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Reducing taxes on oil corporations received’t assist
I’m writing in response to the Marin IJ’s lately revealed commentary by Dan Walters of CalMatters.org (“What’s subsequent for that oil tax Newsom retains speaking about?” Dec. 4).
Day-after-day, drivers on Freeway 101 close to Strawberry can see that one fuel station is controlling fuel costs greater than a greenback much less per gallon than the fuel stations on the alternative aspect of the freeway. One good factor Californians can search for is competitors within the native markets, particularly when fuel stations within the wealthiest markets set fuel costs on the highest costs the markets will bear.
In his column, Walters dug up analysis about Gov. Gavin Newsom and his household getting oil cash to discovered wineries, lodges and eating places. Californians are rightly involved about politicians getting oil cash to gasoline their campaigns and private wealth, however I respect how Newsom is standing up for California, defending our surroundings and dealing to fight local weather change.
Oil firm CEOs took dwelling lots of of thousands and thousands in compensation final 12 months. I fear that payouts like which are extra responsible than the federal government for inflation. There are causes corresponding to greed, lust for energy and envy fueling the conservation of wealth (not the conservation of the atmosphere).
I fear that right-wing conservatives don’t need the general public to grasp local weather change science. As a substitute, it appears they need us to reject battery-powered automobiles and purchase gas-powered automobiles, whereas paying $5, $6 or extra per gallon. When Shell makes document quarterly income over $11.5 billion, they purchase again inventory and problem dividends. Extra-profit taxes will likely be handed on to shoppers as larger fuel costs. In doing so, the trade is making it extra painful for drivers, who will likely be incentivized to consider battery-powered automobiles.
If Californians decrease taxes on oil corporations, then they enhance oil income, inventory buybacks, dividends and CEO pay. Fewer laws and decrease taxes received’t decrease demand on the pumps, minimize fuel costs, scale back air pollution, fight local weather change or regulate towards severe dangers to our well being, security and atmosphere.
— Derek Perner, Larkspur
Noise guidelines wanted for at-home mills
Being a believer of local weather change, I assist these efforts to cut back our carbon footprint if we’re to save lots of our planet. Nonetheless, I’m involved we’re transferring from lowering air air pollution to growing noise air pollution.
Not too long ago, the Pacific Gasoline and Electrical Co. needed to substitute two energy poles in my neighborhood, inflicting the neighborhood to be with out energy all day. As quickly as the ability went off, I heard a horrible sound coming from my neighbor’s property. It was the generator kicking on. Thoughts you, this neighbor lives 4 homes down, however the sound was like I used to be residing in a development venture. It by no means stopped through the energy outage.
Granted, some much-needed dwelling medical gear requires energy to function. I get that, however I imagine it’s time to set max decibel necessities for all outside condensers, warmth pumps and, the most important offender, mills.
I can actually perceive why hospitals, eating places and assisted-living amenities require mills, however I selected to not purchase my home subsequent to one in every of these companies for that reason. I like to be outdoors and be surrounded by nature and to listen to these pure sounds that soothe my soul.
If it had been as much as me, one would want a legitimate cause in an effort to allow the usage of a generator in a residential neighborhood aside from they’ve the cash and sources so as to add that to their dwelling. These mills are far worse than gas-powered yard upkeep gear and, in some Marin municipalities, they’ve already been banned.
I urge metropolis officers to deal with this noise air pollution by setting acceptable requirements for all outside gear earlier than it turns into the following downside we face.
— Patrick Wallen, Novato
Neighborhood photo voltaic plan will take method too lengthy
I’m writing in response to Susanna Saunders’ glorious Marin Voice commentary (“New proposal to reform rooftop photo voltaic incentives dangerous for California,” Dec. 5). The brand new laws anticipated to be proposed by the California Public Utilities Fee would drastically minimize incentives for utilizing rooftop photo voltaic panels. Doing so is a extremely dangerous thought for the atmosphere and for combating local weather change.
There may be a further method that these proposed modifications are horrible for California. It seems that the Pacific Gasoline and Electrical Co. would favor to interchange present rooftop photo voltaic incentives with a neighborhood photo voltaic venture. In idea, this sounds great. Nonetheless, in apply, these initiatives take years and sometimes greater than a decade to be constructed. Many will face intractable opposition and Environmental High quality Act lawsuits, which can maintain them up for years.
Against this, a typical residential rooftop photo voltaic set up takes a matter of weeks between preliminary contract and precise energy output. My very own set up, for instance, took lower than seven weeks from contract, signing to producing energy. Though we personal an electrical automobile and a plug-in hybrid and sparingly use air con, on sunny days our system produces sufficient energy for a number of extra residences.
Whereas we wait years for neighborhood photo voltaic to return on line, we may very well be utilizing 1000’s of megawatts of unpolluted, renewable rooftop solar energy.
It’s incomprehensible that the PUC would search to disincentivize this “inexperienced,” renewable and far wanted supply of electrical energy. I urge each dedicated environmentalist to oppose these proposed PUC modifications vociferously.
— Carl Diehl, Fairfax
Many causes for sick staff to remain dwelling
The current risk of a nationwide rail strike has highlighted the problem of paid sick go away for workers.
It appears to me {that a} coverage that appears to encourage sick staff to return to work, whereas penalizing those that don’t, is a poor enterprise mannequin. Sick staff are sometimes contagious. Contagious staff, by definition, trigger much more staff to be unwell, in addition to prospects. How is that good for enterprise?
It’s even worse as public coverage in that it destroys public well being for the entire neighborhood. And it’s merciless on humanitarian grounds alone. If, nonetheless, staff keep dwelling sick, different staff should be on the payroll to carry out vital work. This expands the employment base, additionally fascinating public coverage.
As a result of most companies, railroads included, report wholesome income, I fear this shortsighted lack of paid sick go away for workers can solely be chalked as much as greed.
— Elaine Levy, San Rafael
Novato councilor-elect expresses her thanks
I’m so honored to be the most recent Novato Metropolis Council member and to hitch a bunch of councilors who care about Novato. Thanks to all my supporters, family and friends for this election victory. I’m humbled by the quantity of people that donated, hosted “meet and greets,” wrote letters to the newspaper, gave me recommendation, posted yard indicators, despatched postcards and walked neighborhoods on my behalf.
Because of all of the organizations and people who believed in me by giving me an endorsement. I couldn’t have accomplished this with out them.
I wish to give gratitude to my opponent, Andy Podshadley. We each labored laborious through the marketing campaign and I hope we will collaborate sooner or later and proceed to develop our relationship.
I wish to thank Councilmember Denise Athas for her progress over the previous 13 years. Her work has been invaluable and I hope to proceed it.
I look ahead to representing Novato, a neighborhood I genuinely care about. I look ahead to working with my revered Metropolis Council members to make Novato a good higher place to dwell. I’m able to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
I wish to invite everybody to return to Metropolis Corridor on Tuesday at 6 p.m. for my swearing-in ceremony.
— Rachel Farac, Novato
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