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We need the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act

Toxic microplastics have invaded the Long Island Sound, harming wildlife and making their way into human bodies, too. Unfortunately, you can bet on this problem to get worse, because plastic production is projected to double nationwide in the next 20 years.

Plastic is polluting our lakes and oceans, filling our landfills, spewing toxins from garbage-burning incinerators and making us sick. On top of all that, it costs taxpayers millions to deal with all the waste that plastic pollution creates. We need to control this monster. Thankfully, New York is on its way to doing just that. 

Long Island’s state legislators can do their part by helping pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act: a bill that’s already backed by two thirds of New York voters. It will reduce plastic packaging by 30% over the next 12 years, require at least 75% of remaining packaging to be reused or recycled by 2052, outlaw 17 harmful chemicals and materials used in plastic packaging and require large companies to pay fees on packaging, thus reducing local taxpayers’ burden.

Plastic pollution is out of control, but we can live with safer packaging. Our health depends on it.

Judith Enck

President of Beyond Plastics and former EPA Regional Administrator

The reality of renewable energy on Long Island

In his letter [Feb. 27] about the transition from our present fossil-fuel- based electrical economy to one based on renewable energy, George Altemose calculates what he believes the necessary area that must be covered by solar panels in order to supply Long Island’s energy, including charging large batteries to carry us through several overcast days of low solar generation.

If the number of square miles of solar panels Altemose calculates appear daunting, it’s because he overlooks several important factors in our plan to end our use of fossil fuels on Long Island — the same fossil fuels that are producing the climate change that is now so obviously here.

First, it is planned that the largest source (49%) of our renewable energy needs will come from offshore wind turbines that will generate energy even after the sun goes down and solar panels stop producing; solar generation will be much less than that.

Second, the Long Island Solar Roadmap, released just before the COVID-19 outbreak after several years of research by the Nature Conservancy and the Defenders of Wildlife, indicates that 5,000 MW of solar generation — a number equal to Altemose’s worst-case scenario — could be installed on just one quarter of Long Island’s “low-impact” sites consisting of large flat roofs, carports, industrial land, brownfields, etc., without impacting any residential or wooded areas. But Long Island won’t need such a massive installation because we’ll have plenty of wind energy.

Finally, while we are a physical island, we are not an electrical island. The LIPA grid is currently connected to the mainland by five high voltage underwater cables that are used to import energy from New Jersey, Connecticut and Westchester when that is needed here. In addition, the Propel New York project will add two new cables linking us to the Bronx and Westchester. These would normally be used to export offshore wind energy that is landed here to locations in the New York City metro area and upstate, but they could equally be used to import energy from mainland sources if that were needed here.

All these carefully researched plans assume a rapid increase in the number of electric vehicles (these will be charged mostly at night, when electrical demand is lower than in the day), and the replacement of air conditioners and furnaces with efficient heat pumps that will reduce summer peak loads while increasing the lower demand we now have in the winter.

A massive transition to renewables is happening here and in the rest of the world; many major countries are well ahead of the United States because the United States is held back by those who would deny climate change in order to advance their own financial or political interests.

Peter Gollon 

Former LIPA trustee, Energy chair, Long Island Sierra Club Huntington

The EPA should be protected

A letter by Jim Soviero appeared in this newspaper on April 3 [EPA and media need accountability]  filled with innuendos and deceptive claims about the Environmental Protection Agency.  He calls for “accountability” for money already legally disbursed by the EPA as per the Biden legislation passed by Congress and signed into law, to fund beneficial projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution. 

He’s echoing Lee Zeldin, our former Long Island congressman and now head of the Donald )Trump (R) EPA.  While in Congress Zeldin had a long record of opposing measures to safeguard air and water quality, instead serving the interests of the oil and gas industry, in spite of the fact that Long Island has no oil and gas industry.  If Zeldin really wanted “accountability,” why didn’t he protest when Trump fired the EPA Inspector General, whose one and only job is to hold the EPA accountable for its expenditures?  This IG, Sean O’Donnell, was appointed by none other than Trump himself back in 2020.  Could it be that Zeldin really wants not “accountability” but a more pliable IG to rubber-stamp the Zeldin-Trump agenda of climate denialism and environmental havoc?

Zeldin describes the mission of the EPA as “lower[ing] the cost of buying a car, heating a home, and running a business.”  No – the EPA is not the Commerce Department. The EPA’s mission, embedded in its name, is to protect the environment. I remember when the Cuyahoga River in Ohio was so polluted with oil slicks it caught on fire –  many times.  When Los Angeles was covered by a thick poisonous smog on a daily basis.  All before the EPA.  The EPA’s mission is to protect us from sickness and premature death from damaged lungs, heart disease, asthma and other consequences of the unchecked release of toxins into our air and water.  And it’s also about energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions that threaten us, our children and grandchildren.

In spite of the letter writer’s innuendos, the rightful recipients of the funding Zeldin is trying to snatch back are reputable and longstanding organizations run by qualified professionals with years of experience in engineering, finance and energy efficiency.  The funds are being used for such things as increasing the affordability of modern, efficient heat pumps to replace inefficient gas or oil heating.  And the organization Power Forward Communities, so sneered at by the letter writer, is a coalition of some of the most trusted nonprofits in the nation, including Habitat for Humanity International and United Way Worldwide.

Dylan Friedman

St. James

Support our libraries

Please support our libraries in your publication! Interviews with librarians and patrons, and analyses of how our libraries support our communities. There are books, yes, but there is so much more. Our libraries are threatened, and we need to save them. They build community, support learning and critical thinking, offer classes and access to, e.g., internet to those who need it. And best of all, they’re a place you can go to get a lot without paying for anything.

Bente Videbaek

Port Jefferson

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 EPA and media need accountability

Based on a March, New York Times article, Daniel Dunaief expressed concerns the EPA “is exploring the possibility” of laying off over 1,000 scientists.  He urged EPA director, Lee Zeldin (R) to be selective before making any cuts. 

Even before Zeldin was sworn in, Biden EPA adviser, Brent Efron, was caught proudly announcing the agency was spending billions of taxpayer dollars before the Trump administration could stop them.  

“Get the money out as fast as possible before they come in….it’s like we’re on the Titanic and….throwing gold bars off the edge.”

Where’d the dough go?

“Nonprofits, states, tribes. We gave them the money because it was harder, if it was a government-run program, they could take the money away, if Trump won.”

Apparently, nongovernmental organizations  are a great place to stash gold bars because they avoid typical Fed spending “accountability.” So, they can act as weblike pass-throughs to other, politically favored outfits, while making it difficult to track how much money is actually going to “scientists.” 

EPA administrator Zeldin found $20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, nestled in CitiBank, awaiting distribution. 

