Dems’ energy policy

Dems’ energy policy

Merrill Matthews’ July 20 commentary, “Democrats’ energy platform is out of touch with reality,” is hardly an unbiased view of U.S. energy policy.

His Institute for Policy Innovation receives its funding from major oil companies and billionaire oilmen. He made no mention of global warming.

The Democrats’ energy platform is in touch with the reality of man-made global warming. Their platform recognizes the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which mostly come from burning fossil fuels.

The stated goal for America to run on 100 percent clean energy by mid-century is ambitious but realistic. Several European countries and U.S. cities have adopted that goal. In fact, the city of San Diego recently adopted a goal of 100 percent renewable power by 2035.

In 2015, wind energy installed more electric generating capacity than any other energy source. Growth in the renewable energy industry will create thousands of new jobs. Texas has more than 24,000 jobs in the wind industry alone.

Nearly 200 countries have signed the U.N. accord on global warming. They and world scientists recognize that the threat from global climate change is real. It’s time for the U.S. to lead the world by aggressively transitioning to renewable energy.

Matthews, a scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation in Dallas, says the Democratic platform on energy is “out of touch with reality.”

I imagine that, as a scholar, he has some knowledge of what’s going on in our world regarding climate change, which he never mentioned in his article. Is he a denier?

I pity him and all who do not recognize that the polar ice cap is diminishing so drastically that polar bears are having a hard time surviving. Coastal cities and some small islands will lose coast lines due to rising seas.

I know there are cyclical weather events that are not proven to be due to climate change. But I can’t overlook things happening that could be reduced by less fossil fuel use.

The Democratic energy platform is probably too drastic for today. But if even a small portion of the goals are realized, it will be a help to all humanity.

This story was originally published August 1, 2016 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Dems’ energy policy."