Letters: JEA still needs coal to help meet energy needs
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Two years ago, almost to the week, I wrote the following in response to a guest column by Robert Stein, then vice-chair of the JEA board. I think it was quite prescient at the time and worth repeating now.
Mr. Stein’s commentary on JEA’s moving forward with future power needs was very informative and I applaud the board’s planning, but with a significant difference of opinion in one regard: JEA should not completely dismantle operations that involve coal as an energy source.
Recent advances in coal sequestration have made it a viable option if there is a willingness to pursue that course as a means of cleaning emissions to protect the environment. Solar and wind cannot provide the reliable source of electric generation due to their variability, and the hugely expensive means (batteries) to “smooth” the electricity post-generation before it can be utilized by the current power grid is a trillions-of-dollars proposition.
Mr. Stein stated that the JEA board’s decision to go to natural gas is based largely on the relatively low cost of natural gas, but that cost is so low due to fracking, which has produced trillions of cubic feet of natural gas for consumption. However, the same elements of our society that want to eliminate coal as a source because of environmental concerns also want to stop fracking, which will inevitably increase the cost of natural gas as the supply once again becomes limited.
There is enough coal in the United States to meet our power needs for at least 200 years based upon current requirements. Coal, along with the nuclear option JEA is wisely pursuing, will produce local energy needs for decades, if not longer, especially when one considers the dropping demand for energy because of new technologies being adopted by homeowners and industries.
JEA would be smart to maintain coal as an option and plan for sequestration in its future.
Roger Baskin, Jacksonville
They were all Americans
Regarding the July 26 report that $500,000 has been budgeted to remove the Confederate monument in Springfield Park, I really do not have a firm opinion either way to the statue's fate. I do favor rededicating it to “Weeping Mothers of the Civil War.” As such, I'm hoping to serve on the “community conversation” committee.
The rationale for rededication of the monument is best presented by Rob Richardson in his December 2021 guest column: “By not continuing to endorse the monument as it stands today, or take it down for what it currently represents, choose instead a transformative rededication. That will show other cities how to come to terms with the past and move into a brighter, more enlightened future. If this monument is torn down, rather than repurposed, the ugly truth of what it once stood for will be lost to future generations. The high purpose of overcoming hatred by enlightenment will not be evidenced by an empty grassy lawn.”
The Civil War resulted in the most American casualties than any of our other conflicts. Because every dead soldier — whether one wore the blue of the Union or gray of the Confederacy — was an American.
To overcome Mayor Curry’s midnight raid in 2020 on the former Hemming Park, I also support the proposal to erect a statue to James Weldon Johnson and restore the Confederate Soldier statue to the now empty tall column in the park named in Johnson’s honor, with appropriate historical notation.
William C. Kurtz, St. Augustine
Metro photo made my day
On Monday, my day was not off to a good start. As I settled down for breakfast, only my cereal and the Times-Union stood between me and the heat-infested yardwork on my honey-do list. On page A1, I read that “The Donald” is apparently refusing to ride off into the sunset. In the Sports section, my Phillies remained nine games behind the Mets. In the Life/Comics section, Rat pushes the Great Wise Ass off his mountain; the Lockhorns are going at it; and I was once again outsmarted in the daily bridge game.
Then I turned to the Metro section, headlined by "No.1 Jags fan's birthday surprise." Pictured there was an attractive Jaguars fan celebrating her 106th birthday with Jags' mascot Jaxson de Ville, two members of the Jaguars' cheerleading tea and a letter from Jaguars owner Shad Khan wishing her a happy birthday and thanking her for her support.
You may recall that great line snarled by Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry Callahan: "Go ahead, make my day." Well, that's exactly what the aforementioned headline and photograph did for me.
Sam Heffner, Ponte Vedra Beach
Lawmakers must act on AOB abuse
Assignment of Benefits (AOB) is a provision some of us have in our insurance policies that allows us to assign our benefits to a third party, such as a repair contractor. While this may seem like a helpful and easier way to get needed repairs covered, it has become a major source of lawsuit abuse in Florida.
Our state's broken process has allowed many contractors to sign AOB forms on behalf of homeowners without their knowledge or consent. The contractor then files a claim for repair work that was never performed, leading them to get an easy paycheck on the dime of policyholders.
This type of fraud not only costs insurance companies billions of dollars every year, but it also drives up premiums for everyone who carries insurance in the state. Moreover, it strains the legal system, as insurers are forced to file lawsuits to recover unlawfully paid benefits.
The abuse of AOB laws is hurting small business owners and driving up costs for all Floridians. Lawmakers need to take action soon, or else more jobs will be at risk.
Vickie Rauch, Jacksonville
No more tax money for schools
Many residents are apparently supporting the proposed increase in our school property tax at a time when many people are struggling financially. Even with an additional $500 million coming from the state, the school board wants more. What they don't mention is that schools will also receive millions more dollars from the growth of our tax base due to higher property values and all the new homes built over the last year. All of this on top of the half-cent sales tax increase we just gave them to fix our schools that have been neglected for decades.
If they want more money to raise teacher pay, try this:
Use the extra $500 million from the state.
Use the increased property tax revenue due to growth.
Use the money previously dedicated to maintenance from the half cent sales tax increase.
Find money in the current budget.
No more tax money from us!
William Weaver, Jacksonville
Commuter rail an absurd idea
Just read with total disbelief the July 26 story about JTA studying some form of commuter rail system, including a possible link between St. Augustine and Jacksonville. I guess JTA has learned nothing from their downtown “people mover” experience.
The possibility of this rail system is absurd. In order to have a commuter rail system, you first need a demand for the service and then have centralized distribution points for the riders. In New York there are many such centers, including Penn Station, Grand Central and the downtown PATH network. From points like these the working population — i.e., the commuters — can be transported to and from the places they work, all within close geographic range.
In Jacksonville we have no demand for a commuter rail system, nor a centralized business district to support it. Let’s not waste more taxpayer revenue on a “pig in a poke” dream.
Peter A. Baci, Jacksonville Beach
Happy to stay vegan
In response to the Times-Union's recent articles and letters on vegan diets: My whole family has heart disease and I thought it was in my genes. I found out through Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic, however, that I can reverse and prevent heart disease by living on a vegan diet.
I have chosen to be vegan for nearly 10 years. To my surprise, my migraine headaches are gone. My risk of cancer and dementia are lower, as well as my risk for autoimmune disorders. Prior to reading Dr. Esselstyn’s research, I never knew how inflammatory animal protein can be. Inflammation is bad for your arteries and for your joints. Plus, I feel much better and have more energy as a vegan. Vitamin B12 is the only supplement I have to add.
I love research and would encourage readers to learn more at NutritionFacts.org. I agree with Hippocrates "Let food be thy medicine.” What’s good for the heart is good for the brain and body.
Dana Merritt, Jacksonville
Every little bit helps for schools
As a Jacksonville business and property owner, I highly recommend to my fellow citizens to vote YES for the referendum to increase teacher pay. Currently there is a 500-plus teacher shortage in Duval County (as verified by the honorable Warren Jones, school board member, via telephone) and low pay is a major reason why they are leaving.
I'm a grandfather of six and my oldest two grandsons will enter a DCPS elementary school in the fall. To not have enough teachers — and underpay those who are teaching — is not the proper way to operate a good school system.
As others have noted, in 2012 the millage rate for Duval schools was 7.6 mills and for 2022 it is 5.808 mills, a reduction of 23 percent. One more mill will not even bring it back to the 2012 level, but it will help.
Jim Love, Jacksonville
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Letters: JEA still needs coal to help meet energy needs
