Non-GMO vs. organic

Your editorial, “DARK Act to be challenged,” (Aug. 11-17) reminded me of an NPR report broadcast on WJFF just a few days earlier. The story explored how, given a choice between products labeled non-GMO and those labeled USDA certified organic, consumers are more likely to buy non-GMO products, which tend to be less expensive.

However, the report pointed out, products labeled “non-GMO” may be farmed or processed with pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, other chemical additives and without regard for animal welfare.

A non-GMO label indicates only that a product contains no genetically modified ingredients; it does not mean that the product has any of the benefits of one labeled “certified organic.”

To read the whole NPR story, visit tinyurl.com/zut dowp.

Marcia Nehemiah

Lackawaxen, PA

Careful what you wish for

One could argue—if one were so inclined—that the home rule overreach that created the framework for the ban on fracking—i.e., every little town in NY can ban or allow gas drilling within its borders—will slow or even kill solar development as each town, each board, each body public can endlessly debate the impact of solar arrays.

Wouldn’t it be easier to just develop a statewide set of rules that business, communities and utilities could work from? The unintended consequence of the home rule overreach will most likely slow solar arrays to a fraction of their projected statewide dirty energy replacement, while the state and world does the slow burn from global warming.

One of those “careful what you wish for” things.

Charles Petersheim

Eldred, NY

No salvation via Hillary or Donald

Remember Jonah and the whale from the holy bible? If you are a person around 30 or under you probably don’t know the story. That is how much our country has changed for the worse. Instead of sharing our faith and telling of the great things Jesus has done for us and our nation with the newcomers to the U.S.A. from all over the world in the last few decades we have slowly pulled back from and cut Jesus out of our national and personal life. Why? The Lord was cut out as to not offend. Since when is “not being offended” more important than sharing Love and Truth? Have we become confused or distracted with politics, New Age thinking, Islam, atheism, technology, etc. and forgotten our nation’s heritage, our grandparents’ faith, or lost our own way like the prodigal son in the parable?

I’ll quote evangelist/pastor Greg Laurie: “First God sent revival to Jonah, then Jonah brought revival to Nineveh. That is because nothing can happen through us until it first happens to us. It has to start with us. If you want to raise your children in the way of the Lord, then make sure you are walking in the way of the Lord. They will listen to your bedtime stories and mini sermons, but they will be watching your life to see if you live that out. Some things are caught, and other things are taught. Revival starts with you and me.” Please check out “Decision America with Franklin Graham,” www.decisionamericatour.com. Please pray for a revival in “you” (and me) and in the U.S.A. because it won’t come via Hillary or Donald. God bless America, one nation under God, in God we trust.

John “JP” Pasquale

Livingston Manor, NY

Conserve energy: passive houses

How great to learn about the range of energy efficiency actions Jim Gutekunst has implemented at his G-Mart store in Wurtsboro (“Walking the walk in Mamakating”). By documenting and sharing the details of his cost savings, Mr. Gutekunst is providing an invaluable model for other business owners interested in reducing their operating costs.

Wouldn’t it be great as well if our local developers and builders chose to incorporate these energy saving strategies in all of their renovation and new construction projects? One way to do that would be to look to the Passive House standards (www.phius.org), which can reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling by as much as 90% simply by using the most modern materials and techniques for low-GHG insulation, windows, ventilation and heating and cooling. Net-zero buildings take the concept even further by including on-site renewable energy generation to meet the structure’s entire energy load. The combination of high-performance materials and building techniques and on-site or shared renewable energy generation makes this goal attainable and extremely cost effective.

New York State is currently revising its building code, which establishes minimum standards for energy conservation, but there’s no need to wait for net-zero to become the rule. Builders who want to “walk the walk” can incorporate these techniques into all their renovation and new construction projects. The result will be better, healthier and more comfortable homes, businesses and municipal buildings that cost far less to run—all for about the same cost as a conventionally built structure. Hats off to Mr. Gutekunst for leading the way.

Carol Roig

Highland NY