Letters to the editor: Minidoka, electric vehicles, e-bikes
Minidoka
I write to support Friends of Minidoka’s request that the Bureau of Land Management delay the environmental impact statement process regarding installation of 400 wind turbines on Lava Ridge adjacent to Minidoka National Monument. This historic site commemorates an event in our country’s history that must never be repeated.
During World War II, our government incarcerated 120,000 U.S. citizens and residents of Japanese ancestry, forcibly relocating them to concentration camps in remote, desolate areas of our country. This action was taken based on their race and nationality. To visit Minidoka presently, one understands what it means to be removed from one’s home and placed in a guarded, unfamiliar, harsh environment. Installing 720-foot wind turbines around this site will completely alter the experience of the loss and isolation of their ordeal, disrespecting the survivors and their communities.
It is imperative to pause the process, updating the management resource plan to consider all of the communities impacted by the installation of these wind turbines. We need clean energy. And we need to generate it with respect, understanding and honor.
Thomas E. Neale, Boise
Electric vehicles
One good way to handicap the world’s population and put them all under a world order dictatorship is to take away their ability to be mobile. Those in power positions and green do-gooders are all for it. Get rid of gasoline-powered cars. That will solve everything! What will they replace the evil cars with? A dismal, ill-planned and ill-developed dream of electric cars being shoved down our throats. We’ll have giant cemeteries of dead electric car batteries, stored where, how? Buried? Sealed in steel boxes? “They” refuse to answer. What about tires? Electric cars use them. Few people can afford electric cars and the upkeep is terrible. The ratio between operation and charging times is awful. During all this uproar about evil gasoline powered cars, I haven’t heard anything about developing electric airplanes and jet liners. What about buses, 18 wheelers, ships and pleasure boats? Air travel is too convenient and people love their pleasure crafts — they’re safe. Those in power know what will happen — the domino collapse of many industries — not only the auto — travel, farming, trucking, medical, fire and police response. Much more is at stake here than just banning evil gas cars.
Leah Shaw, Boise
E-bike rules
Regarding e-bike rules in Boise, I strongly disagree with the fact that Class 3 e-bikes are forbidden on the Greenbelt. I am a 74-year-old retiree who has a Class 3 e-bike that can go up to 28 mph, when one is pedaling like crazy and full throttle. But I do not ride like that at all. I cruise while pedaling between 10 -20 mph, which is plenty fast enough for me, and then only when safe to do so. Most times I am on the slow side. I am also considerate of other bikers and walkers, slow down when approaching and announce “on the left” when passing. Just because an e-bike can go fast does not mean everyone will do so. I have an auto that will do 130 mph, but I certainly do not drive that fast. I have been passed by regular bikes going faster than me. Most others riding e-bikes appear to be responsible, too. Punish those who ride rudely or dangerously, not everyone who seeks to have some exercise and fun in their retirement. Even old geezers wish to have a fun experience on the Greenbelt. Please do not take that away from us!
Bill Burns, Boise