I am very much in favor of voluntary conservation and the private development of alternative, renewable energy. I am very much opposed to the use of government funds for the purpose of subsidizing businesses that would otherwise be unable or unwilling to compete in the marketplace. I am therefore relieved that Governor Carcieri vetoed the renewable-energy bill.

It is not that renewable energy is a bad idea. It’s just that government should stay out of it, neither forcing people to change their energy habits, nor subsidizing certain businesses at taxpayer expense. I’m sure, in its own self-interest, that National Grid is doing everything it possibly can to cut expenses, just like the rest of us are, in these hard times.

If the Rhode Island General Assembly would stop giving tax breaks to politically well-connected businesses and allow We, the People, to keep a great deal more of the money we earn, we might be able to afford to go solar, or buy more energy-efficient cars, or take other steps in our own self-interest to save money. It is largely government regulations, requirements and prohibitions at the federal level that have led to our current energy crisis. As a taxpayer groaning under the tax burden in this state, I applaud Governor Carcieri for once again acting in the taxpayers’ interest

SUSAN R. BERGE

Burrillville