Thursday, June 12, 2003
Letter to the Editor
National Post
300 - 1450 Don Mills Road,
Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3R5
Re: Forgetting electricity?
Tom Adams ("Hydrogen: Running energy policy on hype") and Terence Corcoran ("Hot air economy") are highly sceptical and scornful of government initiatives to develop the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. Tom closes with "Someone should tell them that electrons are even more common than hydrogen atoms, yet nobody expects the availability of electrons to lead to limitless quantities of inexpensive power."
Someone should remind Tom that our entire electrical system, developed over the last two or three generations of human endeavour, depends completely on the availability of electrons. Tom's forgetfulness is typical of Canadians who take the near miracle of low cost energy and electricity for granted.
Perhaps we should give our politicians some credit for looking ahead to try and ensure future generations have the access to energy and electricity that has built our comfortable society. Alternative means of energy production and use will be needed in the long term as fossil fuel supplies are exhausted. Investment, particularly to the modest level associated with Canada's Kyoto plans, to encourage long term research and development is warranted even if the Kyoto incentive turns out to be a non-finisher.
Sincerely,
Duane Pendergast