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PG&E rate hikes line
executives’ pockets
Re: “Report sees PG&E bills outpacing inflation” (Page A1, July 25).
Most electricity ratepayers can understand rate increases due to wildfire prevention and resiliency. However, rate increases up to 43% by 2027 are hard to justify. Something else is going on at PG&E.
PG&E’s business model isn’t working on behalf of its ratepaying customers. In addition, PG&E is blaming higher rates on efforts to reduce carbon emissions, but in fact, is dragging its feet on modernizing its distribution system. Their implementation of NEM 3.0, reducing credits to solar homeowners, suggests that they don’t want to transform to a more distributed electricity infrastructure that uses more rooftop solar generation.
The investor-owned business model in California needs to change from one strictly focused on profit to one more focused on transition over time to more distributed, fully renewable sources of electricity. The 19th-century model of central power and long transmission lines is out of date.
Rob Hogue
Menlo Park
Congress embraces
Israel’s brutal war
Re: “Israel’s Netanyahu defends war, praises U.S. alliance” (Page A4, July 25).
I watched the beginning of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress until I could no longer watch it due to disgust at what I heard, including repeated applause by the Congress.
How dare the Congress invite Netanyahu, accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. How dare the Congress applaud almost every statement he made, however disgusting.
I bet Netanyahu did not mention Israeli tactics used against civilians including withholding food, fuel, water, sanitation and medical supplies, and the destruction of housing and hospitals, all required to support the civilian population. I bet Netanyahu did not mention that Palestinian civilians live in tents in intense heat and are constantly shifted from area to area before they are again bombed.
Congress epitomized what one thinks when one hears the expression “useful idiot,” … or “bought and paid for.” Utterly disgusting.
Larry Dorshkind
Redwood City
Vance all too willing
to subvert elections
Re: “How a ‘never-Trumper’ turned running mate” (Page A7, July 18).
JD Vance isn’t the only “never-Trumper” who sings a different tune today. Mike Johnson, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz and Mick Mulvaney all described Donald Trump as unfit, in graphic terms, in 2015 into 2016. After Trump’s election in 2016, those critics all verified that winning is the best deodorant.
Vance’s most striking comment for me was that he would not have certified the 2020 election, requiring states to provide multiple slates of electors for Congress to “fight over.” Vance would do what Trump’s actual vice president, who honored his oath, refused to do. Gives some insight into Vance’s selection to the ticket.
Richard DeBolt
San Jose
Price of cost of living
is our quality of life
Re: “Eye-popping costs intensify housing crisis” (Page A6, July 26).
Families, low-wage workers and students are finding it impossible to survive the high cost of housing in California.
Construction workers need a decent wage for the amount of labor-intensive work that they do. Imagine building a home you cannot afford under a hot sun.
The only way for many of these people to live here is to live in crowded homes or to be homeless. The rent is not the only thing that is worrisome. The food, utilities, gasoline and all the other necessities are too expensive. Necessary wages have also become too expensive for businesses and taxpayers.
California is losing its quality of life because it costs too much for too many people.
Patricia Marquez Rutt
Redwood City
Let’s expand
telecommuting options
I strongly support expanding telecommuting options in the Bay Area. As home to many tech companies, the region has transitioned to remote work during the pandemic, proving its feasibility and numerous benefits.
Telecommuting increases productivity and work-life balance for employees while reducing overhead costs and broadening the talent pool for employers. It also addresses chronic traffic congestion and pollution, and enhances residents’ quality of life. It also promotes workforce inclusivity, benefiting parents, caregivers, individuals with disabilities and those living in affordable areas.
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Local businesses and policymakers should invest in infrastructure, such as high-speed internet and co-working spaces, and promote remote-work best practices to ensure employee engagement.
Embracing telecommuting aligns with the Bay Area’s innovative spirit and sustainability commitments, providing numerous benefits. I encourage local leaders to support this shift.
Aditi Manjunath
San Jose
