Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Sept. 4, 2022

Cyclists need to better share Marin’s paths

There appears to be a serious increase of safety concerns on our county’s beautiful paths where people frequently walk (alone or with dogs, kids and babies), the same paths where people jog and bicyclists ride. These beautiful paths are for all to enjoy.

Some people feel they are entitled to have their way on these paths. I’m referring to some bicyclists who expect people to stand out of their way so that they can proceed with their ride uninterrupted.

A friend and I were walking our dogs on the Bon Air Path in Greenbrae a couple of weeks ago. A bicyclist rang his bell expecting us to immediately make way. My friend and I are both in our 70s and sometimes it can take a minute to move. My friend stepped back and fell to the ground while holding her dog.

The bicyclist asked if she was OK but continued his ride uninterrupted. He should have stopped to help. Several people saw this happen and were quickly at our aid. My friend was not OK and we needed to call the paramedics. She was taken to the emergency room for treatment. Fortunately she is now OK.

I am writing this in hopes that people will realize that they need to be considerate and safe while out on these public paths. There has been a huge increase of bicyclists who are racing through these paths. Please understand, I think it’s great that the sport of cycling has become popular but please proceed with caution and care about others.

My husband rides an electric bike, but he is very careful riding on public paths to ensure safety and respect for all. I hope Supervisor Katie Rice sees this and responds.

— Jacqueline Louis, Greenbrae

Risk too great not to shut Diablo Canyon now

The positives of nuclear power are well known. They produce less expensive energy with almost no greenhouse gas emissions. Gov. Gavin Newsom is considering extending the life of the 37-year-old Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant for an additional five years. For the record, I believe the risks are low when extending the life of an aging power plant.

However, I believe there are risks of extending the plant for another five years. It must be acknowledged that the plant is aging with more potential for failure. The plant exists over earthquake fault lines. Most importantly, if the decision to extend is the wrong one and the nuclear reactor fails, ala Chernobyl and Fukushima, then what?

It is my opinion that it is critical to do away with nuclear power plants as soon as possible. Nuclear disasters are irreversible and the harmful effects of radiation persist for decades. It’s time to shut down Diablo Canyon.

— Dr. Kenneth Olshansky, San Rafael

We don’t know cost, time frame of desal plant

Jacobs Engineering stated that a desalination plant creating 10 million gallons of water per day would cost $375 million. And, its ultimate cost could range from $188 million to $750 million.

To construct a comparative model, I used the Antioch and Doherty desalination plants. And, I adjusted their cost for inflation (using the producer price index, aka PPI) and capacity, so they are duplicates. I also used an estimate that Marin Municipal Water District received in October of 2021 for a 10-million gallons per day plant and also adjusted it using the PPI.

All the comps converged toward a narrow range from $182 million to $228 million, a lot lower than Jacobs’ $375 million estimate.

Using reasonable bond financing and operating cost assumptions, Jacobs’ $375 million estimate would require a 36% increase in water rates and fees for MMWD to service the bonds to finance the plant. Meanwhile, the lower comps estimates would require lower water rates increases ranging from 16% to 20%.

Next, I attempted to firm up the comps estimates. I contacted two desal plant contractors (Poseidon and Suez). Neither of them responded. Next, I joined a LinkedIn desalination group. And, I posted how one would go about getting some estimates on such plants. Nearly 200 viewed my post; none responded.

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for desal. It is the only option that renders the MMWD independent from nature’s water flows. However, uncertainties of cost and the time frame approvals (elections, regulations, financing and construction) render desal an option that will take years to implement.

— Gaetan Lion, Mill Valley