CEO Columns

As a nation, we need to add more generating and transmission resources to meet growing electric consumption. Every question of supplying power is being impacted by the debate surrounding how best to address the issue of climate change. Public policy limiting carbon dioxide emissions appears imminent, but the specifics are still up in the air. Therein lies our challenge.

Pressure is mounting in Congress to do something about climate change. And while political debates in Washington, D.C., may seem far away, the outcome will have a direct impact on our cooperative – and on you, the cooperative member and other electric consumers.

The Lieberman-Warner legislation does not allow the time or commit the resources necessary to protect our consumers. The bill has yet to undergo extensive evaluation and much about it is not only unclear, it is confusing. It is inconceivable that a bill with such dramatic impact could move forward with so little analysis.

As I reflect on 2007 and look at 2008 and beyond, it seems in many respects we will continue to face many of the same issues as we strive to develop the necessary generation and transmission resources to meet our members’ energy requirements.