Govern in reality to keep New York’s lights on
Glen Falls, N.Y.: The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the nonprofit organization responsible for operating the state’s electrical grid, warned that New York City could face blackouts in 2026, threatening the health and safety of millions of residents (“NYC grid is at risk, we must act now,” op-ed, Dec. 15). NYISO reported that the entire state is headed for “an era of profound reliability challenges” without corrective actions, including the construction of new, reliable power generation facilities to meet our state’s fast-growing energy needs. It specifically warned that NYC and Long Island could face power deficits of 500 megawatts or more by next summer. This is a huge amount of power. Such shortfalls are due to aging infrastructure, planned closure of certain existing plants such as peaker natural gas power plants and substantial demand growth from data centers and other major sectors.
The men and women of the New York Pipe Trades who build and maintain New York’s energy system are ready to meet the moment. We support NYISO’s urgent call for Albany to expedite the siting and construction of new, in-state base-load generation and critical infrastructure upgrades to protect reliability. With modern technology and union expertise, we can overcome this challenge, but urgent action is needed. To rebuild the grid, New York must implement Gov. Hochul’s All of the Above strategy and implement plans to finance, permit and build all viable low- and zero-emission sources, including natural gas, nuclear, thermal and hydrogen.
New York should move forward with NYISO recommendations knowing that Pew, Gallup and Third Way surveys confirm that strong majorities support natural gas and nuclear energy to keep the lights on, homes warm and economy running, ensuring the public is healthy and safe. John Murphy, international representative, United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Sprinkler Fitters and HVAC Technicians
Tweaked it
Bergenfield, N.J.: Voicer Jacques DuBois misses Guy Lombardo on New Year’s Eve. What I do is get out Allen Sherman’s record “My Son The Celebrity” and I sing with Allen “Auld Lang Syne.” I know a man, his name is Lang and he has a neon sign. And Mr. Lang is very old, so they call it “Old Lang’s Sign.” Jim Kerner
Table-mates
Bloomfield, N.J.: This Christmas, we started a new tradition. We had two extra place settings at the table. Just placemats and two candy canes entwined to form a heart on each one, similar to the Christmas table décor. The spaces honored our ancestors and dear loved ones who have departed, including the animals. It felt really good to remember the wonderful beings who came before us and those who made our lives so special. This can be such a difficult time for people who are grieving various losses. It was nice to find a quiet way to remember those who shared the table and our lives. Wishing everyone a peaceful and joyous new year. Here’s hoping others find their own special ways to make the season brighter. Christine Sparta
Two-liner
Park Ridge, N.J.: Why were the man’s hands arguing? He had opposing thumbs. Steve Ostlund
Gains all around
Staten Island: It has been a great year to be an American. President Trump increased his net worth by $3 billion. I got a 2.8% increase in my Social Security, which I used to buy Christmas gifts for my grandchildren — two pencils each. Ralph D’Esposito
From good to bad
Manhattan: Only an incredibly obtuse person immune to facts, in this case Voicer Earl Beal, would believe that Joe Biden left a mess for Trump to clean up. Biden left Trump the best economy in the world, as recognized by economists who knew what they were talking about. Inflation lowered by Biden from the end of the first Trump term, from 9.1% to 3.1%. America was once again respected as a world leader with Biden in office. Our country has now returned to the status enjoyed during Trump’s first term, the laughingstock of the world, with oversized balloons of Trump in a diaper appearing in foreign cities on too many occasions to recall. Trump has destroyed American tourism, agriculture and manufacturing with his tariff wars, which have made our country the nemesis of former allies Canada, Australia, Mexico and Europe. Trump isn’t the solution to America’s problems, he’s the cause. Enrico Rizzo
Funny numbers
Brooklyn: Voicer Earl Beal claims “the Trump administration inherited Biden’s 2020-23 inflation rate of 9.1%.” This is false, because Trump didn’t become president in 2023. In December 2024, Biden’s final month, the inflation rate was 2.7%. That’s the inflation rate Trump inherited when he took over the following month. Beal goes on to brag that “currently, the inflation rate is 2.7%.” That’s exactly the same as when Biden left office, so how is that a brag for Trump? Trudi Rosenblum
Typical Trump stuff
Dumont, N.J.: Thank you, Voicer Earl Beal, aka Donald J. Trump, for laying the MAGA morning propaganda on the people. I figure you are either the Trumpster himself or a Daily News troll from Russia. Not even dyed-in-the-wool MAGA acolytes are insipid enough to believe all the economic fairytale statistics you posted in your pro-Trump diatribe. Walter Wolfgang Papenfuss
Keep it current
Brooklyn: To Voicer Victor R. Stanwick: In response to your response to my letter, if all you can do is bring up history/the past and not what Trump is doing now, don’t answer or even read my letters! John M. Corbett
Deadly deflections
Edinburgh, Scotland: Though it’s clear as day, it is still worth stating as we ease out of a truly terrible 2025: Those murdered in the Caribbean Sea by Secretary of War Pete “Fox News” Hegseth, and those recently killed at Christmas by the U.S. military in Nigeria under the pretext of “protecting Christians” (even though Muslims and Christians are dying in that sectarian violence) are all Jeffrey Epstein victims. In Trump’s desperate, deluded and deranged attempts to distract from his involvement with America’s most notorious modern sex trafficker and pedophile, there are literally no limits. The president who so covets a Nobel Peace Prize that he accepted a fake one from FIFA will stop at nothing to cover up the Epstein files, and these victims are collateral damage as much as Virginia Giuffre (exploited by Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and “prince” Andrew), who died by suicide earlier this year. Amanda Baker
Arts schmarts
Edgewater, N.J.: New Yorkers know well the penchant the president has for affixing his name to structures of all kinds. With a similar zeal — while ignoring laws? — he’s doing it in Washington, D.C. (thank you, Jimmy Kimmel). Even though he shunned the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during his first term, he’s now filled its board with the “best people” who, we learned through various reporting, don’t seem to understand the precarious financial operations of a major performing arts venue. Ticket sales have plummeted since. Nevertheless, now his name is up there and, while critics cry audacity, his friends crow that he loves the arts. Really? How often are he, his boldface-named wives and multiple sets of children spotted in the glittering theaters in the communities in which they reside? Maybe it’s that legendary generosity with their vast wealth via those persistent donations to the arts over the decades? Jay K. Egelberg
Local loss
Manhattan: What happened to the wonderful guy who sold fresh fruit and vegetables on the northwest corner of 86th St. and York Ave.? He was a neighborhood fixture for more than 20 years, in all kinds of weather. Thanks to him, the neighborhood had access to much-needed reasonably-priced fresh fruit and vegetables. All of a sudden he’s gone? Replaced by three planters? Right before Thanksgiving? Which Grinch is responsible for this? You deprived a man of his livelihood and the neighborhood of a long-standing source of fresh produce. Guys like him are one in a million. Let’s get him back! H.D. Kayne
Minimalist deterrent
Brooklyn: The little addition that the MTA put on the arms of the turnstiles in subway stations to discourage fare-beaters is ridiculous. I saw a fare-beater jump right over it. There has to be a better mouse trap to stop these people from not paying the fare. Charlie Pisano
