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VIEWPOINTS & OPINIONS


 BIBLE VERSE

 "And He that sent me is with me:
 the Father hath not left me alone;
 for I do always those things that
 please Him." John 8:29


 *uuanntt t rmocrat
 MYRA C. REGAN Members of the Suwannee
 Publisher Democrat editorial board are Myra
 C. Regan, publisher, and Susan K.
 SUSAN K. LAMB Lamb, managing editor. Our
 Managing Editor View is formed by that board.


 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
 Dear Editor:
 A number of anti-environment members of
Congress are pushing hard to open our coasts
to oil and gas drilling. But have they consid-
ered the true price of drilling off our magnifi-
cent coasts?
 Their proposed "solution" to America's ener-
gy problems is ineffective, misguided and
short-sighted, not to mention that it will do
nothing to cure us of our "addiction" to oil.
Offshore drilling would only produce a few
months' worth of fuel that won't even be avail-
able for another seven years.
 The meager benefits of drilling are far out-
weighed by the costs and risks:
 1) Offshore drilling would produce huge,
amounts of mercury and other toxic pollution
that would threaten marine ecosystems and
endanger public health.
 2) Drilling would threaten dolphins, mana-
tees, sea turtles and other sensitive marine
wildlife.
 3) The risk is not just offshore-an oil spill
could contaminate Florida's beaches in as little
as 24 hours.
 There are faster, cheaper, cleaner and longer-
term solutions to meeting our energy needs in-
cluding increasing fuel efficiency standards,
and expanding our investment in wind and so-
lar power. Unlike coastal drilling, these solu-
tions would start saving families and business-
es money today and protect our coastal waters,
beaches, marine wildlife and economies. Con-
gress must learn to take the long view and con-
sider the true costs of its energy proposals.
Drilling off our coasts is simply not an accept-
able solution to America's energy problems.
 Amber Vann

 Rant and Rave

 hotline is open!
 Suwannee Countians, it's time to speak your
mind! How do you do that? By calling the brand
new Suwannee Democrat Rant and Rave hotline!
 Hate the way the county mows down the beauti-
ful flowers along Suwannee County roadsides in
the spring? Don't want anyone else moving to Your
county? Think zoning changes are a bit off? The city
charter should be changed? Think your county gov-
ernment .isn't doing its job? Are you fed up with
traffic, bad roads, decimation of the county's trees
for development, general discourtesy and zoning.
board decisions, both city and county? Now you
can let everyone know how you feel if you will be
respectful in how you express yourself and don't
use profanity.
 Callers to 208-8314 may express their thoughts,
good or bad, 24/7 about issues and politics, but not
about private individuals or businesses. If you pre-
fer, you may e-mail your comments to
susan.lamb@gaflnews.com. You may give your
name, or not, but please, only take 30 seconds or
less for your comments. Let us know what's bug-
ging you.
 During political years, like 2006, you may express
your opinion about candidates, using the same
rules above, but no political opinions will be print-
ed the last full week before election, which is Sept.
5 and Nov. 7 this year. Those comments would
need to be on the hotline no later than Aug. 23 for
the See
 Although it won't be printed in Rant and Rave,
you can also use the line to give the Democrat tips
on events happening in the area that just might be
"under wraps" and you think your hometown
newspaper should know about. Chances are we
may already know and are working on a story, but


we urge our readers to make sure we know by
telling us what you know. We'll check it out.
 The number is 208-8314. Call now! Call often!
Give your name if you like, but it's not required.

Please address letters to:
Letters To The Editor, Suwannee Democrat,
PO Box 370, Live Oak, FL 32064.
Please include your hame, full address and daytime
phone number. We ask this so we can varify your letter
and discuss any questions about it with you.


