Preparing Your Trinity Audio Player: Hoping Trump Will Prioritize Green Energy Recommendations
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to make crucial energy decisions, the fate of our planet hangs in the balance. According to The New Bedford Light, Trump may choose to cut or weaken incentives for green energy. However, I am hopeful that he will heed the recommendations of our own Department of Energy, EPA, NOAA, and NASA to aggressively transition away from profiting from fossil fuels. While Trump has proposed accelerating the drilling and burning of these fuels in order to reduce consumer energy costs by 50%, he fails to acknowledge the devastating costs we incur from extreme weather events caused by burning fossil fuels.
In 2019, 11,000 scientists from around the world joined forces to warn the UN and the global community about the dangers of overloading the atmosphere with heat-trapping emissions and warming the oceans. Norway has taken a proactive approach to the Climate Crisis by using profits from their extensive oil supply to subsidize Electric Vehicles (EVs). As a result, they are now known as the EV capital of the world and even export renewable energy to the UK through the world’s longest high-voltage cable. They serve as a model for sound climate policy. The Light will receive a bonus award from NewsMatch for securing 100 new donors.
Progress to Date: 43
In the United States, solar energy is on the rise and is now the most affordable energy source in the world. We are also making strides in catching up with the rest of the world in wind energy. Unfortunately, a problem at the GE Vernova manufacturing plant caused a blade failure, but these issues are fixable and wind remains our most powerful and cost-effective clean energy source. While fossil fuels have been profitable, we must also consider the hidden costs borne by all of us in the form of climate disasters.
Jan Kubiac, a resident of Hyannis, is a former Co-Chair of CCPATH (Cape Cod Persons Against Trafficking Persons) and a member of Citizens Climate Lobby and the South Shore/Upper Cape CCL.
Wind Timeline May Have Slipped, But Setbacks Are Expected
I greatly appreciate Anastasia Lennon’s thorough account of the progress (albeit slow and halting at times) of the South Fork Wind and Vineyard Wind offshore wind power projects. While delays can be frustrating, they are a natural part of such a massive undertaking. The setbacks described by Lennon are not unexpected in a project of this magnitude. What matters most is that we continue to move forward as quickly and responsibly as possible. Although the timeline may have slipped, the value of these projects remains unchanged. They offer an economically productive solution to the climate crisis while also boosting local maritime economies and providing well-paying jobs.
Let’s keep our eyes on the prize and stay informed. Thank you for keeping your readers up-to-date.
Christopher M. O’Keeffe is a resident of Marlborough.