It was “awarded to just eight entities, that were then responsible for doling out your money to NGOs and others at their discretion, with far less transparency,” Zeldin explained.

He continued, “Of the eight pass-through entities…. various recipients have shown very little qualification to handle a single dollar, let alone several billions of dollars.”

Here’s just one example of the above-mentioned “web.”  Power Forward Communities Inc. got $2 billion, despite being set up in 2023 and showing only $100 in revenue for that entire year.  That outfit partnered with Rewiring America, where two-time Georgia gubernatorial loser Stacey Abrams (D) works as “corporate counsel.”  

As for the New York Times reporting on Zeldin’s EPA, let’s consider the source.  The “Gray Lady” cited House Democrats. Recall, the New York Times joined other major media outlets in losing tons of credibility by selectively censoring some stories (including those on COVID), while parroting Dem pols’ deceitful talking points on major, critical issues.  The most dangerous of which was assuring us that President Joe Biden (D) was cognitively capable of acting as commander in chief and leader of the free world.

We are a people burdened with $36 trillion dollars in debt, and a lack of faith in what is being reported as “news.” So the public needs to demand accountability from both the EPA and media.  Then use common sense and a critical eye to make honest judgments.  

Jim Soviero

East Setauket

Conscience Bay Society of Friends hope county officials protect everyone in spirit of the Constitution

Conscience Bay Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) was established in St. James in 1961. Most of us live in western Suffolk County and have deep ties to the area. On March 9, we met in a meeting for worship with attention to business and considered the circumstances currently faced by immigrants and refugees in our country. After prayerful consideration, we approved the following minute:

Conscience Bay Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is united in the centuries-old Quaker convictions that every person has that of God/Spirit within them, that all are equal in dignity and worth, that all are deserving of compassion and fair treatment. With this understanding of how we can live together in peace, we have a deep concern for the well-being and rights of all. Therefore, we issue this public call for support and protection, without regard to their immigration status, of all immigrants and refugees in our extended community of Suffolk County, New York. We call upon our county officials to advocate and create policies that protect all individuals from unwarranted arrest, detention or deportation.

We ask that our county police remain in compliance with their central mandate to “Serve and Protect.” In fulfilling that vital and honorable role, there is no justification for our county or local police departments to act as surrogates for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or associated agencies. We commend the ongoing efforts by individuals, organizations and local governments to provide essential services, advocacy and safety for immigrants and refugees.

It is our hope that you will do all that you can to protect the rights of everyone within your jurisdiction and that you will fulfill the duty of every elected official to live up to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of the United States.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Emerson

Clerk, Conscience Bay Meeting

Disappointing Town Hall

I am in agreement with the March 20 letters of Donna Newman and Robert Marcus regarding the disappointing so-called “Town Hall” meeting by Congressman Nick LaLota [(R—NY1)]. I specifically want to add that LaLota’s claims of asking constituents their opinions was self-serving. To ask whether or not we supported government waste was silly. Everyone objects to waste; but the real question is how much waste is there and is destruction of government agencies an acceptable way to deal with it. LaLota’s questions were only designed to reinforce his own views or rather the views of [President Donald] Trump [(R)], whom he supports in every way.

Respectfully,

Adam Fisher

Port Jefferson Station

Thank you to Three Village Community Trust

I want to thank the Three Village Community Trust and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) for their recent recognition of the Setauket Neighborhood House as an important community asset and its continuing commitment to provide a warm and friendly meeting and gathering place for the community.

In 1918, local philanthropists Eversley and Minnie Childs gave the Setauket Neighborhood House to the residents of the Stony Brook and Setauket communities as a needed meeting place. For more than 100 years, the Setauket Neighborhood House and its board of dedicated trustees have provided a unique and treasured asset that has been a place for hosting community and family events in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Thanks to all for recognizing my service as its manager and the importance of the Setauket Neighborhood House as a recognized Three Village community asset.

Maria Nardiello

Manager

Setauket Neighborhood House

Open letter to Congressman Nick LaLota

Prologue: I originally wrote the following letter a week ago. So much has negatively changed in what is happening with Social Security that I found it necessary to add this prologue. Offices have been closed. There is no one to answer the phones or you may have to wait 30 minutes to talk to someone. The Social Security website crashed two or three times last week. If there is an open office near you, the wait time standing in a line can be 4 or 5 hours.

Congressman LaLota (R-NY1), is this what you were elected to support? Do you support all these changes? Do you have anyone in your life that may have to deal with Social Security? I hope you help them.

But now how does someone in your district who may need help get in touch with you?

In the last few weeks it has been reported that the Department of Government Efficiency is now closing some Social Security offices and that phone access will no longer be available. One can only get in touch with the Social Security office online or in person. So, if you are new to Social Security or need to make any changes, you will either have to do it online or go in to an office, if there is one near you.

Congressman LaLota, since you have not objected to any of these cuts, I have to think that you support them. Therefore, anyone who needs help making any change to their Social Security should get in touch with you for help. Perhaps you have not realized that many of the people in your district are senior citizens, many of whom need their Social Security checks to make it through the month. Many of them do not have computers, and, if they do, they do not know how to do many things on the computer. Many of them no longer drive nor do they have someone who can take them to a Social Security office.

I have to ask if you have tried to find out how people in your district feel about all these changes. People who voted for you expected that you were going to make their lives easier, not harder, and by supporting these changes, everyone’s life is a lot harder.

So, Congressman LaLota, how are you going to help these people in your district?

Ernestine Franco

Sound Beach

BESS  estimates

In his letter of March 27 George Altemose makes a valid point that solar power on Long Island is too variable to be able to provide 100% of our needs so backup power of some kind is needed. However, his analysis of the number of homes that could be serviced by a 8.75 MW solar facility coupled to a battery facility (battery  energy storage system) contrasts with my personal experience. 

Using the time period that includes his use of August  2024 (I am billed on a two-month cycle) my two-month total usage was 1,123 kwh or an average of 780 watts contrasted to his home average use of 2,747 watts (both include use of air conditioning).  He makes a questionable assumption that the power requirement would double from the average when air conditioning is turned on for 4 hours and used that condition, not the average use, as a basis for need.  If our home use was typical, the number of homes that could be covered by BESS is larger than their calculation, not smaller.

Of course, there are many factors that will impact use of power, but one very noticeable change we noticed was the drop in energy usage with our conversion to heat pump air conditioning, which is much more efficient and quieter than other forms and can also provide heat when needed. 

