Continue the thoughtful development of renewable energy

Letters to the editor
| South Bend Grandstand

St. County Council Joseph is currently considering building a solar farm in North Liberty, and at the June 11 council meeting a concerned citizen asked, “By (leasing this land), yes, we are losing a small piece of land, but are we losing a large piece of the future?” The council is scheduled to vote on changes to solar regulations, but council members Amy Drake and Randy Figg are going beyond that by pushing for a one-year moratorium on solar development.

I too am a concerned citizen and support solar energy. By relying on coal energy instead of renewable energy sources, we are already missing out on part of our future. Delaying our investments in renewable energy only increases the debt we owe as the extreme weather, drought and record heatwaves hit our state. When it comes to renewable energy, later is simply too late.

Solar energy has been researched for decades and is safe and efficient. The waste it produces is just a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of coal ash, particulate matter and carbon dioxide produced by coal-fired power plants. If the moratorium comes to a vote, I call on the Council to deny it and continue the thoughtful development of renewable energy.

Wesley Lantz

South Bend

justice system

I recently saw Congressman Rudy Yakym on TV supporting the police and encouraging us to thank them. As my husband is a retired officer and veteran, I greatly appreciate any tribute to his sacrifice and service.

Unfortunately, Yakym does not have the same respect for our justice system. His false and disparaging “witch hunt” statements about Donald Trump’s conviction undermine public confidence in our courts. Our judges, juries, prosecutors, defense attorneys and court staff in state and federal cases do a very hard job and deserve respect. They should not fear for their lives or the safety of their families, but this is the result of irresponsible claims like those made by Congressman Yakym and many of Donald Trump’s supporters.

It is also ironic that Yakym takes a bold stand against anti-Semitism and then undermines diversity, equity and inclusion work in the military and academia. Discrimination, ignorance and hatred harm us all, regardless of who is the victim. Until we are all free, we will not be truly free.

Ann Carol Nash

South Bend

Alternative

If you don’t like Donald Trump, how about an alternative? Why is it worth voting for Joe Biden?

Here are just a few reasons:

Are you worried about the economy? The truth is that employment has increased, spending is high, wages have gone up, and one expert calls our economy “the envy of the world”!

On health care, Biden not only kept the popular Affordable Care Act in place, but proposed expanding dental coverage. Republicans would abandon it.

Many people are concerned about crime, but murders are down more than 12 percent in 2023 and violent crime is near a 50-year low.

Biden has made huge progress in the fight against climate change. Reuters reported that “President Joe Biden’s administration wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 as it seeks to avoid the potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change.” He also restored essential environmental protections and established new ones, specifically targeting poor, vulnerable communities.

Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act addressed our nation’s aging infrastructure while promoting renewable energy sources. Since the law’s passage, “the United States has doubled the rate of reduction in carbon dioxide emissions,” according to Tribune.

Are you worried about your age? Biden is four years older than Trump – so what?

Laura Fuderera

South Bend