By Leonard Witt
The other day I took a friend to my favorite view of the Sandwich Mountain Range, but alas it was shrouded in smoke from the wildfires out West. Those low hanging toxic clouds were a reminder of just how connected all things are — and how vulnerable New Hampshire is to the consequences of global warming.
The good news is that on many fronts here and across the country, a shift in attitudes and technology is taking place. Those changes could save the Earth from boiling (millions of shellfish cooked in the waters of the Pacific Northwest when temperatures reached 121 degrees) and from burning up as evidenced by the wildfire smoke that covered most of the USA.
A recent Pew Research survey found that “a majority of Americans (71%) say the U.S. should prioritize development of alternative energy sources over expanding production of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and natural gas.”
Fewer are in favor of eliminating all fossil fuels, but that might not really matter. Technology is moving faster than people’s perceptions. Remember when no one had a cell phone and then overnight everyone did? The same thing is about to happen with electric vehicles as we move to an “electrification of everything” era that includes everything from chainsaws to electric heat pumps.
Youth, according to the Pew Research, are paying more attention to climate issues than the baby boomers. Shareholders at Exxon Mobil revolted against its management’s carbon-only philosophy by replacing 25 percent of its board with renewable friendly members. Stocks in clean energy companies like Tesla and NextEra Energy are soaring.
Maybe it’s their age, but our NH GOP majority in the state house and senate, are not only stuck in the past, they want to keep the rest of us stuck there too. They passed HB 373 which requires approval from the legislature or executive council to be a part of any low carbon fuel standards program. A forward thinking state would be advancing low carbon fuel standards. It would be good for the environment and good for our wallets.
The Sununu administration has done nothing with $4.6 million in Volkswagen diesel fuel settlement funds earmarked in 2018 to build a charging station infrastructure for electric cars. Not one has been installed. He also has vetoed legislation that would have allowed solar panel owners to sell electricity back to the power companies at competitive rates. Rates that would inspire homeowners, businesses and communities to go solar and thus provide homegrown renewables to lower the need for fossil fuels. Finally, this year he signed legislation that has given municipalities like Keene the right to sell the power it generates at those competitive rates. However, he continues to block businesses and homeowners from that competitive advantage.
The NH GOP from Sununu down continue to represent a dark cloud literally hovering over everyone in New Hampshire. A clean economy movement – maybe led by youth — is needed to clean our skies and clear away those politicians ideologically stuck in a carbon, polluted past.
Leonard Witt, a founding member of the Sandwich Climate Action Coalition, is now an at-large delegate for the Carroll County Democratic Committee.