8/2 Letters: Cooper’s signing of energy bill containing wind moratorium ‘step back’

Regarding “Cooper signs solar energy bill despite controversial wind project moratorium” (July 28): With Gov. Cooper’s signing of HB 589, North Carolina took a step back in terms of wind power. By signing, he has driven out proposed wind farm companies that were looking to take advantage of rural North Carolina. Although a huge step forward in solar energy, the moratorium pushes back against a renewable future.

North Carolina can’t focus solely on one form of renewable power to make an effective renewable system. It needs a multitude of options, including solar, wind and biomass to create an integrated, reliable grid. Economically speaking, renewable energy makes so much sense. It is an investment in the state’s future. While the military is an important economic source currently and it makes sense to protect it, there are numerous spaces in rural North Carolina that could house a wind farm and put money back into the local and state economy without affecting military bases. It is no wonder that the military bases generate more jobs and investments, because politicians aren’t constantly fighting against them. If people don’t put faith in renewable energy, there will be no opportunity for them to have the same economic benefits.

Consider public alternatives

Regarding “Public schools still standing tall for NC” (July 26) and “Fewer kids in NC are attending traditional public schools. What does that mean?” (July 20): Both items were missing an important factor for why parents choose an alternative to public schools for their children: It just works for them.

Lost in the debate over school choice in North Carolina are some of the real “rubber-meets-the-road” reasons why parents enroll in charter and private schools or choose to home-school their children. For many it comes down to factors that have nothing to do with the academic quality of one type of school versus another. These factors include uniforms, proximity, calendar, start time, and yes, there are some who desire to send their children to schools with selective and limited enrollment. As with anything new and expanding, there are always people willing to try something new in hopes that it will meet their needs better than what they have been using already.

The expanding school franchise in North Carolina is a very good example of that with the increased number of charter schools and public money being used to finance private school tuition. During this expansion of school choice, it’s important to make sure the overall money invested in traditional public schools expands as well, because it’s not appropriate to starve one child in favor of feeding another.

This story was originally published August 1, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "8/2 Letters: Cooper’s signing of energy bill containing wind moratorium ‘step back’."