In response to Daniel Lyons’ letter of July 15, regarding the difficulties of transitioning our energy infrastructure to net zero: Solar is now the cheapest method of power generation in the world. The sun works for nothing regardless of geopolitical events. Fossil fuel interests detest this fact, and use “studies” and “experts” to distract. A mixture of fact and fiction serves to preserve the fossil fuel industry.
Meanwhile, new innovations frequently emerge that will make our current wind, solar, battery, etc. technologies even more efficient. For decades we have been told that the costs of moving away from fossil fuels is prohibitive. Enter President Donald Trump and his tariffs, supposedly to revive manufacturing in the U.S., while he simultaneously cripples the thriving wind and solar industries.
Are we to believe that the costs of decarbonization are prohibitive whilst we are now suddenly paying significant tariffs? Could we not manufacture solar and wind components in the U.S., protected by tariffs? How about carbon fee and dividend? The best tools to effect change in our economy are still not being used, having been previously judged as too costly. This is ludicrous.
We are now being asked to pay significant tariffs on a speculative bid to revive manufacturing, while Trump destroys a promising and important segment of our economy! It is eminently clear that the real problem is money in politics, not the cost of transitioning away from fossil fuels. The longer we wait to take unified action, the greater the cost becomes.
John Kinchla
Hadley