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‘Alarmist’ forgets role of democracy

I think the writer of “Drive of Democrats needs a detour” (Oct. 19) needs another lesson in democracy.

First, has California moved to phase out fossil fuel vehicles? Yes.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order requiring new passenger cars to have zero emissions in 2035, thereby giving its population improved air to breathe and eliminating most smog. These moves will help reduce growing asthma cases in children, move toward stopping climate change, and other positive effects.

The California Air Resources Board will develop regulations to move the state in that direction and movement toward changing other forms of transportation will continue. Trucks and bus emissions will be addressed

Please note: “By the time the new rule goes into effect, zero-emission vehicles will almost certainly be cheaper and better than the traditional fossil fuel powered cars,” Newsom said. “The upfront cost of electric vehicles are projected to reach parity with conventional vehicles in just a matter of years, and the cost of owning the car – both in maintenance and how much it costs to power the car mile for mile – is far less than a fossil fuel burning vehicle.”

Accommodations are being made for classic cars, used cars, etc.

So why is the writer upset? Electric powered cars will simply replace gas powered one. Car industries will continue to make them — most already are producing electric cars to some degree. Companies will continue to make their money. People will continue to be employed in car manufacturing and sales. Newsom himself gains nothing. He gets no profit from this directive.

In other words it sounds like Democrats are leading the way. They are doing what their constituents asked them to do — provide an orderly move toward changing how we propel our vehicles. They want an orderly way to clean our air and save our planet. They are clearly in touch with a world movement toward that goal as the European Union is moving in the same direction with their goal of eliminating gas cars by 2035. China, Japan, UK, South Korea, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, and the 12 U.S. states that adhered to California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program are moving in the same direction.

Please note those worldwide governments are not run by Democrats, but by concerned leadership. Their decisions are being made in governments in the ordinary way — through discussion and decision making and voting. They are relying on the science that tells us we are destroying our world. They are acting together to move their nations toward a goal that will reverse that. Norway already has reached a point where 40% of its new car sales are electric. (The U.S. is only at 2% right now). Some European cities are proposing bans on gas powered vehicles in their city limits. Others charge for such cars to enter the city — a kind of tax. All around the word the movement is toward the removal of gas powered vehicles.

Now to me the only losers are those who drill for oil. I have no sympathy for them. Look up the stats on profits made blu the oil industry: “In 2018, the total revenue of the United States’ oil and gas industry came to about 181 billion U.S. dollars, a substantial increase since the lowest point of the decade in 2016. “ (www.statista.com). No synpathy.

As for New York state, state Sen. Pete Harkham has put forth a bill in the legislature (S.9008) setting forth a timeline for certain vehicles to be phased out if they are gas powered. This may include off road vehicles — which will have to simply be refashioned into electric powered, which some are now (I have an electric scooter myself). Even lawn mowers (a terrible polluter) are made in electric form. Please note that according to an article: “A state council would be given until Jan. 31, 2021, to develop a zero-emissions vehicle market strategy while the state Motor Vehicles and Transportation departments would be directed to find near-term actions and investment strategies to improve environmentally friendly transportation, sustainable freight and transit options by Jan. 15, 2021.” So agencies and groups will be involved in masking these proposals — a plan — before actually changes are made.

Please note again — it’s a law that is being proposed here in state. The proposed law will make its way through the legislature and a vote will be held at some point.

How is this dictatorship? Sounds like good old democracy to me. And smart democracy, if we are to improve our air and save our planet. A small price to pay, driving an electric car rather than a gas powered car. People ride around in electric golf carts, don’t they? Off road vehicles will do the same. American known how will work to maker that all happen.

The writer of the article sounds like an alarmist, a twister of the truth, and one who shouts accusations of dictatorship when in fact Democratic leadership is working on behalf of its people, not behind the oil industry.

Diane Andrasik is a Dunkirk resident.

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