The Baltimore Building and Construction Trades Council and its members know all too well the importance of an adequate infrastructure to the stability of our economy. Our well-trained and skilled membership work on water, sewer and road projects; we also work on all types of industrial projects. We see every day why not only our area, but the nation needs to have a strong, reliable infrastructure.

Many times our elected officials use water, roads and sewer projects as a political platform to get elected; these projects are supported by us citizens and rightly so. But there is one vital part of the infrastructure that goes unnoticed and taken for granted — our electrical transmission grid system. It is aging and antiquated; it needs upgrading. We can detour around road and bridge construction and get by with a little inconvenience for a short time. The electrical grid system is getting to where lines cannot be taken out of service for repair and upgrade; we cannot detour the load to other sources. The building of new transmission lines is something that takes years to do; there is no quick fix. When we do not have electricity, our way of life and the environment are adversely affected.

The membership of the Baltimore Building and Construction Council is an active part of the community. The wages and benefits we receive stimulate our region's economy. A strong infrastructure will lead to the development of new industry and the retention of existing industry. It also provides us with the opportunity to train and develop productive, well-trained workers for the future.

The Baltimore Building and Construction Trades Council and its membership support Marylanders for Reliable Power and their effort to inform the public on the need for a strong electrical grid system. Our way of life and our economy are at risk.

Rod Easter, Baltimore

The writer is president of the Baltimore Building and Construction Trades Council.