Georgia Magazine - March 2011 - (Page 17)

SPECIAL ENERGY REPORT BY BILL VERNER, VICE PRESIDENT, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, GEMC Progress report on 112th Congress: Although it’s too early to tell, so far, so good … J Consumers should applaud the committee’s leadership for opposing energy technology mandates that must be met regardless of cost. Critics will say such a stance is “antienvironment.” The truth is proposed renewable energy and efﬁciency mandates and “cap-and-trade” legislation, all which failed to pass in the last session of Congress, were akin to the adage of Ready … Shoot … Aim. Most people like to know how much something is going to cost—and what they are getting—before making a purchase. For instance, EMCs’ ongoing investment in U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee new environmental conBackground Paper on Key Issues trols at two major generaExcerpt from Energy and Power Agenda tion facilities is a perfect illustration. EPA regulatory chokehold: We believe it critical EMC consumers in that the Obama Administration “stop” imposing the new Georgia may not be aware global warming regulatory regime, which will undermine that they are in the proeconomic growth and U.S. competitiveness for no sigcess of paying for roughly niﬁcant environmental beneﬁts. For EPA’s other multi$1 billion in new envibillion dollar Clean Air Act rules, we believe the agency ronmental controls in has been regulating “too much too fast,” without fully Oglethorpe Power Corp.’s analyzing the feasibility and economic and job impacts share of ownership for of the new rules. Congress will be reasserting its overEMCs at two of Georgia’s sight function to ensure sufﬁcient analysis supports the coal-ﬁred power plants, proposed new rules, that the rulemaking process allows Scherer in Monroe Counfor open and full evaluation and information, and that the ty and Wansley in Heard Administration is fully considering jobs and economic County. These new conimpacts in its decision-making. This oversight effort trols are required to mainshould be a deliberate, thoughtful, and probing protain compliance with the cess so that the Committee is satisﬁed that the agency Clean Air Act, and utilize has done its job. The stakes could not be higher; if the existing technology to Obama Administration succeeds in imposing unaffordcontrol known pollutants able and unworkable permitting and other rules through (SO2, NO, Hg and particuEPA, it will severely impede the domestic manufacturing lates) with identiﬁable and and industrial growth necessary for this nation to create measurable results. This jobs and emerge strongly from a devastating recession. investment and the correRenewable electricity mandates: Although govsponding controls will be ernments have important roles to play in facilitating complete in 2014. development of alternative energy, we oppose energy Oglethorpe Power’s technology mandates that must be met regardless of new pollution controls cost. We will be exploring the electricity cost and reliat Scherer and Wansley ability implications associated with federal government are a classic example of mandates for increased renewable electricity. Ready … Aim … Shoot. anuary’s Special Energy Report listed four New Year’s resolutions for the 112th Congress as it pertains to energy. While it’s far too early, signals coming from the new leadership should be very encouraging news for consumers amid our distressed economy. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), new chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released a background paper on key issues before the committee on Jan. 18. The following section on energy is excerpted from that paper: March 2011 More online at www.georgiamagazine.org Understand the objective. Consider alternatives. Know what you’re getting. Make the investment. We think most consumers would prefer their electric cooperative be managed this way, and that’s why we applaud the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s leadership in opposing energy technology mandates regardless of cost. Wind, solar, energy efﬁciency and other forms of renewable energy must all play a role in our nation’s overall energy portfolio, but consumers deserve the full picture of winners and losers in this energy debate. Consumers should know, for example, that special interest groups that lobby for expanding wind or solar power include equipment manufacturers and interests positioned to make proﬁts as a result of the required subsidy for these energy sources. Wind and solar lobbyists ﬁght incentives for energy efﬁciency and ﬁght against each other for incentives. Federal spending constraints and failure to achieve energy mandates in last year’s Congress make the special interests’ battle all the more ﬁerce this year. Georgia EMC will continue to represent the interest of our consumers, doing our best to help Congress approach energy policy with a Ready … Aim … Shoot mindset. I am encouraged to see the opportunity for a candid discussion on common-sense, environmentally and ﬁscally responsible energy policy in the 112th Congress, and EMC consumers should be too. To learn more and engage your elected representatives, join NRECA’s Our Energy, Our Future Initiative at www.ourenergy.coop, and make your voice heard along with the more than 535,000 Americans who have expressed their views to members of Congress. 17 http://www.ourenergy.coop http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - March 2011

Georgia Magazine - March 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Georgia’s Energy Outlook
Special Energy Report
A Balancing Act
Right on Key
Around Georgia
Georgia@Home
My Georgia
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - March 2011