LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Diverse Fuel Resources Needed
In 1980, I entered the solar energy era. I was a believer, supporter, user, installer and cheerleader for solar power. I just retired after 40-plus years and, yes, solar has its place. But, to depend on solar and wind as a sole energy source is a fool’s mistake. We always need backup power. Texas is still repairing frozen pipes and ruined buildings from (the February freeze). Just like California 20 years earlier, there was not enough generation to fill the need back in February. If you shut down the coal and gas plants, I predict Tri-State Generation and Transmission and Poudre Valley REA will suffer just like Texas and California, begging for power from other states. You need a diversity of generation sources. Michael J. Carmon Poudre Valley REA consumer-member I remember how hard it was before we finally got electricity. And even these days when our power goes out, I am reminded of how much I appreciate dependable electricity. With that said, in our rush to close down fossil fuel plants and use thousands of acres of land to build windmills and solar panels, we must consider what we are actually doing. The power outage this past February should give us pause to slow down and think this out. I suggest that we keep, and even build, fossil fuel plants to work along with our renewable energy. D. Duane Esary, Yoder Southeast Colorado Power consumer-member
Magazine Lover
I want to compliment you for such interesting articles in the recent issues of your magazine. The Empowering Possibilities article (April ’21) was inspiring. It’s one that I cut out to give to friends with children with autism. Intriguing as well were the Super Grid article and the ones on lilies and cottonwoods. Sandra Egan, Nathrop Sangre de Cristo consumer-member CORRECTION In a News Clips article (June ’21) it was stated that the U.S. Department of Energy chose Essence cybersecurity software as one of two options to be offered to utilities in a program designed to improve security for the country’s electric industry in 100 days. This was inaccurate. The department has not selected specific technology or vendors, but welcomes all technologies working on this goal.
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COLOR ADO COUNTRY LIFE AUGUST 2021
FROM THE EDITOR
Still time to hit the trails this summer BY MONA NEELEY
EDITOR
T
his month’s cover story on mountain biking on the Western Slope makes me want to try those trails myself. MONA NEELEY I’ve never ridden a mountain bike on the trails around Grand Junction. I’ve never actually ridden a mountain bike in the mountains. I’ve ridden bicycles my whole life — at least since I was 5 and got my first red, 24-inch bike with training wheels. But I grew up in a small farming community in northern Iowa and there were no mountain trails to ride. I did ride a lot of dirt and gravel roads, but that was mostly on my trusty 10-speed, which was the cool bike to have when I was in high school. It didn’t do too well on the gravel roads, but it was what I had, so it was what I rode. More recently, I ditched the bike and rode an all-terrain vehicle on some Western Slope, red dirt trails. We were After a day on a red dirt trail. staying at Gateway Canyons Resort south of Grand Junction the last time I rode through the hills on an ATV. It was a blast and we came back tired and covered in dust. So, what I’m saying is, whether it’s on a bicycle, an ATV or whatever, get out there and enjoy summer — it’s almost over! Mona Neeley is the statewide editor of Colorado Country Life, which is published in coordination with your local electric cooperative. Its goal is to provide information from your local electric co-op to you, its consumer-members.
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