Oct. 28, 2009

Barry Hart Represents Missouri Electric Cooperative Member's Concerns on Climate Change Legislation

Missouri's senior Senator Kit Bond addresses the other members of The Committee on Environment and Public Works concerning the ramifications of the climate change bill on Missourians in its current state. To demonstrate the concerns back home, he brought with him over 30,000 signed cards mailed to his office by concerned citizens. The cards were gathered by the Our Energy Our Future campaign spearheaded by Barry Hart and Missouri's Electric Cooperatives.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 28, 2009) - When Senator Kit Bond made his opening remarks to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, he had a pile of paper at his side. Neatly stacked by his assistants, the pile contained nearly 30,000 postcards mailed to Missouri's senior U.S. senator by electric cooperative members concerned that the price they pay for electricity could go up due to the committee's actions.

Bond brought the cards to illustrate the point that consumers, already suffering from the dismal economy, could not stand another hit to their budgets. He also brought an expert witness to testify on behalf of electric cooperative consumers.

Barry Hart, CEO of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, joined an elite group of panelists who helped enlighten the senators as debate began on the Kerry-Boxer climate change legislation. The committee, chaired by one of the bill's co-sponsers, California Senator Barbara Boxer, was the first stop as the senate took up legislation intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Hart, an outspoken champion of the consumer point of view, did not mince words as he addressed the formidable committee chair from California. "We stand ready to work with the Senate, any committee, to create a bill that protects consumers," Hart said. "But I have to tell you, this bill is not good for Missouri. If I take this bill to our consumers, they will tell me to tell our senators to vote no."

Hart left Senator Boxer and other committee members with food for thought, saying that for any climate change legislation to succeed it must have the full support of the American people.

"Mr. Hart is right," Senator Boxer said in her follow-up remarks. "If the American people don't support us, it's not going to work."

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