As originally published in the The Press Republican on April 14th, 2018.
TO THE EDITOR: I would like to second the Adirondack Council’s recent praise for the New York congressional delegation’s bipartisan effort to ensure protecting the environment was a priority the FY 2018 federal spending bill (“EPA cuts averted,” April 8).
As a conservative, I am especially proud of U.S. Representatives Elise Stefanik and John Faso, both of whom are Republicans.
I further commend these legislators for seeking responsible solutions to our energy needs by supporting innovative research under the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. These initiatives are not only key to environmental sustainability, but also for securing our nation’s energy security and global competitiveness.
One point upon which I would disagree with the Adirondack Council is its assertion that biomass is not carbon neutral; the U.S. EPA and the European Commission have regarded it as such for several years. Moreover, biomass is a renewable energy source that will grow New York’s economy and create jobs.
This is a form of clean energy we should continue to develop.
While the final FY 2018 funding bill is flawed, it has many priorities that are important to the North Country.
Plattsburgh has an excellent representative in Washington in Congresswoman Stefanik, and I thank her and Congressman Faso for standing up for energy innovation.
HEATHER REAMS