Issue Spotlight

Issues:

Capacity
Technology
Affordability

Capacity | Top

Keeping the Lights On – Capacity
According to the Energy Information Agency, electric power usage is currently expected to increase by 1.1 percent annually. Improved energy efficiency and conservation can slow down the rate of demand growth, however, ensuring the U.S. has the power needed to grow the economy poses a serious challenge for electric utilities.

News:

Rising Efficiency and Plummeting Economy Drive Down Electricity Demand
May 11, 2009 - From 2007 to 2030 projected annual electric demand growth falls to .9 percent. more >>

NRECA Urges DOE to Broaden Loan Guarantee Program Rules
February 12, 2009 - Current rules severely limit effectiveness of the loan program. more >>

DOE Loan Program Can Help Co-ops Survive Power Crunch
February 3, 2009 - NRECA CEO Glenn English thanks Senators for bumping up a federal loan program to $50 billion for low-carbon power generation projects. more >>

Related Resources On NRECA.coop:

Electricity Capacity: Stressed Over the Next Decade (NRECA)

Other Resources:

Long-term Reliability Assessment

Technology | Top

Technology to Meet Changing Energy Needs
Only with technological innovation will the U.S. be able to meet increasing demand while reducing greenhouse gases, but these innovations are not possible without substantial investment. NRECA strongly supports public-private investment in technologies to increase efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases from fossil fuels and increase our use of alternative energy.

News:

NRECA to DOE: Existing Privacy Principles Can Protect Consumers in a New Smart Grid Environment
July 26, 2010 - Electric co-ops respond to a request for information from the Department of Energy. more >>

NRECA to DOE: Utilities Need Flexibility in Choosing Communications Technologies
July 26, 2010 - Electric co-ops respond to a request for information from the Department of Energy. more >>

Electric Co-ops Weigh In on Federal Broadband Plan
March 18, 2010 - Co-ops support plan goals, oppose federal jurisdiction of pole attachments. more >>

National Institute of Standards and Technology Includes MultiSpeak® in Smart-Grid Framework
October 8, 2009 - NRECA’s software specification targeted to distribution co-ops included on list of 31 interoperability standards (“Standards after Initial Comments”) released by NIST. more >>

EPRI Updates Analyses of Climate Change Goals and Costs
September 3, 2009 - Deploying a “full portfolio” of generation and efficiency technologies, including expanded nuclear generation, carbon capture and electric cars, would reduce the cost of meeting carbon reduction targets. more >>

Quantifying Potential Efficiency Savings
August 11, 2009 - Two new reports suggest an aggressive efficiency effort could save U.S. 15 to 23 percent of projected energy usage in 2020. more >>

CBO: Climate Change Legislation Imposes Larger Burden on Low-income Americans
June 8, 2009 - In Senate testimony, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf projects the impact of carbon cap-and-trade on household energy costs. more >>

Smart Grid Investments Should Benefit Consumers First
May 18, 2009 - NRECA comments on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission policy statement urge patience, consensus-building and strong consumer focus. more >>

Related Resources On NRECA.coop:

Cooperatives Plan for Carbon Constraints (Cooperative Research Network)

Bold Ideas for the Next Decade’s Challenges (NRECA)

2008 NRECA Legislative Conference Briefing on Clean Coal Technology

Other Resources:

Pathways to Sustainable Power Source: Electric Power Research Institute

Affordability | Top

Keeping Electricity Affordable
As consumer-owned, not-for-profit utilities, electric cooperatives look out for the interests of their members. At a time of dramatic change in the electric utility industry, NRECA believes policy makers must take into account the impact on affordability when deciding energy policy.

News:

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Urges Balanced Approach to Regulation of Coal Ash
May 6, 2010 - Statement from Glenn English, CEO, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association on the proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate coal ash. more >>

Co-ops Urge a Responsible Path Forward on Climate Change
March 5, 2010 - Cooperatives supporting legislative efforts to prevent use of the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. more >>

Electric Co-ops Thank Senator Harkin and Others
December 11, 2009 - In letter, NRECA CEO Glenn English thanks Senators for raising concerns about costs to consumers under S. 1733 more >>

Related Resources On NRECA.coop:

Assuring Affordable and Reliable Electricity (NRECA)

Other Resources:

Consumers in Peril Source: American Public Power Association

No Time to Waste Source: Consumer Federation of America