Dear Editor,

Kathy Hall’s Aug. 31 Letter to the editor is a grand testimony to the need of seeking alternative energy sources. She said “demand for natural gas is expected to increase 50 percent in next 10 years” and “that means more out of your wallet for basics like electricity and heat. It means higher costs for manufacturers, who pass those costs on to you. It means more imported energy from foreign countries.” I believe she is correct if we continue the path we are on.

For those of you not aware, Ms. Hall’s professed years of political experience along with her current position at Western Slope Chapter of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) may help explain her biased position. (From whence the bread is buttered.)

She sees a struggle caused by overly restrictive regulations and overly zealous environmental groups. I see it as concerned taxpayers, property owners, and just ordinary folks wanting to leave something better for their family.

She said natural gas production is a nearly $3 billion business in Colorado, employing over 11,000 people with a payroll of nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars.

There are many thousands more equally honest and upstanding people employed by various law enforcement agencies, military, Homeland Security, medical profession, mortuaries, wrecker drivers, prison construction and maintenance, etc., that function in part due to the business of crime. The list is almost ad infinitum. However, the general public is not advocating crime as a desirable business, either.

Garland Anderson

Grass Mesa