Do you know what’s going on with energy today? If not, we need to talk. As a member-owner of an electric cooperative, you need to know what is driving up the price you will pay for the electricity you use.

Your electric cooperative is working hard to start a national dialogue about energy and the future. That dialogue needs to take place between your cooperative and its members, and between those members and the people elected to represent them in the state and federal governments.

Already electric rates are on the rise for a variety of reasons:
• The price for fuel to generate electricity — coal and natural gas — is increasing.
• Environmental legislation requires adding emission control equipment that is costing millions to construct and operate.
• Increased demand for electricity from larger homes and more members means low-cost power must be supplemented with higher-cost peaking units to meet demand.
• That increased demand means more power plants must be built, and these plants will be extremely expensive.
• To move that power where it’s needed, more transmission lines must be built and existing ones must be upgraded.

While these factors are pushing rates higher, another issue looms on the horizon that has the potential to make electricity unaffordable for most Americans.

Congress is now considering legislation that will limit emissions of carbon dioxide in response to claims that this gas is contributing to global warming. Since carbon dioxide is released from both coal and natural gas fueled power plants, it is easy to see that any limits on emissions will lead to higher generation costs.

Your electric cooperative believes Congress can solve the climate change problem without breaking the economy. To do this, however, will require major investment into new technology. It will also take a balanced approach to providing electricity, using coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind and other renewable resources. No single source of power will meet the goals of ensuring an adequate supply of electricity at rates consumers can afford.

As Congress debates energy policy in a carbon constrained world, we need your help to ensure they get it right. Future generations depend on this.

You can make a difference. If you have Internet access, log on to www.ourenergy.coop and follow the steps to send an e-mail to your elected officials. If you don’t have Internet access, contact your electric cooperative and we will do it for you.

As we talk about our energy future, we won’t be debating whether global warming is a reality or what source of electricity is the best. Instead, we are asking our elected officials to ensure the United States will continue to have dependable, affordable electricity for all.