For the past several months we have been talking about the high costs of energy, the threats of global warming, and the future challenges of meeting the nation’s growing energy needs while protecting our environment.  As your local electric cooperative and energy supplier, these issues are of great importance to us.  These subjects are obviously of great interest to our members as well, as many of you have communicated your concerns over the past few weeks.  Whether it’s the cost of energy or the cost to the environment, more of us need to see the urgency of doing something proactive to address the issues. 

Increasing the investment in solar technology is one item most seem to agree we need to do.  Solar is a renewable resource with no significant down side other than cost and availability.  Currently, installation costs are in the $8,000 per kilowatt range.  Getting these costs down is certainly a challenge, and one we need to address as a nation.  Extending the government tax credits and even increasing them would be a positive move if we are to see substantial increases in the number of residential and small commercial installations. 

Another issue most of us agree on is that the cost of electricity is going to go up.  How much is largely up to our legislators depending on what legislation is included in the country’s next energy policy.  Whether we invest in carbon capture technologies, nuclear power, or natural gas facilities for additional base load generation, the cost is going to be enormous.  It is absolutely necessary for our political leaders to get our new energy policies and other laws written in a way that ensures we have affordable, reliable energy and at the same time, improve the air we breathe.

While it is certainly possible to achieve such goals, they will not be met without some changes.  It is up to all of us as voters to let our legislators know that we want to continue to receive reliable, affordable electricity and we want to know their plan.  We want to know how they are going to reduce carbon emissions and how much it will cost.  We also want to know what is going to be done to promote solar and other renewable technologies as well as provide carbon storage for existing coal facilities. 

I want to encourage everyone to get involved and ask questions.  We need our political representatives to get educated on our energy situation and be proactive in solving our issues now rather than waiting until it’s too late.  Please check out the www.ourenergy.coop website.  Follow the instructions to send our representatives a letter asking how they plan to invest in new technologies in the energy field.  Together, let’s make sure they are investing our tax money wisely, ensuring we have affordable, clean electricity now and into the future.

Thank You,
Jeff Loven
Email: jeff.loven@frenchbroademc.com


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