Because transparency is a core value of electric cooperatives, we have a responsibility to tell you about not only our successes but also our challenges.
In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule that impacts energy production from power plants. The power plant rule will challenge access to reliable electricity for communities across the country.
The rule constrains existing coal and new natural gas plants by requiring them to install carbon capture and storage (CCS) — a technology that has potential but has not been proven to be viable as required. No power plant in North America currently uses CCS at the scale and levels mandated by EPA. When power plants cannot comply with EPA’s CCS requirements, they will be required to shut down, significantly limit operations, or switch fuels. These unrealistic standards will force the unnecessary and early shutdown of many power plants that currently provide reliable electricity 24/7.
The timing of the power plant rule is equally troubling. Utilities are facing a surge in electricity demand — driven by the onshoring of manufacturing, the growth of the American economy, and the rapid expansion of data centers to support artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and cryptocurrency. This growth in demand requires more reliable generation to ensure power is available to homes and businesses 24 hours a day.
It’s also no secret that costs go up when demand is high and supply is low. We’re concerned about threats to reliability and cost increases to our members.
As we’ve always done, we will look for solutions that serve our members best. We are working with electric co-ops across the country to challenge these regulations, and we are working with our elected officials to help them understand the consequences this would have.
Our top priority is meeting our members’ energy needs. Co-ops are no strangers to innovation, and we’re taking proactive steps to address today’s energy challenges and tomorrow’s energy needs. Electric cooperatives take great pride in their record of reliability. We will continue exploring new technologies and strategies that bolster reliability and our local grid.
2023 FUEL MIX
As dependence on electricity increases, we remain focused on providing our members with reliable and reasonable-priced energy — and that’s why fuel diversity is essential. Our diverse fuel mix helps us balance environmental stewardship with affordability and reliability. Fuel mix is updated each summer to reflect the previous year’s data.
