Trump’s Iran war proves the fallibility of fossil fuels
Since Trump started the war on Iran, U.S. natural gas prices have risen 14% per Trading Economics, and gasoline is up 21% to $3.63 per gallon, per AAA. Natural gas prices were already rising even before the war, up 120% for NY for 2025 versus 2024, per New York Independent System Operator report.
The NYISO report also states that USA drastically increased exports of natural gas over recent years, with 26% increase in 2025, alone. This has led to US natural gas prices being increasingly driven by global gas prices. USA now exports more natural gas than residential customers are expected to consume.
Because almost half of New York State’s electricity generation is from natural gas-fired power plants, the rising cost of natural gas has resulted in skyrocketing electricity supply charges on utility bills, in addition to huge bills for those heating with natural gas.
A PSC report shows that climate programs are a small share of current residential electric bills (5-9%) with 75-80% of these costs for Zero Emissions Credits to keep the state’s exorbitantly expensive nuclear plants operating. Urge Gov. Hochul to defend and implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by focusing on renewable energy for affordability.
Valdi Weiderpass
Endicott
Social media has the receipts for Trump administration’s hypocrisy
There is a meme for everything. Memes, short but direct commentary or pictures on social media that reflect on current issue trends, are plentiful when it comes to President Trump and his cabinet.
Two memes making the rounds are one by Trump himself, posted during the Obama presidency. “Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He’s weak and he’s ineffective.” The second was a quote from Tulsi Gabbard, current Director of National Intelligence: “A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for a man who wants to end wars not start them.”
As American citizens, we must remember that this president and his minions promised to end wars and noted that starting wars was not in the best interests of America. While Trump has broken many promises in just over one year of his presidency, starting a war with Iran is perhaps the most reckless.
Mary Schwarz
Richford
Support for public media needed in NY budget
Right now Gov. Hochul and our state legislators are finalizing the state budget for the coming fiscal year. Included in their deliberations is a proposal for increased funding for public media.
WSKG provides trusted local journalism and outstanding educational resources in our area, as well as valued arts and cultural programming. Federal cuts to public media have severely impacted WSKG’s budget. You can help. Now is the time to contact your local representatives to urge them to support additional funding for public media organizations.
Duane Spilde
Walton
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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Press & Sun letters slam Trump, praise public media | Opinion
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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