Support those who support wind power

Early voting will begin in mid-October. Please do not give up on your right to learn about the thoughts and positions of our candidates.

If someone tells you it is more convenient to vote early, don't you wonder why? Beginning early in September our state senators and representatives will go back to Springfield for the annual veto session. What are your positions on the laws they will vote to change, ratify or allow to be dropped? What are their positions?

Rep. Ruth Munson and Tim Schmitz from the northern end of Kane County are co-sponsors of HB6660. Is this a good bill? Do you want it to become law? How does this affect your votes on the members of District 300 and District 301 school boards who are up for election soon?

Our main job as educated and involved citizens is to vote for candidates who will represent our positions. HB6660 is a bill that, if it were to become law, would give all school districts and other government entities that generate electricity from wind power beyond their needs to sell it back to the utilities on a dollar-for-dollar return.

Sounds reasonable doesn't it? The electric companies do not want this to happen. Right now our laws read: The electric companies will buy back the excess power at 20 cents on the dollar. With just that very restricted return, we cannot afford the costs of alternative turbine power.

State Sen. Noland helped get funding for Siemens Co. to start building wind turbine parts right here in Elgin. Now it is up to us; we need to make sure this bill becomes law.

Many federal and state lawmakers talk about alternative energy solutions to cut our fuel costs and lower our taxes. We are very lucky here in this area since we have very effective and forward-looking state legislators; Noland, Munson and Schmitz. The school boards of school districts 300 and 301 in this area are also leaders looking out for our environment and our taxpayers.

Ernie Ebner

Elgin