Dear Editor,

Last week’s column by Don Brunell tries to address the challenges we share in providing adequate energy supplies but is a disservice to the aggressive efforts of Washington state citizens, businesses and elected officials in developing efficient lasting solutions.  By rewriting selected negative news reports on recent legislative decisions in Sweden and ignoring numerous other factors relevant to our very difficult energy choices, he feeds the often promoted attitude that industrialized countries must simply stop progressive policies or suffer chaos.  That is wrong on many levels.  Business and energy experts worldwide, including those in Sweden, acknowledge that we must act now to put into place energy policies based on science and new investments that will produce sufficient energy in coming decades. Brunell also throws in brief confusing references to China and electric car production that contribute nothing to a reader’s understanding of the world’s new dynamic mix of energy resources and ways to use them.   Yes, our situation is bewildering and, depending on what one chooses to know, terrifying.   The way we think about material resources, including energy, absolutely must change immediately.  There are excellent reasons for the well thought out strategies moving rapidly into place in Sweden and elsewhere and they are not derided as “spontaneous ideas” that Brunell falsely claims they are.  He somehow manages to dismiss the extraordinary track records of Nordic countries—Sweden, Norway and Finland, including Baltic nations—in furthering policies that are recognized as successful.  Are they perfect without risk?  Nobody gets perfect without risk any more.  His column illustrates the fear mongering that no change is best and is consistent with a certain economics philosophy that prefers de-regulation in government and a reduction in taxes, maximum private sector profits and diminished or elimination of investments in crucially needed public sector projects.  Our children are demanding changes that allow them to have a future and those changes need investments.  Our own parents and grandparents invested in our needs giving society the comforts and conveniences we enjoy. Don’t our children deserve smart strategic planning and implementation of that planning?  Let’s achieve even more, and even faster, than what is taking place in Sweden.  

Sincerely,

Terry Lawhead, Waitsburg