Lakeland’s RICE engines are a waste
The waste of Lakeland’s new RICE engines
The Ledger recently published an excellent article titled “Higher bills loom for most Florida electric customers.” Obviously true, but it goes beyond what the author mentioned, specifically because of the commissioners in Lakeland.
They were looking forward to the commissioning of their big RICE project, and so was I, because at that point it will essentially be one of the most expensive kilowatt hours ever produced on Earth. Because the CEO at the time made a lot of promises that anyone who was a little informed knew were impossible to keep.
I discovered through public records requests that the promised runtime was not 3,000 hours per year, but half that, and Lakeland Electric has owned up.
Then Lakeland Electric shows up at a meeting and, surprise, the six useless things (RICE motors) also need 175 tons of anhydrous ammonia per year, at $800 per ton. So that’s about $50 million more than planned, so now another $140,000 per year, and don’t forget the maintenance.
At some point, Lakeland taxpayers will realize that they are being ripped off for the incompetence of these commissioners. If not now, then when?
Kevin Kayden, Bartow
Voice of the People (July 14, 2024): Presidential immunity ruling is a threat to America
When will we return to a safe republic?
Thanks to strong leadership from the President, we the American people survived the Great Depression, won World War II on two fronts with the loss of 291,557 American lives, the Korean War with 33,651 Americans killed, and the Vietnam War with 47,378 Americans killed.
Think also of the fireside chats with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the manned space program that put a man on the moon, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his civil rights movement.
When President Joe Biden took the oath of office to protect and defend against all enemies, did anyone anticipate open borders and flights into America with thousands of illegal immigrants, a $33 trillion national debt hardening many taxpaying retirees and working middle-class citizens, and an American security facing a third world war between China, Russia and North Korea?
The June 2024 presidential debate in America offered voters the opportunity to compare a socialist, bankrupt candidate with a candidate who stands for a capitalist, constitutional, free-market republic. All informed tax-paying citizens must vote for Donald J. Trump in 2024, who will secure our republic by ensuring a strong military superpower, balancing the federal budget, securing our national borders, allowing significant immigration growth, ending illegal immigration, and strengthening our capitalist, constitutional, free-market republic.
Walt Back, Lakeland
Voice of the People (July 7, 2024): Is this the best of our options?
What if the runner-up became vice president?
Following the assassination attempt on former President Trump, President Biden emphasized that we must work together as a nation and not just focus on our party affiliation.
I’ve been thinking about the impact of requiring the runner-up in a presidential election to become vice president. I think that could help our elected officials focus more on the issues, vote, and make their own decisions, rather than being forced to do things differently just because of their allies.
Not only would this require a minor change to the Constitution, but it would have little to no impact on the positions and offices currently held. This would simply update and realign our outdated, “personal interest-based” organs of government and help blur the lines between them and this country.
Byron Baker, Lake Wales
Voice of the People (30 June 2024): Vote for Florida’s right to privacy
Climate change and making it an everyday topic
I enjoyed the Ledger’s excellent July 6 article on “Extreme Heatwaves.” In addition to the positive actions it suggests, we should also be talking about climate change.
We are all aware of the unprecedented heatwaves, rising sea levels and increasing frequency of natural disasters and know that we must act. Yet meaningful conversations about this crisis are often avoided in everyday discourse.
Talking about climate change is important for several reasons. First, it raises awareness. We educate others, dispel myths, and create a more informed community. Second, these conversations can lead to actions like making your home more energy efficient, giving up meat one day a week, planting a tree, or joining a local environmental group and taking action together. And finally, normalizing discussions about climate change reduces the stigma and apathy that comes with it.
We need to make climate change a regular topic at our dinner tables, workplaces and community gatherings. By doing so, we will not only be fulfilling our responsibility to future generations, but also taking a decisive step towards a sustainable and resilient future. Let’s break the silence and make our voices heard for the planet we all share.
Katherine Sutherland, Winter Haven
Would you like to contribute?
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