Wasting energy time

State Rep. Stacey A. Fitts (“Keep Maine lights lit with nuclear power,” BDN op-ed, March 31) needs to re-evaluate his comment, “It is emission-free.”

Where are Maine Yankee’s spent fuel rods? Emissions and hidden costs are part of energy expenditures. Even the manufacturing of windmills creates environmental hazards.

I am not shouting “no nukes,” but we must open our eyes when making energy choices. Chernobyl wasn’t a fiction story. It also wasn’t a well-designed or operated plant. We can learn from mistakes, but we should not be so arrogant as to assume we won’t make more in the future.

Nuclear energy has inherent dangers. The oil shocks of the 1970s drove up interest in renewable energy. However, the sweater-wearing administration was quickly voted out in favor of the gas guzzlers. As a result, we are worse off energy wise than before.

We have thrown away 30 years of opportunities. I don’t know if we have run out of time, but we have wasted plenty of it. Conservation and efficiency remain the key to our survival. We continue to elect administrations which fail to address comprehensive strategies because we don’t want to change our life styles. Individual behavioral changes are required. It is up to the constituents to revise their demands. Our intent to act rightly should drive the legislation.

Before addressing issues of this magnitude, we should consider how we could answer the questions our great-grandchildren might ask us: “What did you do to prevent this mess I am inheriting?” They will shoulder burdens we should have dealt with on our watch.

The least we can do is reduce our present impacts and set a course to clean up for the future. That would leave our kids to simply follow our lead to complete the task. Isn’t showing the way what parents are supposed to do? Leading also has something to do with our state motto, Dirigo.

Gregory Maxwell

Whiting