Green Front Royal?
Editor:
Alternative energy will work, but only with energy conservation. During the public hearings concerning the town's decision to invest in a coal fired power plant, several statements were made suggesting that investments in alternative energy can not power Front Royal's future. Wind and solar do not produce enough power to sustain our current rate of energy consumption. However, we can make the transition to these forms of energy possible by reducing our energy use. We all need to make sacrifices to use less.
Front Royal, our county seat needs to take the lead on the issue of conservation and set an example for the citizens of Warren County. Our public schools, libraries, and transportation need to be designed to use less energy. We need leadership that recognizes that investing in a coal fired power plant does directly impact the future health of our children, our beloved parks, and the quality of our drinking water. Is it morally right for us to degrade the health of our fellow citizens in Illinois just so that we can pay a couple cents less on our energy bills? Would the town council invest in the plant if the coal were strip mined from our mountain vistas in Warren County?
I urge everyone to take ownership of this issue and not simply write off efforts to save ourselves through our environment as a pipe dream. Show our leaders that we will take action to conserve even if they won't. I applaud the efforts of organizations like the Tree Stewards and individual citizens like Leslie Fiddler for their constant public efforts towards conservation.
Larry Scislowicz
121 Oak Ridge Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
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