Letters to the Editor for Nov. 4, 2021

‘Build Back Better’ to address climate woes

Thanks for your editorial of Oct. 14, reminding us all that “Addressing climate change should be officials’ top concern.” Now that the rains have returned, at least for the time being, I hope that we don’t forget about the heat waves, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, drought and other symptoms of our changing climate.

We will all benefit from addressing these horrific climate problems now. More jobs in new fields, health benefits from cleaner air and water, fewer fossil fuel clean ups and fiery explosions, etc. — these benefits are for everyone regardless of political persuasion.

The Build Back Better plan addresses many of our climate woes. However, we will not get everything we need in whatever version finally moves through Congress. It is up to each of us to demand that all our federal, state and local officials move forward relentlessly in dealing with this urgent problem.

Climate remedies are not going to get cheaper by postponing them to an uncertain future. We all experienced the dangerous heat dome last summer.

If this is what happens with the current level of carbon in the atmosphere, what can we look forward to as this level rises?

Diana Gordon,

Washougal

Future includes solar-powered EVs

For the first 300,000 miles, the total cost of ownership of an electric vehicle (EV) is less than for any gasoline-powered car. Soon, the upfront cost of owning an EV will also be less than for a comparable gasoline powered car. Early adopters always bring the price down.

Will you be able to charge your car if you live in a multifamily development?

What if Clark Public Utilities doesn’t have enough energy?

Those are questions that Clark PUD needs to solve and get busy doing it soon.

Sixty years ago, I was inspired by the space race and I became a physics teacher.

Fifty years ago, when I built our home, it became possible to heat homes with heat pumps instead of fossil fuels, so I installed one.

Forty years ago, I was excited by the new field of computers and I agreed to teach computer science.

Now, I’m excited by the falling prices of solar panels and EV batteries. All of us may soon be able to drive on sunshine.

Change will happen more quickly than we think possible. Last month, Hertz placed an order for 100,000 Teslas, and Tesla stock has soared beyond a trillion dollars.

Solar panels seem to be the lowest-cost option for charging EV batteries. Although they don’t produce much on a rainy day, the remedy is to over-build solar.

The Clark PUD wires will have a critical role to play in shifting solar electricity from where it is produced to where it is needed.

The most exciting new EV is the Ford F-150 Lightning. It allows the truck battery to run power tools on a jobsite, and to keep the lights on at home during a power outage. I’m excited about the future!

Don Steinke,

Vancouver