To the Journal editor:

What do you use to power your life? I’m not talking about your morning coffee or a good night of rest. I’m referring to the source of your electricity. What powers your electronics and appliances? Is it clean, renewable energy, something that works to preserve the natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula? Or is it a finite resource, one that’s production directly corrupts the environment?

Certainly, it’s not the second option. Marquette stopped relying on coal in 2019 and the Michigan state legislature pushes for entirely clean energy sources in the Upper Peninsula by the year 2040.

It would be ridiculous and embarrassing for Marquette to rely on energy sources that are non-renewable. Which is why it is so surprising that the Marquette City Commission recently made the decision to include natural gas within the boundaries of clean and renewable energy in accordance with Michigan’s Clean Energy & Jobs Act.

What exactly does this mean? This decision is indicative of how the city of Marquette is choosing to prioritize its finances over the well-being of the residents. The usage of natural gas for energy production is linked to respiratory issues and cardiovascular disease. On a larger scale, natural gas releases greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Despite being viewed as a climate haven, Marquette is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, as we’ve experienced warmer temperatures and unusual weather conditions.

Why are we allowing the city of Marquette to knowingly harm our health and our planet in attempts to rectify the city’s poor long-term planning? Marquette residents should not be forced to rely on an energy source that is directly causing us harm, all because the city chose to invest millions of dollars in a highly polluting energy system that relies on a finite resource? We must collectively pressure the city commission to revoke their decision for the safety of not only current residents, but future generations as well.