Customer Newsletter, October 2008

Now's the Time to Make Your Voice Heard

Next month, America will take to the polls to choose the next President of the United States, members of Congress, and in many cases state legislators and local officials. As we in the utility industry strive to meet our present and future energy needs, we are asking lawmakers of all types what they'll do to ensure that consumers continue to enjoy safe, reliable, and affordable electric power.

Today, many policy makers and elected officials believe renewable energy, like wind, solar, and biomass provide the solution to addressing climate change and establishing energy independence. But to keep the lights on and electric rates affordable, electric cooperatives will need to make use of all available generation resources, including renewables, nuclear power, and fossil fuels like coal and natural gas that use the latest environmental technology.

Our nation's electric system relies on a network of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution facilities woven together in an intricate web to provide us with electricity. When a piece of this puzzle doesn't fit or goes missing, brownouts and blackouts can occur.

Over the next 22 years, demand for electricity is predicted to increase 30 percent, and our country has used up the excess power capacity it once had available. That means we will need to build new power plants at a time when costs for construction materials such as steel, copper, and concrete, and fossil fuels like natural gas and coal are skyrocketing.

As a result, we must urge lawmakers to invest in technology that will allow us to help all households become more energy efficient, fast-track plans for building new transmission lines-connecting rural regions where renewable electricity is generated to the population centers where it's consumed, cut through the red tape that prevents construction of new nuclear power plants (which emit only clean water vapor), and capture and permanently store carbon from coal-fired power plants (as a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions blamed for contributing to global climate change). These steps will not only strengthen our nation's electric infrastructure and head off an impending electric power crisis, but significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Even better, they will help ensure that any climate change goals ultimately adopted remain politically and economically sustainable over the decades necessary to make a difference.

NOW is the time to make your voice heard. In addition to casting your vote on November 4, you can also help educate and inform lawmakers about your concerns. Southern is currently among a large group of power districts and cooperatives engaged in a nation-wide grassroots campaign called "Our Energy, Our Future: A Dialogue With America." Nearly 400,000 letters and e-mails have already been sent to Congress by your fellow consumers from all across the United States, each asking critical energy questions. To join the effort, visit www.ourenergy.coop.

Other stories you'll find inside this edition:

  • Southern's Board Authorizes Bond Sale to Finance BANs, Future Growth
    • At their September meeting, Southern's Board of Directors approved a resolution for the sale of $40 million ion tax-exempt bonds. More>>>
  • Change the World...Start with Energy Star!
    • Southern Power District has once again joined the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign to encourage measures that reduce energy use in homes. More>>>
  • October is Built Around CFLs
    • The CFL--compact fluorescent light bulb--is an energy efficient product that can replace many, but not all, situations where a standard incandescent bulb has been used in the past. More>>>
  • Safety On Display at Husker Harvest Days
    • Linemen from Southern conducted hotline demonstrations at the "Public Power for Nebraska" booth on the third day of Husker Harvest Days. More>>>
  • Switch & Save Campaign Is Underway
    • For the second year in a row, Nebraska Public Power District and its wholesale customer utilities--including Southern Power District--will kick off a campaign on October 1st to encourage energy efficiency achieved through the installation of compact fluorescent lamps. More>>>