Solar farms
Clearing forests for commercial solar farms defies common sense. Yet it’s happening now, in Maryland and elsewhere.
Two solar projects in Charles County will be clearing hundreds of acres of woodlands, while some in other Maryland counties are removing trees on 5 to 10 acres. Developers in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island have proposed razing anywhere from 60 to 350 acres for commercial arrays, triggering forest loss and litigation.
Why is this happening? Loopholes in land-use laws are part of the problem. These energy facilities pose new challenges that need new solutions.
Here in Anne Arundel County, we have a chance to be proactive. We can steer solar development away from forests toward brownfields and parking lots. If we write our solar laws well, we can save taxpayers money by protecting the forests that filter pollution before it gets into our air and waterways.
Who will decide the fate of our forests? Some — as in the columns by Josh Cohen (The Capital, April 28) and Mike Tidwell (The Capital, Feb. 5) — are pushing for limited regulation, especially for “community” solar projects. But at 15 acres each, even those smaller projects could clear-cut an area half the size of the Annapolis mall.
Are we willing to sacrifice our forests for solar projects? The county’s solar task force wants to hear what we think. Come to its public forum Wednesday.
WES GROVES
Tracys Landing
Help from officer
I am writing to publicly thank Officer John Manning of the Annapolis Police Department for the assistance he provided my sons and me with a broken-down vehicle.
The car died at the entry of the Taylor Avenue and West Street circle at the height of the evening rush hour. Officer Manning arrived on scene and I believed he intended to direct traffic while we pushed the car to a safe location, almost three blocks away.
He broke out the flares, positioned his car behind us with lights on and we were truly grateful for his help. However, he was far from done. As my sons and I began to push the car away, I looked to my left to see Officer Manning in full gear with a shoulder leaning into the other rear fender.
I have taught my six children and everyone I have coached and mentored throughout the years to respect and admire the work the police do daily. As a 30-year military veteran, I have a great affinity for the fraternity between police officers and military members.
Officer Manning personified everything that is good in the men and women who choose a life of selfless service to protect and aid those in our community who are in need. Thank you, Officer Manning, for all you do for the citizens of and visitors to Annapolis.
PATRICK McCARTHY
Annapolis
Bridge lights
The recent re-lamping of the Naval Academy Bridge comes too late for one of your letter writers.
Jack Sherwood of Severna Park would rant and rave to The Capital about the multiple lights missing across the broad expanse of the bridge — not just a few lights, but many lights. And not all the same lights all the time.
The problem for Jack was that he used the lights as his personal aids to navigation sailing Erewhon up the Severn River and down. He used certain lights or patterns of lights to guide his way. And when those bulbs were burned out or missing, Jack — a highly accomplished sailor — was in a quandary. For him, it was almost as bad as if a heavy fog had descended upon the river.
Jack Sherwood died 18 months ago after pleading to have the lights replaced. But today he is dancing somewhere knowing full well that all the lights on the bridge are lit all the time — at least for now.
MARK W. KELLOGG
Severna Park
Rich and poor
As I watch the multimillion-dollar Annapolis Yacht Club temples of 1 percent privilege taking over Eastport, I’m struck by the depressing irony of neighbors struggling in substandard public housing projects less than one-half mile away.
How can this be right?
GWENN MARIE
Annapolis
