Hampton Branch Library
Time to Really Lead the World in Climate Protection
RECEIVED Mon., Nov. 2, 2009
Dear Editor,
Austin Energy has said that if federal carbon legislation will double our coal plant's costs of operation, Pace Consulting, the city's energy consultant, estimates costs incurred would be even higher. Meanwhile, President Obama recently stated he intends to make dirty coal even more expensive, and Austin – a city in which a 2007 carbon reduction goal was to "make Austin the leading city in the nation in the fight against climate change" – would lower its carbon output 70% by quitting its coal plant. The student government at UT recently voted unanimously in support of shuttering Austin's coal plant. Please consider doing some reporting on what Austinites would gain, economically and environmentally, by leading the world in climate protection.
Austin Energy has said that if federal carbon legislation will double our coal plant's costs of operation, Pace Consulting, the city's energy consultant, estimates costs incurred would be even higher. Meanwhile, President Obama recently stated he intends to make dirty coal even more expensive, and Austin – a city in which a 2007 carbon reduction goal was to "make Austin the leading city in the nation in the fight against climate change" – would lower its carbon output 70% by quitting its coal plant. The student government at UT recently voted unanimously in support of shuttering Austin's coal plant. Please consider doing some reporting on what Austinites would gain, economically and environmentally, by leading the world in climate protection.
Thank you,
Chris Searles
Chris Searles