We may not need those coal-fired electric plants if we follow Australia's lead. Recently Australia passed a law requiring that all the old, inefficient incandescent light bulbs be replaced with fluorescent bulbs by 2010.
Although these new bulbs cost more, they last six times as long and use one-fifth the electricity of the old bulbs, so they save money - and keep on saving in the long run.
If people and businesses in Clark County were to voluntarily change to fluorescent bulbs, electricity demand would be reduced and those smoky, smog-producing plants might not be needed.
Richard J. Mundy, Las Vegas
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