LETTERS: Pipeline: Let's Focus on Viable Alternatives

Dear Editor:

The Stoddarts' comments as usual were spot on (see letters to the editor, June 27). As to the relative safety of nuclear power I would add that not only have there been no deaths from nuclear power plant accidents in the U.S but that there have been none either from the Fukushima disaster.

In contrast consider the mortality of coal, which is our main source of power (electricity); thousands per year die of chronic lung disease caused or exacerbated by burning coal and internationally thousands die in the mining process, (35 per year in the U.S.). Like natural gas, nuclear power contributes to our energy independence, eliminating the need for foreign military intervention to secure our oil lifeline.

Energy independence also improves our balance of payments which supports the value of the dollar and is an offset to inflation. That said, the quickest, cheapest approach is to decrease the need for more energy in the first place with energy conservation, i.e. smaller cars and houses, etc. 

As to towns' efforts to prevent the pipeline from traversing Pepperell/Groton, we should focus on the viable alternative, namely an alternate route.

Richard Staub, M.D.

Orchard Lane