– from John and Susan Fleischer —

Recently, OPALCO sent out an e-mail about the energy future, Rock Island, and the low income needs assessment. In this e-mail, OPALCO appears to support a “go faster” approach to Rock Island expenditures for the sake of “return on investment”. This may be a sound corporate strategy. Problem is, OPALCO is still a power CO-OP designed to serve it’s members, not harvest returns for its investors.

Power rates have repeatedly gone up to cover sinking revenue. While I agree OPALCO’s recent financial concerns warrant attention, we should not be pushing for more spending and the raising of rates any further as the low income needs assessment shows.

OPALCO hopes that Rock Island will generate income to aid the power side. I really hope it does. As a Rock Island customer and OPALCO member I’m on your side. But it will take time to realize a return on the fiber. Don’t overspend trying to prove that OPALCO can do this. Be smart about how you grow. And let’s not hire any more helicopters.

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