Readers write: Letters to the editor, November 27, 2017

Alaska should follow U.K. lead on converting to hydrogen

Natural gas is on its way into history. We have learned how to use a new fuel that does not contaminate our planet, that is three times more powerful than oil and gas, that is at least eight times lighter, and that is infinitely renewable. Emily Gosden in The Telegraph on July 11, 2016, reported that cities across U.K. could be converted to run on hydrogen instead of natural gas, under a £50 billion proposal with Northern Gas Networks (NGN), which runs distribution networks in England. The Telegraph revealed that NGN was working on proposals replacing natural gas currently used for heating and cooking with hydrogen within as little as a decade.

A future, clean, hydrogen economy would return Alaska to a much more pristine condition, which is critical for our tourism and fishing industries. Our people would be able to make their own clean fuel from sunlight and wind, and waste water! If we begin studying and preparing for it, like U.K. is, we may profit from it, too.

— Daniel N. Russell, Anchorage

Crocs beginning to swarm around ANWR Coastal Plain

I notice the crocs are beginning to swarm. As the swamp waters become more rank, Congressional Republicans are on the attack again to try to drill the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

As a 57-year Alaskan who has hiked in the Arctic refuge more than 20 times, I wonder how many of those politicians have visited that surreal wilderness of unsurpassed beauty for more than a flyover during the worst weather? If they had, they might realize how important the coastal plain is. And they might change their mind about drilling the coastal plain, thereby making it part of the ugly, 1,000-square-mile complex of heavily polluted industrial infrastructure of Prudhoe Bay and other oil operations there.

And attaching it to a budget bill is just about the most craven way they could accomplish their misguided agenda. Further, they are doing this when Earth is experiencing the hottest average annual temperatures in recorded history due to the highest levels of CO2 in 800,000 years.

I can only conclude that they are not only craven; they have completely abdicated their moral duty to leave the Earth a healthier place than they found it!

— Frank Keim, Fairbanks

In assembly's wisdom, tax savings erased at the pump

Saying I was not going to write letters to the editor sure didn't last long. … I think when God was handing out brains the Anchorage Assembly thought he said trains and yes, they sure got on board with fleecing the Anchorage citizens. The $.10 per gallon fuel tax in order to save us $138 on our property tax is laughable! As an owner operator I drive my own commercial truck, and with the amount of fuel I burned this year I will spend about $900 for your $.10 a gallon tax. Hmm … $900 spent for fuel tax … $138 property tax relief from the municipality? I sure appreciate you lowering my property taxes. (NOT!). This year did happen to be a year for modest fuel consumption for me, but I'm sure there are other truckers out there who have spent a lot more than I did.

In addition to this, the thousands of drivers who are coming in from the Valley are now purchasing their fuel in Palmer or Wasilla, so even with my tiny brain, I see a lot of revenue being lost for Anchorage, but I see Palmer and Wasilla's economy getting a boost, which is good for them. You can keep your $138 property tax relief.

And conductor, please, make sure the Anchorage Assembly gets off at the next stop!

— Rolf L Bilet, Anchorage

Let Murkowski know what you think about tax tradeoff

It's OK if you and I get a small temporary tax cut and millions of people lose health insurance, because rich people and corporations need big tax breaks, right? Let Lisa Murkowski know what you think (murkowski.senate.gov/contact).

— Rick Wicks, Anchorage

Loyal reader likes daily news, but wants Saturday paper back

I have never written a letter (I don't have email) to a newspaper. I am now a subscriber to your paper, no regrets.

The new look of the "Anchorage Daily News" is more encouraging than anything else. I have been reading newspapers since 1953 with the Houston Chronicle. I was 10 years old. I hope one of your future changes down the road is to bring back the Saturday edition, as it is missed. Even one section would be great. For a downsized paper it does pack a lot of news. Also, I hope you keep the weather, with yesterday's temperatures, especially in Alaska, the same.

Again, I look forward to your paper every day, and keep up the good work. I will always remain a loyal reader and subscriber.

— Sheldon Combs, Wasilla

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@adn.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@adn.com.