Readers React: Turn roofs and parking lots into clean-energy power plants

To the editor: The successes of renewable energy investments, as described by David Olsen and David Hochschild, are heartening. The temporary embarrassment of the Solyndra failure, for a while a favorite drumbeat of detractors, is more than offset by progress on so many other fronts. (“Renewable energy is a California success story,” op-ed, March 11)

What a contrast this is to the recent disclosures of hundreds of unlined ponds full of oil drilling waste fluids. If we are ever to end the “toxification” of our planet, we must press forward with investments in the clean stuff.

In urban areas, we can plan smartly. Technical and financial efficiencies in solar panels mean that we don’t have to use precious open urban spaces; we can confine solar energy sourcing to commercial rooftops, parking lots, the skins of new skyscrapers and some of our houses.

We need all the green we can get — green spaces and green energy.

Jack Fenn, Montecito Heights

..

To the editor: I am proud that our state is leading the way in clean-energy development. As industry executives and entrepreneurs across the country witness our ever-increasing energy independence, my hope is that they will not want to be left behind.

California’s cap and trade is also an important component of our growing independence, but even better would be a fee and dividend scenario, in which all citizens would benefit by receiving paybacks from energy polluters.

This is something that Americans of every political persuasion can get behind, and Californians should lead the way.

Ellen Townsend, Claremont

..

To the editor: Point of information in this fine op-ed article touting the benefits of clean energy: Mentioned is R. Rex Parris, mayor of Lancaster, who may very well be the leading mayor in the United States in the field of alternative energy.

He is a Republican.

Ron Garber, Duarte

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook