2011 Washington DC Legislative Trip

2011 Mid-Year meeting

Left: Pollster Bob Moore gives his insights about upcoming trends and elections; Rep. Vicki Berger reflects on the recently completed legislative session.

Right: NRECA CEO Glenn English addressesses the gathering; BPA's Steve Wright answers questions from the audience

February 2011 Legislative Day in Salem

Robert VanNatta and Roman Gillen visit with legislators.  Ted Case speaks with Sen. Ferrioli after he addressed the ORECA gathering of managers and directors.

2001 ORECA ANNUAL MEETING

Left Column:  Former Gubentorial candidate Chris Dudley; BPA's Bill Drummond & Neal Harth; UO Economist Tim Duy; Distinguished Service Award winner Neal Harth of Wasco Electric.

Right Column: Chris Dudley & Bill Kopacz of Midstate Electric "Stand Tall;" Luncheon speaker Mark Speckman & Salem Electric's Carl Beach; Ted Case recognizes Rep. Cliff Bentz with the "Cooperator of the Year" award; Jim Stubblefield of Columbia Power receives the Rural Electrification Award.

PHOTO ALBUM: 2011 Annual Meeting

PHOTO ALBUM: 2011 Mid-Year Meeting

PHOTO ALBUM: 2011 Washington DC Legislative Trip

PHOTO ALBUM: 2011 Legislative Day

PHOTO ALBUM: 2010 Annual Meeting

Photos from the 2010 annual meeting: Legislative panel: Rep. Read, Rep. Gilliam, Sen. Edwards, Sen. Telfer; Cooperator of the Year recipient, Rep. Bruce Hanna; luncheon speakers: Sara Tucholsky, Mallory Holtman; Rural Electrication Award presented by Dave Sabala to Todd Munsey, Douglas Electric; Pioneer Award presented by Ted Case to Robert VanNatta, West Oregon Electric; Distinguished Service Award for lifetime achievement to Sandy Flicker; singer Anna Rasmussen.

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

ORECA’s 70th Anniversary is fast approaching. Incorporated in 1942, the association has been the political arm of Oregon’s electric cooperatives since the beginning. In honor of its 70th birthday, a committee has been established to make recommendations on how best to celebrate the occasion. Some preliminary ideas include publication of a history of ORECA, development of various historical collections to be housed at ORECA’s office, including: photographs and brief bios of the pioneers responsible for the electrification of rural Oregon—think of this as your co-op’s Founder(s); photos from each co-op reflecting their unique ‘personalities’ (think people and geography, communities served and the co-op’s involvement in those communities, along with anything special about the area and its people).

Beginnings... On June 6, 1942 individuals representing five member cooperatives signed ORECA’s Articles of Incorporation. These ORECA Founders were: V.A. Parker, Blachly-Lane Electric; James E. Paddock, Lane Electric; Ivan C. Laird, Coos-Curry Electric; George W. Hendrix, Benton-Lincoln Electric and J.B. Rader, Douglas Electric.

ORECA’s first Annual meeting was held at The Marion Hotel in Salem on March 16, 1943. All but one of the original incorporators attended the meeting. Paddock, from Lane, wasn’t there, but the co-op was represented by Ronald W. Buford (the minutes inform us that he was late in arriving). Parker from Blachly was joined by Frank Savage, Benton-Lincoln’s Hendrix was there along with Guy Thomas, Mr. Adams joined J.B. Rader from Douglas and Mr. Connarn joined Ivan Laird from Coos- Curry.

Other co-ops and their representatives were: Mr. Briles and Mr. Johnson from N.E. Clackamas Co-op; by Eric Johnson and Mr. Meyer for Wasco and Ray Wooley represented Umatilla Electric. Also in attendance were REA staffers Mr. Keffer and Clark Johnson (who would serve as Manager of Salem Electric from 1965-68)

At that first meeting, V.A. Parker of Blachly-Lane was elected to serve a second year as President—telling us that he was our George Washington. Mr. Meyer of Wasco was elected Vice President (it’s unclear if it was his first election) and Phoebe Hocken was elected to replace Ronald Buford as Secretary Treasurer.

It appears the biggest political issue of the day was achieving tax exemption from the state, which appears to have been met with success. This was presumably state income tax and was replaced by a 2% tax which was probably on gross revenue. There had been a meeting with and correspondence between ORECA and Governor Earl Snell on the tax issue which was reported on during the meeting. The State Grange and the League of Oregon Cities had been helpful in getting legislation passed. Action was taken to approve paying board members, who worked on the legislation, $10 a day plus $5 a day for expenses and 5 cents/mile.

