Mr. President:
The subject of this letter is to alert you to a situation concerning the unwise use and squandering of our electrical energy.
At your inauguration you mentioned we need to watch how we use our energy resources. You have the talent to speak to the many little people, the small voices and I feel you have inspired these people to stand behind you. We are using lowenergy bulbs, driving less and conserving energy in many small ways which will lead collectively toward your energy goals. These small people and small voices are going to make a major difference in our energy program.
I am now giving you an opportunity to listen and reply to our small voice and one relatively small issue on the National scale.
I direct your attention to Northern California and the town of Red Bluff on the Sacramento River. We have a dam we have been using for over 30 years to supply irrigation water to thousands of farms to grow hay and food.
This dam is unique from other dams because it has several large gates spanning the river, which when opened allow the free and unobstructed flow of the river. In addition there are fish ladders with viewing windows for people to view the fish as they pass through.
Salmon are the most popular fish here and to address their needs the gates are opened in the fall in September as they migrate upstream to spawn. In the spring after the young salmon run, the gates are closed to provide the needed irrigation water at very little cost and no consumption of electrical energy.
The high water level creates a wonderful water recreation area for the community with parks, beaches, boating, RV and etc.
Many businesses and people's jobs depend on this summer recreation. At low water, the river is too shallow, narrow, rocky and swift for these uses. In addition the annual Boat Drag Races are held here, and generate several million dollars for this community. This gives many businesses the boost they need to get them through the rest of the year.
The problem we now face is that the environmentalists and one environmental judge have ruled to remove this dam and install huge electric pumps in its place. The irrigation district has assured me the cost will be low because the electric company is going to sell them electrical power for mere pennies on the dollar.
This however is not the point.
As you can guess these pumps will consume millions of kilowatt hours of electrical energy to run. Our electrical grid here in Northern California can barely meet our needs as we have brown-outs during the summer when temperatures run between 100 and 112 degrees.
This electric power should be used for our homes and businesses instead. Also imagine how us homeowners and etc., feel when we have to pay full high rates for our electricity and the irrigation district only pays pennies.
The jobs created by installing these pumps and removing the dam will be short lived in comparison to the long term benefits the community now enjoys.
These pumps employ fish screens, but due to their high volume demands the screens can't be made small enough and millions of the smaller fish will be destroyed. We are now faced with loss of fish, loss of electrical energy, loss of jobs, loss of businesses, and loss of recreation which brings millions of dollars into the community. This I'm sure is not what you have convinced us you want to happen as it goes against what you campaigned for.
After you are successful in improving our energy situation, then maybe you can consider a project like this but I do not feel that we should consider it at this time.
I am asking you to look into this matter, however. I know you do not have the time to give it your individual attention. I do hope this letter crosses your desk and you do in fact read it. I would hope you could send a personal representative to Red Bluff to look into this situation because you could resolve it with the stroke of a pen.
All of our politicians and powers that be in California are well aware of this project and the town's objections, but all protests have fallen on deaf ears.
Please do not insult me by sending me your standard form letter saying great idea and we are looking into it.
Also do not further insult me by assigning Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer or Nancy Pelosi to look into it because it seems their hands are already in too many pockets as it is.
I want you to know that I did not vote for you, mainly because of your misguided views on gun legislation and the Second Amendment. However, now that you have been elected president I want you to know that you have my full support.
So here Mr. President is your opportunity to show the American people that you will listen to the small people and the small voices behind you and your success will be greatly enhanced. Give the nation this small example and America will respond.
Thank you for your time and concern.
Dave Rasmussen
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Dave Rasmussen lives in Corning.
Dave Rasmussen-Special to the DN
Updated: 03/04/2009 08:55:33 AM PST
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