National Grid's 'green gas' idea, potholes and Ukraine

National Grid’s ideas are what’s really costly

The problem with National Grid’s vision is that "green" gas is a red herring ["National Grid’s hybrid plan,” News, April 19]. Producing hydrogen from electricity and then burning it for heat is wildly inefficient compared to using heat pumps. Further, leaked hydrogen is a greenhouse nightmare. To meet New York’s national-leading climate goals, we must say goodbye to fossil fuels in any form.

The state’s climate scoping plan must lay out the way we can heat and cool our homes electrically by 2050: Approve and develop seven times the amount of solar power we now have, plus 10 times the amount of wind power and battery storage, with no new gas plants and retire existing ones.

The cost of an electric heat pump for any given building may be high, but it only need be purchased at the end of the natural life of its predecessor. What’s truly expensive is climate inaction.

Abby J. Pariser, Huntington

Repairs? Let's learn to build better roads

It's great news that the governor will fund repairs of roadways, especially the Long Island Expressway ["Push to fix LI's potholes," News, April 20]. But once that is completed, the countdown begins for when the next repairs will be needed. Must we let our roads fall completely into disrepair before taking action? Why not have timely maintenance? Better yet, why not build roadways that do not break down due to poor construction? Our roads could be built better, maybe with extra concrete. Anything is better than what we've been getting.

Peter Kelly, Medford

I hope the crews repair our roads with whatever type of concrete was used for Sunrise Highway. That stuff seems to be much better than what's on other roads. The other day, eight cars were on the side of the Long Island Expressway between Exits 62 and 59. I'm confident that potholes were the cause.

Jill Holmes, Centereach

There was no mention at all of pothole repairs for the Northern State Parkway, which is in terrible condition. More than $500 million is committed for a stadium in Buffalo but only $157 million for repairing only 10 Long Island roads. What a shame.

Louis Grimaldi, East Northport

Mulling American action in Ukraine

I agree with everything a reader says about those many Americans who are indifferent about climate change, too many guns on the streets, and, especially now, the war in Ukraine ["We'll be remembered by history as 'blase,' " Letters, April 19]. He cites that America was not “blase” about Adolf Hitler during World War II, that we should now "enter the fray” with Hitler’s “clone,” Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Our government was indeed blase during the late 1930s until late 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew about the devastation brought upon the Jews and others well before he and his administration acted decisively. Only after Pearl Harbor was attacked did we actually “enter the fray."

I do not agree with the reader that each day "goes by with inaction.” Our government has provided Ukraine with enormous amounts of munitions with which to defend its territory. We cannot end it with anything like the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, so other means need to be employed. Putin must be isolated from the civilized world, and this slaughter and destruction of an autonomous country must end with the help of all freedom-loving countries.

Sherry Eckstein, Huntington

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's appeal to the UN to punish Russia for its blatant aggression in violation of every fundamental principle of the UN charter recalls the impassioned plea from Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie to the League of Nations in 1936 to come to his country's aid when it was invaded by Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini's military. "What reply shall I have to take back to my people?" Selassie asked. Sadly, the League did nothing, and Ethiopia was overrun and occupied by the Italians. The League was revealed, in effect, to be a well-meaning but ineffectual debating club. Will the UN become a similar footnote in world history?

George Haber, Jericho

Cathy Young suggests that no sane person wants the United States to fight Russia ["How should the world respond to Bucha?", Opinion, April 7]. Does that mean if Russia invades Poland or Estonia, the United States and NATO stand down? Obviously not, or the whole rationale of NATO is negated. What is insane is believing Ukraine can defeat Russia without adequate air power, long-range surface to air missiles, tanks and artillery. Not buying Russian oil and gas might help. All else are mere gestures. The Russians plan to destroy as much infrastructure as they can, making ground opposition more difficult. Russian President Vladimir Putin did this in Chechnya and Syria. Without the United States and NATO joining the fight, Ukraine is doomed. And if this happens, you can place flowers at the Ukrainian memorial in Eisenhower Park. Then ask for their forgiveness.

Arthur Hanratty, West Hempstead

At the core of the Ukraine horror -- Russian President Vladimir Putin controls more than 6,000 nuclear weapons and has questionable sanity. It's absolutely terrifying. Nuclear war between Russia and America, with millions dead and gravely injured, can only be avoided if the Russian people learn the truth about Putin’s motives, his colossal theft of the nation’s funds, and the barbaric conduct he encourages during his military campaign against Ukraine. Putin has imposed measures to hide the truth from Russians. Pope Francis, highly respected by all, would be the most credible communicator of that truth via every media outlet the United States can possibly open up to the Russian people. That compelling truth is certain to inspire heroes among the Russian people to remove this monster from power. Peace would be restored immediately. The nightmare would be over, an unthinkable catastrophe averted.

David G. O'Brien, Mount Sinai