Consider the details when 'going green'

Although I am concerned about climate change, I believe we need to educate the public about the realities of getting rid of fossil fuels. Every day I read editorials and letters to the editor that push for "green" remedies. But we never hear about the specifics of these plans. I was motivated to write after accepting a phone survey about the 2022 Illinois election. Included was a biased question asking if I wanted the Prairie State coal plant, "one of the dirtiest plants in the country" to be shut down. How could I reply "Yes" if I don't know what the consequences are?

My questions on behalf of consumers are:

1) how will people pay to have their home electric panels upgraded so cars can be recharged? I have read this costs between $3,000.00 and $4,000.00.

2) How will homeowners afford to replace their natural gas furnaces, dryers and stoves?

3) Will the cost of roof replacement be affected by having to remove one's solar panels?

These are practical concerns that need to be addressed. Most importantly, before Prairie State is shut down, there has be a plan to replace that energy source. Illinois also gets approximately 50% of its electric needs from nuclear power. Currently two of those plants are coming up to be refueled and there are millions of dollars of maintenance needs. That energy source would need to be replaced as well if they are put offline.

It's easy to say do something but we have to know what the details are and prepare for sacrifices which we all may have to make. You don't just flip some magical switch to "go green."

Patrice Basso

Naperville