Peter Bond

Stony Brook

Fact checking: ‘Reconfiguration is the right decision for 3V schools,’ appeared on March 20th

To my knowledge, not a single member of the Three Village community petitioned for grade restructuring. Restructuring is an administration-driven initiative that was pushed forward through the ‘Strategic Plan Committee’ meetings. Because many parents became concerned that this plan would make start times even worse than the current dismal state, it was primarily these parents who turned up and closely followed the restructuring meetings. Their main concern was that the restructuring, as initially planned, would have moved the 9th grade students to a 7:05am start time from the current 7:40 start time. This is obviously the exact opposite of what most parents wanted.

 As of my writing, the proposed budget simply maintains the status quo for the 9th grade student start times. This is appropriate, given that these students are the ones most affected by the restructuring at the secondary level. It is also in alignment with 15 years of recommendations from the community and relevant committees.

The request for later start times is not a new-found concern but a long-standing one rooted in over 30 years of research and backed by leading U.S. medical organizations. Locally, a 2019 petition urging the Three Village school Board and administration to adopt healthier start times obtained 1,700 signatures within days, a remarkable response. Dismissing this long-held goal as a “sudden desire” or “utterly useless” disregards medical evidence and years of parent advocacy.

The claim that teenagers will “fall asleep from boredom” if devices are removed is counterfactual for the many parents who have witnessed their children struggle to meet developmental sleep requirements, despite implementing good sleep hygiene habits. 

Barbara Rosati,

Dept. of Physiology

Stony Brook University

To the Board of Education and Administration of the Three Village Central School District

As we near school budget season, and the conversations increase in intensity and severity regarding where our money is allotted for the 2025-2026 school year, here are the top nominees for talking points in Three Village.

1. The upcoming reconfiguration

This is a change, decades in the making, that is being made through due diligence and circumspection for what is best for all Three Village students.  Those who continue to dissent and rail against this 21st century change choose to remain ignorant to the negative effects our current model spews on our student population and the positive monetary savings the district will reap.  The opportunities that will be offered to our sixth and ninth graders outweigh any and all possible repercussions that may befall them.  Imagine a world full of clubs and classes that they would not receive in their current placement and try to ignore the rantings of those who chose to deny the simple fact that our beloved Three Village needs a facelift. Moving on.

2. Start times

Stop the madness!  No matter what the supposed science says, a 30-minute change to our start times is an utter waste of over $1million and will not make one bit of difference.  If parents are so concerned with their children’s sleep habits, perhaps they should take the devices out of their little darling’s hands and tell them to go to bed.  I, and MANY others, are not willing to see class sizes rise and programs disappear so that kids can have an extra 30 minutes on their phones instead of in the classroom.  Think about the detriments there before we spend a million dollars of the budget to cover transportation costs rather than having educators in classes.  Are we willing to see the possible failure of the budget for this nonsense?

3. Security

Earlier this school year three Village had a fright.  A gun got into our high school and the situation was handled smoothly and transparently. However the resounding outcry that followed was even more disturbing.  Now we have a call to arm our security guards, despite the fact that extensive research has shown that armed guards have actually induced more violence in schools.  I am staunchly against allowing anyone to carry a firearm either in or around our schools as I do not believe, under any circumstances, that this will assist in dissuading someone who wants to commit a violent act on school property.  I appreciate the comprehensive work that has been done by Mr. Blaum and his team and I trust that the system they are currently implementing will keep our children safe while in school. Regardless of any former law enforcement experience, school security guards do not need to be armed, particularly if response times to tense situations are not improved.

4. Incidents of hate

Thank you, Dr. Scanlon for acknowledging that Three Village has a problem, although it is extremely disconcerting to know that it has gotten this far.  In our district we have had several antisemitic occurrences. We are very lucky that none of them have involved violence.  I sincerely hope that the administration and the board are working together to create a plan that will address all of the issues that are on the increase, particularly in the current environment that exists throughout our country.  When teaching kindness and compassion, as well as common courtesy and respect, there is no amount too high if it erases the feelings of hatred toward any fellow students.

Let’s get it together three Village and regain our standing in our awesome 2025-2026 middle school model.  We have so much to look forward to!

Stefanie Werner

East Setauket

I am ready to work for you as your trustee

I’m excited to share that I’m running for reelection for Port Jefferson village trustee. Over 24 years ago, Kelly and I made the decision to raise our family here in Port Jefferson, and it has truly been the perfect place to call home. Our children, Victoria and Stephen, have grown up here, and we’ve watched this village become an even more wonderful community with every passing year.

It has been a true honor to serve as your trustee for the past two years, and as deputy mayor for the past year. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many dedicated and talented people – from the team at Village Hall to volunteers who serve on committees like the Conservancy, Parks & Recreation, Tree Committee, Conservation Advisory Council and the Committee for Coastal Erosion. What I’ve come to appreciate is how much stronger we are when we work together to improve our village. I’ve always strived to listen, learn, and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.

With over 30 years in municipal government, including 18 years as the village clerk/administrator here in Port Jefferson, I’ve gained experience working alongside a wonderful staff, 10 mayors and many trustees. Through countless meetings, challenges and successes, I’ve learned what it takes to help a village prosper, and I’m committed to using that knowledge to make Port Jefferson even better.

There are still important opportunities ahead that we must address, like the stabilization of the bluff at the Port Jefferson Country Club, the future of the Power Plant and managing the growth of apartments. These issues require thoughtful leadership, and I believe my experience, ability to collaborate and passion for our community make me well-suited to help guide Port Jefferson forward.

Two years ago, I promised that I would always be available to listen to your concerns and ideas. I’ve kept that promise with my “Saturday Sit-Down” sessions, where I meet informally with residents to chat about village matters. My personal cell phone number is on my business cards and in my emails, and I encourage you to reach out to me. I’m here to listen, help, and be part of the solutions that make our village the best it can be.

I hope I can count on your support on June 17. Together, we’ll continue to make Port Jefferson the wonderful community that we all cherish.

Bob Juliano

Port Jefferson

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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An opportunity to build trust

It was heartening to read Daniel Dunaief’s interview with the new Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina [“New Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina discusses highway, school safety,” March 9] discussing school and road safety, adoption of body cameras and the importance of recruiting new officers from underrepresented communities.

Of some concern, though, is the comment that Catalina and the Suffolk County Sheriff traveled to El Salvador to learn police recruitment ideas. Since 2019 El Salvador has become a single-party dictatorship that has suspended the rule of law, civil rights and human rights in order to suppress gang violence. And the current U.S. federal administration is paying El Salvador to imprison Venezuelan deportees without due process. Probably not the best place to learn about good policing.

Notably absent from the article was any query about whether the SCPD intends to continue spending taxpayer money to fight the 2022 Newsday/New York Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against them. In 2020, New York State repealed the 50-A law that allowed departments to keep police complaint and disciplinary records secret. Since 2020, Newsday and the NYCLU have filed 10 Freedom of Information Law requests to SCPD that have still not been satisfied, even after a lower court and an appellate panel ruled against them. This February, New York’s highest court issued a ruling on the same kind of case (against the Rochester PD) requiring full disclosure of all records, regardless of outcome or when the complaint was made. Why continue spending money on a legal fight they will certainly lose?

