Letter: Rural broadband vs. satellite

It’s clear that large telecoms are using huge federal dollars every year for a fiber solution that is barely moving the needle on rural needs (“How to solve the rural-urban digital divide,” hcn.org, 12/6/21). Starlink, on the other hand, offers a low-cost solution that appears to be a game changer for those in very rural […]

Citizens of the West would be well advised to remember the Hanford, Washington, nuclear waste products disaster (“No Easy Fix for our Nuclear Past,” December 2018).  Wind power and the rapid improvement in battery technology seem a far better match for the future electrical needs of Wyoming and the West (“New nuclear,” December 2021). One could employ […]

Your graphic about the Klamath was very informative (“What would a healthy Klamath River look like?” December 2021). I would like to point out a misconception regarding the N-15 isotope. The different isotopes of nitrogen do not have any impact on healthy forest growth; all isotopes of nitrogen can be used for growth. The N-15 […]

I am so pleased with the story you published about the latest attempt to update the mining law of 1872 (“Two Democrats kill chances of reforming outdated hardrock mining law,” hcn.org, 11/18/21). I wasn’t liking Joe Manchin much before I read it; now I’m ready to donate money to get rid of him! Sally NewellUnderwood, […]

Congratulations on this informative piece, particularly the excellent infographics by Luna Anna Archey — remarkably concise and convincing. Dale E. BusseGoldendale, Washington This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Dale E. Busse.

I just had to reach out with my compliments for the exceptionally interesting and presented article, “The nuance and beauty of the West in 2021,” (hcn.org, 1/5/22). I really did enjoy the prompt to pause this Sunday morning and journey with you through the highlights of HCN’s 2021 reportage.  Each month was presented beautifully and […]

In “What you can’t see can hurt you” (November 2021), your story claims that “natural gas is far more climate-friendly than coal.” This is poorly worded as there is nothing climate-friendly about burning fossil fuels. Natural gas is simply less climate-destructive, an important distinction. Ryan Vanzo Homer, Alaska This article appeared in the print edition […]