As the local Conservative group's environmental spokesperson, I read your lead article on wind turbines with great interest (The Argus, February 8).

I welcome efforts to examine the viability of wind turbines for two reasons.

Firstly, uncertainty exists as to how much non-renewable energy we actually have left. Secondly, there are worries that conventional energy is heavily linked to adverse climate change.

However, I am concerned some turbines may be installed in conservation areas and, like 3G mobile phone masts, may lead to protracted planning battles.

I also feel a focus on wind turbines could deflect worthwhile attention from the issue of rising gas and electricity prices.

Rather than ask ourselves "What shall we do about rising energy bills?", shouldn't we ask "Why are energy bills rising?"

We are told energy needs to be conserved but higher prices themselves won't mean we consume less. As most of us pay for energy after we use it, we demand energy according to need and worry about paying for it later.

Energy price rises will protect the suppliers' profits more than our energy reserves.

The best way to preserve our energy is to carefully analyse what we use it for and try to use less of it.

-Ted Kemble, opposition environment spokesperson (Conservative), Brighton and Hove City Council