Letter to the editor: Report the facts about fracking pollution, not misleading false balance

I finally had it with a misleading false balance the press often use when reporting on fracking. The State Journal-Register published my snarky letter to the editor Sunday suggesting a more accurate description of the debate.

A recent Associated Press article published by The State Journal-Register needs correction. It included this claim about fracking: "Opponents fear it can cause air and water pollution and health problems, but industry officials contend the method is safe."

In fact, numerous studies by EPA and others confirm fracking does, in fact, cause air and water pollution that harms public health. To minimize the problem by calling it a mere fear by some opponents misleads readers. A corrected, factual sentence might read: "Multiple objective studies confirm fracking causes air and water pollution which threatens public health, but industry officials continue to lie about it."

Let's hope this reporting cliche is put to rest.

Show pride in Springfield wind power

The State Journal-Register published a letter to the editor I wrote on Springfield's wind power. Of course, anything related to clean energy or climate change brings out the crazy in the SJ-R comment section. I'll post the entire letter here in order to spare people the comment spectacle until the paper complains.

Cities that make significant investments in clean energy typically brag about their accomplishment. Cities like Naperville, Evanston, Chicago and others around the nation use their commitment to advertise the appeal of their community.

Springfield not only made a significant investment in wind power, but CWLP also has impressive energy-efficiency programs. Efficiency rebates and other programs reduce utility bills, making the city more appealing to potential residents and businesses. The solar rebate program is already successful and should be expanded. It represents the next step that will allow CWLP to produce clean energy within city borders. Other cities proudly highlight similar programs to attract new businesses and young professionals. Why doesn’t Springfield?

I find no mention of these community highlights on the city or Q5 websites. It’s normal for politicians and bureaucracies to shy away from controversy. The Sierra Club agreement, which led to the wind power purchase and additional efficiency funding, was certainly controversial. But there’s no sense in ignoring the benefits of these positive decisions years later.

These are some of the best things happening in Springfield. It’s a mistake to keep quiet about local accomplishments in order to placate a curmudgeonly alderman who likes to complain about wind power.

I suppose I could have left out the "curmudgeonly" adjective but if someone is going to attack wind power on a regular basis then they deserve to be called out on it.

Letter to the editor on Springfield's environmental movement.

What good is having a blog if I can't post my published letters to the editor. The Illinois Times published my response to a column they ran last week.


GREENER THAN YOU THINK
I appreciate James Krohe Jr.’s effort in his column encouraging Springfield residents and city government to be more ambitious about clean energy programs [see “Greener than thou,” Sept. 16]. However, I’m disappointed that he did so by belittling the actions of numerous community groups and ignoring much of what’s already happening in Springfield.

Mayor Tim Davlin deserves credit for showing leadership on energy issues, but it’s a mistake to call this a one-man movement. Over a year ago, for example, a dozen local organizations submitted petitions to the city council with 500 signatures in support of Springfield becoming a Cool City. Additionally, CWLP has conducted an energy audit of the city that will help guide a climate action plan, and it’s being done with the help of citizen members representing the environmental community. If Mr. Krohe peruses back issues of Illinois Times he’ll find many excellent articles about local citizens organizing to promote clean energy.

There are several aspects of the city’s agreement with the Sierra Club that the column did not mention, such as a mechanism to fund new energy efficiency projects, which have the potential to reduce our global warming emissions even more than the wind power purchase. The agreement called for CWLP to hold quarterly public forums to provide updates on progress and seek feedback. The next forum is Nov. 30. The public is also invited to learn more about the growth of green jobs in central Illinois at a panel discussion hosted by the Sierra Club Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m. in Lincoln Library.

There’s no need for anyone to remain nostalgic about past glory days of environmental activism with so many current opportunities to be involved. The environmental movement is stronger and more diverse than it has ever been.

Will Reynolds
Chair, Sierra Club Sangamon Valley Group
Springfield

Radical environmentalist

It has been a few years since the clean energy agreement with CWLP had the talk radio crowd calling the Sierra Club a bunch of blackmailers, extortionists and eco-terrorists. The State Journal-Register runs a lot of mind numbing letters-to-the-editor from the talk radio cult, which I usually avoid the pain of reading, but I caught one which indirectly referred to me as a "radical" environmentalist.

