To the Editor:
Cumberland Times-News
—
As the owner of a company whose business is to make other businesses more efficient and productive through the use of technology, I well understand the importance of reliable and stable electricity to our economy — the backbone of which are small- and medium-sized businesses.
Most small business owners and operators would probably agree that random shortages of electricity are among the most undesirable business conditions. Most small business plans assume a reliable supply of electricity to fuel production.
Though backup power sources are available, they are costly to install and to operate. When production stops and deadlines are missed, orders are unfilled and business is lost. Wages and creditors may be unpaid. Only a remote possibility unworthy of addressing? I think not.
As a member of Marylanders for Reliable Power, I am well aware that Maryland is not meeting the growing demand for electricity. Generation and transmission upgrades have not kept pace with demand, perhaps with good reason given the regulatory climate and growing environmental concerns.
However, if something is not done to assure that we meet the state’s future electricity needs with substantial upgrades to our power generation and transmission infrastructure, we are on course to severely damage our economy.
I applaud the public and private efforts to conserve electricity. I encourage those practices in my business and in my home. Not wasting electricity just makes sense. Renewable sources do offer hope for the future.
But the need for more electricity looms and must be met in the short term by greater generation and a 21st century system to transmit it. It is important that our state’s leaders understand we depend upon them to make sure these actions are taken.
To maintain our economy — the envy of many other states — we must not delay.
Richard J. Collins
President, Mel’s Business Systems Inc.
Cumberland
