Reliability and Affordability Concerns
For 88 years, our mission has been to deliver safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible electricity to our members at stable and affordable rates. Our members count on us to deliver their power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – our communities and livelihoods depend on it. But, for the first time in our history, that reliability is in jeopardy.
Buckeye Power, our generation and transmission provider, generates enough power for all 400,000 cooperative members in Ohio. However, we depend on the larger grid to get that power to our members, and the grid’s ability to balance supply and demand in our region and across the nation is increasingly at risk.
Here are a few of the reasons why the risks to reliable, affordable energy are growing:
- Demand for electricity is higher than it has ever been, and it continues to rise.
- The overall supply of reliable electricity is down because of the rapid retirement of coal and nuclear plants.
- Intermittent sources of energy like wind and solar power have come online, but they have not filled the gap and they are not always available.
- Unreasonable regulations are creating unnecessarily high costs while providing minimal environmental benefits.
Check out these resources to learn more about this complex topic:
- “Reliability and Affordability” – This webpage from America’s Electric Cooperatives (NRECA) will give you a background of the current energy landscape, the cooperative stance, and a timeline of the events that led up to this point.
- “Nine Regulations Threatening Reliability” – This article from NRECA outlines the government regulations that pose the biggest threats to energy reliability and affordability in the U.S.
- “Co-op Leaders: Amid Industry Change, Reliability and Affordability are Crucial” – This article from NRECA summarizes the challenges facing the energy landscape from the perspective of cooperative leaders.
- “Carbon-free by 2035?” – This article from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives (OEC) analyzes the vast challenges that must be overcome to meet the government’s decarbonization goals.
- “PJM Warns of Risks Expected Resource Retirements Pose to Grid Reliability” – This article from OEC discusses recent reports of increased reliability risks, and warnings about retiring reliable resources while demand for electricity is growing.
How will these challenges affect Ohio?
According to NERC’s 2023 Summer Reliability Assessment, Ohio is at a low risk of reliability issues this summer. PJM, the transmission organization covering most of the eastern U.S., anticipates no resource problems over the 2023 peak season.
However, unless there are major policy changes, the current risks will only continue to increase. Demand shows no signs of slowing, and the technology does not exist yet to produce and store enough reliable energy through renewable sources.
What can we do about it?
Consolidated leaders attend events in Washington, D.C. and at our Ohio statehouse to meet with policy makers and speak up for the good of our members. You can join us in advocating for common-sense energy policy. Check out America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC and Voices for Cooperative Power to learn more about how you can get involved and speak up for cooperative members!
America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC
The National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA) has renamed its political action committee: The program once known as “ACRE” is now America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC.
This political action committee (PAC) was founded in 1966 to support political candidates who speak up for and protect the interests of electric co-ops and their member-owners. Thousands of co-op members, employees, and directors from across our nation contribute to the PAC.
PAC accepts contributions on a monthly basis, and the average contributor gives about $65 per year. When everyone’s individual PAC contribution comes together, it builds our collective strength as cooperatives across the nation. This strength and recognition on the national level is key as decarbonization and electrification policies have threatened cooperatives’ ability to deliver power to their members.
If you would like to be a part of this national movement, visit cooperative.com/pacdonation to get started, or give us a call at 800-421-5863 for help.
Voices for Cooperative Power
Join us in speaking up for reliable, affordable electricity! Voices for Cooperative Power (VCP) is a network of rural electric cooperative members who work together to promote policies that help cooperatives thrive. VCP makes it easy to be an advocate by empowering you to share your story, connecting you with opportunities to use your voice, and keeping you informed about important issues and policies.
You can choose your level of involvement – whether you use the information they provide to be an informed voter, or you take advantage of opportunities to contact legislators and speak up for cooperatives. Learn more about VCP at voicesforcooperativepower.com or get in touch with us at Consolidated for help.
Key Terms and Organizations
Here is a short list of some of the key terms and organizations that you will read about while researching this topic. Click or tap the link in each point to learn more or visit the organization’s website.
The Electric Grid: The complex, interconnected system that transports electricity from power plants through substations, transformers, transmission lines, and the distribution lines that deliver energy to consumers. Learn more about the electric grid.
PJM: PJM Interconnection – a regional transmission organization that ensures reliability and coordinates the movement of electricity in Ohio and surrounding states.
NERC: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation – a not-for-profit, international authority designed to protect the reliability and security of the electric grid.
NRECA: America’s Electric Cooperatives – the national organization designed to promote, support, and protect the best interests of electric cooperatives and their members.
OEC: Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives – the statewide organization designed to promote, support, and protect the best interests of electric cooperatives and their members in Ohio.
EPA: The United States Environmental Protection Agency – EPA is designed to study environmental issues, provide information, and develop and enforce environmental standards and regulations in America.
