From left, CEO George Walton, Rep. Jordan, and Chair Ed Crawford
U.S. Rep. Jordan stipulates ‘America cannot lead without affordable energy’ at Hancock-Wood Electric Co-op meeting
NORTH BALTIMORE, OHIO – On Friday, March 6, U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio’s 4th District spoke at Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative’s annual Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) Legislative Meeting to discuss regulatory issues impacting electric co-ops’ ability to deliver affordable energy.
In his remarks, Rep. Jordan said, “You cannot lead militarily and diplomatically if you don’t lead first economically. And you cannot lead economically, if you don’t have energy at an affordable cost and readily available.”
Jordan drew a laugh from the crowd following a question from an audience member, who noted the U.S. has at least 500 years of coal and is subsidizing wind energy and solar energy. “Maybe that is good, clean energy, but that is a generation or two away [from implementation], let’s just be smart about it.”
“Well, but you are looking at the facts,” quipped Jordan. “A lot of folks in Washington…don’t do a fact-based analysis, they do it based on politics.”
Hancock-Wood President and CEO George Walton said, “We are here to today to work to protect the interests of our own Members and those of electric cooperatives across the nation. It is imperative for all of us to fight to protect affordable energy. We are honored to have the Congressman speak to our Members first-hand about pending legislation that could impact our energy delivery costs.”
Hancock-Wood Board Member David Corbin asked, “We’ve been talking about the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], what is your prediction of what is going to happen and how much control do you guys have over the EPA?”
Rep. Jordan replied, “I serve] on the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee. It’s one of the most active committees and frankly we can really dig into these types of things…and address issues like these agencies that are out of control.”
Jordan opposed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, also known as Cap and Trade Program, which proposed carbon credits be issued to businesses to dictate the amount of carbon each was allowed to emit into the environment, and those who exceeded their allocation could purchase carbon credits from other businesses. The bill died in the Senate.
Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, established April 20, 1938, serves portions of Hancock, Wood, Allen, Erie, Hardin, Henry, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot counties. Throughout the cooperative’s history, Hancock-Wood has fought for electric cooperatives right to keep energy delivery reliable and affordable within the communities it serves.
For more information about Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, visit www.hwe.coop or call 800-445-4840.
