LTE to the Freep:

I read Russ Charron's recent letter to the editor (Air Guard solar project only adds to deficit, Oct 23), and was puzzled by his assertion that Major General Michael Dubie's $8.5 million renewable energy project is “more of a reason for our deficit than the rich not paying enough in taxes.”  According to the Congressional Budget Office, a proposed surtax on millionaires would reduce the deficit by $6 BILLION which, if my math is correct, is a few orders of magnitude greater than the cost of installing solar panels for the Air Guard.

What's more puzzling is Mr Charron ignores the budget-busting Iraq War that in addition to costing many thousands of lives has added over $800 billion to our deficit (trillions of dollars in overall economic costs notwithstanding).  The risk of expensive, deadly wars like this to protect energy resources is partly why the Defense Department, our largest energy consumer, wants to have 25% of its energy come from renewable sources by 2020.

Beyond cost savings, reduced carbon emissions, and spurring greater innovation, the military has realized that investing in renewables makes a great deal of sense both tactically and strategically.  Senator Sanders was right to laud this development, as the Guard's solar installation is a great step toward increased energy independence for our military and nation.  It might “feel good” to attack such pragmatic, sustainable projects, not to mention Bernie, but it just shows us who is really living in denial.

Todd Pritsky, Fletcher