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Letter: The Oct. 4 rainstorm is just one example of the severe weather in our future

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Extensive flooding causes damage to dozens of homes near 800 North and Sir Philip Drive, just east of Interstate 215, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2024.

Coal is unreliable, expensive and dirty. Trump is going all in. And our members of Congress are supporting him and ignoring the needs of Utahns. 2024 was the hottest year on record. Utah is in an extended severe drought. The Great Salt Lake is drying up. What will happen to the Olympics when there is not enough snow to hold the games in Utah?

Many families on Salt Lake City’s west side with incomes of modest means are dealing with flooded homes after the Oct. 4 rainstorm. Following the second driest year in Utah’s history they are victims of the most rainfall in a single day in 120 years! This is just one example of the severe weather in our future. These extreme weather events are caused by our changing climate due to burning coal and other fossil fuels.

It is clear that Republican members of Congress owe more allegiance to Trump than to their constituents. It is long past time to acknowledge scientific fact and do the right thing: support the much cheaper alternatives of wind, solar and storage. We all need to urge our members of Congress to serve their constituents.

Jean M. Lown, Logan

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