In response to the definitely-longer-than-200-words letter submitted by Sullivan County business mogul Randy Resnick, I have to ask my fellow citizens: How much longer are we going to accept the thinly-veiled contempt for climate science in the name of profit for some?
In his letter, Mr. Resnick claims a series of cost increases for consumers as an inevitable result of the proposed Carbon Tax as part of an “admirable” move to reduce New York carbon emissions to an ecologically sustainable level by 2050.
I would like to point out that the proposed tax would apply to the utility companies and distribution services that produce our state’s carbon emissions, such as those owned by Mr. Resnick, and not directly at the pump for the consumer.
He more or less nakedly states they intend on increasing the costs of their products and services such that the consumer pays for the climate harm done by his activities, rather than potentially scaling back those activities
.Does that sound fair?
Do we truly owe Mr. Resnick the protected right to a profitable business empire when by 2050, an underfunded climate program could result in us and our children becoming climate refugees?
When I started driving, gas was $4/gallon as a result of Hurricane Isaac and conflict with supplier nations.
As our sea levels continue to rise and the atmosphere continues to heat, these natural disasters are only going to grow more intense and catastrophic.
As our non-renewable resources run more and more scarce as a result of the continued expansion of the global petroleum markets, what does Mr. Resnick think will happen to the cost of 275 gallons of oil?
My recommendation to the people is to focus your political attention less on the “short-term pain” bemoaned by the bad faith rhetoric of businessmen and more on policies that would provide for our collective long-term survival.
Please research State Assembly Bill A06483, a proposed bill that would help offset the costs of small businesses meeting environmental compliance standards through subsidies funded by proposed taxes.
Peter Grosso
Warwick