Grassroots Effort a Success

We would like to thank and congratulate you for your impressive response to our United States Senators regarding the Carbon Tax/Cap and Trade legislation that is currently being debated by the United States Senate. We asked you, the consumer/owners, to participate in a grassroots effort to educate our Senators on the impacts of potential legislation and you responded in a big way.

We were able to deliver over 800 faxes and e-mails on your behalf to Wyoming Senators, Enzi and Barrasso, informing them that legislation that imposes an undue financial burden on electric consumers without any measureable benefit is not acceptable. Collectively across the country, 455,000 electric cooperative consumer/owners participated in this campaign and post cards from 45 states were delivered to Senators with the message that the financial impacts of the proposed legislation are not worth the uncertain benefits. These grassroots efforts have paid dividends as the United States Senate has recently slowed down the legislative process and some key Senators appear to be demanding the answers to these questions before any action is taken.

What's Ahead

The future of climate change legislation is difficult to assess with the changing dynamics in Washington. While the president is committed to moving a climate bill forward, the elements in the bill and the unwillingness of Congress to act during this election year may postpone or stall cap and trade provisions for a long time.

In any case, Bridger will keep you up to date on any climate bill concerns and, if necessary, we may call on you again to participate in a grassroots effort to let Congress know how we feel. It worked well this time, thanks to you.