Our mission as your electric cooperative is to bring you reliable electricity at an affordable price.

 

 While we work hard at this every day, our costs have increased in recent years. These increases are a direct result of higher fuel prices and the cost of maintaining our electric system. With today’s economic recession, many of you are cutting back to save money, and some are having trouble paying bills. We want to let you know how things look for the future.

 

Piedmont Electric representatives recently participated in both the state and national congressional rallies, taking our energy concerns directly to our elected officials.Our congressional representatives are discussing possible legislation that will make our country more energy efficient and energy independent.Piedmont Electric believes these are worthy goals; however, we are concerned about how that will happen and how much it will cost consumers like you.

 

There’s been a lot of talk in Congress and the news media about making electricity from renewable resources, such as the sun and the wind; addressing climate change by using new technologies to produce electricity; and changing the ways in which we use electricity. Along with other cooperatives, we have invested in sun and wind energy and are working hard to help you save electricity with energy efficiency advice; but the big question for us is: how can we balance our commitment to provide you with reliable and affordable electricity, while helping the environment at the same time?

 

Congress is currently looking at some bills that would require your cooperative to invest in additional renewable energy projects as well as take steps to address climate change—all of which will result in increased costs and, thus, higher electricity rates. The pace at which these changes take place will determine the amount and timing of increased costs. Although the details of this federal legisilation are uncertain and depend on what Congress decides to do, the cost increases to you caused by this legislation are certain.

 

To better help us represent your interests in Washington, DC, please visit the Our Energy, Our Future website at www.ourenergy.coopfor updates and more actions you can take to make your voices heard to your member of Congress.Another valuable website is www. findabalancedsolution.com. Cost does matter, and this website can direct you to ways you can put your concerns to your elected officials.We need our representatives in Congress to step in with a long-term, politically and economically sustainable energy and climate change plan—one that takes the interests of consumers and monthly electric bills into consideration.

 

As Congress begins to tackle energy and climate change policy, it is critical that they hear from you.Piedmont Electric is looking out for you, as we continue to provide you affordable and reliable service during these challenging times. We will continue to keep you informed.