Heads in the sand

It would appear that the Herald Courier is placing editorial content on the front page where the news should be. Kathy Still’s recent article on page one quoted seven people who oppose the power plant against two who spoke in favor of the plant. The seven seemed to have all kinds of knowledge about amounts of pollution and the many dreaded ailments and deaths that would result, yet no identification was given regarding the professional background of these opponents. Studies were quoted. What studies?

Over several decades, I have observed the Navajo power plant at Page, Ariz. At one time, it was responsible for significant pollution, but over the years it has been modernized with up-to-date technology including effective scrubbers for the emissions. The change is easily seen at the stacks.

I also spend a lot of time in Colorado Springs, Colo. The two coal-fired electrification plants there give off some steam-like clouds from the condensers. No evil dark column. I have never seen nor heard of people dying or having health problems because of their living in the vicinity of these plants.

Recently, I was in a business conference with a prominent Bristol businessman. We both sadly lamented the fact that there are so many people in this region who cannot accept the beneficial advancements in technology that have taken place in power plant design. Heads buried in the sand will not help anyone.

Chuck Lindell
Bristol, Tenn.