New transmission lines are just another way to steal natural resources from low-population states (HCN, 11/14/11, “A transmission transformation”). The residents of these states have to live with the infrastructure required to create and transmit energy — whether it’s generated by coal, solar or wind – but we only see the returns during the initial construction and when minor maintenance is required for the unsightly infrastructure. We need wind, solar and water severance taxes like we have on coal in Montana. Why should we give away our resources and scenery without ongoing returns?
Dan Olsen
Butte, Montana
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline The trouble with transmission.
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