AEC urges its members to take action to protect affordable electric rates

It takes all of about one minute. And it might just make a big difference when it comes to your future electric bills.

That’s the message Appalachian Electric Cooperative is trying to spread to as many of the utility’s 45,000 member-consumers as possible. “It’s really important to get the word out to those we serve,” says Mitch Cain, AEC’s Director of Member Services, “The only way we can bring about change is to work together.”

The issue of concern is America’s energy policy. “AEC’s position is that our nation needs a balanced mix of generating sources,” says Cain. “In order to maintain maximum cost—effectiveness, our country needs to be able to turn to nuclear, coal, natural gas, and renewables to generate electric power——at different times, under different circumstances. With a proposed move to effectively eliminate coal from the generating mix, the current administration seems to have adopted the position of ‘all but one.’ That’s an approach that has the very real potential to raise generation costs——as well as electric bills!”

The solution, according to Cain, lies in harnessing the cooperative spirit and empowering AEC members to make their views known. He says there’s a very simple, quick, and cost—free way to do that. “Just log onto www.action.coop and fill out the web form you’ll find there,” he explains. “It literally takes one minute to send a message to the Environmental Protection Agency that you want to ensure that they adopt an ‘all of the above’ approach that includes coal-fired generation.”

Cain says members without internet access can fill out a form available in the Cooperative’s Cashiers department. The important thing, he states, is for all of us to take the time to share our views on the future of our country’s energy policy. “All of us have a stake in this important issue. As a not-for-profit, member-owned utility, AEC is deeply concerned about maintaining affordable and reliable electricity. It’s true that one individual’s opinion may not turn the tide, but——if enough of us act together to send a message to the EPA——that’s a powerful statement. This is one of those times when it’s important to work together to make a difference.”