To the Editor:

On April 26, Newtown will celebrate Earth Day. In 2005 we joined the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program designed to promote the use of renewable energy projects while utilizing programs to reduce energy usage. Approximately 90% of our municipal electricity comes from solar and we have been able to incorporate energy efficiency programs in our buildings. Residents and businesses have also been able to take advantage of similar programs to reduce their energy costs. Newtown has over 15 MW (AC) of solar installed in town.

Future programs are now at risk because Trump is stuck in the last century and lacks vision — he thinks coal should play a more important part in our future. US electricity sources are approximately: 43% natural gas, 41% nuclear, hydro and renewables, and 16% coal (down from 45% in 2010). The cost of utility sized solar, on-shore wind and natural gas are comparable. The EPA has taken steps to weaken clean air and water regulations so that coal plants can release more toxic emissions such as mercury and arsenic, and wastewater runoff.

The coal industry employs fewer than 50,000 while clean energy jobs are over 3.5 million and jobs in this field were growing at twice the rate of the overall employment figures. If Trump were truly concerned about job growth and bringing back manufacturing, he would continue the programs that were started under Biden instead of rolling them back. While China still relies on coal, it is installing two to three times more renewables than any other nation with a target of being net zero by 2060. In 2023 China invested $890 billion into clean energy, which contributed $1.6 trillion to their economy.

China already owns the electric vehicle market and Trump is doing everything he can to make sure that the US will never catch up. Detroit was able to survive the 2008 crash because of government bailouts but it may not be able to survive Trump.

The oil and gas industry gave more than $75 million to the Trump campaign in return for a promise to shred environmental regulations and grant them virtually unfettered access to American lands and waters. Offshore oil drilling rigs are okay, but wind turbines are not.

Come out and enjoy our 16th Earth Day celebration at the Middle School. While you are there look into the faces of all the children and then ask yourself what kind of future are we going to be leaving them? Then think about who you voted for in the last election.

The opinions expressed here are my own.

Kathy Quinn

Newtown