by Maureen Ferguson
Director of Government Relations,
Indiana Statewide Association
of RECsYou probably haven’t thought about what Congress is doing on carbon reduction or “climate change” legislation for awhile. Last year, climate change issues were in the news weekly.
We haven’t heard nearly as much about climate change this year. Instead, all eyes were focused on health care as Congress struggled to reform the insurance and medical care structure of America. But, don’t be fooled. Key senators have been working for months to write carbon reduction legislation that would dramatically change how electric and transportation energy is produced and supplied to each of us. They unveiled their version on May 12 and will try to pass it in the United States Senate yet this year before the November elections.
In the meantime, the Obama administration, through the Environmental Protection Agency, has threatened to adopt carbon reduction mandates if Congress doesn’t pass carbon legislation. The EPA is using its regulatory power to pressure Congress into passing legislation. The administration’s threat is real: and terribly misguided. The EPA would use an inappropriate regulatory approach which doesn’t work for carbon emissions.
Indiana’s electric cooperatives thank Sen. Lugar and Congressmen Donnelly, Souder, Buyer, Burton, Pence and Ellsworth for co-sponsoring legislation that would stop EPA from proceeding until Congress can structure the appropriate framework. Indiana’s electric co-ops urge Sen. Bayh and Congressmen Visclosky, Carson and Hill to co-sponsor legislation that would stop EPA from proceeding with its misguided regulatory approach. Indiana cooperatives believe Congress needs to pass responsible, affordable and effective climate change legislation. But, we won’t support bad legislation just because of the EPA’s threats.
As you may recall, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the climate change bill last June. The House bill is far from perfect: it is much too expensive for Indiana consumers. The recently introduced Senate version is almost as bad.
We are working with our congressmen to reshape it so that it makes sense for Indiana. We oppose legislation that treats Midwestern consumers unfairly. Legislation that reduces carbon, keeps our energy costs affordable, and energy supply reliable is possible. Together, we can get it done.
Energy prices affect just about every part of our lives. As you eat a warm dinner, accompanied by a cold glass of milk, in front of your big screen TV while your kids update their Facebook accounts, stop to consider how an increase in energy costs would affect you.
Many congressmen are concerned about what the passage of such sweeping legislation would do to our struggling economy. Hearing from voters in their districts can help them make the right choice for the people they represent.
If you want to help your cooperative in its efforts to ensure that climate legislation is fair and affordable, go to
ourenergy.coop or
fairpowernow.org to contact your legislators.
The sites are easy to use and will walk you through just a couple steps to help you send an e-mail to your representative and senators telling them that energy prices are important to you, your family and your jobs. If you want more information, contact your local co-op.