Climate change is an important factor for Arrowhead Electric members to consider in the upcoming board election. Two-thirds of the electricity that Arrowhead members used in 2016 was generated from coal-fired power plants. The upcoming board election is an opportunity to shape a leadership team at Arrowhead Electric that will help the cooperative be a leader and a catalyst for positive change.
Through my volunteer work with Citizens’ Climate Lobby & Education I’ve seen that Arrowhead Electric can do more to educate its members about the serious environmental and business impacts that will result from climate change, and to integrate climate change into the strategic planning process. This is becoming the norm for leading businesses, including Xcel Energy that has targeted 85 percent carbon free electricity generation by 2030. Arrowhead and its supplier GRE should be similarly committed to address climate change and to accelerate adoption of efficiency and renewable energy.
Paying attention to these realities will better protect us with reliable electricity at a lower cost. I recommend that Arrowhead members cast one of their votes for Chris O’Brien. Chris is committed to address climate change in a focused and pragmatic way. He has tremendous energy business experience, energy policy expertise, and an inclusive and thoughtful leadership style. He would be very effective as an Arrowhead board member.
Rebecca Wiinanen
Grand Marais
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