Energy bill tackles concerns over pollution from biofuels

Regarding article, “Oil lobby looks to delay deadlines for new renewable fuels standard,” Feb. 13.) Biofuels are critical and necessary alternatives to environmentally hazardous fossil fuels. Concerning the frenzy over the recently released studies regarding biofuel cropland and its impact on greenhouse gases, it’s important to note that the energy bill of 2007 and its renewable fuel standard has specifically addressed these issues.

The bill, signed into law, sets lifecycle global warming pollution reduction standards for all new biofuels. The architects of the legislation anticipated hurdles and created mechanisms for addressing them. As far as delaying implementation of the 2009 usage levels, we will have plenty of production in the U.S. to easily meet those requirements. Many more studies have revealed the potential of biofuels, including a joint study released in January by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Nebraska indicating that greenhouse gas emissions from switchgrass-derived ethanol were 94 percent lower than emissions from gasoline.

While we must continue to research best practices and methods moving forward, it’s simply premature and foolish to write off biofuels and their potential to satisfy our nation’s energy, economic and environmental needs.

Bethesda, Md.

Backing Tidball in Arizona’s 8th

From Josh Hendrix

In response to Walter Alarkon’s article on the race for the Arizona 8th district (“Arizona GOP tones down rhetoric to challenge freshmen Democrats,” Feb. 12), I would like to point out that there is an independent choice for congressman, Derek Tidball. As a veteran of eight years in the United States Marine Corps, I easily identify with Mr. Tidball, as do many others in a district that includes a very strong military presence, both active-duty and separated or retired. Mr. Tidball’s strong stance on veterans’ affairs and immigration in a district that is one of the major border-crossing points in the country make him the choice for me. I appeal to you to not limit your articles to a two-person race when there are actually three candidates.

Tucson, Ariz.

Threat of more anti-Serbia policies

From Michael Pravica

I enjoyed reading Dick Morris’s column “Why Hillary will lose,” Feb. 13. Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton is much too much like her husband. Both seek power for the sake of being powerful and are without a true vision for how to steer this nation away from its current disastrous, train-wreck course. Hillary would merely continue her husband’s totally failed and irrational anti-Serbian foreign policy in the Balkans, which aided Sept. 11, the Madrid and London bombings and is now opening up Europe to Islamic terrorists vis-à-vis Kosovo.

Though I have severe reservations on Obama’s foreign policy visions, I am hopeful that he will be more rational and thoughtful in his actions and will serve as a catalyst for much-needed change in Washington.

Henderson, Nev.