MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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September 17, 2012

We must sacrifice for clean air

— Improving our way of life will require some sacrifice on behalf of future generations.

A poll sponsored by the Sierra Club shows Oklahomans overwhelmingly in favor of cleaner energy options.

“Across the nation support for clean energy is high, but in Oklahoma, nearly eight out of 10 voters support expanding use of clean energy resources like wind and solar,” said Grace McRae, a polling and research strategist with the Sierra Club.

We have no doubt people will answer they are in favor of cleaner energy leading to cleaner air.

That’s like asking someone if they are in favor of ice cream.

Who’s not in favor of ice cream?

An OG&E spokesman said the company has given customers the chance to sign up for a wind-energy billing option.

The option would cost more.

The spokesman said only about 1.5 percent of OG&E customers have signed up for the option.

We want cleaner air, but not everyone is in favor of paying for it.

That’s where we have to make sacrifices for future generations.

Energy companies are not just going to foot the entire bill for retrofitting coal-fired plants or adding scrubbers.

The consumer will pay for part of that change.

 We have to be willing to put at least some of our money where our polls are if we want cleaner air to come to fruition.

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