Letters To The Editor

It is now Tuesday evening and I have already turned my Glades Power Park Research Paper in.  I have been sitting here trying to decompress but all I keep thinking about is the GPP proposal.  I still have a lot of questions as to why would an application be given to the state incomplete knowing they would have to redefine it and finish it before it can be approved.  Then, I had another though.  What if the pulverized coal was never in the cards?  I know this is going to sound like some conspiracy theory, but it was just a thought. 

            I am thinking as if I wanted to launch a new product.  My best release still has some flaws but I need to get it in circulation before regulation laws no longer permit such a product.  Once it is in circulation it becomes grandfathered in, so-to-speak.  As long as I can get my product approved before any regulations I will have created guaranteed sales for the life expectancy of my product. 

            To get approval or less resistance from the public I would need a strategy.  Let say a bargaining strategy.  An example being, when gas prices first started to raise everyone complained and it really made an impact.  Then prices came down a little and everyone was relieved.  Finally, for no apparent reason gas prices increased again and the general public cringed, yet did not seem to be as upset as before.   The consumer has been conditioned to except the higher price.

            Now, let my talk about "pulverized coal-worst of the worst" and "IGCC-better."  While both are coal-fired power plants and both pollute.  One maybe not as much as the other, but still they both pollute.  How could I condition the general public so I will have less resistance?  I would have to use negotiation techniques.  I would do this by presenting the worst of the worst, knowing I will have full resistance.  Then I would have to prove the need for my product.  I would go though each motion as if I meant to release this "worst of the worst."  All the while I would still need to impregnate the idea of a "better" product.  But, for negotiating reasons I would have to resist to the "better" product at this time. 

            When negotiation begins I will not have to mention my "better" product because most of the opposing side will have already heard of the "better" product.  They will even believe it will be their idea, and they will fully support it.  Therefore I will have succeed in the approval process, and have full support, through this strategy.  Everyone gets what they want, right?

            It is the marketing and business strategy when launching a new product to be accepted by consumers.  It is the power of persuasion and getting the activist to promote the "better" product.  If the activist is promoting the "better" of the two polluting products the consumer will be likely to except the "better" and will have already forgotten about the best!  

            Do not let this happen to you!  Demand the Best.  Never settle! 

Florida is the "sun shine state" lets use our resources wisely and not foolishly because someone was able to persuade you to settle.

Thank you for stopping by.  I trust you had a chance to read my research paper and if you haven't, make sure you do.  I welcome your comments or questions, just click on comments below and add your thoughts. 

I have really enjoyed the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people taking action and making a stand against "coal".  I am proud to be on your side (you know who you are)! 

NO-COAL at all! All coal is harmful to humans, wildlife, agriculture, and South Florida's tourism no matter how they word it, "Advanced technology", or "clean coal."  There is no such thing!

*One coal plant each year emits as much CO2 damage as cutting down 161 million trees. (Clean Sky Coalition)

'll talk to you soon,

Mary

As quoted from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) website, Governor Charlie Crist has made Everglades restoration a priority for the Fiscal Year 2007-08 budget by recommending $100 million for the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund, $50 million to the restoration of Lake Okeechobee, and $40 million to protect the health of the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.  In addition, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP), an $11 billion, state-federal partnership created to restore America's Everglades already exists.  Florida Power and Light's (FP&L) "highly qualified" consultants must have over looked this on-going project when applying for permission to build one of the nation's largest coal-fired power plants in the middle of the Everglades.

After being denied by Saint Lucie County, FP&L has set their sights in Glades and Hendry Counties.  Although, this plant has yet to be approved, FP&L's power plant consultants met with local and county residents to assure them there would be no ill effects from FP&L's coal-fired power plant and simply would not affect our Everglades.  Sound odd to you?  It sure does to me, as well as a lot of concerned residents that attended the public information meeting held Tuesday, February 20, 2007, in Glades County. 

Although, the meeting lasted over three hours, I left the meeting knowing no more than I did before the meeting.  All ten of the guest speakers seemed to be well qualified and their presentations full of technical information, not easily understood by the average concerned resident that attended.  During each presentation the threat of pollutants and the strain on our Everglades ecosystem restoration was completely avoided or dismissed as "insignificant," or, "such a small amount."

The power plant will use 26 million gallons of water per day, pulling mainly from the Upper Floridian Aquifer during the dry seasons,  creating a direct impact on neighboring wells, water flow that is essential to Florida's wetlands, agricultural and farm water needs, as well as CERP demands.  Does this sound "insignificant" to you?  Governor Crist's spending in the efforts of Everglades's restoration tells me he would not think these issues are insignificant either.  Do you?

Equally important is the list of toxins that FP&L's coal-fired power plant would emit into the air we breath: mercury, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide and dioxide.  All of these toxins were dismissed by FP&L's consultant, toxicologist Dr. Christopher Teaf, as "insignificant and in such a small amounts when compared to the toxins that already exist."  I though about it, what or who does it hurt to add more toxins to an environment that already has a statewide fish consumption advisory due to mercury.  Let's get real; being a part of the problem is not a solution. 

As I know everyone is anxious to read my research paper.  So I will not make you wait too long, as it is due on Monday 30^th 2007.  I will get it posted as soon as I can. 

Although I started this as just another assignment, the conclusion to my research has struck a deep and sensitive nerve.  As my writing class is coming to an end this issue still needs to be supported, thus I will continue to be closely involved with the efforts to STOP the so-called “advanced technologies coal plant”(there is no such thing) in the headwaters of our already endangered Everglades!  It is just another “Coal Plant”!  It still pollutes at a devastating rate!  No matter how anyone affiliated with this plant will tell you.  They tell half truths then expect you to believe them, just because they said so.  Plain facts of science DO NOT lie!

I have to go, I have a class. 

Investigate everything!! 

Leave nothing to assumption!!

Ask questions!! 

I’ll be back soon,

Mary