If Commissioner Catalina would genuinely like to turn the page, and build community trust through transparency, now would be a good time to simply comply with the law.

John Hover

East Setauket

When is enough enough?

I want to thank Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) for his article in The Port Times Record [March 13, “Your Turn: Overdevelopment will not solve the affordable housing crisis”].  

The article supports my ongoing concern that Port Jefferson village should stop approving permits to build new apartment buildings. 

I recently tried to obtain the number of apartments and the number of residential homes currently in Port Jefferson village and was told that the village does not have this information. I must ask how the planning board and the Building and Planning Department can make educated rulings if they don’t even know how many exist and what the Village Master Plan considers the maximum that should be allowed. If there are no limits, the trend will just continue until Port Jefferson has lost all the charm of a small, historic village.

From my research, the Village of Port Jefferson already has over 1,100 apartments located in apartment buildings. This doesn’t include the three apartment buildings now being discussed in the Building and Planning Department and all the apartments that exist above the stores in our downtown and uptown. 

We are a small village and 1,100+ apartments is more than the village can hold and still maintain its history and charm. I imagine that compared to other villages and hamlets in the area, Port Jefferson village outshines them in trying to meet the needs of people who find home ownership unobtainable.

I believe that the residents of Port Jefferson village need to decide if they want to maintain what’s left of the village’s history and charm or continue the trend of building massive apartment buildings and maybe one day being the new “Queens or Brooklyn” of Long Island. 

We will only be able to stop this trend by ensuring that we elect village officials who will determine the number of apartments existing and the number that is acceptable. I believe something is lacking when no official in the village can easily obtain this information nor provide a number that a master plan states is acceptable. 

Rob Grimm

Port Jefferson 

BESS implications

In a recent letter to the TBR News Media, Peter Bond took issue with a previous letter from me regarding the capability of a battery energy storage system lithium-ion battery unit to power homes. In my calculation, I used 5,000 W as an estimate of the power used by a typical home, which was characterized by Bond as unjustifiably high.

To derive this number, I consulted my PSEG electrical energy bill from Aug, 20, 2024, which stated that my home energy from July 12 to Aug. 12 of 2024 was 1,978 kWh for the 720-hour period, or an average of 2,747 W during each day. However, as we know, the energy used during the hot summer is not even nearly constant during each day, and the hottest 4-hour period of the day can easily utilize twice as much energy as the average value for that day. In this case, therefore, the average power used in my home during this hot 4-hour period was calculated to be 5,494 W.

The PSEG report also provides the consumed energy during this period for an “average home,” which is 1,355 kWh. Using this number in a similar calculation provides an average 4-hour hot weather power utilization of 3,764 W. In my letter, I tried to use a realistic measure of the required power consumption, and I selected 5,000 W as a convenient number for an illustrative example. If we use these PSEG energy values instead, we find that the 8.75 MW BESS, during a 4-hour period with active air conditioning, can be expected to power 1,593 homes similar to my home (1,978 kWh), or 2,325 “average homes” (1,355 kWh). In any case, both of these options result in the number of homes being far fewer than the 8,500 homes claimed by New Leaf Energy in their presentation.

As was stated at the recent Sterling Woods meeting, the eventual goal is to retire the present “fossil fuel” system and replace it with solar arrays and lithium-ion batteries. The big problem with this approach, which is never mentioned at these meetings, is the likelihood that extended periods of reduced sunshine levels, e.g., 2 or 3 or 4 or more consecutive overcast days, are likely to cause power blackouts, comparable to the New York City blackout in 1977. The only remedy for this problem will be the addition of one set of very large installations of solar arrays and BESS units for each anticipated day of overcast weather. If additional overcast days do occur, a blackout will be the inevitable result.

George Altemose

Setauket

LaLota and Garbarino must oppose cuts to Medicaid and SNAP 

On March 7 hundreds gathered at the New York State Office Building in Hauppauge to advocate for a 7.8% targeted increase in Medicaid rates for disability services to address rising costs, ensure fair pay for staff and stabilize the care system for individuals with disabilities.

 As a father of an adult child with disabilities who relies on Medicaid-supported services, I feel an overwhelming responsibility to advocate for the protection and support of staff, whose roles are crucial in caring for individuals with disabilities. These significant issues have profound personal and far-reaching effects on families like mine.

 For over 25 years, my son Bobby has received exceptional care from the Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI). The dedication and compassion of their staff have greatly enriched his life, helping him accomplish daily tasks. Their work is more than just a job; it is a calling driven by empathy and a commitment to improving lives. These critical services deserve fair compensation and job security.

 In addition, the proposed $800 billion cuts to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are deeply troubling. These programs serve as lifelines, supporting individuals like my son and often the staff caring for him and his peers, many of whom seek supplemental food support because of their low-wage status. Cutting funds for these programs is more than an economic decision; it is a moral one that will have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations.

 I urge our local congressional representatives, including Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino, to oppose these cuts. I encourage them to advocate for sustainable funding that prioritizes the well-being of those who depend on these critical support services. An investment now will secure the present and safeguard the future for people like my son.

Joseph W. Schmidt, Esq.

Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)

Tipping servers

Leah Dunaief recently wrote an editorial about tipping and American’s obsession with this practice. In New York servers do not make $16.50, more like $11. Since she seems to be comparing the United States with European countries, where people leave a few coins for excellent service. Let’s look at Europe. Servers get paid a regular livable salary. Servers are part of the national health care system. Europeans believe health care is a right not a privilege. No one in Europe goes through health care bankruptcy, as more than 300,000 Americans did in 2024. Servers are part of the national pension system, to which they contribute, for a livable pension. American servers have none of these benefits, therefore we should know that tipping is vital to their economic well-being. I for one am proud of those Americans who tip generously.

Stuart Bernstein

Setauket

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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Reconfiguration is the right decision for 3V schools

This letter is meant to address all the Monday morning quarterbacks that are suddenly coming out of the woodwork to voice their complaints regarding the district reconfiguration. The timing of this mini defection is ironic since the reconfiguration is going to happen and the time for speaking up was before the official BOE vote. Hindsight critics can now take a seat. This change has been in the making for decades and remaining “unique” is not an option. 

How about joining the 21st century and accepting that our kids DESERVE this change?  The kids being affected by it are excited and more than capable of adapting.  The parents, being swayed by the ineffectual attempts of a former district employee, are the ones whining about the revision that is in fact going to happen.  This is not sudden, it has been researched and planned for, and the district has done its due diligence regarding transparency with the community.  I am certainly not always in agreement with Superintendent Kevin Scanlon or this Board of Education, in fact I have plenty of bones to pick with them, but on this I know they got it right. 

