THURSDAY-friday, March 31-april 1, 2016
A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Sure, End Dependence On Fossil Fuels – But Not Right This Minute ZAGATA/From A4
were people who argued that the problem would take care of itself as fossil fuels would price themselves out of the market. As we now know, just the opposite has happened and gas is now less than $2 at the pump. Let’s take an honest look at what life in the US would be like if the government banned the use of fossil fuels tomorrow. Those fortunate enough to be able to afford to install solar panels on their roof or in their yard would appear to have an advantage over the rest of us. Is that really the case? They might well have enough electricity to heat or cool their home during the daylight hours. However, solar panels don’t generate electricity at night. What would happen then? They would be like the rest of us and freeze during winter and swelter during summer. If they drove their electric car to work expecting to recharge it overnight guess what – they’re out of luck. You see that wall outlet or fancy
recharging station formerly got its electricity from a coalfired plant. Coal is a fossil fuel and thus can no longer be burned to generate electricity. If they’re going to recharge their electric vehicles, it will have to be done at work if they have enough of a charge to get there. Those of us who awaken to the aroma of bacon and eggs would need to awaken much earlier to stoke up the wood stove (wood consists of the same ingredients as coal, but it’s not yet “fossilized” so it might be legal to burn). Our gas stove or electric stove that gets its electricity from generating plants that burn coal or gas (God forbid we use nuclear energy!) would no longer have a fuel source as fossil fuels are banned. Wood stoves emit particulates that, when conditions are right, may cause inversions where polluted air is trapped near the ground and people are forced to breathe it. That’s not good for people with emphysema or other lung issues. Air quality in Denver, Colo., got so bad as a result of wood-burn-
Pipeline Won’t Cure Poverty O’DONNELL/From A4
of out of state workers. By the industry’s own estimate, the pipeline will create seven permanent jobs. In terms of community impact, states like Pennsylvania and North Dakota report that the gas industry labor situation raised competition for housing and increased housing costs – exactly what we do not need. In Pennsylvania in 2007-2013, during the gas-fracking boom, the poverty rate increased from 11.6 to 13.8 percent (Census Bureau, American Community Survey) with rural communities with gas development like Green experiencing rates as high as 18 percent. Jobs in services, retail, transportation, and construction can be obtained from infrastructural investments and sustainable energy – not only through gas. The upside of sustainable development is that such jobs would be permanent, open to men and women, and not be associated with increased health costs, health problems, environmental damage, property loss to eminent domain, property devaluation, increased insurance costs, and further farm loss. So, who is pushing this gas agenda? The same people who oppose increasing the minimum wage, affordable healthcare for all, and environmental protection legislation. Politicians and business organizations favored “free” trade agreements like NAFTA which, beginning in 1994, exported U.S. jobs for the cheapest labor in Mexico where workers were earning $2 a day in U.S. factories. Today, that target is Asian workers who earn 17 cents per hour in Bangladesh. Locally, the pro gas group, Citizen’s Voices, a group which Mr. Zagata has addressed, opposes minimumwage increases. What price tag do we put on despoiling our water, air, soil and food? What price tag do we place on adverse health
effects including increases in cancer, childhood leukemia, lung disease, and heart ailments seen in areas that have fracking, pipelines, and the associated compressor stations? Like Flint, our children would also be particularly affected by daily environmental contamination. The discussion of negative health and environmental impacts is missing from every discussion of political pipeline cheerleading, on industry and area gas “development” websites, and even in the Otsego County Community Needs Assessment Report of April 2014. The Renaissance of Upstate New York will not come through gas. As a matter of fact, such a move will thwart the emergent agritourism of our region, which includes small- and medium-size farming, organic products, specialty dairy product development like cheese and yogurt, farm to table enterprises, and craft beverages. In our area, the amazing local hops and beer initiatives, which local legislators and business groups have supported, will be undermined. For example, Handsome Brook, one of Upstate New York’s most successful organic egg and blueberry farms, is located in Franklin, where the Constitution Pipeline is proposed. The fate of Upstate New York and the nation are interlinked in a sustainable future which includes living wage jobs, affordable and accessible education, healthcare, and childcare. Locally sourced food, renewable energy sources for household and business use, domestic product manufacturing, agritourism, and upgrading infrastructure including broadband and rail systems will produce jobs in these arenas that will be local and enduring. Embrace the Renaissance. Gas is a passing fancy. We are looking for leadership, wisdom, and smart stewardship.
ing stoves, that the city banned their use during certain weather patterns. Having to cut our own wood might provide an unexpected health benefit as we would likely become more fit. Cutting more trees might even benefit certain songbirds that rely on openings in the forest for food. For those of us who like to drive to meetings so we can plan our strategy for protesting something, we would be in for a shock. As previously discussed, electric vehicles would likely be home-bound. Our cars and trucks definitely would be. Gasoline is a fossil fuel; burning it would be banned. Not only would our freedom to travel via the car
be restricted – so would our ability to travel via the airplane as jet-fuel is also derived from fossil fuel. There went those mid-winter breaks to Florida. What about overnight mail via FedEx or UPS? The Post Office would need to revert back to the pony express. Even if we could burn the gas, diesel or jet fuel, we wouldn’t have a car, truck or plane to burn it in. Cars and trucks are mostly steel and plastic and, you guessed it, natural gas is used in the manufacture of steel and petroleum products are used to make plastic. Airplanes are mostly aluminum and manufacturing aluminum is very energy intensive. Even more surpris-
ing is that petroleum is used to make synthetic rubber and 70 percent of our rubber today is synthetic. It takes about seven gallons of petroleum to make one typical tire. What happens when we run out of the existing stock of tires if fossil fuels are banned? Our clothing would also undergo a dramatic change. Synthetic fibers are petroleum based. Cotton fields and sheep would again dot the countryside as we would be forced to use “natural” fibers like cotton and wool. Packaging, as we know it today, would be a thing of the past. Instead of bacon and eggs we could eat cereal – or could we? Petroleum is a key
ingredient in fertilizer and pesticides/herbicides. Instead of going to the local grocery store, we would be maintaining our own garden and that can be labor intensive – especially without a way to control pests. The examples are real – just as the need to continue using fossil fuel as a bridge to the future is real. Please take a minute and reflect on all the things you use every day that require fossil fuels. Without them our lifestyle would undergo a dramatic change for the worse. With them we have a window of opportunity to find alternatives that will both enable us to maintain our lifestyle and protect the quality of our environment.
