Companies are ones demanding pipelines
In (“Another pipeline battle looms in South Georgia,” News, May 2), pipeline company spokeswoman Andrea Grover is quoted as saying the Sabal Trail pipeline will “support the growing demand for clean-burning natural gas.” Consumers across Georgia would much rather have the option of an energy source that won’t explode, poison their rivers, or put their private property in danger as this pipeline would.
These days, we have truly clean energy technology that is cheaper than fossil fuel sources, safer to have in our backyards, and more responsible in terms of environmental impact. There is no reason to invest in outdated, unsafe fossil fuel infrastructure when consumers like me would much rather invest in safe, clean energy. So if we’re going to talk about “growing demand,” we should look closely at who’s demanding it. The fossil fuel companies want pipelines. The people want renewables.
FLANNERY KECK, ATLANTA
Climate change costs to hit Ga. taxpayers
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed $600,000 for constructing a seawall on Hutchinson Island. The island, across from the city of Savannah, was once used for rice paddies. Hurricanes flooded the island in 1854 and in 1893. According to a Historical Society, in 1854 “… ships in harbor were piled up at the foot of the bluff, and hundreds of negroes working on the rice plantations of Hutchinson Island were drowned.” Now the island is home for an International Trade Center and a Westin Resort Hotel. What with the rapid sea level rise due to climate change, no wonder they want a seawall. Not far away, a needed “flood-proof” upgrade to the road to Tybee Island is estimated to cost $100 million. The local costs of climate change will affect all of Georgia’s taxpayers sooner or later.
DAVID GREENLAND, SANDY SPRINGS
