The National Rural Electric Cooperatives have launched a national grassroots campaign, 
"Our Energy, Our Future: A Dialogue with America." 
It has one purpose:  to encourage open discussion between electric co-op consumers and their elected officials
about the challenge of keeping electricity affordable and reliable while addressing the issue of climate change.

Take a quick tour of the
alternative energy sources
currently being utilized
by Indiana's electric
cooperatives.  Click on
the resource pictures
to learn more.

It's time to continue the conversation...

How we see it:  Simply put, significant reductions in carbon emissions over the long term will not happen without expensive investment in research and development.   Without leadership at the federal level, this investment will not be made.  Leaders from Indiana's electric co-ops and our member-consumers must continue to remind local legislators that the climate change debate is a debate with real consequences for real people and their interests must be heard and taken into account. 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?

In just two minutes, you can go to www.OurEnergy.coop and enter your address to send your local legislator the second question.  You don’t need to be an energy expert to ask. Asking questions helps us to find the answers that will solve the problem of balancing climate change goals with keeping your lights on and your electric bills affordable.   You can start with: “What is your plan to make sure we have the electricity we'll need over the next ten years while we reduce greenhouse gas emissions?"  Read More

We'll use Question #3 prior to the election in November to continue the dialogue with your elected officials...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?

How we see it:  A Purdue energy forecast predicts electric rates could increase up to 22% by 2012 because of current environmental laws, fuel costs and new construction.  The same group also states that future carbon legislation could add 50 percent more to your electric bills in the next 5 to 10 years. That is on top of the 22 percent already forecast. We will continue to invest in new and affordable energy technologies while taking an active role in guiding our legislators to develop plans that offer a balanced solution to the climate change issue.  To be successful, the plan must include input from all parties, especially electric co-op member-consumers like you!

Question #1 started the conversation in February...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

How we see it:  Some people say we can meet future demand through efficiency and renewable energy; and we're proud to say that Indiana's electric co-ops have had great success in those areas.  We are quickly integrating new renewable energy resources, deploying demand side management tools, increasing system efficiency, and promoting conservation and efficiency at the consumer level.