1/19 Letters: Coal ash clean up is great but Duke Energy must pay, not its customers

Coal ash clean up

I was elated to learn of the Southern Environmental Law Center reaching an agreement with Duke Energy and the DEQ to excavate around 80 million tons of toxic coal ash. This is a historic clean up of coal ash lagoons in the Carolinas and will make cleaner water and safer communities across the region.

It is a victory, but the struggle continues. Duke needs to pay for the cleanup and is therefore seeking rate hikes. Duke’s consumers had nothing to do with producing the dirty energy and should not be held accountable to pay for its removal. This is not solely an issue of environmental safety but of social justice and corporate responsibility.

Natalie Boatner, Raleigh

Impartial jurors

Regarding “I support Tillis,” (Jan. 17 Forum):

If the Forum writer who supports Sen. Thom Tillis were on trial would he find a juror who had publicly proclaimed him guilty prior to the proceedings an acceptable juror? I doubt it.

Donald Trull, Sanford

Trump did his job

The president has done nothing wrong. He asked the president of Ukraine to do us a favor and look into corruption. He didn’t try to hide anything. He released the transcripts.

Defending himself is not obstruction of Congress. He is also defending the accepted principle of executive privilege utilized by all presidents.

Vincent M. DiSandro, Hillsborough

Allow witnesses

As the impeachment trial begins, the Senate should call all relevant witnesses and allow new evidence to be submitted. The American people deserve to know exactly what transpired.

Enough of party politics. If there is no conclusive proof that Trump is guilty, he should be exonerated. If guilty, he should be removed from office.

This would seem to be a win-win for Republicans. Mike Pence would become president. Trump supporters would still vote Republican, and senators and others would regain autonomy to conduct business without threat of retaliation from a vindictive Trump.

The separation of powers would be restored and Republicans would recoup a certain amount of integrity for acting in the best interest of their country and their constituents. The “Party of Trump” could again be known as the Grand Old Party of the republic.

Let our conscience be our guide, as history will be our judge.

Ken Morgan, Chapel Hill

Unfair rules

During the House impeachment process, Democrats did not allow Republicans to call all the witnesses they wanted. Now in the Senate trial, the Democrats demand they be allowed to present their witnesses. So it seems Democrats can do what they want, however unfair it may be, but Republicans must be held to the highest standards of fairness if it serves the interests of the Democrats.

Bob Jenkins, Fuquay Varina

Eastern NC

While reading Slow Burn, two thoughts came to mind: 1. The wood pellet industry would not have located in the Triangle. 2. We have much to learn about renewable energy and carbon sequestration, and must learn fast.

Perhaps we need another big, bold project in North Carolina, one that will transform eastern N.C. from a destination for industries that pollute to a destination for companies that develop the technologies we need to save our planet.

Just like we did over 60 years ago with the creation of Research Triangle Park, we can bring together political, academic, and industry leaders to create a Climate Change Research Park in eastern North Carolina. With plenty of sun, wind, forests, and land, it is the perfect location.

We did it 60 years ago with the creation of Research Triangle Park. We can do it again.

Karen Lauterbach, Chapel Hill

Expanding Medicaid

With the vast majority of states having already implemented Medicaid expansion and others doing so each year it appears that North Carolina may soon need a new license plate motto: First in Flight and Last in Medicaid.

Thomas McKee, Cary

Better together

Many black and white people live mostly in separate worlds. They interact only in the necessary spaces — work, restaurants, stores — but not in each other’s homes, as friends. The divide makes prejudice and ignorance toward other cultures inevitable.

We have formed a group to bring blacks and whites together for meaningful discussions and social activities. We tell our stories of personal struggles and relate them without anger, defensiveness or argument; we try to listen to each other. We socialize as a group at a party, dinner, restaurant and other venues. We pair off and get to know a new friend from the other culture.

We call our group “Better Together 4NC” and after two years and 35 meetings and social interactions, we are “better together.” It’s a small beginning in numbers, but for each participant it’s large. Each of us has learned much by crossing the divide.

Melvin Lee and

James Ward, Raleigh