To The Reader’s Forum:

The February 2nd letter to the Jamestown Post-Journal, “End State’s Fast Tracking of Industrial Solar, Wind Projects,” (2/2) is puzzling. The letter claims that wind and solar “are not clean energy” but instead, “industrial-sized” projects. This makes little sense. Whether a wind or solar project is large or small, it produces renewable–or clean–energy.

The writer also states, “The carbon footprint from mining, manufacturing, transportation, construction, cement use and end of life disposal of used components is not acceptable.” Yet he does not explain how reducing various industries’ carbon footprint can be accomplished without the transition to a renewable energy economy.

Another point of confusion relates to the writer’s claim of grid unreliability. This ignores the improvements Governor Hochul’s administration is making through Smart Path Connect, a transmission upgrade project specifically designed to improve grid reliability across the North Country and the Mohawk Valley.

Finally, the writer ignores the climate disruption reality we are already facing. In 2022, such disruption displaced more than 3 million Americans. If we continue to burn more fossil fuels, we can expect even worse flooding, wildfires, heat, and drought. And that isn’t all. We will face more food insecurity at home and across the globe, more loss of habitable spaces and agricultural lands the letter writer wants to preserve. We will see the loss of entire ecosystems and more species die-off. This too must be unacceptable.

To praise Joe Griffo for efforts to end the rapid expansion of wind and solar projects is misguided. It ignores the fact that Griffo has one of the worst environmental records in the New York State Senate. It is fast-tracking of renewable projects across the state that will fulfill the promise of New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Clinton, N.Y.