Federal Energy Policy Update

Congress is moving to take action on The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), a comprehensive piece of proposed legislation that raises energy costs to accomplish environmental goals. On Friday, June 26, the House of Representatives passed what is otherwise known as the Waxman-Markey Climate Change bill in a very close vote, 219-212, and the bill now moves to the Senate.

When first introduced, the legislation would have increased electric bills for the typical North Carolina household by as much as 40 percent. Your cooperative, along with hundreds of others across the country, have worked hard to educate legislators about the importance of keeping electricity affordable. We’ve had some success although we still welcome the opportunity for improvements, especially in the area of decreasing costs and protecting consumers.

While the bill isn’t final yet and therefore it’s too early to determine the ultimate impact, the estimated cost of the legislation has decreased with the recent changes. This is partly because the revised bill moves much of the costs of reducing greenhouse gases to after the year 2025. We’re pleased the timeline is being lengthened. Realistically, it will take a long time – many decades – to achieve significant reduction of greenhouse gases. A longer timeline also helps reduce cost to consumers and gives time for technology that can help with environmental goals to be fully developed.

With the Waxman-Markey bill now being considered in the Senate, cooperatives across the country will continue our work to remind senators and the administration that cost does matter, and they should not pass measures that put too heavy a burden on consumers.

We need your help! Please join us in making sure Congress hears how important it is to balance cost impact to consumers with addressing environmental goals, especially in the current economy. There’s only one way that Congress will look out for consumers when creating a national energy policy. Consumers have to tell Congress that electric rates matter. Tell Congress cost matters by calling 1-(877)-40BALANCE or by sending an e-mail.