Examine all sides of energy project

Like a financial balance sheet, the proposed Rock Island Clean Line project has negative attributes along with positive benefits. Those who will benefit from the project tout its positive aspects and often downplay and/or ignore and fail to address the detrimental effects. Those who will be negatively impacted by the project address the project's flaws and harmful consequences while minimizing the benefits.

As individuals, it is imperative that we do research on this issue to reach an unbiased and educated position. We should not rely on politicians, media and single sources of research or RICL for factual, impartial information.

In this information age, with access to tremendous amounts of research at our fingertips, we can educate ourselves and intelligently take a stand. To blindly say yes to this “green energy” project, is to ignore political and monetary influences that make it appear the “global warming” savior it is not. To blindly say no to this high-voltage, direct-current merchant transmission line is to not consider alternatives to the current energy grid in the United States.

It is our responsibility to educate ourselves. It is our responsibility to not assume information presented by the media, politicians and corporations is always fact, true and/or the truth.

Karen Rohlf

Bennett