Letters to the editor

Environment, Economy Necessitate Nuclear
Editor, Times-Dispatch: The opposing Commentary section viewpoints between David Christian of Dominion and Louis Zeller of an environmental group emphasize their particular concerns regarding the need and sources for electricity. While Christian promotes new nuclear units, he and his company realize that they and their customers are also best served by conserving energy where possible.

However, no matter how careful we are about energy conservation, our region will need new nuclear plants. We must replace aging coal-fired units, which we should retire as soon as possible to reduce air pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions. We also need new power sources to handle growing demand, and the most affordable non-polluting plants that can deliver large amounts of continuous electricity are nuclear.

We can argue about the details of regulations on water discharges, as Zeller would like to do, but the resolution of issues of that kind is best left to government agencies, or if necessary the courts. Virginians need to decide if they want their economy to grow while safeguarding the environment, or to halt development of any sort and be limited by less and less available electricity.

Albert B. Reynolds.
Charlottesville.

The assumption that business will not be hurt by the new ban and to imply that New York's draconian ban on smoking was the reason tax receipts increased 8.7 percent over the year before the ban was put in place doesn't make sense. If smokers are banned from smoking in restaurants, they will find other places to smoke and may forgo eating out. Fewer customers equals less revenue. The increase in tax receipts was a direct result of New York's economic recovery from the mild recession of 2001-2002, and, more importantly, the devastation of 9/11. Tax receipts might have been substantially higher had the ban not been enacted.

The smoking ban will hurt business, ruin the dining experience for individuals who enjoy a cigarette or cigar with their meal, and will do nothing to reduce health costs to society. The real question is: Do I as the owner of private property have the right to run my business as I see fit without undue government interference and costs? Let the free market determine whether a restaurant that allows smoking fails or survives, just don't leave it up to our well-intentioned elected officials.

Gus Remppies.
Richmond.

I find it troubling that not one person on the taskforce is poor himself. Do the poor have nothing to contribute? It's almost as if we, the well-heeled, should not be listening to the poor, not caring what they are actually thinking. Far better strategies and easier implementation can result by including the community -- all segments of the community -- in the process and in making the actual decisions. People who live in poverty can understand the concepts of decision-making about resource allocation, based on my experience.

Much to the surprise of the taskforce, bringing to the table the indigenous leaders, once they understand the choices, will have relevant input into some, if not most, of the service problems.

The point is, inclusiveness works. It's not just political correctness; it assumes that we all have talents to contribute, regardless of whether these gifts have been attained experientially or via professional training.

We urge consideration of our proposal. John Horejsi. Coordinator, Social Action Linking Together (SALT).


Vienna.

White Rooftop Idea Has Some Merit
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Secretary of Energy Steven Chu came forth with an idea to save energy -- paint all rooftops white, as the rays of the sun will be reflected elsewhere, thus requiring less energy to maintain desired compartmental spaces.

In a few instances it will work. It has some -- just some -- merit. When I was the commanding officer of warships in the Far East, the Mediterranean, and in some home waters, I had the steel deck above my sea and in-port cabins painted white. The temperatures in the spaces easily decreased by 10 degrees.

So, Chu is not all wrong, but a little bit off the wall. The sheer number of refusals will most likely defeat his scheme aborning.

Robert C. Peniston.
Lexington.