Letter to the editor:

Forward thinking will solve energy crisis

Robert L. Candiotti, Las Vegas

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 | 2:02 a.m.

When I read Clarence Lanzrath’s letter in Friday’s Las Vegas Sun — promoting coal burning, nuclear power and new oil well drilling — what crossed my mind was a line from former Vice President Al Gore’s most recent speech in Washington.

The sentence I thought of when Lanzrath wrote of “energy sources we know work” is this from Gore’s Thursday speech: We have a “tendency to offer old solutions to each crisis separately.”

Lanzrath’s arguments present old solutions that are threadbare and worn out.

In Gore’s view of the future of energy, he is making a challenge to the United States “to commit to producing 100 percent of electricity from renewable energy and truly carbon-free sources within 10 years.”

Within 10 years? Now that is thinking out of the box, and circumventing possible global disaster.

Lanzrath derides renewable energy developments as “ventures,” while Gore states global warming is a present danger from which, ultimately, “the future of human civilization is at stake.”

Something I find constantly refreshing is that Southern Nevada is most definitely not a realm of “old solutions” regarding the future of electricity. Many people probably do not realize that UNLV is rife with research advancements and scientific breakthroughs in many areas of renewable energy. In fact, on Aug. 20, UNLV will hold its 2008 Renewable Energy Symposium.

Also, the day before, Aug. 19, the university campus will be the site of the National Clean Energy Summit sponsored by UNLV, the Center for American Progress Action Fund and Nevada U.S. Sen. Harry Reid.

Heading for the past is not going to get us where we need to be. As for me, I intend to be at UNLV on Aug. 19 and 20 to hear what is going on in the cutting-edge areas of clean, renewable energy.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By KDR81

7/22/08 at 8:47 a.m.

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Ironically Gore is offering old solutions himself. Subsidizing alternative energy is an old socialist solution that will enhance other American problems such as increasing the cost of living and slowing our rate of poverty reduction (if not increasing it all together).

Companies recieving the subsidies have little incentive to use the money effeciently and every incentive to spend it as fast as possible.

I could use that money to buy more gas, or maybe pay my electric bill. Maybe someone else could use that money to buy more food for their family, or maybe someone will use that money to buy a scooter to save money on gas. Whatever WE spend our money on we'll be spending it with conservation (of our money) in mind. With gas prices high that also means conserving energy by using less of it. That is how the price system works…if you let it.

Let the market create the alternatives on its own. In the meantime allow citizens to conserve in any way they can.
By mgdamore

7/22/08 at 9:31 a.m.

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According to the GOD of the far left - Al Gore - “America must commit to producing 100% of our electricity from cheap, clean renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, within 10 years.”

Well Al…it’s a nice sentiment - but like most, you don’t have a clue on:

(a) How to do it, without ruining the U.S. economy
(b) How to get it done with out all the rest of your tree hugging friends getting in the way!

Al, how many examples do you need? California won’t allow transmissions lines from a wind farm to where it’s needed, the Kennedy’s don’t want a wind farm off the coast of Hyannis port because it ruins their views, 140 acres of government land will supply 33% of the electrical requirements of the Nellis Air force base! That’s ONE THIRD of the electrical needs of an Air force base - how many acres of land would it take to run a small city - say the size of Boulder City? Never mind Las Vegas!!!!!

The technologies are NOT the problem - oil, gas, coal, nuclear, solar, hydro, Geothermal etc…THEY are the solutions - singularly and in combination. The problem are people who insist that ONLY their way is the solution - and that no other way should even be considered - and only idiots would try!

Well, Mr. Gore, you may have a few statues in your back pocket - but the one thing you are obviously lacking is common sense. Guess it aint so common afterall!

Of course, these are just thoughts - but they are mine
By DavidMorgan

7/22/08 at 9:42 a.m.

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All this is a raging debate over who is going to put the most lipstick on a dead pig. Alternative energy propelled cars are here TODAY. Google "Aptera" or "Phoenix electric cars" or "The Current Car" and you'll see that oil is becoming IRRELEVANT. Get with it Nevada! Get with it Washington! It's all about electricity. It's no longer about oil.
By JohnF

7/22/08 at 10:56 a.m.

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mgdamore,

It would require an array of solar panels about 11 miles square (i.e. about 120 square miles) to replace the entire generating capacity of Nevada Power. It would fit easily into the vacant land area north of the Speedway and south of the Valley of Fire. The start-up cost would be enormous, of course, but after that sunlight is free and the price will never go up.

Also, failing to get ourselves off of dependence on fossil fuels will inevitably lead to the ruination of the American economy, not to mention having a severe impact on our national security.

Al Gore is calling for the use of renewable, clean sources of energy. Note the use of the plural "sources." That's solar, wind, geothermal, fuel cell-powered vehicles, etc.

We can get this done if we have the will.