Coal power

A recent opinion piece advocates expanding power generation from coal to address the growth in demand for electricity (“Jarrett: Coal the answer to soaring power demand,” April 2). Coal is a poor choice for our future energy needs.

The author is undoubtedly encouraged by federal policies supporting so-called “energy dominance.” Expanding the use of coal is more accurately “energy ignorance.”

The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a push to allow coal plants to produce more soot and toxins, including mercury. Any reasonable accounting shows this is an unwise plan. The increased health costs due to burning coal outweigh any reduction in energy costs. Add to that the environmental destruction caused by coal mining and the increase in carbon emissions that exacerbate climate warming.

Increasing power generation with coal benefits the owners of coal mines. For the rest of us, it’s a losing proposition. Advanced nuclear and renewable energy are clearly superior choices for the 21st century.

Frederick Hewett

Cambridge

Question 1

Recent columns in the Herald have detailed the delay in moving forward on the voters’ approval of Question 1 on the Massachusetts ballot last November that passed with a 72% affirmative majority.

The initiative led by Democratic State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has resulted in opposition from state house leaders and legislators who are now raising the question that it violates the Massachusetts State Constitution.

If Question 1 seeking approval of the State Auditor’s audit of elected state lawmakers is in violation of the state constitution, why was it approved and placed on the November ballot?

Another classic example of wasting taxpayers’ dollars and time coupled with Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Governor Maura Healey who need a tutorial on Massachusetts Constitutional laws.

Fran Bogdanowicz

Longmeadow

SNAP & Medicaid

I am appalled that Congress is pushing forward with budget cuts that will take health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans.

GOP leaders are trying to convince Americans that SNAP and Medicaid are full of “waste, fraud, and abuse.” But this is a Trojan horse, designed to dupe the public into letting lawmakers cut these programs to the bone to pay for more tax cuts for the rich.

Medicaid and SNAP play a critical role in helping tens of millions of Americans access healthcare and food. Most of the recipients are children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. They ensure that Americans can stay healthy and fed when times are tough, while creating jobs and supporting communities around the country. And despite the political rhetoric, the programs are already closely scrutinized.

The rich don’t need more tax cuts, but America needs SNAP and Medicaid. I urge our members of Congress to resoundingly reject any budget that cuts these vital programs.

William Deignan

Medford