Climate

Continued from page 4 a rebate to consumers that will alleviate consumer costs. This raises a couple of issues. The market-based control program intends to raise costs to influence energy choices, so if all the costs are offset there will not be any incentive to reduce consumer emissions by changing behavior.

The other issue is that the auction proceeds are supposed to be invested to reduce emissions. If insufficient investments are made to renewable resources, then deployment of zeroemission resources to offset emissions from fossil generating units will not occur.

The final issue related to the cap and invest proposal is that it provides compliance certainty. The plan is to match the allowance cap with the Climate Act emission reduction mandates.

As noted previously, there are limited options available to reduce CO2 emissions.

The primary strategy will be developing zero-emissions resources that can displace emissions from existing sources. That implementation is subject to delays due to supply chain issues, permitting delays, and costs, as well as other reasons that the state’s transition plan has ignored. Once all the other compliance alternatives are exhausted, the only remaining option is to reduce the availability of fossil fuel and its use.

The cap and invest proposal is a well-meaning but dangerous plan. It necessarily will increase the cost of energy in the state. If the costs are set such that the investments will produce the necessary emission reductions to meet the Climate Act targets, it is likely that the costs will be politically toxic. If the investments do not effectively produce emission reductions, then the compliance certainty feature will necessarily result in artificial energy shortage. Given that this is a disguised tax, it probably is better to just establish a tax so that the compliance certainty does not arbitrarily limit fossil fuel use to produce electricity, heat our homes, or drive our cars.

Letters

Continued from page 4 electric school buses.

The mandate requires that beginning in 2027 all new school buses must be zero emissions and all school buses in operation must be electric by 2035. The American Lung Association in New York notes that moving from diesel to clean transportation will result in up to 159,000 avoided asthma attacks while generating $68.2 billion in public health benefits statewide. New York’s 2022-2023 budget supported that commitment toward a healthy environment with funding to help districts transition to all electric buses. Last fall, the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area advocated for the approval of Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which included a substantial investment in a Clean Green Schools initiative, and voters approved it overwhelmingly. They agreed that the health of students riding on school buses is paramount.

With state monies targeted to support the several years’ shift to electric buses, the costs for this worthy effort will not come from schools’ operating finances or transportation budgets and will not have an impact on class- room education, programs, or staffing. mr. Scalici’s concerns are real, but the transition to electric buses should be funded by the Bond Act. These are still early days for these monies, but we must be vigilant that a fair share of the dollars comes to our local schools.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the lead agency for electric school bus funds, solicited input from school districts and bus contractors, listened to their concerns, and addressed those concerns in initial guidelines. Presently, school districts can apply to NYSERDA for the P-12 Green Schools Initiative, which encourages schools to apply for “Clean Transportation Studies” to help develop fleet transition plans. The program can cover up to 100 percent of the study. The agency has also been mapping bus depots and working with utilities to assess additional demand.

Finally, NYSERDA will soon have planning guidebooks for schools and bus contractors, but unfortunately not in time for school districts who are building near-term budgets and longterm capital reserves.

Governor Hochul is holding an educational listening tour on how Bond Act funds are delivered. The tour is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the Bond Act and for the community to weigh in on the draft criteria developed to identify potential projects. The first in-person session will be held may 30 at 1 p.m. at the University at Buffalo.

(Visit www.ny.gov/bondact for more information.)

Plan to attend one of the sessions virtually or in person and ask the questions mr. Scalici has addressed. But, most important, pay attention to whether these Green School funds are finding their way into our communities.

Maureen

Editor’s Note: Ryan Naatz is a Milford native who still owns a home on Goodyear Lake and who has 15+ years’ experience doing similar conservation easements and water quality protection initiatives in the adjoining New York City Watershed.

Congress Should Check Justices

The Supreme Court is run amok, and it’s time to get it under control.

