Regarding the op-ed by Kate Harper and Conor Lamb “Our energy future is ‘Made in Pa.’ ” (April 14, TribLive): Lamb just can’t help himself. He’s rooted to the past and big industry, so proud that Pennsylvania is second in the nation for energy production. Not of clean, safe renewables, but gas and nuclear. You know, fracking, the industry that has amassed thousands of violations for polluting air and water, been implicated in studies for cancer, asthma, heart disease and other health problems, and destroyed thousands of acres of land for wells, pipelines and compressor stations.
China surges ahead, as do other countries, but here in the U.S., we have too many Conor Lambs. And there is no solution for radioactive nuclear waste — still leaking in Hanford, Wash., Mr. Lamb.
According to the UN, for every dollar invested, renewable energy creates three times as many jobs as the fossil-fuel industry. Renewables accounted for 82% of all new energy jobs in 2024, far outpacing other energy sectors (Department of Energy). While fossil fuels are subsidized with millions of tax dollars and funds for renewables are being axed, utility bills rise because exported liquid gas escalates prices.
Pennsylvania has a wonderful opportunity to advance with energy that is cleaner and cheaper and protects the health of our families.
How about support for those sources, Mr. Lamb?
Jan Milburn
Ligonier