REGARDING West Cumbria’s potential new coal mine, you printed two articles (Instances & Star, web page 22, February 18) two articles. Within the prime one had been quoted ten and a half column inches of assorted individuals, together with James Hansen, an ex-NASA scientist, who I wager is aware of rather a lot about iron and steelmaking, arguing that the brand new mine would someway enhance international warming, and just one column inch from our native individuals who help the proposal – the highest article finishes by the antis telling us that by 2035 all metal (they maintain saying metal after they imply iron) could be made in arc furnaces utilizing hydrogen.
Within the decrease article there have been roughly 9 column inches of basic hopes and aspirations about a greater future and half a column inch about our two native individuals elevating considerations concerning the U-turn.
Coal – coking coal – after it’s became metallurgical coke in a coke oven is utilized in a blast furnace to make iron which may be processed later in one other plant to make metal. The remaining British blast furnaces – and all the opposite blast furnaces on the earth, want coke produced from coking coal – Britain now imports what it wants from varied locations internationally – the brand new plant – if (hopefully) it ever is constructed, will be capable to provide right into a world market, no further air pollution or shall be produced, certainly, we will not have to import coke or coking coal.
The concept iron may be made in an arc furnace is certainly a technical chance – there was one plant in Scandinavia within the Eighties – I’ve a good friend who visited the place – they put coke into the furnace together with the iron ore. The electrical energy was produced by a hydro plant.
A brand new hydroelectric plant was described within the Every day Telegraph solely a couple of fortnight in the past. It makes use of an electrical arc furnace and hydrogen, produced by electrolysis is injected because the lowering agent. The plant is at Lulea, Sweden.
The value of electrical energy is trivial. The Lulea river driving the turbines is a colossal dimension.
Why, oh, why does the favored press present acres of paper for the pie within the sky concepts of fanatics who assume they’re the one individuals who need to save the world. My background is 1958-1965, Swinden Laboratories, Rotherham, a part of United Steels. 1965-1985 Distington Eng. Co and Workington Iron & Metal Co.
J M PROCTOR
Mosser, Cockermouth
Harness the ocean
THE time to extract coal from West Cumbria was the Eighties when the renewable choice was not so superior, however a vindictive Thatcher authorities closed the pits down.
Relating to enjoying politics with coal, no person does it higher than the Tories’ Mark Jenkinson. As for Trudy Harrison’s feedback about ‘cloud cuckoo land’ to smear protesters, she doesn’t appear to grasp that she herself is in that foggy ether.
The query for Mrs Harrison is: would she be glad for a kid of hers to go down the mine?
Cumbria has been made dependent for jobs to excuse controversial industries exploiting the state of affairs. The result’s a nuclear waste mountain that may be a nationwide menace and a nationwide shame – and the idiots need to produce extra.
These mixed holes deliberate for coal, to be adopted little question by plutonium, shall be a menace for future generations for nigh on an eternity.
That’s the large image, not the twee little parochial deception peddled by politicians and nuclear nuts. Give my regards to the cuckoo, Trudy.
The saner reply to our power issues lies in tidal barrages the place the ability of water is used, not wasted. No nation has a greater understanding of the ocean than our proud island. So what the hell is happening up right here? That’s the place the roles ought to be. Constructive, constructive jobs.
ER THWAITES
Cockermouth
Ralph’s good life
Throughout Could/June 2009, the Instances & Star ran commercials for an animal charity through which varied cats and canines trying to be re-homed featured together with their names and pictures. Amongst these pictures was “Little John”, a six-week-old Springer Spaniel.
My household and I had been so very very lucky to be chosen to be the brand new everlasting household for Little John.
The day on which I collected him from the home the place he was quickly dwelling at Dearham, I used to be given particulars of his earliest days.
A pet store was promoting puppy-farmed Springer Spaniels and a girl went to purchase one. She was supplied a alternative of two puppies and selected the larger of the 2. However as soon as dwelling she couldn’t overlook the tiny little chap she’d left on the store. She couldn’t handle to provide a house to each puppies and as a consequence of being tormented on the considered the little chap she’d left dealing with goodness is aware of what sort of future, she returned to the store and at nice expense purchased him. She then handed him over to the animal charity on the situation that they discovered him an ideal dwelling.
Little John is now referred to as Ralph, he’s had an exquisite life and has introduced us immeasurable happiness. He’s an absolute star.
However just a few days in the past the vet gave us some dreadful information. Ralph stored falling over, so his “mummy” Judy took him to the vet the place he was recognized with an incurable neurological drawback.
He’s nonetheless an exceedingly glad little fellow and is wholesome in all different methods, so we’ll cope. There’s nothing Judy wouldn’t do for Ralph.
We’ve at all times had Ralph’s type saviour in our hearts and we’re positive she’d wish to know what occurred to the little pet she saved. So if she or anybody who is aware of her reads this letter, we’d love so that you can get in contact through the Instances & Star, so we will personally thanks on your kindness. We’re so grateful to you.
CHRISTINE WALKER
Stainburn
Gray day
I WAS dismayed to see the photograph final week as being classed as top-of-the-line views in west Cumbria. The gray squirrel is a menace to our native reds and to seem to put it up for sale may be very detrimental to the efforts being made to guard our native species.
Roger Armstrong ought to have reported the sighting of this to Crimson Alert or one other conservation charity serving to the endangered purple.
JOANNE COOKE
By e mail
Seasonal variation
A MYRIAD of specialists give their evaluation each day of the unfolding Covid state of affairs. But it surely baffles me how few make reference to what seems to be the primary issue within the variety of circumstances and deaths – that’s the hotter climate of every summer season.
Should you have a look at the graphs for nearly each European nation and the way it has suffered, the graphs all share one frequent issue. They virtually all flatline via the summer season months.
So when politicians and ‘specialists’ make claims that the declines have been “Due to the lockdowns” or “Due to the rollout of vaccines” I feel these claims ought to be tempered.
The frequent sense strategy could be to state that these elements could have helped however Covid, like all respiratory infections, declines dramatically in the summertime as individuals are open air and in additional ventilated areas and likewise get extra vitamin D.
Lockdowns might nicely be a minor further issue on this greater image and one which additionally causes enormous harm to jobs and kids’s schooling.
DAVE SIDDALL
Cockermouth
