Protecting Affordable Energy

Press Release

One of Nebraska's many economic advantages is affordable, reliable electricity prices. This allows families to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. Unfortunately, Nebraska's reasonable energy rates are being threatened by new federal regulations.

The Obama Administration recently released a climate report to try and justify its war on coal-fired plants used by states like Nebraska. The president's latest regulatory push effectively bans coal-fired electric power plants from being built in the future and would add heavy costs to retrofit current plants, which is especially harmful to Nebraskans. Nearly two-thirds of our electricity is produced from this critical energy source. Moreover, these costly energy regulations place at risk good-paying jobs, increase electricity prices for families, and jeopardize access to affordable energy.

Nebraska State Senator Jim Smith, former manager of the Omaha Public Power District, explored the economic consequences EPA's regulations will have across Nebraska in a May 7, 2014 op-ed in the Omaha World-Herald. Senator Smith cited a study conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Bureau of Business Research. It found that transportation and electricity generated from coal account for close to $4.9 billion in economic output, more than 22,000 jobs, and $1.4 billion in paychecks throughout Nebraska.

I agree it is important to examine the science surrounding climate change. However, it's also important to acknowledge that there is a diversity of views regarding changes in weather patterns, even among President Obama's own appointees. I also believe the president's plan is blind to the fact that the United States is not the primary global emitter of greenhouse gases. China and India, our main economic competitors, are the biggest emitters. The new costs imposed on American families as a result of the president's plan will likely yield little, if any, environmental impact globally. Meanwhile, it affords other countries like India and China a competitive edge.

Attacking one of our nation's most valuable energy sources does not bring us closer to an "all of the above" energy strategy, which the president promised to pursue and which I support. Rather than implementing a costly regulatory regime, the president should work with Congress on policies that lower consumer prices and strengthen our energy security. Nebraskans and all those stuck footing the bill for these new regulations deserve a say, and that means Congress should have a vote.

The Senate's consideration of energy legislation this week offered an opportunity to have a serious debate on these issues and discuss how we can bolster our country's energy policy. Unfortunately, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid refused to allow amendments to the bill that proposed ideas to enhance our energy supply, create jobs, and boost economic growth.

In addition to working to protect access to affordable energy, I'm also working to expand access to broadband services for all Nebraskans. As more and more individuals use wireless phones and similar devices, carriers have observed a rising trend of households purchasing broadband-only services.

Currently, carriers serving rural consumers who wish to purchase broadband-only services receive limited support from the Universal Service Fund (USF), which has a stated goal of expanding broadband access. The denial of USF support for rural carriers in these situations limits consumer choice and undermines progress in bringing these services to all areas nationwide.

As a member of the Nebraska Legislature, I worked to expand consumer choice for these services, and I continue to work for consumers in the U.S. Senate. Recently, I joined 43 Senate colleagues in writing the Chairman of the FCC to call for rules that allow USF support for rural carriers providing their consumers with broadband-only services. Consumers in both rural and urban areas deserve the same fundamental choices at comparable, reasonable rates, and I will continue to work to ensure all Nebraskans have access to these critical services.

Thank you for taking part in our democratic process, and I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

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