http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/irene%e2%80%99s-portent/ For a thriving New England Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:46:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/irene%e2%80%99s-portent/#comment-1308 George M. Drosdowich Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:39:32 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=5547#comment-1308 I live in New York’s Hudson Valley. Just from personal observation over 20 years, the level of destruction is unprecedented. Flooding and major roadways blocked and washed away seems to constitute the bulk of it. It is obvious that the culverts and storm water piping under the roads was woefully inadequate and originally put in 60 – 100 years ago or more. This is when a vast amount of the land was still farms and could absorb the water, which would have helped. Now with so much development water runoff is concentrated and constricted.
The widespread power outages were another nuisance and expense. Even the man on the street can see the need to bury the electric, telephone and cable wiring in protected conduits underground. Imagine the jobs created by improving this infrastructure. This can be paid for through traditional municipal bonding and an increase in utility rates. We just have to make sure it is done efficiently and without corruption.j

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