Roan Plateau
In your editorial of August 15, 2007 you say that “reliable estimates suggest it (the Roan Plateau) sits atop probably the largest untapped natural gas reserves in the lower 48 states".? This wildly unsubstantiated (and poorly expressed) claim cannot support your underlying belief that the State of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West must shoulder the burden of continuing to prop up unsustainable lifestyles with non-renewable fossil fuels.
You also suggest that the “old energy economy” should trump the benefits of other state income generators, namely tourism, agriculture, hunting, hiking and fishing — and even a technology economy that would help to develop alternative energy sources.? I believe that drilling the Roan Plateau will result in a host of disastrous consequences including the loss of tourism dollars, the eradication of what could be an important strategic reserve for future generations and the elimination of a culture and lifestyle that has been part of Colorado for generations.
Finally, you state that the natural gas underlying the Roan Plateau is “enough, by itself, to heat 4 million homes for 20 years".? This assertion is extraordinarily short sighted.? If we continue to burn fossil fuels at our present rate with the consequent impact on global warming, we may well wish that we had to heat homes.? Cooling homes will be a bigger problem than warming them.? Air conditioning a home requires substantially more energy than does heating.
I fully support U.S. Senator Ken Salazar and U.S. Representative Mark Udall in their efforts to encourage a reluctant President Bush (and the Rocky Mountain News) to fully examine all of the consequences of fossil fuel extraction and usage.? Those of us who call the Rocky Mountain west home can be grateful for their diligence.
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Who needs energy and energy-related tax dollars anyway? Let's all put windmills on our rooofs, drive battery powered washing machines and, in the meantime, pray for energy independence and national security.
Posted by Hank on August 21, 2007 05:02 PM