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GUEST COMMENTARY


 A balanced approach to
By Jeffrey Lyash
 Last month, Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law the
state's comprehensive plan for a diverse, reliable and
secure energy future for Florida. The Florida Renew-
able Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency Act
aims to ensure that our state takes a balanced ap-
proach to meeting the energy needs of our residents
over the next generation.
 Growth is part of our landscape in Florida. We see
its benefits and challenges every day. But while our
needs to expand roads and schools are often more vis-
ible, the need to plan and build electric facilities for
the future is just as critical fi even though it occurs
largely behind the scenes.
 Our state adds 1,000 new residents every day. Small
communities and cities alike are getting larger. Our
homes are also increasing in size-by more than 50 per-
cent, on average, since 1970. With more living space to
cool and heat, more electronics in our daily lives, and
more of us living and working here, we know our sys-
tem of generating and distributing electricity must
grow to keep pace.
 When our customers flip a light switch, they expect
the light to come on, with no "all circuits busy" mes-
sage or delay in response. Progress Energy is commit-
ted to ensuring that same level of electric system reli-
ability in the future. The solution is a balance of exist-
ing resources, strategic power purchases, evolving
technologies, increased energy efficiency and new
power plants.
 Energy efficiency remains critical
 Recently, the State of Florida approved Progress En-
ergy's plan to increase financial incentives for several
energy-efficiency programs we offer to our customers.
The goal is to attract new participants to the pro-
grams, and to continue to educate contractors and
builders on energy-efficient construction, because do-
ing so helps to manage energy resources now and in
the future.
 These-programs provide real benefits, not only in
reduced costs for our customers, but in delaying the
need for new power plants. Over the last 25 years, our
customers have saved more than $750 million in ener-
gy costs through participation in efficiency programs-
representing more than 10 billion kilowatt-hours of
electricity that did not have to be generated (roughly
equivalent to the city of Orlando's power use over two
years), and representing a significant reduction in en-
ergy-related emissions.
 Investing in renewables and technologies to power the
future


our state's energy future
 We continually seek cleaner, newer ways to pro-
 duce energy for our customers. We have partnered
 with the state and federal government and other com-
 panies and agencies in investing in hydrogen fuel-cell
 projects, as well as solar projects at schools, around
 the state and in other areas, including Florida's first
 hydrogen vehicle fueling station.
 We've signed a contract to purchase the energy gen-
 erated by a planned power plant in central Florida
 that will use a bamboo-like grass as its fuel source. Re-
 newable biomass generation projects such as this one
 can help reduce the need to burn other fuels, and they
 provide significant environmental benefits.
 Making the most of existing resources .
 Meanwhile, we continue to operate the most diverse
 mix of power plants in Florida in meeting the needs of
 1.6 million households and businesses. That diversity
 helps ensure a reliable, affordably priced supply of
 electricity even when fuel prices and supplies are
 volatile and makes us less reliant on foreign energy
 sources. And we're investing to ensure that the gener-
 ation of electricity from that mix of resources is ac-
 complished in an environmentally sound manner.
 Developing new sources of electricity
 We also know that even with an increased emphasis
 on energy efficiency and more investment in alterna-
 tive energy sources, we must plan and build new
 sources of electricity generation to meet Florida's
 needs.
 As previously announced, we're evaluating sites for
 new generation (including the possibility of both nu-
 clear and clean-coal plants). We're undertaking a
 comprehensive process fi one that will lead us to in-
 vestments that make the most sense for our customers
 and communities. Siting and building power plants,
 and the associated transmission, takes many years
 and involves many perspectives. Even though we
 won't make a final decision to proceed for some time,
 we need to act now to keep options viable for the fu-
 ture. We expect to name a potential nuclear plant site
 in the coming months.
 Together, we're working to create an environmen-
 tally responsible, balanced energy solution, so that the
 reliable and efficient electric system,that brings op-
 portunity, comfort and dependability today will con-
 tinue to energize our lives, our communities and our
 state in the future.
 Jeffrey Lyash is president and CEO of Progress Energy
 Florida, the St. Petersburg-based electric utility which
 serves 1.6 million homes and businesses in central and west
 coastal Florida.


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WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2006


0 SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK


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