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Climate Change |
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What is the Find A Balanced Solution campaign?
Electric cooperatives and their members are asking Congress to find a balanced solution to energy policy, one that marries America's tradition of developing cutting-edge technology with our fundamental respect for our land and air.
What is cap and trade?
Cap and trade is a system of regulation used to control environmental emissions by industry. Congress is considering legislation that would apply a cap and trade system to carbon dioxide emissions. In its most basic form, a limit is set on the amount of carbon dioxide a source is permitted to emit over a given time. Allowances for emissions are then allocated and auctioned off to allow entities to meet the limits while using market forces to curb overall emissions.
How will cap and trade cost families thousands more a year?
Because there are currently no limits on carbon dioxide emissions, new regulations would mandate many costly changes in the economy, especially in the electric power industry. Least cost alternatives for new electric generation will be replaced with more costly fuels. Electric cooperatives will be forced to compete with large corporations and speculators to purchase allowances. All of these additional costs will ultimately be paid by consumers, adding thousands of dollars per year to electric bills.
How will cap and trade put thousands of people out of work?
Economic growth is directly tied to the availability of reliable and affordable electricity. By driving up the price of electricity through a cap and trade system, Congress is proposing to not only slow economic recovery from the current recession but also drive many companies operating on the margins out of business. Companies unable to afford any increase in energy costs will be forced to shut down or move their operations overseas - costing thousands of jobs.
What are cleaner traditional sources of energy?
Nuclear power generation is carbon-free and already a part of Iowa cooperatives' energy portfolios. Electric cooperatives are also engaged in cutting-edge work to develop new technologies to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants by capturing and storing carbon dioxide, but those options are not yet ready for commercial application. Both traditional sources of energy must be part of any sustainable long-term solution.
What is the balanced solution?
Electric cooperatives propose reducing carbon dioxide emissions dramatically, but doing so in a way that softens the impact to already soaring energy costs. Any action by Congress must focus on technology development to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and make the timing of reductions more in line with technology developments.
What can I do to help?
Tell Congress your story. Let your elected officials know how you will personally be affected by increased energy prices.
How can I contact my member of Congress?
Call 1-877-402-2526 to be connected directly to your Congressman's office or visit www.ourenergy.coop.
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