updated 09.10.10

We know our website is old and a bit finicky, but rest assured, we are working on a new website! We will keep you updated on when to expect the new site to be unveiled, so stay tuned for CAC 2.0!

Click here for CAC statement on Citizens Energy deal for Indianapolis Water & Sewer: "shrouded in secrecy".

SUMMER 2010 NEWSLETTER:

Lots of updated information on our current campaigns, as well as info on new energy studies, biomass, and Kerwin's Korner on Duke's Edwardsport plant.
Click here to read.

OUR CURRENT CAMPAIGNS:

Gov. Daniels' Energy Plan means high rates and high risk:

The Governor’s energy plan is a high risk gamble for taxpayers and ratepayers. Allowing ratepayers to be used as captive investors for nuclear power and carbon waste capture and storage (CCS) will force excessive rate increases and expose thousands of property owners to potential losses through property damage and devaluation. Under the Governor’s energy plan, taxpayers and ratepayers carry the risks and costs while utility companies walk away with the profits.

For more information, click here.

Duke Energy Edwardsport Plant:

Duke Energy is building a new coal-gasification plant in Edwardsport, IN. The cost thus far has reached $2.9 billion and now Duke is asking for even more ratepayer dollars to fund their research and development into carbon waste capture and storage. Duke ratepayers are facing an enormous increase in rates to build this unnecessary plant.

To read more about this expensive and wasteful boondoggle, click here.

GAME CHANGING REPORT: BEYOND BUSINESS AS USUAL

What happens if Congress fails to pass a climate or energy bill in 2010? Even without a federal carbon policy, the United States could move from the "business as usual" status quo to a dramatically cleaner and healthier approach to meeting its electrical power needs, according to a major new report from the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute think tank, convener of theclean.org. The report was prepared by Synapse Energy Economics of Cambridge, MA.

To read more about the study click here, or click the links below to go directly to the study papers.

"Beyond Business as Usual" - Executive Summary (.pdf)

"Beyond Business as Usual" - Full Report (.pdf)

IMPORTANT ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

CHOICE Home Healthcare: Tell Governor Daniels that funding for CHOICE is good for people and good for taxpayers!

CHOICE is Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and Disabled. Part time care in the home through CHOICE is 1/5 the cost to taxpayers of low end nursing homes and allows our elderly and disabled the dignity of independence. Last year, we helped to get the State to maintain full funding for the CHOICE program. However, the Daniels administration has cut CHOICE expenditures by 15 percent. Calls to Governor Daniels are needed to remind him of both the economic and human costs of cutting this vital program! For more info, click here!

CLEAN Action Alert: Tell Washington we're not stupid! Clean energy doesn't mean taxpayer bailouts for coal & nukes!

Instead of investing in truly clean energy technologies like energy efficiency and renewables, Washington D.C. wants to take our money and hand it over to the very energy industry that has made a mess of our environment and our pocketbooks. It's time they hear us, loud and clear, and stop standing up for the dirty, dangerous and expensive status quo.

Protect and Strengthen Our Public Water - Support a Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund!

Our water and wastewater infrastructure is in desperate need of repair. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given both systems a D- grade. In order to protect our essential water resources, create tens of thousands of green jobs, and safeguard public health, join us in urging Congress to create a permanent and dedicated federal funding source! For more info, go here.

MULTIMEDIA:

On November 19, 2009 the EPA held two hearings to allow public testimony in regards to their proposed rule to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. To watch testimony from Grant Smith (CAC Executive Director) and Kerwin Olson (CAC Program Director), please visit our YouTube channel! Click here to watch!

Position:
Community Organizer to promote social, economic and environmental issues such as:

• Renewable Energy
• Fair Utility Rates
• Health Care
• Environmental Quality
• Corporate Accountability

Job Description:
Educating, organizing and empowering citizens to affect public policy and hold elected officials and corporations accountable

Benefits:

• Build your resume
• Travel opportunities throughout the United States
• National Conferences
• Advancement/Career opportunities
• Exciting and progressive work environment
• Gain valuable knowledge of grassroots organizing and public policy
• Improve your communication skills
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacations
• Health insurance
• College credit

Requirements:
Strong communications skills, and a genuine interest in community organizing and education.

Special Counsel for Utilities: Jerry Polk, jpolk@polk-law.com

A Brief History of CAC

Background
Citizens Action Coalition is a 501(c)4 not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1974 by a group of organizations, churches, labor unions, and senior groups, to name a few, who saw the need for a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting consumers during the energy crisis. The organization’s original name was the Citizens Energy Coalition. Since that time, CAC has expanded to a statewide organization with about 40,000 members. CAC is dedicated to protecting ratepayers and advocating for affordable healthcare and a clean environment. CAC does this through canvassing, lobbying, community organizing and litigation.

