Mary Ann Reynolds: Professors are right, we shouldnt be chained to dirty oil
Re “Keystone XL pipeline does nothing to help our region” (Opinions, Feb. 19): I so agree with the article written by professors Roger Bales and Roland Winton, faculty members at UC Merced’s School of Engineering. They described the Keystone XL pipeline project as representing America’s past, when Americans “were chained to fossil fuels.”
Congress continues to promote the Keystone project, claiming it will produce more jobs while ignoring the environmental danger and damage it can, and has, created. Just in the last six months there have been several train derailments carrying tar-sand oil from Canada through American states to coastal refineries for eventual export to other countries. This oil is not for American consumption, but to be sold overseas where oil companies can get a higher price. It’s all about greater profits.
Their article stressed the importance of looking to a future focused on the use of sustainable energy, decreasing our use of fossil fuels and shale gas and reducing our energy use. This is the way forward to increase jobs, ensure cleaner air and a healthier future for our children.
Mary Ann Reynolds, Merced
This story was originally published February 26, 2015 at 10:26 AM with the headline "Mary Ann Reynolds: Professors are right, we shouldnt be chained to dirty oil."