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[Ron Thigpen <rthigpen AT nc.rr.com>]

i'd have to agree with you that effective, clean PT would be likely to 
provide air quality benefits to the triangle.  motor vehicles are after 
all major polluters.

i'm not sure i agree that it's the only way to improve the air here.

as i understand it, compliance with the smokestacks bill should provide 
some benefits locally, around the state, and in the region.  it's 
reported that these pollutants end up affecting a very wide area.  the 
problems out in the smokies are largely caused by pollution originating 
elsewhere.  it would also be easier for NC to claim some high ground in 
reduction talks with neighboring states.

i'm also a bit skeptical that PT would yield big improvements in the 
immediate timeframe.  there are just to many factors that take time: 
gov't agreements, investment, buildout, ridership growth, development 
around stations, etc.  air quality improvements as a result of clean PT 
will take time.

given the built nature of the triangle (jobs one place, homes elsewhere) 
i would hate to see all of hopes pinned on this solution.

clean air will require action many fronts: energy efficiency (cars and 
homes), technology improvements (compact flourescents, fuel cells, clean 
diesels), positive and negative incentives (CAFE, gas taxes, solar tax 
credits) and, of course, education.

updating our coal-fired power plants would seem to be part of that mix. 
     everything i've read indicates that this would be a good step in 
the right direction, and at reasonable cost.

as you are presumably well informed on this issue, i'm interested in 
your opinion.  are you in favor of this bill or no, and for what reasons?

--rt