Our Energy, Our Future

Our Energy, Our Future:A Dialogue with America : 

Our Energy, Our Future:A Dialogue with America Mobilizing 40 million co-op consumers to ask their elected representatives tough questions about the future of energy.

Our Current Energy Situation : 

Our Current Energy Situation The atmosphere around energy policy is politically charged as polarized positions dominate the debate Today, Americans are sensitive to global climate issues The availability of affordable, reliable power has never been more in doubt There is a leadership vacuum in the energy debate—finding a balance in meeting energy needs and climate goals must be a priority There are few “honest brokers” and the “voice of the consumer” is not being heard

The Current Political Landscape : 

The Current Political Landscape The presidential election is setting the agenda with climate change issues Special interest groups are continually lobbying Congress on energy and climate change issues Consumers are not at the table

Each of Us Has a Role to Play In… : 

Each of Us Has a Role to Play In… Influencing this debate – U.S. climate change policy may be voted on or even passed soon after the new administration and new Congress begin their work in 2009 Making sure elected representatives remember their obligations to protect the public’s interest in maintaining affordable, reliable electricity

Challenges Ahead : 

Challenges Ahead Address the issue of greenhouse gases Increase generating capacity by 30 percent to keep up with projected demand over the next 20 years Prevent the possibility of an electricity shortage, which could be here as soon as 2011 in some parts of America Keep electricity affordable

To Be Successful We Need to Do It All : 

To Be Successful We Need to Do It All To meet future demand we must… Restrain the rate of demand growth through energy efficiency Increase energy generation from renewable energy sources Increase our reliance on nuclear energy Make our current coal-fired plants more efficient Figure out how to capture and store carbon dioxide from power plants Bring plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to market Improve the viability of consumer-generated energy

What We Need… : 

What We Need… Leadership and sustained commitment by Congress Public-private partnerships Our 40 million members/consumers in one unified voice demanding legislators strike a balance between our electricity needs and climate change goals

We Need True Leadership : 

We Need True Leadership The New Deal President Roosevelt set the goal of electrifying rural America, bringing the benefit of electric light and modern conveniences to the entire nation The Apollo Program To ensure U.S. supremacy in space, President Kennedy committed all necessary U.S. talent and resources to putting a man on the moon Climate Change Policy If addressing climate change becomes the great mission of our generation, then lawmakers must do more than issue arbitrary emissions reduction targets for some future date—they must address the tough questions and build consensus

Overview : 

Overview Divider Slide Why Us?

Electric Cooperatives : 

Electric Cooperatives We are 40 million strong. That gives us credibility and political power

Electric Cooperatives : 

Electric Cooperatives We are well-positioned to lead the debate about our energy needs and influence opinion as we have a direct stake in the outcome Now is the time to get involved…later will be too late

Overview : 

Overview Divider Slide Our Energy, Our Future: A Dialogue with Americawww.ourenergy.coop

Core of the Campaign : 

Core of the Campaign Our campaign is about keeping the lights on and electricity affordable We are facilitating a consumer movement for a balanced responsible energy future as Congress sets climate change goals We are speaking for consumers not special interests

Objective : 

Objective Bring co-op members/owners and their elected officials together to talk about what needs to be done to ensure a reliable and affordable supply of electricity

Join the Campaign : 

Join the Campaign Ask your elected officials the following questions: Experts say that our nation’s growing electricity needs will soon go well beyond what renewables, conservation and efficiency can provide. What is your plan to make sure we have the electricity we’ll need in the future? What are you doing to fully fund the research required to make emissions-free electric plants an affordable reality? Balancing electricity needs and environmental goals will be difficult. How much is all this going to increase my electric bill and what will you do to make it affordable?

Slide 16: 

Join the Campaign Wallet Card

Slide 17: 

Join the Campaign Advertisements

Slide 18: 

www.ourenergy.coop Join the Campaign

Overview : 

Overview Divider Slide Our Energy, Our Future: A Dialogue with Americawww.ourenergy.coop