CARTHAGE, Mo. —
With our economy still fragile, the last thing Americans want to see is further destabilization, with the cost of living rising even more. But that’s what the Obama administration’s Environmental Protection Agency promises over the next four years as it pursues a mandate to end coal use for electricity generation.
America’s most abundant, reliable and cost-efficient energy source, coal, has helped fuel our economy for decades. How can you suddenly declare coal unacceptable in the name of “environmental quality?” Americans support cleaner air but also know that, in the short term, economic stability must be our first priority.
Here in Missouri, 82 percent of electricity is coal-generated. Today’s technology has drastically cut pollution from coal-fired power plants, splashing some cold water on the EPA’s contention that coal is “too dirty.”
Ignoring the facts, the EPA’s latest clean air regulations would shut down many coal-fired power generators — forcing a shift to natural gas and newer, unproven sources such as wind and solar power.
The EPA and the Obama administration should listen to Americans’ concerns and support more American energy. I can tell you that after many years in public life, such behavior is an invitation to disaster for people who have been elected to represent the people’s will.
Tom Flanigan
Carthage
State representative
Opinion
Your View: Invitation to disaster
- Opinion
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Our View: Absent from House
We can’t figure out why two Missouri legislators think they should be elected to the U.S. House when it appears they can’t seem to show up to take care of business in the Missouri House.
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Your View: Terrorism is terrorism
In the May 13 issue of The Joplin Globe there was an Associated Press article concerning the New Orleans shooting.
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Your View: Should we be outraged?
Were there effusive apologies following the lockdown of Boston as most of the continent indulged vicariously in the ongoing manhunt?
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Your View: Terrible injustice
I see this Jasper County nuisance law as a terrible injustice on the rights of the residents of Jasper County.
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Other Views: Conflicts in SEC
Money talks. In the continuing dispute over the all-too-cozy relationship between the people who create and sell financial products and the people who rate their risk, the money says: Shut up and let us do what we want.
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Phill Brooks, columnist: Missouri Senate did what Founding Fathers had in mind
George Washington once described the Senate as being like a saucer in which you pour coffee or tea.
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Our View: Fixing failure
Some 1,200 injured workers will finally get the payments they are owed. In its final week in session, Missouri’s General Assembly, through bipartisan efforts, passed a solution to address the insolvency of the state’s Second Injury Fund.
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Herb B. Kuhn, guest columnist: Delaying Medicaid reform could hurt rural Missouri
The Missouri Legislature missed a rare opportunity in the just-ended session to transform Medicaid and make a real difference in the lives and health of hundreds of thousands of our neighbors. Rural Missouri has the most to lose from the legislature’s failure to act.
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Kevin Wilson, guest columnist: When fear wins out, so do the terrorists
I’m going to make a bold statement that’s sure to draw a lot of comments, but hear me out before reaching for the keyboard to type a rebuttal.
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Marta Mossburg, columnist: Maybe government is tyrannical after all
Less than two weeks ago President Obama stood in front of graduates from The Ohio State University and told them to reject those who warn of government tyranny.
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