Supporting wind turbines in the Horse Heaven Hills and other Herald letters to the editor
Who’s thinking Putin a ‘genius?’
CNN (“Trump’s Russia Comments ....” Feb. 23) has just revealed that Donald Trump has hailed Vlad Putin a “genius,” presumably for threatening to invade Ukraine, invading part of Ukraine, or about to clobber Ukraine completely.
So among your readership, let’s have a call for thoughtful letters that defend Donald Trump’s praises for a dictator’s choice of beating down an independent country. And let’s face it, if he approves of a chest-beating man like Putin, surely he wants to resurrect his own attempted coup of Jan. 6, 2021, and turn the United States of America into the United Soviet States?
Okay, comrades, how about those rational justifications for Trump’s comment?
Or even irrational!
Bink Owen, Walla Walla
Community solar projects booming
Solar energy is a booming industry, and the boom is good news for energy efficiency for Washingtonians. At the same time, we must ensure our treasured ecosystems, like the sagebrush here in the south Columbia Basin, do not face further threats to their already damaged habitats. That is why I am supportive of House Bill 1814, expanding equitable access to the benefits of renewable energy through community solar projects, and I encouraged the State Legislature to pass this bill this session.
HB 1814 establishes a program to incentivize solar development on “preferred sites” which include infrastructure that already exists like rooftops and parking structures. This will protect our wildlife habitats, agricultural lands and open spaces from being over developed. Though I am excited about increasing the availability of solar power, it cannot come at the expense of our natural landscapes and uniquely Pacific Northwest animals, such as the sage grouse and sage sparrows that depend on the sagebrush for food and cover. As the demand for solar increases, let’s reward projects that will maintain the vitality of our area while also providing all communities with access to renewable energy.
Dana Ward, Pasco
Reader questions guest opinion
In response to Barry Bush’s guest opinion, he begins with, does the governor understand the energy industry? If (Bush’s) opinions are our guide, then yes, far more than Bush.
“Transmission lines” either Barry didn’t do his research or doesn’t know what he is talking about. Electric transmission lines caused some of these fires only because the lines’ close proximity to tinder dry vegetation coming in contact with them. The transmission lines “going over the Cascades” and out of Horse Heaven Hills would be nowhere near vegetation.
“Bird deaths” true, and Bush’s concern is noted. We lose a skunk every week to roadkill on Columbia Park Trail; we don’t hear Bush wanting to ban cars. Even so, the numbers lost to (bird) strikes will be minimal to the numbers lost in decades to come from climate change, perhaps whole species.
“Visual impacts” true, they will be visible, but one has to wonders if Bush would object to oil wells if the Horse Heaven Hills was a source.
“Jobs” for almost the same amount of energy the wind farm would require only about 2% of the employees verse the alternative, while this might be bad for “employees,” wouldn’t this be a boon to the consumers?
Michael Lavering, Richland
Consider our next president
Who could imagine that on January 20, 2025 our very own little “Donald Mussolini” or a “very, very smart Putin” could be inaugurated as president of the United States?
Andy Andringa, Prosser