To the editor:
In its recent editorial headlined "A lopsided view of Salem Harbor's future," The Salem News indeed presents its lopsided view — once again. We'd like to address just two points.
First, calling health concerns regarding the power plant "overblown," the editorial page ignores reputable sources of information like "Mercury Matters" produced by New Hampshire's Hubbard Brook Foundation (HBF). The report can be found at (www. hubbardbrookfoundation.org).
HBF found that "Local emission sources contribute approximately 65 percent of the mercury deposition in the study area, and nearby coal-fired power plants produce 40 percent of this locally derived mercury deposition." Mercury is not blowing into Salem from somewhere else; it's coming from the power plant and falling in our city. Mercury is contaminating our seafood and making it dangerous to eat. It is wreaking neurological damage on our most vulnerable — children — causing learning disorders.
Second, betting on coal as a "lot cheaper," the editorial ignores the legislative realities already in place for the near future. While coal may be cheap in financial terms today, the spot prices are rising. Costs to operate a coal plant will escalate because of the state's new Global Warming Solutions Act, which requires reductions of greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, and by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Additionally, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will force the power plant to pay to pollute by buying pollution credits.
The Salem News ignores evidence about our physical health and encourages Salem to keep betting on a coal-based economic engine from the 19th century for our economic well-being. While www.Visionfor Salem.org may not have perfect vision, at least it has offered Salem one vision of a future free from coal and a dangerous facility that threatens workers and residents.
Caroline Nye
Dolores Jordan
alice Jordan
Patricia A. Gozemba
Karen Kahn
Salem
