Solar and wind will play a part, perhaps 20 percent, of the future energy needs of this region. Where would Franklin County residents be without natural gas, oil and wood over the past cloudy, cold, rainy two and half months? One lone wind turbine atop Berkshire mountain or a few small solar farms sprinkled around could not supply the energy needs of the valley.
I consider fossil fuels (composted plant, trees and million-year-old dead dinosaur carcasses) as “renewable,” along with wood and its by-products.
With respect to a recent editorial, the incessant plastic bag ban that this newspaper can not let go of. Typical liberal behavior when things do not go their way. When elected officials and Greenfield residents voted not to ban single-use plastic bags, this newspaper and others will not drop the subject and move on.
We elect people to make decisions. A never-ending referendum only takes energy away from other, more important, Franklin County needs.
Besides, what about all the other million and one items we all purchase that are contained, in one form or another, in plastic?
Also, I applaud President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate agreement. Former President Obama, as a decree from himself, without Congress or U.S. citizen input or approval, signed the agreement as an executive order.
Because of this action by Obama, President Trump has every right to cancel or withdraw the United States from the agreement.
Jim Bates
Gill