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Environment

Community Uprising Against Energy Monopolies for a Greener Future

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Benjamin Hughes

May 4, 2024 - 20:22 pm

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Environmental Advocates Rally Against Anti-Consumer Energy Policies

OMAHA, Neb., May 4, 2024 – Amidst the verdant landscape and bustling city life, a significant gathering emerged at the footsteps of an important annual event. As shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway congregated for their yearly assembly, a collective expression of disconcertment and advocacy unfolded outside. Nonprofit groups collaborated to host a momentous rally, its purpose to shed light on the controversial practices of the esteemed company's energy sector that some claim monopolize service territories to the detriment of consumers and the environment.

Berkshire Hathaway Energy stands as a colossal entity within the energy sector, boasting utilities across no less than eleven states in the U.S., such as PacifiCorp in the Western regions, MidAmerican Energy in Iowa, and NV Energy in Nevada. The company's extensive portfolio includes one of the largest accumulations of coal plants nationally. Iowa and Nebraska residents, in particular, encounter both health and monetary detriments resulting from the pollutants emanating from these facilities. Across the Missouri River from Omaha, the notable Walter Scott Jr. Energy Center in Council Bluffs becomes a focal point of environmental concern, with coal ash from the plant reportedly leaking deleterious substances such as arsenic, lithium, and boron into the groundwater.

The Assault on Renewables

The lamentable state of affairs extends beyond contamination. In recent years, Berkshire's utilities have employes strategies perceived as combative against consumer interests. These maneuvers include efforts to weaken energy efficiency programs, the termination of net metering for solar energy adopters, and an overall antagonistic stance against renewable energy sources. Supporters of sustainable energy were particularly unnerved by PacifiCorp’s Rocky Mountain Power division, which severed its commitment to a Community Renewable Energy Program aimed at achieving 100% net-zero by 2030.

Stan Holmes, a passionate volunteer leader with the Sierra Club in Utah, expressed discontent with Rocky Mountain Power’s retreat from the program, highlighting this as part of a larger scheme to prioritize fossil fuels over renewable energy. Meanwhile, in Iowa, MidAmerican Energy faces criticism for its legislative lobbying, which has imposed one of the highest energy burdens upon the state.

A Climate of Resistance

Kerri Johannsen, Energy Program Director at the Iowa Environmental Council, voiced her deep-seated concerns, outlining MidAmerican Energy's consistent pattern of prioritizing profits above customer well-being. The list of grievances extends to their hampering of energy-efficient initiatives and even proposals to dispose of coal ash leachate into bodies of water.

Similarly, in Nevada, residents face obstacles imposed by NV Energy when attempting to adopt solar panels on personal premises. This encroachment on consumer autonomy has been met with stark opposition from activists and community leaders, who warn of increased climate disarray and soaring electricity rates as a consequence. Cathy Fulkerson, a spokesperson from Third Act Nevada, emphasized the urgent need for change as consumers grapple with the burdensome rate hikes from NV Energy.

A New Leader with Old Tactics?

As Warren Buffett’s tenure draws toward its conclusion, Greg Abel, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, has been named as his successor. This appointment has raised eyebrows and incited increased scrutiny of Abel's role in shaping the current energy policies at Berkshire. Critics, such as Steve Guyer from the Iowa Environmental Council, have labeled these strategies as anti-consumer, citing Abel's history of decisions that lean toward monopoly and marginalization of market freedom. Guyer advocates for a new direction that prioritizes consumers and shakes the foundation of the existing energy playbook.

Pointing to the stark disparities in Nevada, Maria Prentice from Chispa Nevada highlights NV Energy’s pivot away from clean solar projects towards the construction of gas plants that promise increased pollution and instability in electricity pricing. Families are demanding a reorientation of Berkshire Hathaway’s priorities, beckoning a shift towards a future that considers both people and the planet.

Holding the Line for the Environment

This critical point in energy generation—where wind and solar emerge as the most affordable new sources—sees Berkshire Hathaway persist in the operation of an expansive fleet of coal plants. Their impact is significant; a report known as "Benchmarking Air Emissions" cites Berkshire Hathaway Energy as the fourth-highest CO2 emitter in the U.S. power production industry, while ranking ninth in total electricity generation.

The Clean Up MidAm campaign, propelled by a coalition including the Iowa Environmental Council, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and the Sierra Club, among others, is at the forefront of pushing for environmental integrity and policy transformation. Their collective vision seeks to usher in an era where energy production aligns with ecological preservation and consumer protection.

A Coalition for Sustainable Change

The Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) holds stature as Iowa's prominent environmental alliance, embodying a diverse palate of organizations and individuals that advocate for Iowa's natural beauty. The Council engages in education, advocacy, and coalition-building, serving as both a facilitator for environmental discourse and a force for policymaking at various governmental levels.

Similarly poised for influence is the Chispa Nevada program, an initiative under the League of Conservation Voters. Chispa Nevada's mission is to empower Latinx communities in their pursuit of climate justice and the safeguarding of democratic processes. Committed to environmental activism, they connect the dots between individual actions and broader systemic changes.

A Call to Action

As a direct response to the environmental and consumer challenges posed by Berkshire Hathaway's energy practices, concerned organizations continue to make their voices heard, advocating for a shift in corporate strategy. The images of contaminated water bottles and rallies filled with passionate protestors create palpable symbols of resistance and the urgency for reform.

Contaminated water bottles, for example, have become emblematic of groundwater pollution near Berkshire coal plants, while the "Later is too Late" Rally outside Berkshire Hathaway's shareholder meeting in Omaha signifies an immediate call for action against policies that delay or impede the adoption of clean energy solutions.

Conclusion

The clarion call for environmental justice and consumer advocacy rings louder than ever. As a powerhouse in the energy realm, Berkshire Hathaway’s operations and policies harbor substantial implications for ecosystems and economies alike. The succession of leadership provides a pivotal moment for reevaluation and realignment with the pressing demands of climate action and market fairness.

The present wave of activism underscores an unwavering commitment to holding corporations accountable and championing progressive energy transformations that embody both ecological and social responsibility. As advocates gather and campaigns gain momentum, the message is unmistakable: for a sustainable, equitable, and thriving future, the time to act and reform is now.

For more information on the environmental efforts against these energy policies, please visit the Clean Up MidAm campaign at www.cleanupmidam.com, the Iowa Environmental Council at iaenvironment.org, and Chispa Nevada at chispalcv.org/state/nevada.

The original press release is available for additional context and details regarding the events and concerns surrounding Berkshire Hathaway's energy division and its impact on the environment and consumers.