The sudden desire to combine a start time change with the reconfiguration is a whole other matter, but this has now joined the ranks of the top three things Three Village parents can gripe about.  I stand by my argument that this half-hour change is utterly useless and a complete waste of more than a million dollars.  If parents have enough time to write letters to the board about a reconfiguration that is already set to happen then they have more than enough time to monitor their children’s sleep habits.  And it matters not how old they are, take the phones and other devices away and they will fall asleep from sheer boredom. 

Let’s focus on the amazing opportunities that will come from this move and stop following the “lead” of a disgruntled former employee whose quarrel holds no water.  The cost (from transportation alone) and lack of difference that will result from the start time change should be the debate every taxpayer has with themselves come budget time.   As an alumnus, parent and lifelong community member I can’t wait to see how the mighty 3V thrives in a middle school model.  Dissenters, let it go already.

Stefanie Werner

East Setauket

 

BESS still under discussion 

George Altemose’s March 13 letter in TBR News Media [“BESS systems still in dispute”] about the proposed battery energy storage systems facility asks a valid question about how much power is needed to “power a home.”  Unfortunately, in his analysis of what would be needed he ends with an unjustified conclusion.  The average power used over the course of a day by most homes is about 1,000 watts, a value used by BESS proponents (my use is less). For an unstated reason Altemose says the average power use must be more like 5,000 watts, a factor of 5 larger.  This changes the picture dramatically.  It is true that use during the day and at night can differ significantly, but the 5,000 watts for an average use is high for all but the largest or power inefficient houses.

Peter Bond 

Stony Brook

LaLota and Suozzi hold town halls

I attended Nick LaLota’s (R-NY1) tele-town hall on March 5 [LaLota and Suozzi hold town halls, TBR News Media, March 13].

The one-hour event started a bit late. LaLota spoke for the first 10 minutes, answering accusations that questions were only accepted from supporters, and that they were not representative of his constituent’s concerns. He said that was not true. 

He then took about six questions from people who asked legitimate constituent concerns.  But he did not actually answer them. His replies consisted of rambling talking points — not substance. And because callers were cut off after asking their question, there was no “give and take.” 

I waited in the queue to ask: “Rep. LaLota, do you approve of the President’s alliance with Vladimir Putin? Yes or no?”  But I did not get the chance to ask. I’m sure there were a great many people who did not get to pose questions. 

The final 10 minutes were devoted to the congressman thanking us for participating in the town hall and his gratitude for being given the opportunity to represent us in the House of Representatives.

He did use polling opportunities to assess our views on a few topics. Press 1 to agree or 2 to disagree. I believe those polls were worthless. The only viewpoint LaLota will support is that of President Trump.

Donna Newman

Stony Brook

LaLota town hall disappoints

I appreciate that your March 13 edition reported on Congressman Nick LaLota’s (R-NY1) recent “Town Hall.”  I was on the call for that telephone event.  Unfortunately, it could hardly be characterized as “a town hall.”  The call lasted for sixty minutes.  There was time for only a very few questions to be asked of the congressman.  He spent about one quarter of the time, at the start and conclusion of the call, simply telling us what a good job he felt he was doing.  His answers were extremely lengthy and repetitive.  They rarely addressed the key elements of the questions.  They never allowed for a follow-up question.

The “polling” that LaLota conducted was your standard, misleading “push poll.”  Slightly paraphrasing: “Press 1, if you think we should try to reduce government waste.  Press 2, if you think it is okay for the government to waste taxpayer dollars.”

The question I had hoped to have asked was, “Will you please speak out against the indiscriminate, excessive cuts in government services that are hurting millions of Americans including thousands of your constituents; and will you speak out against the fact that so many of these cuts were done in a manner that was illegal and, in some cases, clearly unconstitutional?”

Robert Marcus

Setauket, New York

Community alert!

Greetings Port Jefferson Station/Terryville residents, as well as our friends and neighbors from nearby areas.

As many know, in September of 2024, the Town of Brookhaven approved the zoning change sought by Staller Associates for a 260- to 280-unit multifamily apartment complex redevelopment plan for Jefferson Plaza. This is where the existing local Post Office is located presently. This was a controversial proposal that will increase density to levels never seen locally before. As approved, this project will transform the face of our community. Our local civic association worked long and hard to try to voice our concerns regarding this intensive use to address the many impacts, both positive and potentially negative.

One concern was as this development moves forward it enhances a sense of place for our hamlet and creates a positive environment reflecting the character of community. One method for accomplishing this goal is thoughtful design and the use of good architecture. Will it be warm and welcoming or cold and imposing? In this instance, the choice can be ours.

In coordination with our Councilman, Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) and Brookhaven town, our civic association is sponsoring a community forum regarding this redevelopment plan at our monthly meeting. I urge all my neighbors and concerned citizens to join us on Tuesday March 25, at 7 p.m. at the Comsewogue Library. Representatives of Staller Associates will present various architectural designs to solicit input and comments from residents. This Visual Preference Survey process will enable us to shape and guide the face and feel of our neighborhood as this mega-project proceeds and impacts our area. Please join us and participate in our shared future.

Ira Costell, President

Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic  Associatio

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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BESS systems still in dispute 

A meeting was recently held at the Sterling Woods condominium in Port Jefferson Station to discuss the impending proposal for an 8.75-MW lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). According to the New Leaf Energy Senior Director of Business Development, this 8.75-MW BESS “can power 8,500 single-family homes for 4 hours.”

This raises a very interesting question: what is the meaning of the phrase “power a home?” Does this imply that all (100%) of the power used in the home will be provided?

New Leaf Energy presents a plan for a 8.75-megawatt project on Feb. 20, 2025. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

Or will the BESS provide only a small percentage, e.g., 20%, of the total power required by each home? If the BESS provides 8.75 MW of power to 8,500 homes for 4 hours, the average power delivered to each home is 1,029 W. For a typical home in Port Jefferson Station, surely a more realistic measure of the required power consumption would be about 5,000 W, rather than 1,029 W. Thus, for this case, the BESS will be providing approximately 20.9% of the required power, and not 100%.

Clearly, the remaining 79.1%, which is 3,971 W, will need to be provided from some other (unspecified) source, if 8,500 homes are to be fully powered with 5,000 W each. Realistically, a single 8.75-MW BESS might be able to provide 5,000 W of power for 4 hours to each of 1,750 (rather than 8,500) homes. Alternatively, a total of 5 BESS units could be configured to fully power 8,500 homes. 