Mission Statement
To initiate, facilitate and coordinate citizen action directed to improving the quality of life of all inhabitants of the State of Indiana through principled advocacy of public policies to preserve democracy, conserve natural resources, protect the environment, and provide affordable access to essential human services.

Major Victories
CAC has advocated for three decades on behalf of Hoosiers on issues regarding energy policy, utility reform, health care, pollution prevention, and family farms. In order to achieve the objective to protect consumers in Indiana, CAC’s activities include performing research, carrying out public education campaigns, organizing citizens, creating public awareness, lobbying legislators, intervening in utility cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and litigating when necessary.

CAC has saved rate payers more than $4 billion in excess utility charges since 1974.

2000’s

• Helped to cut AEP’s requested 20% rate increase down to 6.5%, and to guarantee that AEP invest a minimum of $2.35 million on an energy-efficiency program for AEP ratepayers.
• Worked with Spencer County Citizens for Quality of Life and Valleywatch to stop an out-of-state company, Leucadia, from building a coal-fired power plant to turn coal into synthetic natural gas, and forcing the $5 billion dollar price tag onto Indiana natural gas customers.
• Helped to secure $50 million per year for the CHOICE Home Health Care Program in the state’s new two-year budget, and also succeeded in securing language that prevents CHOICE dollars from being used for other programs and that keeps CHOICE dollars from being sent back to the Indiana’s general treasury.
• Defeated several attempts by the utilities at backdoor deregulation of the utility industry in the form of a number of bills including trackers that would have allowed utilities to recoup their investments, reasonable or otherwise, as they were being incurred, coupled with language that would have limited, and in some instances completely removed, the discretion of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to approve or deny various investment proposals.
• Net metering allowances for residential customers using solar and wind systems negotiated with IPL and Cinergy, which led to the adoption of a net metering rule by the IURC.
• Legislation defeated twice to deregulate electric and gas utility profits.
• Settlement negotiated with Vectren and Citizens Gas for establishment of Universal Service programs for low-income customers, designed to keep them connected and reduce their costs through energy efficiency measures.
• CAC worked with Michiana Quality of Life (in New Carlisle, IN to defeat the proposed Tondu coal gasification plant.
• Defeated SBC-backed legislation designed to let company set their own rates.
• Stopped SBC from increasing local phone rates.
• Working with local citizens, CAC’s farm program stopped confined animal feeding operation development in a number of counties.

1990’s

• NIPSCO forced to refund $81 million for illegal rate increase for the uncompleted Bailey nuclear power plant.
• PSI forced to refund $150 million to customers for illegal rate increase for the uncompleted Marble Hill nuclear power plant.
• AEP forced into settlement due to negligence at the DC cook nuclear power plant which forced the plants closure until safety systems were once again made operational. The settlement resulted in a rate and fuel cost freeze and rebate to customers. Customers also avoided the $500 million in costs to restore the safety systems at the power plant.
• Ameritech/SBC forced to refund $44 million to customers.
• Ameritech/SBC forced to lower rates $57 million.
• Ban on Local Measured Service extended by legislature.
• Clean Manufacturing Technology Institute bill passed legislature. The Institute aids manufacturers in the reduction or the use of toxic materials. The program has saved manufacturers over $10 million and reduced toxic emissions by 7000 tons.
• Certified Organic food bill passes.
• CAC leads fight for better consumer protections in health insurance, resulting in a Patients Bill of Rights passed by the General Assembly.

1980’s

• Forced the IURC to abide by the Open Door Law, allowing members of the public to view regulatory proceedings.
• Winter disconnect ban passes legislature.
• Forced PSI to abandon the Marble Hill nuclear power plant project by defeating their efforts to bill consumers $2.7 billion in cost overruns.
• Twice killed legislation to implement Local Measured Service which would have allowed the telephone utilities (at the time, Ameritech) to charge by the minute on local phone calls
• Helped to pass legislation creating the CHOICE program (Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and Disabled).
• Legislation passed to provide financial counseling to farmers facing bankruptcy.

1970’s

• “Consumer Bill of Rights,” adopted by the IURC which gives customers appeals rights.
• Indiana/Michigan Electric Co. (AEP) forced to give ratepayers $41 million dollar rebate.
• Won new rules that prohibited utilities from charging customers for advertising campaigns.