Alcester Union & Hudsonite Online - Opinion & Commentary


Moving Beyond Oil: Need Leadership One thing has been striking throughout discussions of proposed Hyperion oil refinery is that our leaders – city and county elected officials and our Governor - have endorsed the project. Yet, every day I read that the use of fossil fuels is out of favor (even as consumption is rising), alternative forms of energy are being developed, pollution from refineries increases carbon dioxide emissions responsible for heat producing greenhouse gases, and more. Many cities throughout the country and other government leaders, scientists and community organizations are starting to embrace environmentally responsible living and sustainable energy practices. Yet, South Dakota is entertaining the idea of building one of the largest and most toxic oil refineries in the country. These same leaders are encouraging the youth of South Dakota to stay and find jobs here. If you want to develop a community and keep youth and innovation alive, your leadership decisions should support economic development that is itself innovative. The proposed Hyperion oil refinery and energy production based on fossil fuels is not innovative or environmentally sustainable, and this is not the type of leadership decision upon which the future is built. Ushering in tomorrow’s energy practices will not happen by wish, a stroke of luck or by merely thinking about it. It will happen when our leaders put in place policies that support the energy sources of tomorrow. This is one time when we must look outside of our local communities to understand what the Hyperion oil refinery would mean to not just the area, but to the growth of sustainable energy production across the country. Leaders can choose to capitalize on the old hat, or they can truly be innovators. When JFK said that he wanted to put a man on the moon, industries rallied and new businesses were born. Businesses that developed many of the technologies used today. It has been said that we need the same type of leadership today to usher in a new era of energy sources and production. It requires ingenuity and vision to seek new possibilities for energy use. Leaders in many cities throughout the county are taking stands in tomorrow's energy sources and implementing change in their communities. Through the endorsement of the Hyperion oil refinery our leader appears to be willing to trade in the heart and soul of our state agriculture and family farm culture in Union County for a dying energy source that will lead to short-term economic development. When our ancestors settled in South Dakota they set out using innovative agricultural practices. My grandfather operated one of the first milking parlors in the state starting in 1964. What does that next generation of farmers have to look forward to when their land has been turned from pristine rolling hills into an industrial landscape? What would my grandfather think? Perhaps if Rounds and other leaders in our smaller towns want to keep more young people in state and develop local economy, they should consider rebuilding the family farm through the use of sustainable energy sources like wind and solar powered farms. For the rest of us: Be Progressive. Be your own leader. Vote NO for the Hyperion Oil Refinery. To join a community discussion on sustainable energy use visit: http://argusleader.com/blogs/smartenergy Kim Keiser Sioux Falls, SD Deliver us our America April 2008, Hillary Clinton finally shows us she has the faith of the nation to be our next president, however, Barack Obama is still building up great momentum to take hold of the vibrant pulse of our nation. They are bound to rip apart the democrat’s chance at the presidency right down the middle, or just a little to the left of middle. Will the Democratic Party fail to represent this great republic once again, giving the country four or eight more years of the same old experience? Are we about to see some of the same turmoil, and idealistic excitement the country experienced in 1968. Not since 1968 has this country experienced such a deep hunger for change. The question on our minds is who among our future leaders can give the country what we desire, and what we deserve? What will the next president do with NAFTA? Many critics of NAFTA say that it has never produced exactly what it was thought to. We have seen a down economy in the wake of the housing crisis. Our leaders seem to be pointing the proverbial finger at everyone besides themselves. What is to become of the gas prices? After five years we have accomplished much of the original objective, in Iraq. When does the war become too much of a sacrifice? Will the health care question (Insurance) ever find a workable solution, and what is to become of social security? . Do any of our leaders have a plan for the economy? I don’t believe the republicans will solve things by privatizing social security and cutting the gas tax, I do believe the problem has grown much larger. The desired change will come with Obama and Clinton, a political dream team. Together they can and will deliver us the age of idealism they promise. They could bring us 4, 8, hopefully 16 years of the right stuff. Whichever of the two gains the nomination the other must be the vice president. Let us be brave enough to urge a real change and not accept empty promises. Yes, we can and will get the right answer for social security, the economy, the health care question. The energy problem and the carbon emissions that are devastatingly effecting the environment can finally be given solutions. Alternatives to fuel problems and the high cost of food can be given the expert attention they deserve. We do not need, and should not waste precious time and resources with such items as who listens to their minister, and who can answer a phone call at 3am. These two can stop trying to create differences when there is work to be done. They can motivate the nation to once again do great things and accomplish what we can only imagine. This dream team can truly deliver us the stars, and make our dreams reality. Tobin DeBondt Sioux Falls, SD

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