Letters to the editor 11/14/24

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com.

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ALREADY PUBLIC

The Oct. 17 cover story is titled “Citizens want a voice in CWLP.” Oddly, CWLP already happens to be publicly owned. Remember this when progressives tell you privatization of public utilities is undemocratic.

Steve Griffin
Sherman

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NOT ENTITLED

Voters and taxpayers, through their elected leaders, decide what is important. Activists, also known as loud snivelers with little or no skin in the game, can “use their voice” wherever they want. It doesn’t entitle them to anything they’re not willing to pay for.

John Kelly
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

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ALREADY HAVE REPRESENTATION

The citizens of Springfield do have a voice in everything that the city does, through the aldermen that they elect. Why do these six people think they should be granted special access to one particular area they feel strongly about? What about all the people that feel strongly about police or fire or ambulance services, or how the money from the gambling machines from the No.1-earning city in Illinois is spent?

If we let them have access to this, where does it stop? What are we supposed to do, ask every citizen individually every time a decision needs to be made? That’s why we have the system of government in place that we have. If they don’t like it, then run for alderman.

Shenan Gilleland
Springfield

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NARROW-MINDED

Two years ago, our Coalition for Springfield’s Utility Future began reaching out to CWLP to participate in our programs to open up a course toward substantive clean energy initiatives. We did have presentations that included them. We were hopeful. However, Doug Brown’s recent statements dismissing a pursuit of utility-scale renewable energy investigation and continued support of fossil fuel use further confirms that we need outside expertise on Springfield’s energy future.

CWLP’s attachment to fossil fuels as our main energy supply, in the face of a rapidly changing climate, is cause for great concern. Holding this perspective is why Springfield’s energy planning and development has been, and continues to be, way behind other cities. It smacks of complacency and narrow-minded thinking, as many cities throughout the world are actively carving out pathways away from fossil fuel dependency. This way of thinking severely limits how CWLP approaches (if at all) ground-breaking developments and pilot programs that offer reliable, affordable, clean energy solutions.

Anne Logue
Springfield

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TRENDSETTERS

Good thing we’re part of the newest trend in coal recapturing technology, setting the trend for the rest of the country at this point. Thank your local union plumbers for leading the way in instrumentation.

Kirk Donely
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

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BE CONSTRUCTIVE

It’s disappointing to see such emotionally charged misinformation in the online comments on this article. Environmental activists are advocating for a sustainable future that benefits everyone.

Europe’s energy challenges are complex and influenced by geopolitical issues, not simply renewable energy policies. In fact, many European countries are investing heavily in wind and solar power to enhance energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Dismissing these efforts with divisive rhetoric doesn’t contribute to meaningful solutions. Let’s focus on constructive dialogue and factual information to address the real challenges we all face.

Phil Gray
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

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FORMER MAYOR HELPED

Thank you for covering the group of concerned citizens knocking on the doors of city hall to get CWLP to act responsibly. The only thing missing that I want to add to the reported history is the role former Mayor Jim Langfelder played during that period of time.

He brought together in his office concerned citizens and CWLP’s top management many times to help broker what led to the adoption of that formal public planning process (IRP) and its recommendations, forcing our utility and city council to do what it couldn’t do on its own.

As noted in the article, challenges are only getting tougher, and solutions require long lead times. It’s time for Mayor Misty Buscher to use her leadership skills by getting interested parties together to hammer out an approach that meets our city’s future energy needs.

Or maybe the former mayor could be appointed as chair of a sustainability commission to guide Springfield through another utility thicket?

John E. Williams
Springfield

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NEED HEALTHIER OPTIONS

I would like to encourage Springfield Power to the People on their efforts to shape CWLP’s future energy policies into more sustainable means. I would also point out that the proposed “solution” seems as impalpable as the problem.

I applaud Dr. Brandon Derman’s request to local energy policy leaders to “plan for a just and speedy clean energy transition.” Additionally, I would like to encourage them to have the foresight to include the potential public health consequences of ongoing reliance on fossil fuels, particularly on the counties’ vulnerable populations.

Sangamon County has specific health concerns linked to fossil fuel emissions. In just one example, the most recent Sangamon County Community Health Needs Assessment prioritized emergency room usage for asthma and cardiovascular disease, particularly in Black populations, as an area of concern. Facts like this should be considered in a future Integrated Resource Plan.

As a solution to the same problem, Louisville, Kentucky, recently converted an electrical power plant from coal and found a profound and sustained decrease in pediatric acute asthma cases (the kind that require emergency room usage). In Illinois, natural gas has recently been found to have more negative health consequences compared to all other fossil fuels combined. Natural gas contains very small particles that have been linked to many health problems such as asthma attacks and hospital visits.

It is noteworthy that a growing number of forward-thinking individuals such as Dr. Derman are seeking healthier options to both coal and natural gas with cheaper Clean Energy Portfolios, a combination of wind, solar, energy-efficiency, demand response and battery energy storage. I find it encouraging that there are members of our community who have the vision to realize that Springfield has the potential to become exemplary in transitioning to clean energy. Our state has chosen to take the lead on climate justice and equity, so the potential is here for Springfield to follow by considering healthier alternatives to fossil fuels.

Kevin Atchason
Springfield

This article appears in Low attendance holds back school performance.