29 June 2001

The U.S. National Energy Grid gets corporate backing

Dear GENI Friend,

Last month, you heard that U.S. President Bush embraced the idea of a national energy grid across the United States. Now there are two major engineering firms that are proposing to build the missing links in the existing network. This moves our initiative from the realm of concept to engineering design by global firms.

They speak about many of the same benefits that GENI espouses:

• increase energy supply and reduce prices
• bolster reliability of the grid system
• reduction in fuel transport cost
• an interstate superhighway system for transmission of electricity

You'll also read how these companies want to develop mine-mouth coal generation as the fuel. This is where we differ greatly. While South Dakota and Wyoming are the source of the largest U.S. coal reserves, they are also home to some of the most consistent winds in North America. The question becomes, why not develop the renewable resource that has minimal environmental impact first?

It's important to remember, the transmission grid moves electricity regardless of the source. With this in mind, I hope you'll read our recent editorial entitled The National Energy Strategy is half right. And if you agree, please forward this to the editor of your favorite newspaper or magazine.

Never before has there been so much awareness about how energy impacts our daily lives. While many of the policy-makers rightfully call this a crisis, we see tremendous opportunity in creating a shift in direction to a more connected, sustainable path. Thank you again for your support, as it makes these results possible.

In partnership for the planet,

Peter Meisen
President

A final thought: Today, we receive enough income energy (renewable) to meet all our needs and forever phase out our capital resource fuels (fossil and nuclear energy). R Buckminster Fuller.

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