About Us

The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association is a 501(c)6 trade association representing the legislative and regulatory interests of not-for-profit consumer-owned electric cooperative utilities. Associate membership is extended to other organizations, individuals and vendors affiliated with electric cooperatives. Our primary focus is member representation before the Oregon Congressional Delegation, the Oregon Legislature and state and federal agencies.

Strategic Objectives:

ORECA has a number of key objectives in promoting the interests of electric cooperatives:

  • Support the development and distribution of electricity with the highest quality of service and cost-based retail rates consistent with prudent business management.
  • Maintain the integrity of the Oregon utility territorial protection laws which protect the consumer and the investment in rural electric systems.
  • Support the orderly development of rural areas in the state through the supply of cost-based, Bonneville Power Authority preference power to rural commerce, industry and housing.
  • Protect the ability of electric cooperatives to do business in Oregon by retaining the Cooperative Corporation Statutes.
  • Maintain the authority of electric cooperatives to provide additional services to its consumer-owners.

Legislative Priorities:

ORECA’s top priorities in representing the interests of rural electric cooperatives before the Oregon Legislature include the following:

  • Maintain the self-governance of consumer-owned utilities.
  • Maintain the electric utility territorial allocation statutes.
  • Maintain the integrity of the Oregon cooperative statutes.
  • Preserve the benefits of the low-cost federal hydro system, and preserve preference power for consumer-owned utilities.
  • Oppose unnecessary regulation and costs.
  • Maintain the right to provide additional services, without significant tax penalties, to our consumer-owners.