Mesaba Energy Project is not the answer

Mesaba Energy Project is not the answer
Herald-Review
Last Updated: Monday, October 16th, 2006 08:33:31 AM

Editor:
Is the Mesaba Energy Project the answer?
Promotors of the Mesaba Energy Project say that with newer and cleaner technology, the proposed new power plants would do less damage to the earths ground, water and air, and to health than traditional power plants. Is doing less damage the answer to meeting the energy needs of the future?
All additional emmissions would be cumulative and would continue to worsen our already threatened quality of life and longevity, not just for this generation but for the next 10, 100 and 1,000 generations, should the human race continue to survive. Shouldn't we care?
As a mobile and enterprising civilization, of course we need energy. Acquiring that energy by depleting the earths finite resources to the detriment of the earth itself and life on earth is not the answer.
The long term answer to meeting the energy needs of people can only be met through the harnessing of renewable energy sources.
Minnesota is a national leader in such areas as technology and medicine. Yet, as a state and country the United States ranks near last of the developed nations in planning for the energy needs of the future.
How do we proceed? First, our state must have a clear energy policy so that our greatest resource, Minnesota people, have direction. We have the opportunity to lead the nation in clean energy technology development and production. And, a dedicated renewable energy industry would create a full array of job opportunities for Minnesota.
We need to convince our elected leaders that we are serious about safe energy. All of our elected leaders, regardless of political affilliation, need to be fully committed and we need to help.
We need to tell Mr. Micheletti now that he can go home because we have no interest in seeing hundreds of millions of dollars squandered for a destructive and already obsolete power plant. We have a better idea. All new energy investment must go toward energy development and production that is friendly to sustaining life. We can and must do this.

Jack Pick
Goodland