So, we are clearly being invaded. The skies above New Jersey have turned into a drone superhighway, conspiracy theories are flying around, and nobody knows what the hell is going on. Fear not, I have the solution.
State authorities, residents, and even the Feds have been looking at the drone issue all wrong. While the men in black are busy trying to figure out who is doing this and why, they should be focusing on practical solutions to keep the night skies drone-free.
Today, I offer such a solution: congestion pricing.
Whether you believe these little buggers come from a galaxy far, far away or an Iranian mothership bobbing up and down in the international waters off Sandy Hook, we can all agree on one thing: Congestion pricing is annoying.
Charging these atmospheric interlopers a premium for prime-time night flying offers any number of benefits. The state is cutting costs to make up for an end to the federal pandemic relief funds, and goosing revenues will help the bottom line, with the added bonus that Kathy Hochul won’t be able to get her greedy little mitts on the tolls. Sorry, Hochul, our airspace equals our revenue.
There are also clear environmental benefits to less drone traffic in the form of reduced emissions and noise pollution. Sure, there are still some kinks to work out — like who do we bill, and whether aliens will they be willing to adopt EZ-Pass. Let’s not get bogged down in details. Eyes on the prize. The solution is out there.
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