Reliance on oil, gas causes health problems, holds back renewables
It is understandable why state Sen. Tim Schaffer would defend the oil and gas industry in his March 7 letter “Report was wrong: Oil, gas industry in Ohio is boon for jobs, energy costs,” as these two industries play a large role in his district.
The report that Shaffer refers to, which was produced by the nonpartisan Ohio River Valley Institute, simply points out the fact that while counties in his district helped produce over 90% of the region’s natural gas, his constituents saw a decrease in income and jobs between 2008 and 2019.
Shaffer further touts a “boon” in energy savings for low-income families, whereas low-income families are twice as likely to suffer from asthma or other lung ailments that are made worse by the burning of fossil fuels like natural gas and oil. It is estimated that the conditions exacerbated or caused by air pollution costs Americans $886 billion a year in medication, doctor visits or hospital stays, contributing to rising insurance and health care costs.
These costs only add to the burden of low-income families in Ohio.
If Ohio is interested in maximizing economic, health and climate benefits to its citizens, we need to welcome renewables and stop passing legislation to make it harder for solar and wind projects to build in our state. Because of short-sighted legislation, Ohio missed out on more than $1.6 billion in approved wind projects while handicapping and delaying other efforts through the passing of House Bill 6.
So when weighing risk against reward, we must ask: are lower gas prices and increased air pollution really worth shutting out Ohio's renewable energy future and exacerbating poor health conditions in our communities? The “boon” certainly doesn't seem to pay off.
Ariunaa Bayanjargal, Westerville
Two Ohio legislature bills are a threat to First Amendment
Gov. Mike Dewine has set a goal to reverse Ohio's “brain drain” and make the state more attractive to new residents, especially those with strong technical skills. The Republican-led legislature is working overtime to take Ohio in the other direction.
Currently, the Ohio House and Senate are considering bills that, if passed and signed into law, would significantly curb Ohioans' First Amendment rights. House Bill 109 (and related Senate Bill 16) would create higher fines and prison time for individuals involved in, and organizations supporting, a protest where first-responders are harassed, intimidated or injured, or where the action is deemed to be a riot.
There already are laws to punish those who injure police officers or other public servants. And the language regarding “harassment and intimidation” is so nebulous as to make the law either unenforceable, or worse, to turn the determination over to the police – a first step toward making Ohio a police state.
HB 109 also sets fines and considers as vandalism even the temporary marking of government property, say with spray chalk. According to this wording, my 3-year-old grandson can be considered a vandal for drawing with chalk on the sidewalk (city-owned property) in front of his house.
HB 22 would increase penalties for merely distracting or “diverting the attention” of a law enforcement officer – by yelling, or throwing a substance of some kind (glitter, confetti, water). The bill also creates penalties for making a police officer “feel threatened.” Most of these terms are so general as to create serious constitutional concerns about their application.
It appears likely that each of these poorly conceived and worded pieces of legislation will fail under a court challenge. But why are our elected officials so keen to waste state resources when there are so many real problems to be solved? Maybe they should try listening to what the citizens of the state are protesting about. By listening to citizens regarding important issues, we, and our elected officials, will be in a better position to address serious concerns and avoid unproductive knee-jerk reactions.
I urge everyone to call your representatives and say no to these unnecessary and dangerous pieces of legislation. You can find your senators' and representative's phone numbers at: ohiosenate.gov/ and ohiohouse.gov/.
Tom Baillieul, Columbus
Despite their long time in office, politicians only make things worse
“Tear down this wall!” was the rallying cry of House leader Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party during the presidency of Donald Trump. The Democrats won and Joe Biden took over as president.
Look around you, patriots, at what politicians who stay in office too long — up to 47 years — have accomplished. Open borders, drug smuggling, crime, joblessness and homelessness all have increased. Our uniformed servicemen and women here and overseas must question their families back home.
Walter Driscoll, Columbus