Letters to the editor for April 26
McChord International Airport?
Puget Sound area passenger and freight air traffic is projected to double by 2050, and even with future expansions at Sea-Tac and Paine Field, there will not be enough capacity in the region without a new airport.
The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission’s most recent report did not consider a joint-use airport at McChord Air Force Base. Perhaps the commission could study the joint-use Charleston (South Carolina) International Airport which shares runways and services with Charleston AFB. This might provide a model for how McChord AFB could be adapted to serve as a joint-use airport.
A quick look at Google Maps shows that the east side of the existing runway at McChord is mostly empty land which might be available for passenger and freight terminals. With easy access to existing freeways (I-5 and WA-512), a passenger airport at McChord could easily serve passengers arriving from locations across Pierce and Thurston counties. There’s even an opportunity to build a short link to the Sound Transit rail station in Lakewood just across I-5 from McChord.
Perhaps the U.S. Air Force could help the Puget Sound region avoid a messy fight about the location of a future greenfield airport by sharing their perfectly located existing runway?
Jeff Roberts, Seattle
Responsible siting of clean energy projects
As we see an influx of clean energy proposals such as wind and solar throughout Washington state, it is more important than ever that we have a well-coordinated process in place to ensure that these projects are developed and sited responsibly. Otherwise, these projects could have significant negative impacts on wildlife, cultural resources, and the health and well-being of local communities.
House Bill 1216, which has been sent to Gov. Inslee, is essential to achieving these goals and reaching 100% clean energy in Washington, while also protecting our natural resources and rural communities. On behalf of the Black Hills Audubon Society, I want to extend our gratitude to Rep. Beth Doglio (D-Olympia) for her leadership in advancing this critical piece of legislation, and to the prime sponsor, Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle).
HB 1216 will set up an interagency clean energy siting coordinating council to improve siting and permitting of clean energy projects. The legislation also includes “community benefits agreements,” which encourage local and tribal governments to play a proactive role in the responsible siting of clean energy projects, while protecting environmental concerns and overburdened communities.
We believe policies like this will be essential to achieving our goal of reaching 100% clean electricity while also protecting our natural resources. We appreciate all who have helped advance this important piece of legislation.
Sam Merrill, Olympia
It is long past time for Congress to act on this injustice
Our disabled veterans are grossly undercompensated. This travesty of justice is causing enlistments to dry up.
In FY2023, a totally disabled veteran with no dependents is compensated at the ridiculous rate of $43,463 annually. The National Average Wage Index for 2021 was $60,575 per annum and the median income for 2021 was $70,784. The per capita GDP in 2021 was $69,288, among the highest in the world. Huh?!
They have been asking various Administrations and Congresses for fair compensation since the end of World War I in 1918. That was 104 years ago!
In my opinion, the basic reason for their gross under compensation is because they are only compensated for projected loss of wages due to their disabilities. They are not compensated for their low quality of life, which is the norm in personal injury cases in court. This is obvious to our young people. They are not interested in accepting the possibility of a lifetime of near poverty should they get injured in the armed forces, just so our wealthy Elites can evade proper and fair taxation.
Our youth are aware that the people that had their assets and overseas business interests protected the most by our now-broken former troops pay essentially nothing to support them in their brokenness. Be warned!
Congress must correct this injustice now!
Ernest Witham, Lacey
