Before moving to Vernon nearly 28 years ago, I spent most of my life living in Englewood, where my electricity was supplied by Public Service Electric & Gas. Since June 1993, my family’s electricity has been provided by Sussex Rural Electric.
I was, therefore, quite surprised the other day when I got a telephone call from “PSE&G” informing me that our power was scheduled to be turned off in 30 minutes because we hadn’t paid our electric bill.
As directed, I pressed “1” to speak to a representative for help. I then informed the woman who answered that I hoped that she and her coworkers all went to prison as soon as possible for a very long time (for making what are obviously scam phone calls). She hung up. When I attempted to call her back, using caller ID, I was informed that the number was not in service.
Instead of fighting over every little political difference, I really wish that our representatives in Washington, D.C., would actually work together enforcing the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry, and taking steps to protect their citizens and involve law enforcement in the process.
Let’s save the landline telephone companies while we still can. Amen.
Chris Wyman, Vernon
Carbon fees, dividend, will help climate best
In a recent letter about climate change, Gary M. Stewart closed with the recommendation that Congress pass legislation for a carbon-fee-and-dividend (CFD) system.
CFD was incorporated in HR-763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019, was introduced in the House in its previous session. It had 86 co-sponsors, including, from New Jersey, Reps. Albio Sires, D-8th Dist.; Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist.; Donald Payne Jr., D-10th Dist.; and Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist.
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby has promoted CFD for 12 years. The organization expects an updated version to be introduced in the current session.
CFD would put gradually rising fees on fossil fuels at their sources. Fee revenue would be divided into equal shares and distributed each month to members of the public as dividends. This is designed to function as revenue-neutral legislation on carbon.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., recently introduced another bill that puts a price on carbon and distributes most of the revenue to the public. If Senate filibuster rules are revised to permit a vote after minority voices have been heard, there is evidence that most Democrats and some Republicans can muster a majority for climate legislation.
A carbon fee with revenue returned to the public is the best strategy today. Readers, let your members of Congress know that you support CFD.
Bill Allen, Basking Ridge
State should step up vaccine outreach
New Jersey state government could reassign its Department of Health staff to hard-hit communities to establish COVID-19 vaccination mobile clinics and engage in door-to-door outreach.
These additional resources and increased outreach efforts could benefit people I know, some of whom are elderly, live alone, don’t speak English, and so might find the vaccination process to be difficult.
If we don’t reach out actively to underserved communities, then we see will gross disparities. Studies and recommendations are good, but communities of color need action now.
Nelson L. Turcios, M.D., Bridgewater
With housing crisis, where will new arrivals live?
In the March 14 Sunday Star Ledger, there were several lengthy articles about eviction from rental units, substandard housing, homelessness, and the number of people affected.
In the same edition, there was an article about the thousands of immigrants waiting on our southwestern border to be processed and released into this country. Where will they live? Where will they work?
If this nation cannot provide adequate housing and jobs for the existing population, how can our economy support thousands more each day?
Dorothy M. Walter, Long Valley
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.