Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy and Environmental Policy
Wright-Hennepin is committed to energy conservation, renewable energy and environmental efforts that are reliable, technically feasible and cost effective. WH's Board of Directors adopted a policy that summarizes the cooperative's position on these issues and clearly states the importance of open communication in this new era for the energy industry.
Climate Change Legislation Video and EPRI Report
Climate change is a hot topic among lawmakers and legislation is being considered that could greatly affect retail electric rates. For a basic overview of these issues, view this 15-minute video called "Extreme Legislation" recently produced by one of Wright-Hennepin's power suppliers, Basin Electric Cooperative Association. The Electric Power Research Institute, which is an independent, non-profit center for energy and environmental research, has also issued a report on energy and climate change called "The Power to Reduce CO2 Emissions." EPRI's scientists, engineers and other leading experts are working to find solutions to challenges facing electric power users in the United States. Start the conversation now by contacting your elected officials about keeping electric rates affordable.
WH's Legislative "Needs Checklist" for Environmental Policy
Wright-Hennepin's environmental policy states a commitment to educating members, lawmakers and the general public about the opportunities and challenges surrounding existing and proposed environmental policy. Below is a list of needs that must be part of the climate change and environmental policy discussions to protect you from unexpected and unacceptable sticker shock on your electric bills.
• Public policy makers must be upfront with consumers about the cost ramifications of any new legislation. We agree with the New York Times that wrote public policy makers “have yet to educator their constituents about an inescapable truth: any serious (environmental initiative) will require everyone to pay more for electricity.” We believe you deserve to know what that price will be before and legislation is passed, not after. Click here for more information on the top three questions to ask lawmakers.
• A “safety valve should be included in any legislation.” The “safety valve” price is needed to mitigate harmful economic conditions on the end consumers of electricity resulting from this untried and unprecedented legislation being discussed in both Washington DC and St. Paul.
• Coal is our most abundant national energy resource. We must not do anything legislatively that will prevent use of our nation’s most abundant and economic source of energy – especially in our region. We agree that there are things our nation can do to make it even more efficient and address CO2, but the clean coal technology discussed in bills under serious consideration in Washington DC and St. Paul is not yet available or affordable on a commercial scale. It will take years to develop – experts say a decade or longer. Policy makers must strive for a reasonable phase-in period, after providing significant R&D funding to meet this important national objective.
• Any “cap and trade” provisions (fees) in any state or federal legislation should exclude existing generating resources and focus on new resources. States should not go it alone on enacting carbon cap and trade policies. This will put Minnesota at a competitive disadvantage and will harm our economy. This is best left to the federal government so all states can compete equally.
• Nuclear power does not emit CO2. It safely provides the majority of energy needs in western Europe and Japan. Nuclear power plants are currently banned in Minnesota, except where they already exist. Because nuclear plants provide power 24/7/365, it is important we get nuclear approved in Minnesota as an alternate source of much needed base load generation for our future electricity needs.
• Wind and other renewable resources (along with conservation) have their place in our generation mix, but wind is an intermittent resource at best. Policy makers must extend the production tax credit on these renewable resources to encourage their continued future use on a large scale.
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