Following in the footsteps of tobacco and fossil fuel industry mouthpieces, Rep. Holly Cheeseman, in her recent commentary in The Day, regarding Governor Lamont's proposed clean air emission standards, does not put forward solutions insomuch as she seeks to manufacture doubt and halt much-needed regulatory progress. Representative Cheeseman and the Connecticut GOP seek only to dismiss potential solutions with hyperbole and fear.

By downplaying the urgency of addressing climate change and advancing cleaner transportation options, Rep. Cheeseman not only ignores the pressing need for action but also perpetuates a disturbing pattern. She and the Connecticut GOP feigned concern for the people of Connecticut while actively working against policies that would help them.

July 2023 marked the hottest month on record in our state's history, and it is going to get hotter. It's a sickening political strategy to stoke fear when the undeniable reality is that our planet is rapidly warming, and if we do not take bold steps now, the real consequences will be catastrophic for future generations. The Connecticut Republican Party's absence of genuine concern for our environment and public health is appalling. It's baffling that while promoting a perspective of fear around electric cars, Holly Cheeseman neglects to acknowledge their potential in reducing emissions and improving air quality. Such tactics divert attention from substantive discourse and stall necessary advancements in our collective fight against climate change.

Cheeseman says, “We support efforts to protect the environment” but proposes nothing that will benefit the people of Connecticut or the global environment. Cheeseman's concern about the theoretical dangers of EV vehicles for road safety because of their weight doesn't seem to carry over to the litany of facts that connects the rise of pedestrian deaths in motor vehicle accidents to the increasing size of SUVs and trucks in the United States. No this concern only arose when she can use it to score political points.

We could reduce the cost burden on Connecticut families by improving our public transit system. This would reduce emissions and offer a practical option for residents who worry about the cost of electric vehicles (EVs). However, Cheeseman and the Connecticut GOP have continually advocated for cutting funding for public transportation. I also find it rather silly that they are now concerned over the state's potential lost revenue over people not paying taxes at the pump when they have repeatedly claimed that the state isn't doing enough to help Connecticut families save at the pump. According to Cheeseman and the Connecticut GOP, getting rid of the gas tax would be good but people saving by not buying gas would be bad.

We need representatives who prioritize the well-being of our constituents over short-term political gains and ridiculous hyperbole. Connecticut deserves leaders who not only recognize the reality of climate challenges but also work actively towards solutions, rather than resorting to alarmist rhetoric. As the representative of a shoreline community, Cheeseman should see the need for serious action but instead, she chooses to work against actual solutions by stowing fear. As we navigate the complexities of our changing world, our elected officials must rise above fear-mongering and instead advocate for policies that benefit both our environment and our communities. Connecticut deserves better.

Nicholas Menapace is a resident of Niantic and a candidate for East Lyme Planning Board.