Sometimes I get flack from tree-hugging friends in other groups for being involved in such a large, mainstream, moderate organization like the Sierra Club. It even has a policy against acts of civil disobedience. I feel better knowing there's at least one person out there who still thinks I'm a radical environmentalist!

Clean cars letter

I thought the SJR decided not to publish my letter to the editor but it showed up today.

Last year, George Bush blocked 14 states from enacting tougher auto emissions standards that would improve fuel economy and reduce pollutants. It was a political delaying tactic done in defiance of recommendations made by Environmental Protection Agency experts. I was happy to see President Obama direct the EPA to reconsider that decision on Monday. It’s good to see science and the public interest being taken seriously by our president again.

Also last year, the Illinois General Assembly failed to take action on the Clean Car Act, which would have our state join the 14 others adopting improved standards. Now that the road is clear at the federal level, it’s time for Illinois lawmakers to reconsider the importance of reducing oil consumption and pollutants from vehicles.

The price of gas is lower for the time being, but our long-term energy and transportation problems have not gone away. There’s no shortage of alternative solutions. The technology to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions already exists. Many cars on the road today meet the higher standards of the Clean Car Act, including some with conventional engines, hybrids, and E85 vehicles. We only lack more political leaders who are willing to take bold action to stop Detroit automakers from repeating the same mistakes all over again.

Clean Car Act Letter to the Editor

The SJR published my letter to the editor about the Illinois Clean Car Act today. I was hoping they would publish it while the legislature was still in town but at least they used it.

Car makers hypocritical in fighting Clean Car Act

I recently saw another Ford hybrid commercial that brags about their commitment to researching new technologies that will reduce their vehicles’ negative impact on the environment.

Unfortunately, the same car companies that spend millions letting us know about their sparse efforts for the environment are also funding an expensive lobbying campaign in Springfield to defeat the Illinois Clean Car Act.

The Clean Car Act (HB 3424) would have Illinois join 13 other states that require auto manufacturers to further reduce vehicle emissions that contribute to respiratory problems, smog and global climate change. The achievable standards only require the use of existing technologies that have already been developed and applied.

Besides benefiting public health and the environment, the standards encourage improved mileage in vehicles that will help drivers save on gas beyond the minimum federal fuel economy requirements.

Research is important but it shouldn’t be cited as a tactic to delay the use of existing technologies. If car companies are as serious about protecting the environment as their TV advertisements and lobbyists claim, then they should end their hypocritical opposition to the Illinois Clean Car Act.

Now is the time to contact your state legislator and ask them to stand up to short-sighted special interests in the oil and auto industries.

Will Reynolds

Springfield

Letter on energy efficiency and conservation

The State Journal-Register published today a letter to the editor I wrote. Here's a copy:

City’s clean-energy plan will pay dividends

Over the past few months, I’ve been excited to see new expanded rebate programs by City Water, Light and Power, such as the heat pump rebate, expanded insulation rebate and the money-back program that refunds the cost of home energy audits for anyone who follows through with any of the energy-saving recommendations.

All of these programs will help residents save money on their utility bill by reducing energy use. It’s another example of how conserving to help the environment is also good news for your checking account. More programs like these will be part of the implementation of Springfield’s clean-energy plan negotiated with the Sierra Club and there is much more to come.

I’d like to thank the nine city council members who voted to approve the contract to develop a thorough plan for future energy-efficiency and conservation projects. These programs will provide significant benefits to area residents and businesses for years to come while also reducing pollutants that cause global climate change.

It’s worth the investment to do it right the first time. Springfield quickly became a national leader in clean energy with its pledge to purchase wind power and start a green buy-in program to promote further use of renewable energy. Now we have the chance to become an early leader in energy-efficiency and conservation efforts that are becoming a national trend. That’s something everyone in Springfield can be proud of.

Will Reynolds, Springfield