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Keep solar affordable
to meet emission cuts
Re. “State senator pushes for California to reach zero emissions by 2035,” Page B4, Nov. 9:
Remember those commercials: “We’re Motel 6; we’ll leave the light on”. PG&E needs to take a lesson from Motel 6 and leave the power on.
Ever-increasing PG&E power outages can negatively impact people with disabilities that require constant power to run their life-sustaining medical equipment and keep vital medicines refrigerated.
The best alternative they have to forced power outages is to have rooftop solar panels combined with storage batteries. They won’t be able to do that if it’s not affordable.
Unfortunately, PG&E is asking the CPUC to change Net Energy Metering guidelines to charge exorbitant fees for rooftop solar customers to connect to the power grid while reducing the credit they receive for selling surplus electricity.
Help us keep the lights on for all Californians by calling, writing, or signing petitions (savecaliforniasolar.org) to Gov. Gavinr Newsom to stop this utility power grab; he is our best hope.
Rosemary Obeid
Fremont
City leaders threaten
Marina’s solvency
I write to correct the impression conveyed by the article on Berkeley’s Marina (“City seeks ways to keep marina afloat,” Page B1, Nov. 8), that it suffers from recent, COVID-related financial difficulties that require “raiding” of the Marina-generated Transient Occupancy Tax funds to save it.
In fact, the two principal Marina Fund raiders have been the City Manager, Dee Williams-Ridley, abetted by Mayor Jesse Arreguin. They have basically ignored the voter mandate that the Marina retain funds generated within it and that staffing levels be maintained (Measure L). They have also ignored the considered advice of their own Parks & Waterfront Commission.
The Marina doesn’t deserve to be treated as a cash cow. Instead of routinely breaking that piggy bank, restock it to ensure the long-term future of this public gem. We do just that for our libraries after all.
Hopefully, the City Council vote next Tuesday will reject the mayor’s approach.
David R. Fielder
Berkeley
Hyperbole oversells
run-of-the-mill stories
Re. “Atmospheric river storm won’t put big dent in the drought,” Page A1, Nov.:
News should not remind us of the obvious — in this instance that the rain which fell overnight did not eliminate our years of drought.
We don’t expect the media to inform us that eating only an apple a day will keep us alive, or that sending people into space does not disprove the existence of gravity. Perhaps the use of polysyllabic hyperbole is the reason people may be led to false expectations.
Try calling rain, “rain,” lowering expectations, obviating the need for a story like this, and making room for one that is more substantive.
Tom Scovel
Walnut Creek
There is no guarantee
of representation
Paul Barragan-Monge’s “Why Newsom should appoint a Latina to state Supreme Court” (Page A8, Nov. 10) articulates an ‘identity politics’ ideology that goes against the ideals of America, creates animus against immigration and is a big part of why Democrats can’t form a stable majority despite most Americans supporting their policies.
He speaks of giving “Latinos the proportional representation they deserve.” But America doesn’t promise ‘proportional representation’ for groups.
What has a more negative effect on public support for immigration than the sense that each person crossing the border for a better life adds to group entitlement for ‘proportional shares’?
America’s traditional promise is individual freedom and a fair chance, not group quotas Let’s not change that.
Steve Koppman
Oakland
Don’t force faltering
vaccine on people
I was astounded at Ramona Krausnick’s letter admonishing the unvaccinated to “grow up.” She obviously hasn’t read of the thousands of fully vaccinated people who are not only getting COVID but passing it on to others. If she wants to inject something into her body, that’s her right, but the unvaccinated have the same constitutional right to refuse.
Reuters reported that 74% of new cases in Singapore were in fully or partially vaccinated people. In September, New Jersey reported 22,246 “breakthrough” cases. In Massachusetts, 74% of cases on Cape Cod were in fully vaccinated people. Similar reports abound. Even CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stated, “High viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and vaccinated people infected with Delta can transmit the virus.”
So, Ramona, — mask up and keep your distance.
Jon Rego
Clayton
Source: www.mercurynews.com