Sample Letter to Federal Legislators
(copy & paste this letter into Microsoft Word, address it to each of the individual legislators, print it out a version for each legislator, sign and mail it directly to them at the addresses provided below.  You can also write letters in your own handwriting.)

Dear Senator (or Representative) ________(last name);

     As a member/owner of Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Fairfield, Illinois, I am writing regarding federal climate change legislation.  My understanding is that there are at least nine such bills currently pending before the U.S. Congress.  Almost all of the electricity I receive from our Cooperative is generated from a coal-fired plant, and I favor cost-effective proposals to lessen greenhouse gas emissions.  On the other hand, I strongly oppose--and urge your opposition--to any bill that would unnecessarily increase costs significantly, and which would include unrealistic timelines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions since the technology to achieve these carbon reductions is not yet available.  Therefore, I am strongly opposed to Senate Bill 2191.
     
     It makes sense that climate change legislation should focus on developing and using new technologies, and give appropriate incentives to Cooperatives and other utilities.  In addition, I think legislation should cover the entire economy and not simply electric generation, and also address emissions from other nations.  If we spend large dollar amounts in the U.S. to address Global warming and other nations, particularly China does not, we risk damaging our ability to compete in the global economy, and the impact on Global warming will be negligible.  Therefore, it is critical that any proposal also consider the economic costs of the plan and not cause significant impacts--I have heard that some of the pending climate change legislation proposals would have exorbitant price tags.  Cost is of particular concern to me as a member/owner of a not-for-profit rural electric cooperative, since any increased costs to our co-op flow directly to my neighbors and me in the form of higher electrcity rates.
    
     Thank you in advance for your consideration on this important issue.  I urge you to only support legislation that addresses the above concerns and which will protect our electric cooperative from having to dramatically raise rates.

      Sincerely,

Cut & Paste the Above Letter, sign it and send it to each of the following Federal Legislators: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin 525 South Eighth Street Springfield, IL  62703 U.S. Senator Barack Obama 607 East Adams Street Springfield, IL  62703 U.S. Congressman John Shimkus 3130 Chatham Road-Suite C Springfield, IL  62704 U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello 144 Lincoln Place Court-Suite 4 Belleville, IL  62221