paying in advance for dam removal klamath mackintosh 052011

Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis
Upholding rural Americans' rights to grow food,
own property, and caretake our wildlife and natural resources.

http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x1292321801/Paying-in-advance-for-dam-removal

Paying in advance for dam removal

by Judy Mackintosh, Siskiyou Daily News Letter to the Editor May 19, 2011

Weed, Calif. — Even though the vote of the citizens of Siskiyou County was 80 percent against dam removal, the California Public Utilities Commission has granted PacifiCorp a 2-percent rate increase for the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River.

Essentially we will be paying for the removal in advance even though it has not yet been approved by federal authorities. And you can bet that we the ratepayers and taxpayers will also be paying for the replacement source of power.

Does it make sense to take out one of the cleanest and most economical sources of energy? And replace it with what? Coal-powered generation? It seems to me that a judgment for removal of the dams cannot be made without knowing what the replacement power source will be or what is will cost.

Was the pending rate increase covered in the local news? Where were the letters and emails to the CPUC letting them know how you feel? It is my guess that most of you did not know this was before the PUC for a decision.

Will the dam removal truly help the salmon? It cannot be proven that it will! Look what happened with the spotted owl. The timber industry has been virtually destroyed, the suction dredge mining has been halted, and our irrigation water rights are being threatened, putting our farms and ranches at risk. All of these issues are making it more and more difficult to make a living in Siskiyou County.

Google Agenda 21 to see the United Nation’s plan for our county. Conspiracy theory? Just take a closer look at what is happening in this part of our state.

For you environmentalists who approve of returning our county to a wilderness, unless you are one of the elite, our forests, rivers and recreational areas will be off limits to you, too! It is already happening with road closures to our public lands. Do you want to continue to live, work and play in our beautiful environment or do you want to live in a high-rise apartment in the city? Wake up, people!