Energized

July 03, 2008 11:26 am

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In these challenging economic times, energy costs are entrenched at the top of the list of day-to-day worries for the residents of Southern New Hampshire.

Gasoline prices have eclipsed $4 per gallon and continue to climb. Home heating fuel prices are also at record highs. As part of the trickle-down effect, the cost of electricity is also on the move, with Public Service of New Hampshire increasing its rates by more than 6 percent this week.

Citizens and civic leaders find themselves with two choices. They can point fingers and try to assign blame for the growing energy crisis, or they can look inside themselves and find the strength to make the hard decisions that need to be made.

Derry leaders have taken a step in the right direction by undertaking initiatives designed to reduce usage locally by 20 percent. The plan, outlined by Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse, involves initiatives aimed at reducing fuel usage by both town employees and residents. Specifics can be found in a story by Staff Writer Eric Parry on page 3 of today's Derry News.

The plan comes on the heels of the town's "Green Ordinance" authored by councilor Brent Carney, which encourages the town to adhere to green building standards and look to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles when possible.

At the state level, Gov. John Lynch recently reiterated his support for the return of commuter rail service connecting Southern New Hampshire to Massachusetts. While it would be years before such service might actually be established, it's doubtful that traffic woes and fossil fuel costs will be any less of a problem in the future.

We encourage the governor to aggressively pursue initiatives to re-establish the commuter rail system and expand other practical mass transit options.

Critics will argue that the state can't afford to pursue transportation programs. Leaders with vision will recognize that the state can't afford not to.