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Our Energy, Our Future:
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Climate change legislation is moving forward in Congress, and Choptank Electric Cooperative, along with other electric cooperatives across the nation, is standing up to fight for fairness. Decisions will be made in the coming weeks that will directly impact our electric bills, and none of us can afford to sit this one out. With our representatives here at home for August recess, now is the perfect time to make our voices heard.
We stepped up early in the debate to fight for fairness and affordability as this legislation - which included a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants - 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 the legislation passed by the U.S. House in June still has major flaws. 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 fight for more improvements and to minimize the impact this Congressional action may have. Here we all have an opportunity to shape the outcome.
We must urge members of the Senate to keep climate change legislation fair, recognizing regional differences in how electricity is produced. It must be affordable for all Americans. And its goals must be achievable - when they take effect, the technology needed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions should be commercially viable at each step of the way.
It is time we all step up to the plate and make a stand for the interests of consumers. Your senators as well as members of the U.S. House need to hear from all of us - their voting constituents - for direction.
Let's meet our elected officials here at town hall meetings, and get our voices to Washington through the Our Energy, Our Future campaign. Visit www.ourenergy.coop to send a message to Capitol Hill 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.