Climate leadership

Dec 25, 2020
Dec 25, 2020 Updated Apr 13, 2025
5

Editor,

For those of us who wanted a climate leader in Sacramento, we got one in Josh Becker. On day one he introduced two bills, SB67 and SB68 and co-authored AB33 (Ting).

(5) comments

Dirk van Ulden Dec 25, 2020 9:12pm

It seems Becker is oblivious to the reality of electricity supplies. Nationwide, only 20% is now coming from renewable resources, the rest from nuclear, coal and natural gas. All of the latter three are now considered unsustainable in California so this may become an issue of NIMBY. Electricity will still come primarily form those sources in the foreseeable future, so the alleged pollution will be spewed in other areas. This is no leadership, but political pandering and folly.

Rel Dec 26, 2020 10:59am

So Dirk, is your solution to do nothing? Most scientists espouse the position to go all electric in order to fight climate change. If you live in San Mateo county, you have to opportunity to have all your electricity be provided by wind power. Every little bit helps in our effort to save our planet.

Dirk van Ulden Dec 26, 2020 1:48pm

Rel - I did not say that nothing should be done but that all-electric is simply not feasible. Residential electric load in San Mateo County may be supplied with renewable resources but there is a finite amount of that source available. That means other communities outside our County will need to continue to rely on 'brown' electricity. That is a poster child for "provincialism"; to heck with our neighbors! BTW, the renewable energy credits that the PCE purchases are part of a numbers game and are not always physical renewable electrons. So, we may go all electric in our homes but commercial and industrial enterprises will move elsewhere. Also, how do you intend to pay for all-electric heat? If you think your PG&E gas bill is high now, wait for it to quadruple with electricity.

Rel Dec 26, 2020 6:05pm

Sorry Dirk, your position defies the facts. Going all electric taps into an infinite source while fossil fuels are finite and will get more expensive over time. My all wind electric bill only increased about $10 per month - a worthwhile contribution to the planet.

Terence Y Dec 26, 2020 9:25pm

I guess Rel doesn’t understand the facts from Mr. van Ulden regarding how 20% of electricity is coming from renewable sources and how energy accounting is fungible. Maybe Rel thinks electricity grows on trees? Either way, we should thank Rel for subsidizing electrical costs for the rest of us who don’t care where our electricity comes from – and it’s not from trees, unless we’re burning them to run those electrical generators.

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