The Public Utilities Commission ordered an action plan from Minnesota Power so the utility could start planning now to replace old coal-fired power plants. But Minnesota Power would like to submit another plan over a year after the plan was supposed to be completed in 2013 ("Minnesota Power: Go slow on old coal," June 19).
Do the utilities get to call the shots now? While the utility "studies" (read: makes more profits off old plants), Minnesota residents' health suffers. Unsafe levels of mercury spew out of these plants and endanger pregnant women and children. Carbon dioxide contributes to global climate change. Think about all the temperature records that have been broken this summer. Think about drought, water shortages and fires.
At a recent Environmental Protection Agency hearing about clean air standards in Chicago, a group of about 20 people showed up wearing T-shirts that stated, "America Counts on Coal." They were paid $50 to wear the shirts.
The public doesn't need to count on coal. We need to demand clean-energy alternatives and let the PUC and Minnesota Power know that we care about the health of our children. We shouldn't have to wait while they delay progress with more "study."
Ann Galbraith Miller
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Duluth
