Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.
CPUC must do more
to promote clean energy
Here we go again. Oil on our shoreline from Huntington Beach to Dana Point. Beaches closed for weeks to months. Seals covered in oil. Dead birds and fish. Wetlands degraded. The smell of oil permeates the air.
Our climate is in crisis. Let’s do everything we can to implement green energy. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) must promote solar energy, not side with the utilities. Remember, rooftop solar does not cause oil spills, does not destroy our pristine coastlines, does not injure or kill marine life and erode habitats.
It’s time for Gov. Gavin Newsom to stand up for Californians; to weigh in on the CPUC’s continued support of utilities instead of doing what’s best for California and the climate.
We don’t need more fossil fuel plants. We need more alternative, green energy sources to save our planet.. We have the power to end this devastating cycle. Let’s use it.
Rebecca Elliot
San Jose
Only way to cut pollution
is to charge for it
Imagine a world without oil spills. Imagine being able to breathe deeply and enjoy the sweet smells of autumn without car fumes and smog. Picture an end to the scarred landscape from open-pit coal mines. Think about denying the Saudis and Russians their billions of yearly revenue from oil sales.
We can do it. Let’s put the brakes on global warming and speed up the transition to clean air — let’s put a tax on fossil fuels and raise it year after year and get to zero emissions. Just imagine – and then act. Tell our members of Congress to put a price on pollution.
Martin Delson
San Jose
Voters must do the work
to avoid a bad choice
I read with dismay that Cindy Chavez has already been deemed the “early front-runner” in next year’s San Jose mayoral race, not surprisingly according to a poll conducted by the San Jose Police Officer’s Association, a political special interest group. (“Mayoral hopefuls looking to shed labels,” Oct. 2, 2021)
On cue, there have since been articles highlighting Chavez and diminishing other candidates. The effort to recycle the same old candidates by those who have invested heavily in them has commenced. Hopefully, San Jose voters have learned from past local elections and will insist on hearing the candidates debate issues directly, rather than having special interest groups and the media decide for us who gets to run and ultimately win. Refusing to respond to any polls would be a good start.
Melanie Dovano
San Jose
The candidates are
there to rein in PG&E
Re. “Is there anyone who can crack down on PG&E?” Page A12, Oct. 3:
The answer is yes. I can think of several candidates I met while working for the CPUC.
They are both brilliant and knowledgeable about the inter-workings of the state’s most powerful agency. They are smart and tough but also have empathy and the personality to stand up to harsh critics while listening to the cries of the unhoused and forgotten. I intend to send my recommendations to Gov. Gavin Newsom and hope he will consider a broad range of candidates and not make a hasty decision.
Let’s face it: Cracking down on PG&E is one thing, but the CPUC also regulates transportation, telecommunications and water in California. These are all hot topics and heading up the CPUC is a people business.
Susan Carothers
San Jose
To protect the public, first
responders must vaccinate
Responding to the Letter to the Editor on Oct. 5 (“Don’t force the police, or anyone, to vaccinate,” Page A6), you have the choice not to get the shot. You do not have the choice to escape the consequences of your actions.
First responders cannot protect and serve without vaccinations. The greater good compels it.
Richard Jacinto
San Jose
California leads way in
guarding patient privacy
As Bay Area gynecologists, I along with Drs. Brindha Bavan, Hayley Miller, Susan Lang, Serena Liu and Brent Monseur, applaud the California Legislature on passing AB 1184, which protects the privacy of individuals seeking sensitive health care services. We care for people seeking abortion care, contraception, sexually transmitted infection screening and management, gender-affirming care, substance abuse treatment and mental health support, all of which people might not want to share with their health plan’s primary policyholder, such as parents or spouses.
We watched patients forgo health care services, delay care or pay out of pocket due to a fear of personal health information being shared against their will. As physicians, we grieve for those previously harmed without this protection.
Our goal is to increase awareness among providers and patients regarding this innovative legislation. Californians are proud that we continue to be leaders in reproductive health care and hope that other states follow suit.
Dr. Andrea Henkel
Stanford University
Palo Alto
Nation can afford
spending on families
The George W. Bush tax cuts of $1.6 trillion and the Donald Trump tax cut of $1.9 trillion are equal to $3.5 trillion, which is close to what President Biden seeks for his Build Back Better Plan.
So Sen. Mitch McConnell’s fear that socialism will make America like a Soviet pauper state is not a danger for our nation. American low-wage workers seek a $15 minimum wage just to be able to provide for their families.
As the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, we certainly can ensure that every family has a safe home with clean running water, lifetime quality health care, and public education for all children.
Gil Villagran
San Jose