State legislators who object to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s bold participation in the Western Climate Initiative are in error in supposing that Utah business will be throttled by shifting the energy playing field to renewables, efficiency and conservation, thereby weaning carbon fuels industries from their decades of enormous subsidies. Utah is as rich in sun, wind and technological intelligence as it is in fossil carbon, if not more so. Utah has been poor in leadership and vision, however.

Like ethanol, oil shale is a losing proposition, energy-wise, financially and environmentally. It is nothing more than a way to transfer energy and money from one place to another while destroying landscapes, communities and economies in the process through boom towns and enduring environmental and social "legacy" wastelands.

Opportunity knocks. Utah must answer intelligently, cognizant of new possibilities, old problems and future challenges.

Ivan Weber

Salt Lake City