ReaderWire ReaderWire (November 04, 2005)

Behind the sun

I think the Palo Alto staff proposal to locate a set of solar panels on the East Bayshore Utility Service Area is very reasonable. With skyrocketing gas prices, the economics of new rotating solar systems becomes attractive.

Solar cells produce electricity in the daytime, when commercial air-conditioning and electric demand is at its peak. The rotation devices help maintain maximum generation over many daylight hours. Since the recent large reduction of committed energy and capacity from the federal hydropower system, we must add new fossil generation or buy it from someone else.

I don't think the rotating "billboards" (solar panels) would have a significant environmental impact on the baylands; certainly far less than Highway 101. I admit I'm not a bird expert, but it seems to me that billboards rotating about 100 degrees in 12 hours would have a far less bird impact than 90-foot-diameter windmills rotating 360 degrees every two seconds.

Local solar generation also reduces the need for outside transmission with significant costs and environmental impacts.

I urge future council members that think of themselves as environmentalists to consider the environmental impacts of alternatives: either citing generation in other sensitive areas of Palo Alto or exporting more environmental impacts.

Past councils have taken the easy political road to export virtually all our impacts. I hope future councils can work with staff and the community in a logical and unemotional way that serves to protect not just the local community but also the region and globe.
Paul Grimsrud
Bibbits Drive, Palo Alto

Appalled by comments

I was "appalled" by Brad Steinhoff's letter condemning candle-light vigils that honor fallen soldiers ("Appalled at vigil," Weekly, Nov. 2). His skewed belief that holding vigils somehow makes the United States more susceptible to terror attacks displays not only a dishonor for lost lives, but a sign of cowardice as well.

There are fewer and fewer people who support the war in Iraq. The Bush administration sent our armed forces into that unfriendly terrain either as a result of flawed information, or in spite of it. But now those soldiers are there and it is our duty to support them.

Wake up Steinhoff -- terrorists are going to kill and intimidate regardless of whether we hold vigils or not. After all, 9/11 destroyed thousands of American lives well before any vigil was held.

So Steinhoff asks us to consider abandoning vigils that honor fallen friends. If we did so, we would be buckling to terrorist intimidations and disrespecting brave compatriots. No Mr. Steinhoff, I won't consider that.
Daniel Rand
Park Boulevard, Palo Alto

Too far to 'trample'

In response to Paula Elster ("Foothills value," Weekly, Nov. 2) who said that "Foothills Park is worth protecting. Hike on the trails and see for yourself," I can't hike and see for myself because I live three blocks on the wrong side of the creek.

And to Juri Vilms ("No 'elitist' decision," Weekly, Nov. 2) who said "it's just common sense" to "restrain ourselves (and others) from trampling over everything": Doesn't the current policy focus mostly on restraining "others"?

And if it helps any, I'm pretty sure that I don't trample too much more than the average Palo Altan.
Maria Kleczewska
Marmona Drive, Menlo Park

Scientific optimism

I appreciate rocket scientist Mike Macartney's optimistic approach to the vexing problem of global warming (Guest Opinion, Nov. 2). However, rather than relying on and waiting for our children "to reinvent and rebuild the entire world energy infrastructure," as he suggests, perhaps Mr. Macartney could join the fray and use his smart and clever mind to grapple with this potentially overwhelming issue now.

The rate of climate change may well be too quick and its results too catastrophic for such complacency. This may well be a problem that does take a rocket scientist to figure out.
Annie Belt
Bonita Avenue, San Jose

Wasteful election

The special election on Nov. 8 is a huge waste of money. Approximately $130 million in tax money down the drain.

All of these propositions could have waited for the normal election cycle. Let's send the governor and all future governors regardless of party affiliation a very clear message: no to all special elections.
Pat Markevitch
Emerson Street, Palo Alto

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