Renewable energy will eventually pay off Re: “Md. spends $2.3m on renewable energy for $637,000 in savings,” Nov. 22
The Examiner is a free daily publication, so I try to keep my expectations accordingly low. However, this alarmist cover story displays standards of journalism that would have shamed even William Randolph Hearst.
It does not take a renewable energy expert to quickly determine that the article’s main premise- that Maryland’s investments in renewable energy are a failure because they have not paid for themselves within a year’s time – is ridiculous on its face.
The savings cited are quite clearlyannualsavings, so it should be no surprise that a renewable energy system might take 4-to-5 years to return the initial capital investment. This does not put renewables at a major disadvantage to investments in nuclear, coal, or natural gas, which often have similar, if not longer, payback periods.
It is reasonable to assume that the Keystone XL pipeline will require several years to recoup its $7 billion cost. Would it be fair to condemn it as a failure after a year of operation for only returning 28 percent of its investors’ funds?
Jonathan Wisbey
Arlington
Only anarchy can break Washington gridlock
Re: “Only an election can break Washington’s gridlock,” Nov 22
On my last visit to D.C. to speak at the National Press Club, I told Gen. Wesley Clarke that my opponent, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., voted against raising the debt ceiling and for the Bush tax cuts. I told him I would have voted the opposite.
“You’re progressive,” was his response. “Yes sir!” was mine.
We need grassroots democratic anarchy way before the voting booth. By then, it will be too late.
Scott Noren
Ithaca, N.Y.
Maryland fails to monitor health care facilities
Re: “Md. revokes 157 nursing certificates after investigation,” Nov. 20
An audit showed that more than 50 percent of Maryland assisted-living facilities and more than 75 percent of facilities for the disabled were not inspected during FY 2010.
The Maryland Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene has developed standards for abortuaries for the first time, but will there be anyoneto inspect them and make sure women are safe? Will it be the same employee who awarded a medical license to Dr. Leroy Carhart to do late-term abortions in Germantown over a year ago despite misstatements on his license application?
It is sad that with Maryland taxes so high, this is the kind of service we get.
Fran?ois L. Quinson
Gaithersburg
