In the 1980's it was acid rain, and the polluters were screaming bloody murder at the prospect of having to spend money to reduce the amount of sulphur they put in the atmosphere.

Here's a great NY Times article from July 1987 that could easily be written this year with updated numbers.

Money quote from 1987:  The letterhead says the appeal is from ''Citizens for Sensible Control of Acid Rain.''  Sent to thousands of households, it warns that Congress is considering acid rain legislation ''that would cost $110 billion'' and ''would mean up to 30 percent higher electric bills.'' Recipients are urged to write their legislators in Congress to vote it down...

Flash to 2009; and here's an article about a letter from a utility to its customers.  Money quote from 2009:  Legislation before Congress could drive up electricity bills by as much as 47 percent, Grand Valley Power is telling customers in a letter.

Hey, at least they realized that threatening people with a 30% increase wasn't enough in 1987 so they've raised it to 47%.  They're learning...