In her recent letter to the editor, Viki Kennedy of Wytopitlock expressed her concern for Maine’s environmental future. I, too, hold a deep affinity for Maine’s natural resources. The importance of these resources is multifold.

Unlike Kennedy, I know there is a long standing correlation between conservative ideals and environmentally conscious policies. John McCain has proven himself to be environmentally conscious and forward thinking; he has been active in efforts to protect the Grand Canyon and America’s 388 national parks. Simply put, he believes conservation is a conservative issue.

The environment is a clear priority for McCain. McCain supports reducing greenhouse gas emissions and has proposed a market-based cap and trade system to do so. Additionally, McCain, unlike Obama, is a strong proponent of nuclear energy, a key to our nation’s energy independence that does not emit carbon.

McCain has meshed financially sound energy decisions with environmentally minded alternatives, one of the many reasons why McCain has my support. His sound energy solutions leave me feeling less of an ominous chill and more of a hopeful spark.

Thomas C. Dickens

Orono