To the editor:

Regarding your editorial, "Hydroelectric plant is clean power source": You failed to mention that this is actually costing AmerenUE more money to pump water to the top of the mountain than the money they generate when the water flows down during peak demand time.

You make a point of saying Missouri is going to need this energy. Where do you get these statistics? Are you discounting the fact that many utility customers may start conserving energy or using appliances that use less energy? What about the neighbors who depend upon this water for their drinking water or water for their livestock? You don't address their private-property rights. What about water for the wildlife?

Your editorial makes a lot of broad assumptions and contains no real data to back your assertions.

CHARLES PHILLIPS

Boonville, Mo.