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Lip: <br />Jeanne A. Mabusth <br />September 15, 1986 <br />Page Two <br />I have contended that we should charge a realistic price for water use in order <br />to promote conservation of the earth s most important natural resource. If we <br />did so, this use would be uneconomical. <br />Now that I have given reasons to oppose the use of groundwater as a geothermal <br />heat source, let me indicate the positive aspects. I firmly believe that com- <br />bustion of fossil fuels and natural gas at present rates will lead to a <br />greenhouse effect and deposition of toxic chemicals (including acid par- <br />ticularly) that will dramatically impact life particularly in the southern half <br />of the U.S. in the next century. Geothermoal energy use could partially reverse <br />this trend. Minnesota is an energy poor state and the use of this source of <br />energy would reduce d^mand for coal, gas "id fossil fuels. <br />What are the alternatives? The increased use of solar energy and construction <br />techniques that conserve energy should be supported. The longer term use cf <br />nuclear fission to produce energy is in my mind the best solution, but requ!res <br />enormous resources for research. <br />I find it difficult for one city to have a major impact on this issue. We need <br />a state, or better, a national policy on water use issues so that we do not <br />discover that we have created an irreversible crisis. It is true that one or <br />dozens of systems will not have a detectable impact on the aquifer. However, I <br />assume that hose who sell these systems do not want to stop here. <br />Our regulatory agencies historically have reacted to problems rather than have <br />foreseen them. I hope that the impact of permitting the use of groundwater it <br />this way receives more study than indicated in the information you sent to me. <br />If I can be of any help, please do iot hesitate to call on me. <br />Sincerely, <br />R.S. Hanson <br />Director, Gray Freshwater Biol. Inst. <br />Professor of Microbiology <br />RS/lg <br />