Another subject of discussion at the meeting was the hot topic of thermal runaway in the lithium-ion battery cells. This was said to be “caused when the cells are interfered with or abused and are unable to regulate normally,” While this is correct, it should also be mentioned that “abuse” does not necessarily have to be mechanically induced, but can also originate as a malfunction in the electronic control circuitry, including the charging and cell balancing circuits, and the software that controls them. This can lead to unintentional overcharging of one or more cells, which can lead directly to thermal runaway.

George Altemose

Setauket

Read more about the topic here or visit https://tbrnewsmedia.com/port-jefferson-station-residents-question-battery-storage-proposal-at-sterling-woods-meeting/

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. 

Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

 

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Sugar kelp farming is a win-win 

Suffolk County has a unique opportunity to lead in sustainable aquaculture by adding seaweed farming to its existing lease program. Seaweed cultivation offers immense environmental and economic benefits, including improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and the development of innovative industries such as sustainable plastics, animal feed, and biodegradable materials.

Non-profit organizations like Lazy Point Farms and its partners have demonstrated their commitment to supporting this industry through research, infrastructure development, and community education. The Town of Brookhaven is committed to collaborating with organizations like this to build sustainable practices, and we have a chance to help pioneer a robust model for providing critical resources to local growers. This initiative will not only create new economic opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs but also help New York catch up with neighboring states already thriving in seaweed production. 

The opportunity is clear: there have been numerous inquiries from businesses for our locally grown seaweed, but not nearly enough supply to meet that demand. Seaweed production is truly a win-win, because as it generates revenue, it also helps drive the development of sustainable products and helps improve water quality in our bays and harbors. 

Concerns about potential conflicts with boating and visual impact are addressed by the seasonal nature of kelp farming, which occurs outside peak boating months. Additionally, kelp farms enhance marine life and mitigate harmful algae blooms, benefiting all who rely on our waters.

By supporting this initiative, we can position Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven as leaders in sustainable aquaculture: creating jobs, protecting our waters, and strengthening our local economy. For more information, check out lazypointfarms.org or do some research on sugar kelp harvesting. It’s an effort worth supporting!

Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich 

(D-Stony Brook)

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. 

Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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Transitioning to solar power 

If we are to transition from our conventional fossil-fuel electrical power plants to units based on solar power, we must have at least a reasonable forecast of the number of solar panels that will be required, along with the land area that will be needed to locate them. At the present time, Suffolk County uses an average continuous power of approximately 1,233 MW. If we are to produce this power using solar panels, let us assume that each panel can provide 400 W of power, when bright sunshine is available.

If this sunshine were available continuously, the number of panels required would be approximately 3.1 million. However, at our best, this sunlight is available for only 8 hours of each 24-hour period, or 1/3 of the time. For this reason, we will require 3 times the number of panels, or 9.3 million, to provide the average power necessary. During each 8-hour active period, these panels will generate 3,720 MW, of which 1,240 MW will be used to power the grid, and the remaining 2,480 MW will be charging the battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities, which will power the grid during the next 16 hours, when sunlight is not present, and the solar panels are not active.

To estimate the area required for the installation of these panels, let us assume that the area of each panel is 10 square feet. Therefore, the required land area to support the 9.3 million panels will be 93 million square feet, or 3.3 square miles, which is slightly more than twice the area of the SUNY Stony Brook college campus.

On those occasions when we have one or more consecutive days with cloudy or overcast skies, an additional 9.3 million solar panels will be required for each day without sunlight, if we are to prevent power blackouts. Thus, for one day without sunlight, 18.5 million panels will be needed, on land space of 6.6 square miles. For two consecutive days, 27.7 million panels will require 9.9 square miles. And for three overcast days, 36.7 million panels will need 13.3 square miles. It should be noted that these are “ballpark estimates,” and a number of factors may serve to increase, or decrease, the number of panels required to avoid power blackouts.

To reduce this number, power may be contributed from other sources, possibly windmills or other venues, such as Nassau County or Connecticut. However, we will also need to consider likely significant increases in projected power requirements, including power for memory banks for artificial intelligence, increased use of EVs, expanded electrification of the Long Island Rail Road and numerous other applications, which will lead to a need for greater numbers of solar panels, and more land space on which to mount them.

George Altemose

Setauket

Congressman LaLota’s vote to cut Medicaid

Despite repeated reassurances on social media that he would “protect” Medicaid, Congressman Nick LaLota (R-NY1) joined his Republican colleagues in voting to advance the House Budget Resolution, which calls for $880 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next 10 years. Mr. LaLota claims that he does not support deep cuts to Medicaid, however, his support for this bill says otherwise. He has made multiple references to disenrolling undocumented immigrants from Medicaid despite undocumented immigrants already being ineligible for federal Medicaid funding with the exception of emergency care. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1986 all hospitals with an Emergency Room must provide emergency evaluation and care to anyone presenting to the ER, regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay. Emergency Medicaid is a lifeline for hospitals and allows them to defray the cost of providing necessary care.

LaLota’s support for work requirements likewise is projected to save approximately $110 billion over the next 10 years, while simultaneously cutting health care for thousands of CD 1 residents. Additionally LaLota levies accusations of waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid, but fails to support this claim with any data. Medicaid fraud by recipients is rare. Most fraud is perpetuated by unethical providers; however, there is no evidence to suggest that there is $770 billion worth of fraud. It is also worth noting that many times the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services deems payment to providers as inappropriate; however, upon receiving further clinical documentation the decision is reversed. As a Medicaid provider I am subject to routine audits of my work at the county, state and federal levels. Medicaid reimbursement rates are so poor that many providers do not participate. Medicaid recipients already face a limited network of providers.

Elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients disproportionately account for program expenditures. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation individuals with disabilities account for 21% of Medicaid enrollment but 52% of Medicaid expenditures. The only way for House Republicans to reach their stated goal of $880 billion dollars in cuts over the next decade is to target these expenditures, which include medications, rehabilitation, congregate care and medical devices.

Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care. LaLota just made it more difficult for his constituents to do so. Furthermore, he helped lay the groundwork for the most vulnerable among us to lose access to lifesaving care.

Kathryn Twomey

Port Jefferson Station

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. 

Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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This is NOT “Resistance Corner”

As stated in our NYS charter, the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) organization composed of local businesses. It is not by design nor practice, one that supports politicians or engages in political demonstrations. The antique train car, near the corner of NYS Routes 112 and 347, is the private property of PJS/T CoC as is the surrounding land, flag pole and Legacy patio. The 100-year-old car serves as the CoC office.  It and the property, intended solely for use for CoC sponsored events, is diligently maintained by the all-volunteer board, despite the Town Park sign having utilized our old corner marquee to rename the park behind the train car.  The public park is marked by the paddock fencing.