For the last year, we have witnessed scandal after scandal come out of the Supreme Court. From learning that Samuel Alito may have leaked a decision about reproductive health to conservative anti-abortion activists, to discovering Clarence Thomas has been secretly accepting luxury vacations from a GOP megadonor for 20 years, the actions of these justices on the highest court in the land are unconscionable.

Thankfully, this bad behavior can be addressed. Congress has the ability— and responsibility—to act as a check on the Supreme Court and restore faith in our judicial system. It’s time they take the first step and pass a code of ethics for the Supreme Court.

No one is above accountability, and that includes our justices on the Supreme Court.

Kathleen Nemeth Oneonta

Reduce, Reuse Is Sale Focus

Local residents may remember that a few years ago, the Rotary Club of Cooperstown held a large yard sale for charity at the parking lot on Railroad Avenue. Thereafter and for several years, we held our Spring Fling fundraising event in the Doubleday Parking lot or at the Clark Sports Center.

moving quickly to implement a program to terminate the use of any energy in the State of New York other than electricity. That would leave us with an energy stool sitting on one leg. Have you ever tried to sit on a onelegged stool?

Right now, we have a stool with multiple legs: We have electricity, yes, but we also have natural gas, propane, gasoline, etc. Why, when so many people are clamoring for diversity, and financial advisors recommend that no one put all of their money in a single investment, does the state legislature and governor think it wise to get rid of all forms of energy except electricity?

I won’t argue here about the efficacy of the climate change arguments, but just ask that you consider the wisdom of the proposed action. If a fire had to be put out, would it be wise to only have water? Today, fire departments have a large number of options, depending on the type of fire they are asked to fight. Would it be advisable for the Legislature to dictate that the fire department only be able to use water? If the logical answer is no, then why is it wise to allow the legislature to dictate that we citizens only be able to use electricity to address our individual energy needs?

Beyond the logic is one significant threat that accompanies the sole use of electricity. There are two possible situations where this threat manifests itself: solar flares and an electromagnetic pulse. Either of these threats can destroy the electrical grid as well as each and every unprotected appliance/vehicle.

part of Virgil’s “Georgics” to examine the terrifying collapse of a society. In her tour and online materials, Cooper spoke about her work as an attempt to come to terms with living and raising a family in a world that seems to be drifting off the rails. The sense of unease is palpable in many of her paintings. Despite their bucolic, domestic subject matter, her works often include a threatening or off-putting presence, like a venomous snake or the distractions of modern technology.

Band

Continued from page 2 the door,” Jagels said. Of course, there is one element of the show that no one could go without commenting on—the food.

Giraudo remarked, “We cannot wait to get a taste of what’s coming this time. Origins did a truly extraordinary job creating an Argentine menu last year.”

Gonzalez concurred, adding, “Absolutely exquisite food and ambience, and who knows—one might think we are already in Buenos Aires!”

Berkson

Continued from page 6

Murray

Pullyblank

and Kristin

Co-Presidents of the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area

Crumhorn Acres Should Be Saved

There are but a few special places in this world that seem to tolerate human interests of economics, development and recreation of their own accord. The rest are under threat. It is this constant balancing act, and often times failure, that leads to the notion that you can’t have all three, having your proverbial [environmental] cake and eating it, too. I argue, however, that with purpose, people and passion, you absolutely can!

Such is the case regarding the fate of Crumhorn Lake and the now defunct BSA Leatherstocking Council’s 600+ acre holdings. Otsego County, the Town of milford in particular, is a gem with its numerous lakes and rivers, mountains and a flourishing tourism economy all working together in relative harmony.

It’s not by happenstance. The result of deliberate town/county planning efforts to date, the professional work of the Otsego Land Trust (amongst others) and the passion of many private landowners, have set the stage. Still though, there is an opportunity and an obligation for us to act.

I applaud OLT for their recognition of the issue and hope all reading this will support their quest to leverage state Environmental Bond Act funds to purchase, protect, and promote this unique property before it’s too late.

