Letter: Fight for fair, affordable climate change policy

Talk about it

Climate change legislation is moving forward in Congress. Nobles Cooperative Electric and Federated Rural Electric, along with all other electric cooperatives across the nation, focus on the national spotlight.

During the spring and early summer, congressional energy policy debate focused on a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants — a system that could impact all levels of the economy. If enacted, Congress would be directly responsible for raising your electric bill.

Nobles Cooperative Electric, Federated Rural Electric and others across the country need your help to minimize these costs to you. Right now, your participation in the “Our Energy, Our Future” grassroots campaign is critical.

Electric co-ops stepped up early in the debate to fight for fairness and affordability as this legislation was considered in the U.S. House of Representatives. Backed by more than 375,000 consumers taking part in the Our Energy, Our Future campaign, electric co-ops had a major impact, securing more than $3 billion in rate relief from initial U.S. House proposals.

But that victory marks just the first inning in a long ballgame. The debate has now moved to the U.S. Senate, where another version of the bill is being drafted. Here we have another opportunity to make even more improvements — and you can impact the outcome.

We must urge members of the Senate to keep climate change legislation:

Fair: Climate change legislation needs to recognize regional differences in how electricity is produced.

Affordable: Any climate change plan must keep electricity affordable for all Americans.

Achievable: Climate change legislation must be realistic to ensure long-term success.

It is time we all step up to the plate and make a stand for climate change legislation that protects the interests of consumers. Your senators, as well as members of the U.S. House, need to hear from you, their voting constituents, for direction.

Getting your voice heard in Washington, D.C., is easy through the Our Energy, Our Future campaign. Visit www.OurEnergyMN.coop to send a message to your elected officials about the need for fair, affordable and achievable climate change legislation. We must ensure that when they vote on a bill, it’s done with America’s best interests in mind.

If you do not have Internet access, please send a letter or postcard to both U.S. Sen. Al Franken and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Tags: climate change, opinion, letters, energy