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Farmers committed
to water solutions
Re. “State drought solutions: Too little, too late,” Page A6, Dec. 10:
Farmers, like all Californians, are concerned about our water supply and almond growers are no different. Since the 1990s almond farmers have cut water use for each pound of almonds by one-third and are committed to another 20% reduction by 2025.
The almond industry provides over 100,000 jobs to California residents and contributes $11 billion to the state’s economy. Almonds grow on trees that sequester carbon and clean the air.
As part of the global economy, all California products shipped around the world (think search engine services and semiconductors in addition to almonds) require water to produce.
California’s water crisis won’t be solved by pointing fingers. Focusing our energy on repairing and upgrading our infrastructure is a much better solution. Recent legislation passed by Congress puts us on the path to do that.
John Monroe
Cupertino
Profit should not
shape solar policy
The “power for profit” providers in California now want to change the rules of the game for residential solar customers, claiming solar visionaries are not paying their fair share to operate and maintain “the grid.” Since when do these mismanaged corporate vestigial structures maintain anything except their shareholders’ guaranteed dividends? They should not be allowed to change the rules of the game after the game has started.
CPUC appointees, are you listening? Remember, you are the Public Utilities Commission (beholden to the people), not the “Power for Profit Pirates” better known as PG&E, San Diego Gas & Electric, and SoCal Edison. A more appropriate measure, albeit not wise nor desirable, could be to alter some rules for future solar installations. Of course, this would require a rollback of the solar mandate for new residential construction, not a progressive action in a progressive state. At least consumers would not be “baited and switched” in the process.
Jon James
Pleasanton
Newsom is leading
on dyslexia advocacy
I congratulate Gov. Newsom on writing a children’s book on dyslexia (“Governor Gavin Newsom writes children’s book about dyslexia,” Dec. 7). It took great courage for him to go public through national media outlets to bring attention to this learning disability. It was one of his best trips out of the state ever. The impact and exposure he gave to this will have an impact all over the world.
I grew up in Ireland and went to school in the 1960s and 70s. No one knew what this learning disability was. I knew I could not read, write or spell like the other students. My teachers labeled me as lazy and stupid; as a result, I was physically and mentally abused. Like the governor, over the years I learned to cope by writing and writing everything over and over again until I remembered it and studied for hours longer than everyone in my class.
I hope the governor will continue to highlight this, which will help children everywhere.
Robert Hennessy
Fremont
Climate should play
role in solar rules
Re. “California regulators propose reducing incentives for rooftop solar,” Dec. 14:
The metrics for approving a new net metering tariff should be on the evaluation of its impacts on climate change as well as adjustments to allow solar and nonsolar buildings long-term access to clean affordable energy.
California should deploy the authority of the CPUC to prioritize reducing the threat of climate change through a vision toward distributed generation, improvements to the grid and the competitive leadership actions taken by local communities.
It’s time to end the business-as-usual approach coddling investor-owned utilities, their allies and revolving-door experts.
Rita Norton
Los Gatos
Enforcing front-plate
rule to fight crime
Re. “Memorial remembers former officer killed during robbery,” Page B1, Dec. 10:
The recent death of security guard and former officer Kevin Nishita is upsetting.
While the suspect’s car was photographed, it had no front license plate. I think it is time for enforcement of front plate display to fight crime and increase safety for everyone.
Joe Lowry
Milpitas
Hanson columns
recycle familiar gripes
Re. “The woke got what they wanted — so now what?” Page A7, Dec. 10:
Can the East Bay Times just drop Victor Davis Hanson already? His articles aren’t topical or insightful, just more complaining about “wokeness,” ruining this or that or destroying our country while defending a president who encouraged a mob to actually destroy this country.
You could take all his articles from the several months, change the order, and it would all read the exact same. No thoughts on how to fix income inequality, no suggestions for solving climate change, no insight into the events of the week, just woke, woke, woke.
Your paying subscribers deserve better commentary. Get more articles from Thomas L. Friedman or George F. Will. Drop Hanson, for everyone’s sanity.
Sajeev Toprani
Los Altos
Source: www.mercurynews.com