Letter to the editor: America’s war on carbon

Americans are constantly harangued about carbon emissions. We’re strongly encouraged to convert to electric cars, and accept restrictions on home heating and cooking systems. Industry has spent enormous sums to reduce its carbon footprint. Electric utilities are rapidly adding wind and solar power systems, and are phasing out coal.

Upon taking office, President Biden signed executive orders curtailing new drilling for fossil fuels in order to force the nation into renewable sources of energy. Solar cells and wind generators only work well in sunshine and windy weather. Even with large batteries, fossil-fuel systems are needed as backup.

We purchase much of the materials for solar cells and batteries from China, our adversary. The result: America is now dependent on foreign imports. Inflation has raged, causing severe pain for working families.

Americans are increasingly asking: Why the headlong rush to rid our nation of fossil fuels? It’s to combat global warming, we’re told. America has reduced its carbon footprint dramatically in just the last decade, yet we haven’t seen a positive result from our huge investments. Why?

The answer lies beyond our shores — in China. China emits very much more than America does, over 11,000 megatons per year compared with America’s 4,500 (2020 data, the latest available). The Chinese are still building dirty coal-burning power plants at the rate of two each week. When challenged recently by America’s energy czar John Kirby, China flatly refused to discuss the matter.

Until China cuts back, America is wasting its efforts and treasure!

Maury Fey

Murrysville