Readers weigh in on biodiesel, Trump on race and the child tax credit

Biodiesel: The Path to a Better Energy Future

Hauppauge, LI: New Yorkers are talking about reducing our carbon footprint and reducing emissions. One of the easiest ways to do this is through the use of Bioheat fuel. I’d like to talk to you about the history and evolution of Bioheat fuel and why using it to keep our homes and families warm is the way of the future.

Bioheat fuel is a blend of traditional heating fuel and renewable biodiesel. Biodiesel is made from various natural materials that are recycled or are agricultural byproducts, such as inedible corn oil or other materials that would otherwise be wasted.

In 2010, the New York City Council passed a landmark law requiring a certain percentage of biodiesel to be blended into all heating oil. This law required all grades of heating oil to contain at least 2% biodiesel starting in the fall of 2011. In 2016, another law was passed that raised the minimum biodiesel content in heating oil in New York to 5%, or B5 Bioheat fuel. Starting July 1, 2023, all Bioheat fuel in New York State must contain at least 5% biodiesel, increasing to 10% by 2025 and 20% by 2030.

With widespread adoption in New York and beyond, it is clear that Bioheat fuel is a sustainable, reliable energy source for the future. Resources that inform readers about Bioheat fuel are available at NYSECnow.org or MyBioheat.com. Rocco J. Lacertosa, CEO, New York State Energy Coalition

Storage space

Brooklyn: I read with interest Elizabeth Stein’s article “NY is away on its climate law” (July 30). How could she not mention Gov. Hochul’s disappointing record as our supposed climate leader? All of these policies that are being sidelined, abandoned, and forgotten are her responsibility to manage. In particular, offshore wind and battery storage development are lagging. As with offshore wind, battery systems are subject to extreme NIMBYism from those who do not understand their critical nature in renewable energy systems and who are misled and frightened by the risks. Battery systems are safe, separate facilities that have nothing to do with faulty e-bikes. Hochul’s agencies have a real opportunity to educate the public, rather than sit idly by as city after city calls for a battery moratorium. I don’t expect Hochul to solve the global problem, but simply enforcing our state’s laws, including tolls, is a start. Ella Ryan

Fallacious rhetoric

Shaftesbury, Vermont: Donald Trump he has no idea that Jamaicans are black people and he has no idea about Kamala Harris’ father, an immigrant from Jamaica. He proved that in the interview. Let’s forget about Trump as the US president, because if he can’t sort this and Harris’ facts, he can’t sort out world issues. That’s dangerous. King Tom

Beyond your depth

New Rochelle, NY: Although Trump has never been known as a swimmer, he recently plunged headlong into the deep end of racial identity. He did so without a clear idea of ​​what he was getting himself into. In fact, he got very confused in front of a national audience. Listening to him, Trump has some useful and desperately needed ideas for improving the country. But those ideas are greatly overshadowed by his inability to stop saying stupid things. Instead of focusing on issues and policies during a panel discussion at the National Association of Black Journalists, he decided to debate with himself whether Kamala Harris is Indian or black. What? Who cares? I don’t know if Trump is racist or not. What I do know is that he should stay out of any conversation about race like it’s the third rail. Charles Seaton

Seeing the signs

Manhattan: After watching Wednesday’s NABJ interview with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin realized how out of control he is. Why else would Putin seize this moment to free hostages and make the Biden/Harris administration look good? I hope our electorate is as discerning as Putin was in November. Chris Santoro

It worked

Dobbs Ferry, NY: It looks like “Sleepy Joe” had his eyes wide open while “Con Don” fell asleep with his eyes wide shut! Hurray for freeing the hostages. Renée Keane

Distasteful performances

Manhattan: As old Donald Trump, in full orange make-up and oddly baggy suits, feebly trudges through a series of increasingly unhinged hate rallies, spewing venom and blabbing about sharks and windmills, he could easily be mistaken for a deeply mad, two-bit vaudeville actor desperately seeking a comeback, as opposed to a Christian candidate for president of the United States. Creepy, embarrassing and “weird.” Anne Stockton

A strong password

Boynton Beach, FL: Kudos to Lecturer Eugene Dunn for recognizing and articulating what Trump and his campaign are apparently blind to: MAGA has long since outlived its usefulness, and they desperately need not just a slogan, but a rallying cry that will mobilize not only Trump voters, but also millions of disappointed and remorseful independents and Biden voters. Following Dunn’s suggested “survival” theme that has clearly dominated the GOP convention: In April 2023, I saw Sean Hannity unveil a “We’ll make it to 25” hat on his show. Even if it doesn’t rhyme beautifully, it would be a perfect late campaign pivot to raise funds that would dwarf anything the Democrats might be up against. Money isn’t everything in a political campaign, but it helps a lot! And Trump’s pivot to the rallying cry of “We’ll make it to 25” would ultimately be the nuclear knockout punch of this election! Ed Dignan

Nonsense

Peekskill, NY: Has the Daily News become so desperate to print Voice of the People letters again that you have published on this page such senseless, ridiculous musings by Voicer John L. Purcell! He wrote: “the 1969 hoax about men landing on the moon,” Donny Most and Potsie from the old “Happy Days” TV show, and both presidential candidates dissolving both houses of Congress! Keep printing such idiotic articles. Steven J. Bevacqua

French desertion

College Point: NBC Olympics swimming commentators Rowdy Gaines and Dan Hicks are pathetic. Other than Katie Ledecky, who repeated her gold medal in the 1,500, most of the swim team was hugely disappointing, finishing far behind in the gold medal count. So, to compensate, Gaines in particular, but aided by Hicks, are shouting and cheering on the pool’s star so far, Léon Marchand of France, all because he’s simply coached by an American. Sean McPhillips

Transgression

Greenwood Lake, New York: I am very disappointed that the Daily News did not publish a story about an Olympic boxer who was knocked out by a boxer posing as a woman. Joe Fioramonti

Be a smarter parent

Richmond Hill: I’m 74 and I still remember what my father told me: Don’t do anything stupid! He told me not to smoke, even though he smoked and died young. I never went in the ocean after dark or where there were no lifeguards. I always held on when riding buses or the subway. I look both ways when I cross the street and I’m constantly looking around. Any kid who gets talked into surfing on the subway didn’t listen to his parents and may never grow up. No one needs to add their child to the list of stupid kids. Talk to your kids! Robert Clolery

Children come first

West Barnstable, Mass.: When I read about the failed Senate vote to expand the child tax credit, I couldn’t help but feel outraged and disappointed. In a country where millions of children live in poverty, our lawmakers seem more interested in scoring political points than in providing meaningful support to those who need it most. This proposed expansion isn’t just a matter of politics; it’s a moral imperative. This is a chance for us to say that we value our children, that we believe in their potential, and that we are willing to invest in their future. But instead of working together to make this happen, our lawmakers are choosing to play politics. They are putting their own interests ahead of the needs of their constituents, and it’s our children who are paying the price. Ronald Beaty