Dear HCN,
I
appreciated your coverage of the coalbed methane controversy in
your latest issue (HCN, 9/2/02: Backlash). However, despite your
usual dose of comprehensive analysis, I noticed one glaring absence
* where is Colorado Rep. Scott McInnis in all
this?
Given Mr. McInnis’ tireless advocacy for
local control (when it comes to forest policy), his zealous
antagonism to well-financed outsiders who overwhelm a process with
their litigious behavior (when it comes to environmental groups),
his gut-level distaste for federal bureaucracy and heavy-handed
government (when it come to environmental regulations), and his
homespun paternalism directed toward his salt-of-the-earth
constituents (when it comes to photo opportunities), I thought that
surely he would be taking the lead to help local communities slay
the litigious, outsider, well-financed, predatory carpetbagger
beast that is the coalbed methane extraction
industry.
So, where is he? It appears to me that
he has dodged this issue, and its uncomfortable ironies, quite well
so far. It is about time that the press and his constituents find
out where he stands, and when he plans to ride to their
rescue.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Where is McInnis?.
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