We offer a cleaner, more rational energy choice

Regarding "Coal May Hold Solution to Gas Prices" (June 23): Baard Energy is building a plant in Wellsville, Ohio, which was referred to in the article. We will produce more than 50,000 barrels per day of ultra-clean fuels using biomass and coal. We wish to correct the statements by the environmental lobbyists and special-interest groups.

Contrary to their claims about this technology, Baard's coal and biomass to liquids (CBTL) plant uses modern technologies that capture over 90 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions to be used in neighboring oil fields and to produce even more domestic oil. Including emissions from coal extraction and CBTL production, there will be 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum-based fuels.

Sulfur emissions will be 80 percent lower than petroleum diesel. Other pollutants are significantly reduced: volatile organic compounds and particulates will be 15 percent lower; nitrous oxide emissions will be 20 percent lower. All other forms of emissions from the plant, including mercury, will be markedly less than emissions from electric utility plants.

Finally, comparing CBTL to hybrids is a false argument. While we agree with the idea of hybrids, our fuel is not focused on these applications. CBTL fuels are used in diesel and jet engines, which operate under rigorous conditions, over long distances moving people and freight by truck, rail and air. It is inconceivable that hybrids could be used for our military's tanks, planes and ships, much less locomotives, heavy construction and commercial airlines.

This will be a robust plant, which will be cost-competitive and inside the secure borders of the United States. These plants will be a cleaner, more rational alternative to sending our dollars to the Middle East.

STEVE DOPUCH
Vice President
Baard Energy, LLC
Mentor, Ohio

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Hybrids are the way

Thanks for shining a light on the coal industry's want of my tax dollars in the June 23 article "Coal May Hold Solution to Gas Prices." Liquid coal is being promoted as a cure-all to our nation's energy problems by Big Coal and its allies. Liquid coal is plagued with potential economic and environmental disaster from the time of the mining of the coal until the time the liquid is burned.

At a time when we need to be reducing our carbon emissions, coal represents the dirtiest, most expensive and most dangerous energy gamble we could take. There are real solutions that do not need the billion-dollar corporate welfare checks these folks are looking to the American people to hand them. We should look to the hybrid technology that already exists to power our vehicles, not throw more money at old polluting industries.

MICHAEL PASTORKOVICH
Oakland

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Lucid leadership

I am a Port Authority mechanic. Today, I begin my 16th year in this position. I came away prouder than ever of Local 85 President Pat McMahon after reading the criticisms of him in the June 19 letter penned by Ron Francis ("Strike Talk Too Late").

Mr. Francis asserts that Mr. McMahon is too compliant to the wishes of the Port Authority. Mr. McMahon is excoriated for giving up many of the gains the union has made over the years. We have surrendered many of the "perks" that were brought about in prior contracts. Retirees would be shocked by how far the system has changed in favor of management. Still, many of the changes do make the Port Authority more cost-effective. You see, our union members are also members of this Greater Pittsburgh community. We are reluctant to go backward in pay and benefits, but we also live here, shop here and raise our children alongside our neighbors.

The times have changed. Funds are limited; operating and health-care costs have risen astronomically. Many of the prominent local politicians have turned their backs on the working man. The situation is becoming dire. With this in mind, Pat McMahon is working hard to protect our interests. He is also proving he is not a hot-headed "greedy Ralph Kramden" as portrayed by AM talk radio.

Pat McMahon, while certainly not abandoning any right to strike in the future, should be congratulated for his lucid stewardship of our union, and our community, in these difficult times.

JOEL FEDER
Lawrenceville

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Nonprofit excess

The Midweek Perspectives piece by Amy Hart and Diana Bucco ("In Defense of Nonprofits," June 18) refers to nonprofits dedicated to public service that serve the public for free or for a small charge, but not all nonprofits are the same.

For example, UPMC serves those in need of health care, but the majority of patients are insured and payment to UPMC for its charges includes a profit. Thus, in 2007 UPMC had net income of about $618 million and was able to pay the executives millions of dollars and provide them with a private jet. UPMC is not a true nonprofit, but assuming UPMC gave back to the community $600 million, it would be. And part of that sum could be used to rebuild Schenley High School and thus serve the community.

If UPMC does not surrender its excess profits, it should lose its nonprofit status, and the same is true for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, which also has built a successful nonprofit at community expense without paying taxes.

RAYMOND G. HASLEY
Oakmont

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Beautiful building

In regard to "Schenley High School: A 'Green Building' Ahead of Its Time" by Vivian Loftness (The Next Page, June 15): How could any thinking person read that report and still not see the many reasons for investing in the future of this beautifully planned and constructed masterpiece?

These aren't the '50s and '60s -- we don't destroy now -- we conserve, when possible. Please, all invading hordes of vandals and barbarians, just leave the building.

AVA SHAUGHNESSY
Sewickley

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Rethink a sad lock

The June 21 Post-Gazette informed me of the Carnegie Museum's decision to close the door between its exhibits and the library ("Door Between Carnegie's Library and Museum Locked"). I am deeply saddened by this development.

There are few cultural experiences in Pittsburgh I've enjoyed more than spending a morning at the museums with my two children and then leading them through the "secret corridor" to the library for an afternoon of book exploration and reading. These establishments are a wonderful match, and the corridor through the Hall of Architecture is the perfect passageway to both experiences.

I suspect the city's founding philanthropists recognized this when they purposefully created the doorway 113 years ago. I hope the museums will reconsider this decision and find alternative ways to make the door more secure.

AMY A. MEYER
O'Hara

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Clever headline

I couldn't let the June 16 front page go by without complimenting whoever came up with the headline for the story about the Rocco Mediate/Tiger Woods U.S. Open golf championship game on June 15.

"A Father's Day Tie"! Now isn't that the perfect headline? It brought smiles to many faces and admiration for whoever had that whimsical inspiration.

Thanks, thanks, thanks!

BETTY HAUGHIN
Zelienople

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Hillary's hardship?

It was widely reported by the media early in the Democratic primary race that the Clintons had earned $109 million since 2001. I find it absurd that Hillary Clinton is now asking the working man/woman to pay off her campaign debt when she is a millionaire.

It seems to me that it was Hillary herself who prolonged the race. Anyone who would send a dollar to a multimillionaire to pay off her debt must be insane.

JEFFERY J. JACKSON
Ohio Township

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If Paris can bring in the beach, so can we

The June 19 story about the Mon Wharf riverfront plans ("Mon Wharf Trail Work Set for September," June 19) spurred me to propose an idea: Proud Pittsburghers often quip that "we have everything here but the beach." Well, let's just do like they do for a month every summer in Paris along the Seine and bring the beach to Pittsburgh.

At Paris Plage, they bring in tons of sand to stretches along the River Seine, plus beach chairs, vendors (new small-business generator) and entertainment. The place is packed with people -- sunning, fishing, kayaking. The beaches are free. There's no swimming in the river, but no one seems to mind.

For Pittsburgh, our river water quality is up, we have miles of riverbanks that could certainly use a boost and the novelty of a Downtown beach would guarantee positive attention, and interest, in Pittsburgh as a progressive city with European flair. Money is always an issue, but how much could clean sand cost?

If every Pittsburgher who goes to Ocean City or Nags Head comes back with a pocketful, we'll have "Pittsburgh Beach" ready in no time. See yinz at the shore.

PATRICK McMAHON
McCandless

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