The Feb 6. Port Times Record cover and page A3 showed trespassers with a megaphone and signs standing on the train car decking and patio. This letter is intended to clarify: the train car and its surrounding property is private space and the PJS/T CoC has given no public individual or group permission to use it. The chamber liability insurance does not cover trespassers either. I ask you and your readership to help spread the word.

Jennifer Dzvonar, President

Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce

Murphy teacher went too far

After reading one letter and two articles written to the Times Beacon Record on Feb. 6 defending the R. C. Murphy Jr. High School teacher placed on leave, I must respectfully disagree with their positions. I consider myself a strong defender of free speech rights. They are truly the cornerstone of a free country. However, the facts in this case warrant an objective analysis.

The teacher in question did not simply criticize the Trump administration, call for impeachment or use derogatory words for the president or his staff. She went a step further, and used very specific and rather dark imagery to describe her hope for “all Trump supporters.” She hoped that they “don’t swallow right” (choke?), have no help, struggling to gasp (suffocating?), withering away (dying?) and suffering long. I think most reasonable people can agree that we don’t expect the educators of our middle school aged children to publicly call for the bodily harm of people with whom they disagree with politically or ideologically. Exercising self-control, good judgment and accountability are all qualities we expect from our educators, especially those involved with younger, more impressionable students.

This educator could have used her distress with recent political events as a “teachable moment” on how we can disagree politically yet maintain civility in our society. She could have protested on a street corner and campaigned for change. Unfortunately, she did not. She chose to speak in a disturbing manner that rightly causes concern given the sensitive nature of her job. Imagine for a moment if one of her students became aware of her public comments. Would that foster a trusting, safe, nurturing educational environment for that student if they thought their own teacher wanted their Trump supporting parents to suffer the terrible things she outlined in her post?

The reality is that we hold people in positions of power (police, teachers, health care workers, elected officials) to a higher standard when it comes to speech. I support the district’s decision to do their due diligence to determine if this is a one-time lapse in judgment or indicative of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We are extremely fortunate to have a school district that employs dedicated, caring professionals. Making sure that standard is maintained by all employees is in the best interests of the district as a whole and the students that it serves.

Charles Tramontana

Setauket

The train car is chamber property

It is important to respect organizations and their missions. I am referring to the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce and their office train car located at the south east corner of Routes. 347 and 112. Over the years certain organizations, groups have chosen this location for their rallies without notifying the chamber and inappropriately trespassing on their private property. The nickname, “Resistance Corner,”’ not a title the chamber has sanctioned or approved of, has become the setting for such gatherings. The chamber is responsible for maintaining the train car and the grounds it sits on. They pay for the insurance, utilities and general upkeep at great cost and effort by their members and their officers.

Understandingly, this location is very visible and great exposure for groups to mobilize, but it could be reflected that said groups have the endorsement of the PJS/TV Chamber. This would not fit the mission of any chamber. We recognize that public display is lawful, but this corner isn’t fitting for ANY type of demonstration. There are other approximate locations for these types of assemblies. Just east of the train car in the public Town of Brookhaven Park and across the street from the car on the north side of 347.

It is distressing that people/groups assume they may use this property for their own use. That would be an incorrect supposition. To all, in the future, please be mindful of your actions and respectful. Thank you.

Barbara Ransome, President

Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition

P.S. I love you day

On Feb. 14,  the Three Village community not only celebrated Valentine’s Day, but also P.S. I Love You Day.  On this day students in this district and those across the state wore purple and shared messages to acknowledge love, caring and kindness toward one another.  It began as a response to a tragic loss by suicide suffered by a West Islip student and grew into a movement to recognize mental health needs and interventions. 

I want to commend the Three Village schools for the celebrations that occurred throughout our PK-12 buildings and thank them for their valiant attempts to combat and aide in our battle for positive mental health. The music, the purple bracelets, the visits from the therapy dogs and the celebrations of life all contributed to a wonderful atmosphere of love and acceptance.  In light of our recent tragedy and the loss of a valued member of the Class of 2027, it is most important to remember this; everybody counts or nobody counts.  Continue to care for and respect each other no matter what our differences are and keep this in mind, P.S. I Love You lives on EVERY day.

Stefanie Werner

East Setauket

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Relocate the PJ country club, stop the project

I appreciated Lynn Hallarman’s February 6 article, “Report finds no maintenance or repairs carried out on Port Jeff East Beach Bluff project”. It provides a great recap of how the village got to where we are in relation to the Bluff/Country Club. 

Near the end of the article, we learn that the Mayor said, in a written email to the paper, that an open forum will be held where GEI will present the Phase 2 project design and path forward for Phase 1 remediation and restoration. “ 

It appears to me that this presentation will not provide options for residents to consider or gather input on how the residents would like to move forward but, instead, it will tell us what’s going to happen and how much we will pay via our property taxes.

I believe that this will not be the end of this nightmare. There will be other multi-million dollar work that needs to be done after Phase II is completed. This includes millions for a drainage system to prevent more damage to the campus, the restoration of Phase I project that partially failed, ongoing expensive upkeep including DEC-required yearly inspections, and a grandiose plan for a future sports complex (tennis courts, pickleball courts and more). When will the spending stop?  Enough is enough and remember this is just a temporary fix. Nature will eventually win. All we will accomplish is postponing the inevitable and pushing the problem into the future. 

We need to remember that the main purpose of this project was to protect the Country Club building from falling off the cliff since it provides a major income to the Village. Yet, I hear that the current tenant has not paid their rent in months. Maybe this is a sign that we need to stop, retreat and build a new smaller facility in a safer location that would serve not only this generation but future generations. 

Robert Grimm,

Port Jefferson Village

BESS facilities are inefficient

In battery energy storage systems (BESS) fabricated using lithium-ion storage cells, the possibility of an uncontrollable thermal runaway fire, such as the recent event in Moss Landing, California, is a serious problem. However, there is another problem, which may cause even greater concern. This is the possibility of prolonged blackouts, due to an insufficient number of BESS installations, brought about by the occurrence of several consecutive days of overcast weather, during which little or no solar energy will be provided by the sun.

We have been told that climate change is an existential problem, and that all emissions of carbon dioxide must be eliminated. One apparent solution, which is apparently under serious consideration, would be to replace our existing power plants with solar arrays, with BESS installations to be charged with energy when sunlight is available, and will then provide power to the grid during times when the sun’s rays are not present, such as at night or during periods of overcast skies. This raises the question: in the worst case, how much energy must be stored, and how many BESS units will be required to make this energy available to prevent a blackout?

