Solar power may raise electric rates
(“The rise of solar in Georgia,” Atlanta Forward, March 25) did not to take into account the inevitable rise in electric rates as the franchised electric companies lose base loads to solar power. I am a retired power plant worker and saw similar effects when the company was forced to buy power from alternate fueled co-generators. These co-gens could run when the load was high and the power company had to pay a rate equal to their most expensive unit online. When loads were low and production rates were low, the co-gen could shut down with no requirement to maintain any capacity. The franchised utility, however, was still forced to maintain enough capacity. Any major increase in the use of solar electric panels could have a similar effect. I’m concerned for the reliability of the power grid and the potential for power outages when weather conditions curtail the solar panels’ output.
PAUL NEELD, PEACHTREE CITY
Our president’s strange behavior
In my seven decades of following news and reading about many wars, both large and small, I have never, never heard a country’s leader commit to a timeline of withdrawal of troops and state the actual number of troops being sent. Does this represent some kind of psychological need to boast about power or is it an unintended signal that we are soft-hearted? There is no other explanation that can justify this strange behavior. I believe most of our citizens are just as perplexed. The enemies, of course, love it.
MEL MATUSZAK, DACULA
Region needs comprehensive transit system
Many good points were made in the editorial (“Driving toward progress,” Editorial, March 29), but only if you accept the premise driving will take us into the future.. The great cities of the world have invested in mass transit and many of the emerging cities are planning and implementing their own visions. Here in Georgia, we seem bogged down in Atlanta versus the rest of the state. Even within the metropolitan area, lawmakers cannot work together on any big ideas. Do keep the roads drivable, the bridges strong, but as far as new construction we should focus on creating a future with a comprehensive transit system.
MARTIN MCCONAUGHY, ATLANTA
