A Letter to the Board of the Flathead Electric Cooperative

March 26, 2010

To: Board of the Flathead Electric Cooperative

From: FEC Members

Re: Oppose Dirty Air Act Amendments

Dear Board of Trustees,

As members of the Flathead Electric Cooperative, we are writing to urge you to oppose the efforts of Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) and others in the House and Senate to block enforcement of Clean Air Act requirements. These efforts go against good science and diminish incentives to the private sector to invest in low carbon technologies, retarding much needed economic growth and job creation in the clean energy sector.

The Clean Air Act celebrates its 40th birthday next month. Adopted with wide bi-partisan support, the Act is an example of how sensible policy can benefit both our environment and our economy. While improving air quality in our communities, reducing acid rain, and protecting the ozone layer, the law has also driven innovation in pollution control and industrial efficiency, resulting in much lower costs to business than originally forecast. According to EPA, the health benefits of the Clean Air Act outweigh the costs by as much as a 40:1 ratio.¹

In 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that global warming pollutants are covered under the Clean Air Act, and required EPA to make a scientific determination on whether these pollutants harmed public health and the environment. The science is clear, and the Murkowski amendment tries to ignore it. EPA is carefully following up on its determination by issuing clean vehicle standards (that have been supported by American automobile manufacturers) and taking common sense steps to ensure that only the largest emitters are subject to new source permitting standards.

The growing clean energy sector represents our greatest opportunity to restore a robust economy and create new jobs. Investors and entrepreneurs in this sector are seeking to commercialize the innovations and technologies that will secure America’s competitive position in the global economy. Undermining the Clean Air Act sends the wrong market signal at the wrong time, undermining investor confidence in this critical industry.

The Flathead Valley is dependent on clean air for our business community to thrive and continue growing. Glacier National Park is the cornerstone of our economy, supporting tourism, recreation, real estate, and other sectors of the economy. If we continue to pollute, our pristine environment and the dollars that it brings in won't be our future. Vote for your community, not a distant coal plant.

Instead of blocking efforts to curb global warming pollution, the Senate should enact strong climate and energy legislation to deploy America’s workforce, encourage business innovation, and promote U.S. leadership in 21st century clean technologies. We urge you to oppose the “Dirty Air” amendments.

_{1  “Acid Rain Benefits Exceed Expectations” Environmental Protection Agency, April 14, 2009 (http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/cap‐trade/docs/benefits.pdf)}