Letter: War on coal is the market itself

Re: the Feb. 17 article “Tucson water users could see some relief"

The recent Star article exposes the lie that the Obama administration conducted a so called "war on coal." As the article points out, natural gas prices have fallen so much due to production from fracking that coal generated electricity is now much more expensive. This has led many utilities to convert existing plants to natural gas fired operations with gas usage now up by over 30 percent since 2010.

While it is true that Obama era regulations encouraged the usage of natural gas vs. coal, these regulations are justified from an environmental standpoint. Coal is a filthy energy source when compared to natural gas, solar, wind and nuclear power. Besides spewing metals like mercury into the air when coal is burned you also have fly ash and slag disposal problems to contend with.

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The market itself is justifiably conducting the war on coal. People from both political parties concerned about their own personal health and wellbeing of the environment should be applauding.

Todd Smyth

Vail