LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Outraged with PG&E
“PG&E ran a TV ad touting its undergrounding work. Now it wants customers to pay for it,” (sanluisobispo.com, April 12)
Applause, cheers and gratitude from this reader to Sacramento Bee reporter Ari Plachta. In my San Luis Obispo Tribune papers from April 22 and 23, opinion articles by the Sacramento Bee have also been right on regarding PG&E finding new ways to fleece its customers (of which I am one).
As a ratepayer, I am outraged to find out that the utility company’s advertising for undergrounding power lines (to lessen the catastrophic results of PG&E’s downed lines) is being paid by ratepayers — not shareholders. These funds are also being used by these utilities (including SoCal Edison) to fight against clean energy policy.
According to Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, when questioning the release of the final $400 million to keep Diablo operating until 2029-30 on the Senate Budget Committee, battery technology has already exceeded the output of energy provided by PG&E. This is our money and there is no commitment for repayment of $1.4 billion. Invest this money in clean air and climate mitigation while there is still time.
Marty Brown
Atascadero
Earth Day’s original meaning
“SLO writer speaks out about climate change on Earth Day,” (sanluisobispo.com, April 23)
Earth Day started here on the Central Coast in response to an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara. It began as a day not only to honor the Earth, but the concept of peace.
Peace is critical for the health of our planet, and armed conflict is the worst polluter. Pro-nuclear advocates say nuclear energy is a solution for climate change, but without the need to make nuclear weapons, there would not have been a nuclear power industry. “Atoms for Peace,” a Cold War media campaign, gave cover for nuclear weapons build-up, masking nuclear reactors as a new way to boil water for steam generators.
Today, hot and cold wars are breaking out across the globe, and nuclear nations are keen to keep their ability to make more nukes. But uranium is mined from Indigenous lands, poisoning their land and communities. It’s bought from countries, like Russia, for billions of dollars — despite economic sanctions.
Nuclear weapons do not make a safer world. Nuclear energy is not a solution for climate change. There are better, cleaner ways to meet our energy needs. Find ways to do so with the least impact on our planet. And always work toward peace. Carole Hisasue Los Osos
Parking nightmare
“How do you feel about parking in downtown SLO CA?” (sanluisobispo.com, Feb. 2)
On a recent Saturday evening, we drove to SLO to meet our niece and celebrate her birthday. Our initial impression was that the downtown area was lovely and that we should visit again soon.
After our meal we walked back to our car, where a surprise awaited us: A $45 parking ticket.
The space we parked in appeared to be unrestricted. The curb was unpainted, and there was no parking meter or parking space number. After some investigation, I found a sign at the end of the row. In small print, it said that we had to pay for parking at a pay station in some undisclosed location.
In Pismo Beach, parking spaces are clearly marked. In SLO, one has to pay a $45 fee to learn how the parking system works. Our revised opinion of SLO’s downtown: It is to be avoided at all costs. SLO does not want us wasting space in their precious downtown; message received loud and clear. From now on, we will be spending our dining dollars in the Morro Bay area — Cayucos or Cambria — where we can enjoy many nice restaurants and free parking.
Steve and Irene Jacobson
Cayucos
Due diligence
“Mail scam asks SLO County residents to support police,” (sanluisobispo.com, Sept. 22, 2023)
There are over 1,000 non-profits registered in SLO County. Most are legitimate charitable services, housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, treating the sick who can’t afford doctors, helping the unemployed get jobs, aiding veterans, etc. But as human history would suggest, among the charities with good intentions, there are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” ready to take advantage of altruistic individuals.
Don’t depend on charity name alone to assess whether an organization is legitimate. If you’re going to Wal-Mart and you see someone outside taking donations wearing an ID with the name of a national non-profit organization, be aware that your contribution may not go to the local economy. If you’re at a local event and you visit the table of a non-profit organization, be aware that the sponsor may not have verified the legitimacy of this organization.
Due diligence is the responsibility of the donor. Visit the IRS’ tax-exempt non-profits webpage, Charity Navigator or the California Office of the Attorney General to learn more.
Paul Worsham Arroyo Grande