To The Reader’s Forum:

“Area leaders applaud Hochul on mental health, not energy” (Jamestown Post-Journal, 1/11) suggests limited bipartisan cooperation is possible in Albany. What’s surprising, though, especially in light of the almost constant barrage of climate disasters faced by New York State since Hurricane Sandy, is the GOP leaders’ intransigence regarding Governor Hochul’s commitment to a clean energy economy transition. Even more surprising are the two reasons offered for opposing the Governor’s energy plans.

First is the implied claim that only those who heat their homes with electricity are subject to power outages during the recent devastating blizzards in Western New York. This is nonsense. Most consumers with natural gas furnaces still need electricity to ignite the furnace and operate the thermostat and air blowers. That means even those who heat with natural gas are subject to power outages unless they have back up power such as that provided by a home standby generator.

The second reason for opposing Hochul’s support of the All-Electric Building Act is promotion of something called “clean natural gas.” What is meant here is Renewable Natural Gas, a fuel made from manure, industrial food waste, landfill gas, wood, and more. Readers should know that this highly processed gas is expensive to produce, and it still contains at least 90% methane – a greenhouse gas that significantly damages the climate more than carbon dioxide. Not only that, so-called Renewable Natural Gas releases nitrous oxide, a pollutant that creates smog and lowers air quality. These toxins can cause respiratory illnesses, like asthma.

It’s time for GOP leaders to recognize the fossil fuel industry’s greenwashing for what it is and support the Governor’s plans to transition the state to a clean energy future.

Mayville

Chautauqua County Representative

Buffalo-Niagara Sierra Club Executive Committee