Editor:

This letter is in reply to Michael Fry’s Nov. 5 commentary, "Wind power threatens future of sage grouse."

We realize the article is purely opinion based and meant as a scare tactic, therefore facts were negotiable. However, anyone that read and considered the points regarding bird collisions and breeding threats, are asked to guard themselves with reliable sources.

The National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) released a report titled "Avian Collisions with Wind Turbines: a Summary of Existing Studies and Comparisons to Other Sources of Avian Collision Mortality in the United States" compiled by Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST, Inc.), an environmental and statistical consulting firm which states annual avian collision mortality in the United States for Wind Generation Facilities was 10,000 -- 40,000 in comparison to avian mortality due to vehicles at 60 million -- 80 million per year or house cats at 100 million per year. Not only do these numbers not support the claim of 11 avian deaths per turbine per year made in the commentary, but it makes one wonder when conservation groups will start attacking motorists and felines.

Scare tactics are effective coercion methods, so try this on for size. If conservation advocacy groups succeed in their attempts to "protect" sage grouse federally and force mandatory guidelines to developers based on their recommendations, you will get a front row seat to Wyoming’s demise. Say good-bye to jobs, state revenue, energy paid taxes that fund: road and infrastructure maintenance and repairs, school funding, housing development ... the list goes on and on.

Energy developers are fully capable of responsible development and historically work with the state of Wyoming to do so. It would be incredible if Wyoming was able to contribute to producing clean energy and reducing the ill effects of carbon-based development (which is far more hazardous to wildlife) and citizens should take pride knowing we have that capability. The image painted by conservation groups of wind turbines taking over every last inch of the Wyoming landscape is ludicrous. The state of Wyoming has not allowed it to happen with oil and gas and they won’t allow it to happen with wind energy either.

RAY STERNBERG

and RANDY WOODWARD, Riverton