U.S. should help to take out Gadhafi now Re: “No-fly zoning Libya not as easy as it looks,” March 4
While I respect Jed Babbin’s opinion of the difficulty of enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya, there are compelling moral and practical reasons for doing just that. Even with our resources stretched thin in Afghanistan, we should try to make the final outcome in Libya the removal of Moammar Gadhafi, who never paid for the murder of 273 mostly American citizens in his bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
With our verbal support of the protesters and his megalomaniac mind set, if Gadhafi remains in power, we shall not only see an interruption of oil supplies but many repeats of Lockerbie. The current price for his removal may seem steep, but a much greater price will be paid if he stays.
Nelson Marans
Silver Spring
More emphasis needed on nuclear power
Re: “A road map for America’s energy future,” March 2
Rep. Devin Nunes is right about the need for the U.S. to exploit its nuclear power potential to help solve our future energy supply problems. A rough calculation comparing the energy output from nuclear vs. wind power shows the need for more emphasis on nuclear.
It would take roughly 388 miles of mountaintop destruction with windmills to produce the same amount of clean power as two reactors at one nuclear power plant. This is equivalent to saying that most of the Blue Ridge Parkway would have to be inundated with windmills to produce the same power as one nuclear plant tucked away in some valley.
William Burt
Arlington
Mega-projects do not have to be budget-busters
Re: “Virginia’s white elephant needs to be put down,” March 1
Barbara Hollingsworth errs significantly in placing the cost of Dulles Metrorail at $30 billion. Per her formula, a $400,000 Reston townhouse should be valued at $2.5 million by incorporating the cost of financing, utilities and maintenance over time. However, Hollingsworth is absolutely correct to spotlight cost. With a total project cost that may exceed $6 billion, no priority is more important.
Contrary to myth, large infrastructure projects are not predestined to be budget-busters. But staying on budget requires strategic foresight, careful planning and rigorous scheduling. Fostering positive relationships with local governments, communities, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders is a must.
Fortunately, our region is home to several on-budget success stories: the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and in-progress Intercounty Connector and 11th Street Bridge. The companies comprising Dulles Metrorail Connectors are proud to play leading roles in these projects, which are or soon will be improving the region’s mobility and quality of life, just as the Dulles Metrorail will in the near future.
Geoff Searle
Project director,
Dulles Metrorail Connectors
