A lot we can do to take action

Neither of the measures cited in the Sunday article, “Lawmakers aim to toughen laws on oil trains” by Jerry Cornfield really address the long term problem with the passage of fossil fuels through Snohomish County. Unfortunately, the states simply do not have much authority when it comes to interstate commerce. The U.S. Constitution explicitly gives that authority to the federal government. About all we can do is ask for information from the railroads and ask them to please be careful.

As to more information about crude oil and coal train movement, citizens of Snohomish County can take some action themselves. A train is hard to hide and we can gather some of the information we need ourselves. I encourage people to join the 2015 Snohomish County Train Watch the week of April 19-25. Sign up at www.snocogreennews.org/TrainWatch. The information we can gather ourselves is very useful to state and local authorities.

What Washington can do, furthermore, is more to encourage our own energy users to look beyond the use of fossil fuels. The state incentives for solar power should be extended into the future and the incentives for Community Solar should be expanded to include installations on non-government, non-profit buildings such as churches.

I can speak with authority about the effectiveness of solar energy in Everett. In 2009, we installed 5 Kw of solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of our recently remodeled home. We had made the home well insulated in the remodel. The roof-top system has provided plenty of power for all the house needs and after five years has half paid for itself. Last year we added an electric car and a hot tub. We still produce more power than we are using. Over a whole year, we get a net refund from the PUD. Such energy planning should be considered by all home owners. Others can invest in Community Solar and get 10 percent dividends on their investments. It’s the right thing to do.

Dean Smith

Everett