Letters to the editor for Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Lack of renewable energies isn’t Nevada’s only problem

About three years ago, Northern Nevada attempted to pipe in water from either Utah or Idaho. The pipeline route was squashed for both environmental and visual reasons, much the same as attempts made 30 years ago to develop the state’s renewable energies.

Next came Lyon County’s water connection to the Carson City water supply for the purpose of diluting Carson City’s arsenic-laden water, not uncommon in many Nevada counties. More recently, Carson City decided to bring in water from their aquifers in the greater Carson Valley. This involved a pipeline and a two million gallon water tank. More water for arsenic-laden water — and maybe the farming community.

Since water is a very precious resource, I question the decision to throw good water after bad water, when arsenic can be removed scientifically. Las Vegas was considering the scientific method before they decided to go after Utah’s water.

During this seemingly uneventful change in water supply, we have still been reminded of minimal snow conditions, little or no rain, global warming (climate change) dry river beds, and of course the summer water sports. Not adding renewable energies to the Nevada economy over the last three decades is bad enough without a water problem. Did the seven-year drought ending in 1994 present problems?

Ron Wood

Dayton