Ryan W. Naatz Executive Director Watershed Agricultural Council

As we have changed our spring event into our Annual Fall Fling that will be held on Saturday, October 7, we have decided to have a spring fund-raising yard sale. This is consistent with one of Rotary’s missions, to help preserve the planet by recycling and redistributing unwanted items. All of the monies raised will be distributed to local charities through our Allocations Committee. In the past, we have donated funds to charitable organizations such as the Susquehanna SPCA, Springbrook, Pathfinder Village, Cooperstown Food Pantry, Angel Network, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and many other worthy organizations.

Our Vintage Treasures Indoor Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, may 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Parish Hall of Christ Church at 69 Fair Street. As it is indoors, it will be held rain or shine. The Rotary Club has more than 80 members, so with most donating multiple items, there is sure to be a very large selection of housewares, tools, artwork, antiques, collectibles, books and the like. We have already received an antique wicker stroller, adult bicycles, a set of mission chairs and table, lamps, a small refrigerator, artwork, sports collectibles, 1960s automotive and “Hot Rod” magazines, sports equipment, and much more. We will be posting photos of some of the items on Facebook and Instagram as we get closer to the day of the sale.

Thomas Russo

Cooperstown

Multiple Energy Sources Needed

Which is more stable: a one-legged stool or one with three or more legs? The Climate Action Council is

That is a threat today, but the threat to our survival is magnified many times if the only energy we are allowed to have is electricity, because— as opposed to now—we would have no backup for heat, cooking or transportation. Can you say 1850?

Gary R. Schoonmaker marcellus

Library

Continued from page 1

Recreation and Historic Preservation toward its Phase 2 improvements, but additional funding will probably be necessary.

“It’s astounding how hard it is to complete a project with that budget and we’ll certainly have additional costs as we progress,” Winstead explained. “At this time we are not formally soliciting donations, though.”

The Huntington Park Phase 2 Public Feedback Survey can be accessed via the library website at https:// hmloneonta.org/the-newhuntington-park/

Habitat

Continued from page 1 unaffordable or unsuitable housing, and be willing to work with Habitat on construction and to obtain a loan. They must also be Otsego County residents or employees for at least one year. It typically takes about two years from acceptance into the program to completion. Further information and application materials are available at habitatotsego. org or by calling (607) 4327874. Interested community members are invited to attend the open house and information session on may 6.

Artist

Continued from page 1

The piece is an oblique comment on colony collapse disorder and its implications for people; it features a poem by A. E. Stallings that updates classmate cautiously pocketed his tin.

“A lot of my work since the pandemic started has looked at that edge of nature,” Cooper continued. The frontier between predictable, or at least comprehensible, human life and the wild world beyond is far closer to home than most people realize, she said. “Swarm” examines that edge through the lens of individuals and families trying to take their predictable lives a few steps beyond the frontier into nature. Cooper repeatedly mentioned the Indian mound park in Cooperstown as an inspiration for these not-quite-tamed landscapes just outside human homes.

Beyond that message, “Swarm” is a beautiful and moving exhibition. Each piece is intricate and worth spending some time examining in detail. The larger paintings especially give the impression that no matter how long you look, you won’t see everything Cooper has hidden. It is definitely something that people need to see for themselves.

“Swarm” is open on the lower floor of the Fenimore Art museum until may 14. more information may be found at https://www.fenimoreartmuseum.org/futureexhibitions/swarm.

“I’ll have another,” the standing soldier said forcefully.

“They’re for my collection!” Private Hawley protested.

The Green Beret insisted on roasting and eating several more roaches. When he offered the last of the smoking bugs to Hawley, the rookie entomologist shrunk in his seat and declined. With his entire assignment eaten, Sergeant Goodwine was sure to have him washing pots and pans the next day. The bus pulled up to the gate at Fort Sam Houston and everyone got off—except Hawley. He was headed downtown again to, this time, quietly gather more bugs for his collection.

Terry Berkson has an MFA in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College. His articles have appeared in “New York” and “Automobile” magazines and many others. His memoir, “Corvette Odyssey,” has received good reviews across the board: “highly recommended” by Library Journal.