Our Energy, Our Future: Recent News and Editorials

NOVEMBER, 2009

Monday, November 9, 2009
Ben Nelson on Cap & Trade
SOURCE: CNBC

OCTOBER, 2009

Thursday, October 29, 2009
Politicians Share Concerns for Cap & Trade, "In Their Own Words"
SOURCE: Alliance for Jobs and Affordable Energy



Blog Update:
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Johanns Keynote Speech Highlights Agriculture, Including Impact of Climate Change
SOURCE: American Enterprise Institute
AEI's Steve Hayward finds that the 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases required in 2020 by the Boxer-Kerry climtae bill would reduce emissions to 1977 levels even though, 32 years ago, the US had almost half of today's vehicles, 100 million less people, and an economy half the size of what it is today.
More>>>

Blog Update:
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Johanns Keynote Speech Highlights Agriculture, Including Impact of Climate Change
The link below will take you to a portion of a keynote speech delivered by Senator Mike Johanns to the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC. His speech discussed the need to support agriculture, and his remarks included the impact that climate change/cap and trade legislation will have on farmers.
More>>>

SEPTEMBER, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Senate Draft of Climate Legislation Makes Unofficial Debut
The link below will take you to a portion of a keynote speech delivered by Senator Mike Johanns to the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC. His speech discussed the need to support agriculture, and his remarks included the impact that climate change/cap and trade legislation will have on farmers.
More>>>

AUGUST, 2009

Blog Update:
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Challenges Great in Wind Generation.
With Southern Power District's involvement in the Our Energy, Our Future campaign, we have been continuously asked by our customers “Why hasn’t Nebraska put up more wind turbines?”
More>>>

JULY, 2009

Blog Update:
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
ASSIGNMENT: Waxman-Markey
Many years ago in school, I recall several occasions where I did not read or fully read my assignment for English class (please accept my apologies Mrs. Engelhardt). More>>>

Blog Update:
Thursday, July 16, 2009
One Size DOES NOT Fit All
If you look through your closet, chances are you have an item of clothing-- maybe its a shirt or a pair of gloves--with a tag that reads One Size Fits All. I have numerous items in my own wardrobe that come to mind that have this very label. More>>>

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Bill O'Reilly Talks Cap & Trade

Blog Update:
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Waxman-Markey Passes Through Congress...Now What?
 On Friday, June 26th the congress passed HR 2454, also known as "Waxman-Markey" by a very narrow margin of 219-212. This bill is one that will impact every electric consumer in America, affecting the cost of electricity in your home, for your farm operations, and for our local businesses and industries. MORE>>>

JUNE, 2009

Blog Update:
Friday, June 12, 2009
So...How Much Will This REALLY Cost Me?
The amendment introduced by Senator Mike Johanns to ensure complex and far-reaching cap-and-trade legislation is not slipped into law using budget reconciliation was passed in the Senate on Wednesday, April 1st with over two-thirds of the vote. Visit our Blogspot site for more information. More>>>

Opinion/Editorial:
Submitted by Anthony Bohaty, Irrigation Services Manager
Friday, June 5, 2009
The American Clean Energy and Security Act is a bill which seeks to implement a hefty tax on carbon emissions by way of a cap-and-trade program.  This tax ultimately falls into the lap of electric consumers in the form of significant rate increases.  This bill is moving swiftly through various committees in our nation’s Congress.  The next goal established by leaders of the House is to push the 900-plus page bill through the House Ways and Means Committee by June 19th.  More>>>

Twitter Updates Keep You Up-to-Date on the Latest Climate Change Legislation News
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Check out some of the recent news we've posted to our Twitter page. You may also follow us on Twitter, just look for "southernpd"

MAY, 2009

Have you checked out our blog page recently? A new post was just added today!
Friday, May 22, 2009
More>>>

Opinion/Editorial:
Submitted by Board Members Rick Bergman and Lee Grove
Thursday, May 14, 2009
As members of Southern Power District’s Board of Directors, we would like to make our customers, as well as all electric consumers aware of an issue that will determine how much you pay for electricity in the future. As we are writing this letter, the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee is working to push “cap and trade” legislation through Congress, with a goal to do so prior to Memorial Day. More>>>

APRIL, 2009

Opinion/Editorial:
Submitted by Board Member Marvin Fishler
Thursday, April 9, 2009
I am a member of Southern Public Power DIstrict's board of Directors, having served in this capacity for 11 years. I take a strong interest in the political activities on the state and national level. Today, I find myself very concerned about how potential national policies will affect the cost of your electricity. More>>>

Opinion/Editorial:
Submitted by Board Members Larry Benson and Richard Schaffert, and Board Chairman Dean Klute
Friday, April 3, 2009
Serving as members of Southern Power District’s Board of Directors for a combined 63 years, we have seen a number of challenges faced by the utility industry during our time of service. With all of the attention on global warming issues, Southern Power District and its customers are now facing one of the greatest challenges we have ever seen. More>>>

Blog Update:
Friday, April 3, 2009
Senate Passes Amendment Ensuring Debate of Cap & Trade
The amendment introduced by Senator Mike Johanns to ensure complex and far-reaching cap-and-trade legislation is not slipped into law using budget reconciliation was passed in the Senate on Wednesday, April 1st with over two-thirds of the vote. Visit our Blogspot site for more information. More>>>

Keep Bills Affordable--Glenn English, NRECA


MARCH, 2009

Blog Update:
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Johanns Says Complex Climate Legislation Must Have Full Public Debate
Senator Mike Johanns has introduced an amendment to the budget to ensure complex and far-reaching cap-and-trade legislation would not be slipped into law using budget reconciliation. Visit our Blogspot site for more information. More>>>

Blog Update:
Senator Mike Johanns Expresses Cap & Trade Concerns
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Visit our Blogspot site for all of the details. More>>>

Opinion/Editorial:
Submitted by Dan Emery, Chief Steward, Local 1597 IBEW
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Public power districts in Nebraska and rural cooperatives across the nation are backing an awareness campaign called Our Energy, Our Future. This campaign is designed to educate end use customers on the effects of current policies being considered nationally related to global warming. We in public power, unlike private companies, feel a sense of responsibility to let our customers know about issues that could dramatically impact them. More>>>

2009 March Customer Newsletter
Speak Up for Affordable Power
Each month you budget for your phone, electricity, house, and car payments. Generally you know how much each bill will cost and plan your spending accordingly. But what if you couldn't control your energy costs? What if, each month, they climbed beyond your reach? MORE >>>

FEBRUARY, 2009

Opinion/Editorial:
Submitted by LeAnne Doose, SPD Communications Director
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Currently, our nation's leaders are working to craft an energy policy, and the direction of future legislation is pointing toward addressing concerns about global warming. More>>>