Urban waste for fuel

Regarding “State approves nation’s toughest methane curbs” (March 24): I read in The Chronicle that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is tightening regulations regarding methane emissions by refineries and public utilities; we shall all breathe easier. And a few months back, it was reported that CARB had helped underwrite a project to capture methane emissions from a manure pile on a local cattle ranch; this, too, is a positive step.

Perhaps CARB’s next appropriate target would be the industrial-scale composting enterprises that emerged from our efforts to divert rubbish from landfills; certainly such an act would be a boon to all Californians.

An even greater boon would be to discontinue composting organic refuse altogether and burn it to generate electricity. Studies cited by the city of Alameda in 1982 found that better than 50 percent of Bay Area urban waste would be suitable for use as fuel for electrical generation.

Although refuse-derived fuel contains only about half as much energy per ton as coal, adopting this alternative process, already widely used in Europe, would not only eliminate the methane problem, but would reduce the costs (both economic and environmental) of transportation and produce a product of known marketability; a winning combination on several fronts. John Nicoles, Oakland

Manipulate the citizens

Regarding “Invest where it counts — in libraries” (Open Forum, March 29): State librarian Greg Lucas might believe that the Trump administration’s budget cuts in federal funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services are “inadvertent,” but I would beg to differ.

This president, having appointed a secretary of education who supports taxpayer-funded vouchers, which would severely impact our public schools, is an anti-information individual. Why support vital knowledge-giving institutions like libraries when you can promote baseless conspiracy theories? Why endorse literacy programs when you can demonize journalists and the press as purveyors of “fake news”?

No, the Trump budget cuts affecting libraries, schools and any other sources of higher learning are sadly intentional. This administration would like a nation of citizens who distrust information so they can be more easily manipulated by their leaders. Trump’s campaign slogan really ought to have been “Make America Dumb Again.” Felicia Charles, Millbrae

Elder eviction is wrong

Regarding “Woman dies after long eviction fight” (March 29): This is another article about a person over 100 years old dying after a battle with eviction. Change is difficult for all of us but more so for older folks who just do not have the resources, physical health, support and resilience to weather changes.

Even moving to a care facility with all it offers is very difficult. How would these landlords feel if their parent was forced to make changes beyond their wherewithal?!

Donna Weidenfeller, San Francisco

Creepy internet legislation

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, one of the oldest nonprofits advocating for digital rights, said the removal of the Internet privacy rules would erase privacy protections and harm cybersecurity. “Big Internet providers will be given new powers to harvest your personal information in extraordinarily creepy ways,” the EFF wrote in a statement. “They will watch your every action online and create highly personalized and sensitive profiles for the highest bidder. All without your consent.” I find it interesting that everything the Republican “Trumpites” do is creepy. Craig Warren, Napa

Make the border wall solar

Regarding “2,000 miles of eyesore” (Letters, March 28): Let’s change the discussion to “2,000 miles of solar panels.” SoCal Edison has very high electric rates, even higher than Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

Solar panels covering the border wall can power electronic defenses and have enough power left over to transfer to the grid, making summertime power outages a thing of the past. The excess power can also be sent to Mexico, so it can have factories making batteries or whatever to sell down south, eliminating the economic pressure behind migration. The entire country would benefit. A plain wall is a waste of money. Make the wall work for all of us.

Theolinda Knight, Berkeley

Health care: a human right

Thank you to David Talbot for “Medicare-for-all buzz rises from ashes of Trumpcare” (March 28). While I doubt we could have federal Medicare for all anytime soon, it is possible for the state of California to be the first in the nation to recognize yet again that health care is a human right and should be guaranteed to all regardless of income, age, gender, pre-existing condition or immigration status.

As with Canada, its government health care system began in one province and spread across the nation. California could be the pioneer. I urge readers to learn more about SB562, the Healthy California Act (Sens. Ricardo Lara and Toni G. Atkins) and pressure their state senator to support the legislation as more details emerge in the coming weeks.

Dale Sorensen, Inverness

Direct democracy

Regarding “Dems urged to focus on people of color” (March 28): As a resister, I was excited to learn that a Democrat, Jon Ossoff, is favored to win the Georgia congressional seat vacated by Tom Price, who was named to head Health and Human Services.

I looked up Ossoff, was impressed by his resume, and plan to send him a contribution — quickly, since the special election is next month. Direct democracy — I love it. Hats off to Joe Garofoli for his political coverage in general. This was a particularly interesting column.

Kristin Anundsen, San Francisco

Not a warm reception

I have a simple response to the announcement that due to “a scheduling conflict” President Trump will not be throwing out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals home opener: Baloney! Regardless of event, this gutless wonder is unwilling to face any audience that isn’t hand picked or clearly supportive of his policies.

He knew perfectly well the kind of reception he would have received, and opted to run away like the bullying coward he is.

Christopher Beach, El Dorado Hills

Trump’s short-lived position

Regarding President Trump’s nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch, the Senate should abide by the recently enshrined Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Principle: no vote on any Supreme Court nomination from a president with less than a year remaining in office.

Edward Chmelewski, San Francisco