This letter is in response to Mr. Sean Clark, who ranted about how "knucklehead liberals" continue to make a case for extreme environmentalism. Mr. Clark seems to think that California's energy crisis is simply a supply problem, but he seems to forget about demand. Ever hear of conservation, Mr. Republican? Of course not, because energy is a god-given right, just as water and all other nautural resources are, for us to use at our leisure for next to nothing out of our pocket. When will Mr. Clark and his buddies get it through their thick conservative skulls that supplying demand isn't the only way to address a lack of energy? From the way everyone (read: Bush supporters) is telling it, it sounds as though there is not enough power available. This was one of the core issues of Campaign 2000 that no one seems to remember, as Bush wanted to increase supply while Gore wanted to reduce demand.

A perceived lack of supply is only a small part of the problem in California. The major issue that he seems to forget is that of deregulation. There are problems with how California deregulated its power industry, and that is a major source of California's power woes. One must also consider the fact that while our nation has grown, we have not built as many power plants as needed. Instead of relying on old, dirty power plants, we should build new plants that are cleaner and more efficient.

Building new plants not only is better for the environment, but the construction industry benefits with increased high-paying jobs. What better way to help a slowing economy than with new public works projects? It has worked before.