‘First mile, last mile’ is no excuse not to ride transit

To the editor: In The Times’ article on its sponsored conference on fossil fuels at the Broad Theatre in Santa Monica, there was no mention of anyone taking mass transit to the event (the article noted there were cyclists and electric car drivers). (“Thorny issues challenge California’s commitment to renewable energy goals,” July 16)

Consistent use of mass transit is the most immediate and lasting way to reduce the use of fossil fuels and to reduce gridlock. Even electric vehicles cause gridlock.

The Broad, at Santa Monica College’s Performing Arts campus, is served by city and Metro buses. With the opening of Phase II of the Expo Line, I now walk from the 17th Street station to the Broad Campus, which is not quite one mile. This is not a crisis of the so-called last mile gap, a convenient excuse not to ride mass transit.

Matthew Hetz, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Thanks to the Times for pointing out the problems with the current approach to clean energy. What is needed is the carbon fee and dividend plan.

Under this plan, a fee on carbon is assessed at the source and a dividend is returned to households. California can lead the nation into the future by adopting such a plan.

Andy Martin, Huntington Beach

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