I'm donating to MEO because...

My name is Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, I'm 26, and I live in the Corcocan neighborhood of South Minneapolis. I'm a part of Minneapolis Energy Options because I believe we need the power here in Minneapolis to own clean energy systems cooperatively, make neighborhood investments that help everyone, especially low-income families, cut their energy costs, and create local jobs in the green economy.

I've spent the last several years organizing neighborhood engagement campaigns, local energy cooperatives, and youth leadership development programs. I don't make much money, so I usually don't make financial donations to social change efforts, contributing my time and energy instead.

But on Minneapolis Energy Options, I'm supporting with my dollars as well as my time. I took a look at my energy costs in 2012. While I've made many efforts to keep my energy costs down, my housemates and I still paid $1,023 to Xcel Energy and Centerpoint Energy in 2012. With a colder winter raising my natural gas costs and an 8.6% rate increase from Xcel Energy raising my electrical costs, it's going to be even higher in 2013.

Over the 20-year life of a traditional franchise agreement, I can expect to pay - at minimum - $20,000 to these utilities - likely far more than that if energy costs keep rising. Since utility profit margins are in the 10-15% range, Xcel and Centerpoint are making $100-$150/year in profit from my household.

I'd probably be fine with that if my energy provider fit my values for a clean, affordable, and community-based energy future and I got to choose an energy provider that fit my values, but they don't fit my values and I don't get to choose. In fact, if the recent campaign to explore a municipal utility in Boulder Colorado is any guide, I can expect my utilities to spend somewhere between $5 million and $20 million of the money we all pay on our energy bills to prevent the people of Minneapolis from exploring other energy options. That's not right.

On our energy bills, we're paying Xcel and Centerpoint to take away our options. If we want that to change, we have to invest in the grassroots movement that's fighting back. Grassroots organizing and volunteer time will allow us to match the far greater dollars the utilities will throw at this, so I'm going to keep dedicating my time and effort to this campaign as my largest contribution. But we're not going to make it without financial support as well.

I'm donating $100 to Minneapolis Energy Options as an investment in future energy bills that create jobs for people in my neighborhood, protect the planet, and maybe even cost less too. Please consider what you're already paying every month to maintain the energy status quo, and consider what you can invest in a different future. Whether its $1,000, $250, $100, $50, or even $25, we need your support.

We're not going to win this once-in-a generation opportunity for a better energy future unless we come together now.

Please join me! 

Please consider what you're already paying every month to maintain the energy status quo, and consider what you can invest in a different future. Whether its $1,000, $250, $100, $50, or even $25, we need your support.

We're not going to win this once-in-a generation opportunity for a better energy future unless we come together now.

Click to support clean, affordable, local energy and help get everyone out to vote YES on November 5!

If you're willing, we'd love to hear 2-3 sentences about why you are supporting Minneapolis Energy Options.  Even better, send us a photo so we can tell (and show) the world why you want to be an energy decider!