Wind farms, economy, decriminalizing pot
Marijuana plants in a Riverhead greenhouse. Credit: James Carbone
Court gives climate a much-needed win
This judge’s decision is good news [“2 LI-linked wind farms push on as judge rejects Trump order,” News, Dec. 10]. Long Island needs offshore wind energy to replace the power plants that are accelerating global warming, not to mention polluting our air.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, though, already made her devil’s bargain with President Donald Trump, greenlighting the previously rejected Northeast Supply Enhancement Project gas pipeline in return for his administration not shutting down Empire Wind.
If she stood her ground and again rejected the water quality permit for the pipeline, we might have been spared the marine pollution and a hit to our utility bills.
We should be thankful that the court doesn’t have to make deals with our current federal government. Will developers proceed now with the stalled offshore wind projects? Will the public interest ultimately win out? Given Trump’s ongoing hatred of clean energy, I’m not celebrating yet.
— Alden Pearl, Valley Stream
It insults us to say our economy is good
The most important word that President Donald Trump should embrace during his speaking tour is “empathy” [“Economy touted, but many worry,” News, Dec. 15]. All the statistics he cites about our “good economy” will not win over the many who are struggling.
The people are just not feeling a better economy, and it is insulting to be told differently.
— Tony Giametta, Oceanside
Decriminalizing pot was not necessary
The editorial about Glen Cove’s new law restricting marijuana use in public spaces referred to the decriminalization of marijuana as being “necessary” [“City could smoke out a nuisance,” Opinion, Dec. 16].
What necessitated this change? Human rights, recreational freedom, filling the public coffers with tax dollars? There are no positives to these new laws.
We as a society are not better for this. What could possibly go wrong?
— Robert Barnes, North Babylon
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