The reported annual electrical energy consumption for Suffolk County is approximately 10,800,000 MWh/year, or 1233 MWh/hour. A large BESS facility can provide 1400 MWh, from a full charge. This is the energy required by Suffolk County for 1.135 hours. During a normal winter day, let us assume that we have 8 hours of sunlight to charge the batteries, followed by 16 hours of darkness. Thus, under ideal conditions, each 16-hour period would require the stored energy of 14 fully charged BESS stations. Now let us consider the effect of one or more overcast days, during which we would lose the ability to charge the BESS batteries on those days. In this case, for one lost day, the fully charged batteries would need to provide power for 16 + 24 hours, or 40 hours. This would require a total of 35 BESS stations, an increase of 21 stations. In a similar manner, for each additional consecutive day lost, an additional 21 stations will be required, if we are to avoid a blackout, with no electrical power. For example, to maintain power with 2 overcast days, we will need 35 + 21 = 56 BESS stations For 3 days, 77 stations will be required. And so on.

These projections are based on our present level of energy usage, which is a mere 10,800,000 MWh/year. If recent predictions are to be believed, this may be a precursor to very large increases in the near future. These will be due to AI memory storage requirements, widespread (possibly mandatory) use of EV’s, electrification of the LIRR (as championed by the prolific Larry Penner) and alternative methodologies for home cooking and heating, to name but a few.

Should these applications eventuate, we will, of course, need to increase the number of BESS installations accordingly.

George Altemose

Setauket

Cancer prevention month

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Did you know that almost half of all cancer cases are preventable? The Cancer Prevention in Action program at Stony Brook Cancer Center wants to share how you can prevent cancer for yourself and your loved ones.

Vaccinate: The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine can reduce your child’s risk of six types of cancer later in life. HPV is a common virus, responsible for about 36,000 cancer cases annually in the U.S. These cancers include cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal–cancers of the mouth and throat. The HPV vaccine can prevent 90% of these cancers by preventing the virus that causes them. If your child is nine or older, talk to your child’s healthcare provider to schedule. For those who were not vaccinated in childhood, you can still get your HPV vaccine through age 45. Talk to your healthcare provider about your vaccination needs, or get vaccinated at your local pharmacy if you are 18 or older.

Get screened: Cancers such as breast, cervical and colorectal cancers can be detected early through screening tests. These three cancers account for one out of four of all cancer deaths in New York State. Finding cancers early can save lives, as treatment is more likely to be successful. Some cancer screenings can even identify and remove pre-cancerous cells before they develop into full-blown cancer. Examples of cancer screenings are mammograms, pap smears, fecal tests and colonoscopies. Talk to your healthcare provider about what screenings are recommended for your age and risk factors, and how often you should be screened.

Sun safely: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and indoor tanning beds is the primary cause of all skin cancers. The use of indoor tanning beds has been linked to increased rates of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and should be avoided. Protecting your skin from the sun when outdoors, even in the winter months, can also help reduce your skin cancer risk. Precautions to take include wearing sunscreen daily, reapplying every two hours when outdoors, covering up with wide-brimmed hats, UV sunglasses, long-sleeved clothing, and seeking shade, especially during the midday sun are all proven ways to reduce risks.

Live healthy: Having a healthy lifestyle is a way to lower your cancer risk. Quitting smoking and vaping, reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy body weight, and staying physically active are all forms of cancer prevention. Health coverage enrollment has also been shown to reduce cancer risk by improving your access to preventive care.

In New York State, nearly one in four deaths is due to cancer. The CPiA program at Stony Brook Cancer Center is working to change this by educating the community on cancer prevention, mobilizing communities to take action against cancer, and supporting local organizations, businesses, and municipalities to implement policies that prevent cancer.

The best time to take action against cancer is before it starts.

To learn more cancer prevention or to get involved with CPiA at Stony Brook Cancer Center, go to www.takeactionagainstcancer.com or contact us at 631-444-4263 or at [email protected].

CPiA is supported with funds from Health Research, Inc. and New York State.

Annalea Trask,  Program Coordinator, Cancer Prevention In Action

Stony Brook Cancer Center

 

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By Jacob Klipstein

Ms. Pamila Pahuja, a dedicated middle school science teacher, is now at the center of a firestorm. A personal social media post expressing frustration over immigration policies and the broader state of the country has led to her suspension. Critics claim she wished harm upon Trump supporters,suggesting she would treat students differently based on their beliefs. That accusation is completely unfounded.

Having known Ms. Pahuja at R.C.Murphy  Jr. High School, I can say with certainty that her commitment to students has never wavered, regardless of their background or ideology. Let’s be clear: her suspension isn’t about protecting students or maintaining neutrality in education. It’s about something much bigger—and much more dangerous. 

This is about reinforcing the idea that opposing the present administration, even in one’s personal life, comes with professional and personal consequences.

Education has become one of the key battlegrounds. Whether at the college level or in school boards, middle schools, and high schools, the message is clear: speak out against the present administration, and there will be a price to pay. Ms. Pahuja’s suspension is just the latest example.

So, who will stand up for our teachers’ free speech? In our quaint district of Three Village, groups like the Setauket Patriots freely exercise their own speech. They have labeled Ms. Pahuja “unhinged,” calling her the “first casualty of the migrant crisis on Long Island.” In one post, a commenter referred to her as a “DEI hire”—a phrase casually tossed around as an insult, revealing the underlying biases behind these attacks. They claim to defend students while attacking a teacher’s character with unfounded accusations. If they can openly condemn her, why can’t she express her own views without risking her career?

Nationally and internationally, Ms. Pahuja has made headlines in The New York Post and the Daily Mail, where she has been subjected to further harassment and ridicule, particularly in their online comment sections. 

Despite the manufactured outrage, Ms. Pahuja’s record speaks for itself. She comes from a family of educators and has spent over a decade inspiring students, running the Science Olympiad team, and dedicating herself to teaching. She isn’t being targeted because of her abilities as an educator—she’s being targeted because she refuses to conform.

And yet, here we are, throwing her under the bus. Why? Because she won’t pledge fealty to a political movement that stands against everything she believes in. Are we really expecting someone who has passionately taught science, advocated for immigrants, and supported unions to suddenly submit to a different ideology? Ms. Pahuja has spent years educating with care—there is nothing to suggest she would ever do anything less.

The truth is, she isn’t being punished for failing as a teacher. She’s being punished for speaking her mind. And that should give all of us pause.

I stand against the campaign of hate targeting Ms. Pahuja because of the values I was taught, in part, at Three Village schools. In these classrooms, we learned not only to think critically but also to stand up to bullies, no matter their power or influence. I urge others in the community to support her as well and hope to see her reinstated in the classroom as soon as possible.

Ms. Pahuja embodies the values of free thought, moral conviction, and standing against injustice—principles that should be protected, not silenced. 

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