WARMING TO WIND POWER
The venting of wind-power skeptics in the Phoenix piece "What's Wrong With Wind Power" (by Deirdre Fulton, August 21) really misses a major point — global warming. When we finally get down to grappling with dangerous climate disruption all forms of non-carbon emitting power will rise. The slogan "No new electric power generation" cannot be our salvation because America must decommission 1100 coal-fired power plants or spend large sums capturing and storing their emissions. On the other hand, finding space for solar installations will get easier as deserts expand opening up new expanses of dry, uninhabitable real estate. It looks now like wind and solar power, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and above all else, breathtaking new energy-efficiency techniques will all be key. Maine needs to get wind power right, but I say "Blow, baby, blow."
Jon Hinck
State Representative
Co-Chairman of the Utilities & Energy Committee
Portland
CORRECTIONS IS BROKEN
Lance Tapley's continuous critique of Maine's Department of Corrections (for the latest installment, see "Secret, Co-Opted, and Unaccountable," August 14) gives us the most focused and objective reporting available on behalf of prisoners, prison staff, and overburdened taxpayers. In a society where prisoners, and the conditions and treatment they are subjected to, is often ignored by an uncaring public and glossed over by the DOC in the name of security and budget controls, Tapley has been a steadfast and courageous voice of advocacy for humanitarian treatment.
With a failed system based on political motives ("get tough on crime"), fear, and prejudice whereby we imprison 2.3 million citizens, 25 percent of the world's incarcerated — five to eight times more than Canada and Western Europe — Lance Tapley's body of work speaks the truth and exposes a correctional system that doesn't work and is shrouded by complicit quiet.
Jim Bergin
Blue Hill
Related:
Which way the wind blows, Why wind power blows, The Mighty Wind, More 
- Which way the wind blows
The venting of wind-power skeptics in the Phoenix piece “ Why wind power blows ” really misses a major point: global warming. When we finally get down to grappling with dangerous climate disruption, all forms of non-carbon emitting power will rise.
- Why wind power blows
The world is looking for a no-brainer solution to the 21st century's impending energy crisis, and wind power seems to provide many of the right answers.
- The Mighty Wind
The Rhode Island recession, among the worst in the country, has become something of a national curiosity: how could such a little state be in such big trouble?
- Grappling with Going Green
Green energy," for most, is solar panels and wind turbines.
- Building on green energy
This month, my landlord will install new energy-efficient windows in my apartment. This is great news: Better insulation will reduce both my energy use and my heating bills. I'm happy to be experiencing first-hand what many agree is the single most-important step in the fight against global warming: eco-friendly building upgrades and weatherization.
- Photos: Stetson Wind in Maine
Photos of Stetson Wind in Washington County, Maine
- Mountains, not windmills
I just read your article (" Transmission Troubles ," by Deirdre Fulton, February 13) in the Portland Phoenix, great article.
- Earth, Air, Fire, and Water
It’s going to take more than screwing in a few compact fluorescent light bulbs to make a dent in the state’s energy use.
- Transmission troubles
Late last month, Maine's second large commercial wind farm officially opened at Stetson Mountain in the eastern part of the state. But for all this potential, both in terms of the power source itself, and the brainpower behind it, Maine risks losing a lot of money.
- Here comes the sun
It's All Right
- Article aided big oil
Nothing helps big oil, and big coal, more than a piece like "What's Wrong With Wind Power?" (by Deirdre Fulton, August 21).
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