Delaware Interfaith Power & Light promotes offshore wind
More jobs, healthier air, lowered greenhouse gasses - that’s the win-win-win proposition of an offshore wind project for Delaware.
Nearly 90 percent of our electricity is generated by natural-gas power plants. Nearly 30 percent of our electricity needs could be supplied by an 800MW offshore wind project. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, each megawatt of energy created by wind power generates nearly 21 local jobs. Each dollar spent developing an offshore wind facility returns from $1.52-$1.83 to the state economy.
The main pollutants resulting from natural gas electricity generation are nitrogen oxides. Extremely harmful to human health, these highly reactive gases contribute to the production of particulate matter and ozone, resulting in respiratory problems, heart attacks and premature death.
The mission of Delaware Interfaith Power & Light is to work through faith communities and community partners to address both the causes and consequences of climate change; to scientifically inform and spiritually deepen our understanding of our relationship with the natural world and with each other…and to act on those understandings.
We understand that burning fossil fuels pollutes our air, our water, our soil, and destabilizes our climate, with devastating consequences. A healthy and sustainable future requires transition to clean, renewable energy. The science is overwhelming. We can project the risks and benefits. We need visionary leadership, bold initiatives, and a clear moral compass to forge a path that reflects our responsibility to each other and this wondrous planet.
Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia have made commitments to wind power. Gov. Carney and state legislators need to hear a strong collective message from our residents urging Delaware to follow suit.
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to viewpoints@capegazette.com. All letters are considered at the discretion of the newsroom and published as space allows. Due to the large volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt of each submission. Letters must include a phone number and address for verification. Keep letters to 400 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content or length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Letters should focus on local issues, not national topics or personalities. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days regarding a particular topic. Authors may submit a second letter within that time period if it pertains to a different issue. Letters may not be critical of personalities or specific businesses. Criticism of public figures is permissible. Endorsement letters for political candidates are no longer accepted. Letters must be the author’s original work, and may not be generated by artificial intelligence tools. Templates, form letters and letters containing language similar to other submissions will not be published.
