next five years, playing ball for the Phillies. What could one human being possibly do with all of that money? Mr. Howard will probably start out by buying some expensive sports cars, elegant vacation homes, fancy clothes, and lots of nifty gizmos and gadgets. Perhaps, if he has a conscience, he will be moved to help the poor, needy people of Philadelphia.

When my family visited Philly last summer in sweltering 90-degree heat, we were overwhelmed by the stench of urine and human feces on one side street. We even saw a homeless man sleeping on the burning pavement next to an office building. It was very sad.

I hope that Ryan Howard will take a nice, long walk around the City of Brotherly Love. Maybe, if he is inspired, he will help open a new homeless shelter or soup kitchen, or make a generous contribution to a worthy charity.

Perhaps, he will even help the poor people in Haiti, by providing much-needed medical supplies, building materials, and food. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if the rich, overpaid athletes of our nation did such good deeds? I pray that Mr. Howard and others in his financial position will share their wealth with the poor, the sick and the needy. I can dream, can’t I?



JoAnn L. Fuir

Lewisburg