Mr. Constantino, in response to your factually incorrect and divisive letter to the editor regarding the Aug. 31 “Lobbying caps fight over nuke plant future”: in case you haven’t heard, data from the California Energy Commission shows that over 34% (not 5%) of California’s electricity came from renewables in 2020 and 2021. Your subsequent comparison to abortion, demonizing Green New Deal proponents as supporters of infanticide, is ludicrous (Rare third trimester abortions happen due to major medical complications). If you really care about protecting human life, stop ranting about opposing political views, and focus on solutions to climate change, which already affects millions of people and will devastate future generations. Unfortunately, instead of offering a well-articulated case for nuclear power, you stir the pot of Us against Them, Red against Blue, Republicans against Democrats.
Blaming “leftists” for global recession, COVID-19, food shortages and potholes (sarcasm) is illogical and divisive. Your letter, a goody bag of supposed leftist evils, sadly demonstrates how challenging it has become to have fact-based conversations. Despite the condescending and hostile tone of your letter, I actually agree with you that while nuclear power presents problems, it should still be part of the energy portfolio until renewables can support a higher percentage of the grid. The transition away from fossil fuels should have begun decades ago, and I applaud all movement toward change.
We are all citizens of planet Earth, and should all be concerned for the future.
Lauren – yes, let’s focus on solutions. Assuming your statistic of 34% is true, where does the other 66% come from? Take a look at the CA ISO supply page and you’ll see the majority comes from natural gas, and even more so from natural gas when the sun doesn’t shine. Now it sounds like you’re okay with nuclear power. I’d recommend we place these nuclear plants away from the numerous fault lines in CA and perhaps as close to urban communities as possible to decrease transmission losses. Then we have a greater chance of transitioning away, although, I doubt folks are going to give up all the thousands of products that still use fossil fuels in their manufacture, especially plastic.
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(2) comments
Thank you for your excellent letter, Lauren Cony. I could not agree more with your assessment.
Lauren – yes, let’s focus on solutions. Assuming your statistic of 34% is true, where does the other 66% come from? Take a look at the CA ISO supply page and you’ll see the majority comes from natural gas, and even more so from natural gas when the sun doesn’t shine. Now it sounds like you’re okay with nuclear power. I’d recommend we place these nuclear plants away from the numerous fault lines in CA and perhaps as close to urban communities as possible to decrease transmission losses. Then we have a greater chance of transitioning away, although, I doubt folks are going to give up all the thousands of products that still use fossil fuels in their manufacture, especially plastic.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.