Our state leaders are promulgating a false choice between wind and coal. While wind is renewable and cleaner than coal, wind will never replace coal — wind is too unreliable.

Unfortunately, Gov. Ed Rendell does not recognize the ecological and cultural importance of our mountains. Gov. Rendell views wind energy as an economic incentive for Pennsylvania, at the expense of our wildlife and forests.

Wooing wind companies like Gamesa, by providing millions of dollars of incentives, is in direct conflict with Gov. Rendell’s call to aid rural Pennsylvania.

Rural Pennsylvania is under attack by energy companies, which with the help of Gov. Rendell will damage thousands of acres that should be maintained for scenic viewsheds, wildlife habitat, and watershed recharge systems, instead of being destroyed for wind turbines that will have minimal benefits in the fight against air pollution and global warming.

Wind turbines in Pennsylvania have less than 30 percent capacity. They will not be effective enough to offset their negative environmental impacts.

Our scenic mountains can be protected by SOAR, a nonprofit, grass-roots group: www.saveouralleghenyridges.com.