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216 Main Street, Cooperstown • 607-547-8551 • 607-547-1029 (fax) www.johnmitchellrealestate.com • info@johnmitchellrealestate.com
29 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown · 607-547-4045
MLS#99235 Cherry Valley $83,500
Patricia Bensen-Ashley – Licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner
Move-in ready home in the historic village of Cherry Valley. Spacious corner lot with 2-story barn. One-floor living w/ BR on first floor, 2 upstairs. Large LR, open kitchen/DR also on ground level. French doors in kitchen lead to a spacious deck. New roof! Great house at a great price!
Cherry Valley Victorian This 3,200+/- sq ft home in the Village of Cherry Valley is an easy walk to the grocery store, shops, bank, and restaurants. Large wrap-around porch, 1.21+/- acre yard, and 3,000+/sq ft 2-story carriage barn. Inside is a formal LR w/fireplace, formal DR, master BR, den/office, laundry room, full bath, and kitchen w/breakfast room. Upstairs are 4-5 BRs, 1 full bath, and ample closets. This is a spacious and comfortable family home. Offered Exclusively by Ashley Connor Realty — $159,900 Visit us on the Web at www.ashleyconnorrealty.com Contact us at info@ashleyconnorrealty.com
For Appointment: Patricia Bensen-Ashley, Broker/Owner, 607-437-1149 Jack Foster, Sales Agent, 607-547-5304 • Donna Skinner, Associate Broker, 607-287-4113 Chris Patterson, Sales Agent, 518-774-8175
MLS#104023 Otsego $129,000
This 3-BR home is currently a guest house in the summer and fall, providing a generous income. The house is situated in a country scenic area with nice views. Only 15 minutes from downtown Cooperstown. Dave LaDuke, Broker 607-435-2405
Laura Coleman 607-437-4881
Mike Winslow, Broker 607-435-0183
Madeline K. Woerner 607-434-3697
HUBBELL’S REAL ESTATE 607-547-5740•607-547-6000 (fax) 157 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326
E-Mail: info@hubbellsrealestate.com Web Site: www.hubbellsrealestate.com
Prestige Estate on 86 Acres
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Home of the Week
Cooperstown Village
(8155) Beautiful, 3-BR, 2-bath home near schools. Features center entry, master suite, modern kitchen w/SS appliances. Hardwood flooring and formal DR. Hobby room, fenced pool, patio, large 2-car garage. Close to Clark Sports Center! Cooperstown Schools. Hubbell’s Exclusive—$279,900
Streamside Colonial
(7862) Historic 1840s Colonial w/4 BRs, 2+ baths, rolling hills. Gracious LR, gas fireplace, designer decor touches. Formal DR w/access to stone front porch. Kitchen w/double ovens, window seat, butler’s pantry. Custom closets and built-ins, wide pine plank flooring. Heated 2-car garage. Professional landscaping w/stone walls, brook. Cooperstown Schools. Hubbell’s Exclusive—$715,000
ASHLEY
(8113) 2004 custom 4-BR, 3+ bath home on 10 acres. Main-level guest suite, hot tub, heated sun room. LR w/gas fireplace, master suite, custom kitchen w/double ovens, pantry. 2-car attached garage, large deck. 2 miles to Cooperstown. Cooperstown Schools. Hubbell’s Exclusive—$479,000
CONNOR
REALTY 29 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown • 607-547-4045 • www.ashleyconnorrealty.com Here comes Summer! — “ Camp Grinnloch” This delightful cottage overlooks Otsego Lake w/private ±50’ frontage, deck area and dock. Renovated by the current owners, this charming camp offers screened front porch, large LR/DR w/ unusual carved mantelpiece surrounding fireplace, up-to-date kitchen w/new appliances, full bath w/stack washer/dryer, plus 3 BRs. New septic system. Everything redone: walls, wainscoting, wiring, kitchen, bath, etc. Easy steps w/platforms access cottage from parking along road. Currently used as summer rental property w/excellent rental history, reservations and income will transfer w/ownership. Most furnishings will remain. Purchase as an investment, reserving weeks for your own use, or enjoy the summer on Otsego Lake for years to come. Offered Exclusively by Ashley-Connor Realty REDUCED TO $350,000 For Appointment: patricia Bensen-Ashley, Broker/owner, 607-437-1149 Jack Foster, Sales Agent, 607-547-5304 • Donna Skinner, Associate Broker, 607-287-4113 • Chris patterson, Sales Agent, 518-774-8175