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Saving Energy, the Economy and the Environment
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The Aug. 13 editorial "Round Two?" recommended against Congress and President Bush providing a second economic stimulus package unless the measure is "targeted, timely and temporary" and would put money into the hands of people who are likely to spend it quickly.
If some reasonable percentage of a future package were to be in the form of vouchers that would allow people to purchase anything that would conserve energy, the government would finally make a serious and powerful statement about conservation while simultaneously enabling taxpayers to save money on energy bills and providing a vital stimulus to many different sectors of the economy.
For example, taxpayers might be issued vouchers they could use to replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent lamps in individual homes and businesses, to tune up their automobile engines, or to purchase weather stripping or thermal blankets for water heaters.
Allowing people to invest some portion of a rebate in energy conservation over a short period of time would promote healthy awareness of conservation and incentives to invest in it. If the vouchers were redeemable for a wide variety of energy-saving products or services, that could spur healthy competition among many sectors of the economy.
JAY LABOV
Vienna
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It's not only our leaders who must figure out how best to conserve energy and save our environment. It's up to us, too. I have been appalled at the long lines of cars I see in drive-through lanes at fast-food restaurants as well as at ice cream, donut and even coffee shops. Add up the amount of gasoline wasted and the amount of pollution swirling into the air from every car in every drive-thru every hour of every day all over our country.
There is an easy way to help conserve gas and make the environment a bit less polluted. Turn off the engine and walk in the business's front door. This wouldn't require much sacrifice. If we all did it, it would make a big difference.
CAROL NEWELL
Earlysville, Va.
