Electric Co-op Today

NEW ORLEANS—With federal climate change action on a fast track, NRECA CEO Glenn English told co-op leaders they have 90 days to blunt the impact legislation will have on members’ pocketbooks.

NRECA CEO Glenn English tells participants that they have 90 days to influence the climate debate. (Photo By: Luis Gomez)

Speaking Feb. 16 to 9,000 directors, managers and officials at the NRECA 67th Annual Meeting, English said time is of the essence because key lawmakers have announced their intentions to advance a sweeping climate change bill by Memorial Day.

“You have 90 days to demonstrate the kind of strength that is necessary for us to do the best we can for our membership, and to minimize electric bills for the next year and the next decade,” he said. “Just saying ‘no’ is not an option.”

English urged co-op leaders to make their voices heard through the year-old Our Energy, Our Future campaign and to compel legislators to incorporate the necessity for affordable electricity in their deliberations.

Under a 2007 Supreme Court decision, English said, the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases as pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

However, President Obama has asked Congress to address the issue in legislation, providing what English called “a cheaper, more workable option” to that of EPA writing regulations under the Supreme Court decision.

“We must take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

Tags: Annual Meeting, Cap and Trade, Climate Change Legislation, Grassroots, Our Energy Our Future