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Utilities ought to do all
they will to develop photo voltaic
Re. “PG&E: $9B to $13.5B to bury energy traces,” Web page A1, and “PG& E payments are set to leap once more this 12 months,” Web page C7, Feb. 11:
Two articles in Friday’s paper caught my eye concerning PG&E’s plans to extend charges once more in 2022, totaling over 20% this 12 months alone. Justification for these newest will increase are wholesale costs of pure gasoline, which PG&E makes use of to generate electrical energy of their gas-fired energy vegetation. In addition they move alongside these will increase to householders utilizing pure gasoline to warmth their houses and cook dinner meals. (The gasoline portion of my newest invoice from PG&E was double what I paid per therm final 12 months.)
I've a proposal for PG&E: Moderately than preventing the rooftop photo voltaic individuals who present low-cost, clear electrical energy to the grid, cease shopping for costly pure gasoline to gas their electrical energy mills. That would scale back the demand and hopefully cut back costs for everybody. PG&E shouldn't be a part of the issue, they need to be a part of the answer. Embrace solar energy, cut back the burning of pure gasoline to supply electrical energy.
Michael Caine
El Sobrante
PG&E is appearing on
pure gasoline worth surge
PG&E is listening to from prospects that vitality payments are increased than regular. We perceive will increase are difficult. We’re taking motion and right here to assist.
Pure gasoline costs have risen considerably, about 90% increased than final winter in PG&E’s service space and nationwide. PG&E passes by way of the price of vitality purchases on to prospects and doesn't mark-up that value.
PG&E reduces gasoline worth volatility impacts by shopping for and storing gasoline when costs are decrease to be used when costs are increased.
Greater than 70% of winter vitality prices are from heating programs, water heaters, and washers and dryers.
• Set the thermostat at 68 levels or decrease, well being allowing. Save 2% for every diploma it’s lowered.
• Clear or substitute air filters month-to-month.
• Set the water heater to 120 levels or decrease; set up low-flow fixtures; wash garments in chilly water.
Because the climate warms up, vitality utilization and payments ought to lower. For extra suggestions, go to www.pge.com/winter.
Aaron Johnson
Regional vice chairman, PG&E Bay Area
Oakland
No time to calm down masks
guidelines as circumstances keep excessive
Re. “Most of Bay Space will ease masks rule,” Web page A1, Feb. 10:
Final fall, the Bay Space established the next metrics for when masks would now not be required indoors in public for vaccinated people: not less than three consecutive weeks within the CDC’s “reasonable” tier for COVID transmission charges, low and secure hospitalization charges, and both 80% of the inhabitants vaccinated or eight weeks after children age 5 or older may get vaccinated. We've met solely a kind of necessities.
We could also be on the downslope of the omicron surge, however charges are nonetheless very excessive. Santa Clara County is doing the best factor by retaining masking necessities in place at the moment. The remainder of the Bay Space counties are betraying public belief and appearing extremely irresponsibly by eradicating them.
Sarah Burns
Fremont
NASA’s turkey downside
might be win for hungry
Within the article “Flock of turkeys spurs havoc on the NASA Ames Middle; feds hoping to relocate them,” (Web page B1, Feb. 10) a spokesman for the California Division of Fish and Wildlife famous, “Usually, wild turkeys aren’t one thing we actively handle.”
That is stunning since this company introduced turkeys to California within the twentieth century as a sport hen. Their numbers have elevated dramatically and their territory now covers over 1 / 4 of the state. Turkeys have wide-ranging appetites and might be aggressive towards folks and property. There are additionally issues about turkeys threatening native ecosystems, the place they haven't any pure predators.
I query the plan to entice and transfer these birds from the NASA middle to a different location, quite than taking steps to manage them in lots of places the place they've develop into critical pests. This might be a chance to make use of the turkeys to feed folks in want.
Katherine Greenberg
Lafayette
Reducing pot tax
would assist defend children
Dr. Lynn Silver has it unsuitable in her article about reducing hashish taxes placing children in danger (“Hashish conundrum: Shield youth or company income?” Web page A6, Feb. 11).
Reducing taxes is basically about authorized pot versus the unlawful stuff. Over half of the pot bought in California is against the law and a part of the reason being that it’s cheaper than the authorized, taxed stuff.
There are a few different points right here. One, as she mentions, is that 43% of Californians stay in a metropolis or county the place authorized pot just isn't out there. Unlawful pot is out there in every single place.
Two, authorized pot is just out there to folks 21 and older. Unlawful pot is out there to everybody irrespective of their age.
To guard our youth, we should eliminate unlawful pot. To do this we should make authorized pot’s pricing extra aggressive and make it extra out there. That’s why taxes on it should be lowered.
Mike Kuller, R.Ph.
Walnut Creek