February 2012

Families are spending more for energy

February 8, 2012

Here’s a research finding that won’t be surprising to most Americans: Families are spending more for energy and those increases are stretching their budgets.

But here’s an unexpected fact included in new research:  Electricity prices have actually declined when adjusted for inflation.

These dynamics make it doubly important that we remain vigilant to keep electricity affordable.

“But new EPA regulations are making electricity and other energy sources unnecessarily expensive during a time of economic turmoil,” says Steve Miller, president and CEO of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, which released the study.

New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board Votes in Favor of Affordable Electricity

February 9, 2012

SANTA FE—Good news! This week the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) voted unanimously to repeal a set of regulations that would have raised the cost of electricity and hurt our state’s economy. All five members of the EIB voted to repeal the rules, which would have created a regional cap-and-trade program for curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

One EIB member mentioned during the board's deliberations the impact of public comment, with 98 percent of comments (approx 35,000) opposed to the cap-and-trade rule. KEA thanks the over 18,000 people who signed our petition and wrote letters asking the EIB to repeal the rules.

Here’s a quick recap of the issue: Read more »

Energy prices and economic growth

February 18, 2012

Are high energy prices good for the economy?
 
Some people seem to think so. But Denver Post columnist Vincent Carroll writes that their philosophy – which he calls a “castor oil theory of growth” – misses the mark.