The following Letters to the Editor are from the November 2024 issue of The Lenawee Voice. Letters should be 350 words or fewer and may be emailed to [email protected]. If space is limited, preference will be given to local authors and local topics. Please include your town of residence and a phone number for verification.
Opponents exaggerate difficulties with solar panel recycling
The taxpayers of Lenawee County are, again, poorly served by the Board of Commissioners, who recently turned down a proposal to save money by installing solar arrays on several public buildings.
The leading voice against the clean energy install, Commissioner Kevon Martis, stated that solar energy “creates 300 times the toxic waste of nuclear power” and that “the vast majority of these components are not recyclable.” Mr Martis demonstrates the bombastic ignorance for which he is well known around the state, here equating a stack of solar panels, to a similar stack of spent nuclear fuel. The comparison is absurd — for one thing, standing next to a stack of solar panels won’t cause certain death within a few seconds, as would a quantity of spent nuclear fuel.
A recent paper in the journal Nature discussed the relatively tiny volumes of waste from solar generation compared to other energy production. The paper states, “crystalline silicon PV modules are 77% glass, 10% aluminium, 3% silicon and 9% polymers, with less than 1% copper, silver and tin, and less than 0.1% lead.” The only element of concern here is the lead, which is minimal, and sealed inside the panel.
That said, all or nearly all new solar panels will be recycled.
Just a few miles away in Ohio, First Solar has been the leading U.S. manufacturer of solar panels, and has had a full recycling program for all their products in place since 2005. Additionally, numerous companies are now springing up in anticipation of a larger number of panels reaching end of life.
In addition, panels still typically retain about 80% of their original capacity at “end of life.” An active aftermarket exists for inexpensive used panels that can still produce electricity for decades to come.
It’s too bad that a few fossil fuel influencers can deprive taxpayers of much-needed savings, and future generations of a cleaner community.
— Peter Sinclair, Midland
Judging by the content of their character
“Judge people by the content of their character” is what my parents instilled in me — a core American value. My educational training supported that notion by teaching me to hire people with good character. After all, skills will become outdated, but human qualities such as integrity, honesty, truthfulness and respect never get old.
People generally agree that Donald Trump has massive character flaws. The American judicial system has confirmed and documented some of these character deficiencies by finding him guilty of several criminal acts. There will likely be more convictions as his indictments move forward.
Yet, there are people who are voting for him. When questioned why they are voting for someone who lacks basic honorable human traits, many will respond they are voting for his policies and not the person. One would wonder if this voting principle would stand true in local politics. Would people hire a school superintendent who has been convicted with 34 counts of fraud to oversee their school district’s budgets? Would they want an election suppressionist that attempted to hijack the electoral system to be their county clerk? Would they want their city mayor to incite radical extremists to storm and desecrate city hall? Would they vote for a sheriff who has been found liable for rape to lead their county’s law enforcement? I hope not. Yet, I see Trump supporters wearing “I’m voting for the felon” T-shirts. Oh my!
Do the right thing. Don’t trust a fox to guard the henhouse. Vote for Kamala Harris.
— Joel Rodriguez, Adrian
Urban will get the job done
There is little that I can say about Libbi Urban that has not been said already. I had the privilege of working with her side by side as we canvassed the streets of Tecumseh, I watched her talk to Republicans and win their hearts. I strolled through a county fair by her side and watched as she connected with farmers and electricians. Listening as they told their stories, offering her own anecdotes of her years working in a shop and living in the country.
Listening to her talk about working as a union negotiator, you can see a glimmer of pride in not just her accomplishments but in her Union brothers and sisters. For 13 years she was elected to the negotiating team of her local, resulting in better pay, fairer conditions, and better opportunities for all.
Unlike the incumbent of the 5th District, Libbi Urban has already done the job for the workers, and she is ready to do the job for everyone. People across the counties, shore to shore, want a change in leadership. It is time for a change. It is time to elect someone who gives a damn and will go to Congress, get the job done for all of us and come home.
She knows what’s important to the American people: To protect Social Security and Medicare. To preserve America’s heartland and protect the family farm. A fair, balanced tax system that works for the people, not the rich. Build up our public schools so that our kids can enter the workforce confident in their skills. This and so much more.
On Nov. 5, elect Libbi Urban for the 5th Congressional District. Let’s get this district working for the people again.
— MJ O’Neill, Britton
