A Balanced Approach To
Climate Change & Energy Costs
Congress is debating ways to address
global climate change. At the same time, demand for electricity is
increasing here in Kentucky.
One proposal
considered by Congress—the American Clean Energy and Security Act
sponsored by Rep. Henry Waxman of California and Rep. Ed Markey of
Massachusetts—could have a big impact on Kentuckians' power bills.
Households served by East Kentucky
Power Cooperative's member systems could see their annual bills rise by $115
in 2012, and increase even more in future years. Industrial customers could
pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more.
And these increases could be much more
than estimated because the cost of complying will be determined by a
"cap-and-trade" scheme driven by markets for emissions allowances.
As a result, Wall Street speculators could have a hand in determining power
costs in Kentucky.
Meanwhile, a 2005 report by the Kentucky Public Service
Commission found that demand for power in the Commonwealth will increase by
more than 40 percent by 2025, requiring the addition of 7,000 megawatts of
capacity, or the equivalent of roughly 10 new power plants.
These forces—the desire by government to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions quickly and the growing demand for power by
consumers—are about to collide.
We must take a balanced approach.
To avert an energy crisis, the federal government must
exercise true leadership, the same leadership and investment that got
Americans to the moon in the 1960s. Without that kind of effort – without a
sound, responsible plan – government risks not only the reliability of our
electric system, but literally the ability of many Americans to be able to
afford to pay their electric bill.
You don’t need to be an energy expert to ask
questions. Asking questions helps find the answers to solve the problem of
balancing climate change goals with keeping your lights on and your electric
bills affordable.
We need a plan people can live with today while we deal
with the climate change problem of tomorrow.
Find out
more at Our
Energy, Our Future.
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