By Guy Page
Don’t preach to me, California.
You, the EV State, stubbornly defend to water and forest management policies that have left your dry woodlands vulnerable to forest fires. Now trees (and homes) are on fire.
As summarized by today’s Journal-Opinion: “Nearly 30,000 acres have burned and some 2,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged as severe Santa Ana winds have whipped up several large wildfires in the Los Angeles area since Monday.
“The fires have killed at least five people and rendered tens of thousands homeless virtually overnight. Neighborhoods, historic properties, schools, and houses of worship have been wiped out.
“A map by the LA Times shows the extent of the evacuation orders and warning areas.
“Two new fires emerged last night, but firefighters effectively contained at least one of them even as traffic has snarled the roadways.’
California, for decades you’ve preached to us about the carbon molecules coming out of our gas-powered car tailpipes while at the same time allowing millions of nature’s carbon-eating machines – trees – to go up in plumes of smoke equal to the total carbon emissions of an economic powerhouse like Germany.
These destructive, carbon-emitting policies continue even as you promise to hold the line against President-elect Trump’s proposed change of EPA rules allowing states to set their own emissions standards and ban the sale of gas-powered cars and trucks.
You could have protected the carbon-eaters God gave you with the same single-minded audacity. But, no.
And so you strain at the gnat of EV mandates while swallowing the camel of the fiery destruction of millions of acres of woodlands.
California, your integrity and judgement have been found wanting. I hope our Vermont legislators unhitch their electric wagon from the soot-covered star of your emissions reductions standards. And I hope they also heard Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale’s comment that Vermont should think less about being First In The Nation in Carbon Reduction and more about protecting her citizens from all threats, both natural and manmade.
Hey, California. Tend your own garden.