Mr. Hendrix of Benton-Lincoln Co-op "talked of the necessity of educating the people of the State as to what the Cooperative is doing so that our position in state affairs will be much more secure." Doesn’t that sound kind of familiar?

Dues for the coming year were set at 10 cents/consumer served in the state on the last day of the year.

Other issues covered included the effort to get all of the state’s electric co-ops to join the statewide, a report on REA’s "Unelectrified Farm Survey," Ivan Laird said he believed managers should have a vote in the organization as well as board members, and the importance of getting co-op board members to serve on County War Boards.

Three co-op representatives had attended the NRECA Annual Meeting in St. Louis and they made a pitch for each co-op Manager, along with a board member, attending future meetings. The three were Mr. Adams of Douglas, Mr. Connern of Coos-Curry and Mr. Meyers of Wasco. Just prior to adjournment, action was taken to ask that Mr. Parker and Mr. Savage "stay over in Salem for the night and see Governor Snell in the morning, urging him to sign our Bill No. 393" (the tax bill).

Bob Speckman, CEO Salem Electric

2011  Oregon House and Senate contact information (pdf download)

Who represents you in the Oregon Legislature?

External sources presented here do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of ORECA.

NRECA Legislative Alerts

National Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA) Legislative Alerts

ECTCoop tweets

ECTCoop is an informational service of the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA). NRECA's members include consumer-owned local electric distribution systems.

US Department of Energy- Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy - Oregon news

News feeds from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS BELOW AND CLICK THE "SUBMIT FORM" BUTTON

Yes, I will take part in the grassroots effort called Power of Community to protect affordable, reliable electricity and local control for Oregon’s rural electric cooperatives. If needed, I’m ready to contact my elected representatives asking them to support or defeat legislation that would impact electric cooperative consumers in Oregon.

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Links
If you have any recommendations for more links to add to this list, please use our contact form to let us know about them!

• Oregon Cooperatives:
  • Blachly-Lane Electric Co-op
  • Central Electric Co-op
  • Columbia Basin Electric Co-op
  • Columbia Power Co-op
  • Consumers Power, Inc.
  • Coos-Curry Electric Co-op
  • Douglas Electric Co-op
  • Harney Electric Co-op
  • Hood River Electric Co-op
  • Lane Electric Co-op
  • Midstate Electric Co-op
  • Oregon Trail Electric Co-op
  • Salem Electric
  • Surprise Valley Electrification
  • Umatilla Electric Co-op
  • Wasco Electric Co-op
  • West Oregon Electric Co-op
  •  
• Oregon PUDs:
  • Central Lincoln PUD
  • Clatskanie PUD
  • Columbia River PUD
  • Emerald PUD
  • Northern Wasco County PUD
  • Tillamook PUD
  •  
• Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities:
  • City of Ashland
  • City of Bandon
  • Canby Utility
  • City of Cascade Locks
  • City of Drain
  • EWEB
  • City of Forest Grove
  • Hermiston Energy Services
  • McMinnville Water and Light
  • Milton-Freewater Light & Power
  • City of Monmouth
  • Springfield Utility Board
  •  
• Investor-Owned Utilities:
  • PacifiCorp
  • Portland General Electric
  • Idaho Power

• Other Organizations:
  • Association of Energy Engineers
  • CFC
  • Climate Solutions
  • Edison Electric Institute
  • Energy Ideas Clearinghouse
  • Energy NewsData
  • EPRI
  • People Power
  • Renewable Northwest Project
  • Ruralite
  • Rural Utilities Service

• State:
  • Citizen's Guide to the Oregon State Legislature
  • Oregon Archives Division
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Land Conservation and Development
  • Division of State Lands
  • Office of Energy
  • Oregon Revised Statutes
  • Oregon OSHA
  • Public Utility Commission
  • Oregon State Legislature
  •  
• Federal Representation:
  • Senator Jeff Merkley
  • Senator Ron Wyden
  • Representative Earl Blumenauer
  • Representative Peter A. DeFazio
  • Representative Kurt Schrader
  • Representative Greg Walden
  • Representative David Wu 

ORECA Meetings and Events

July 17-19, 2012 ORECA Mid-Year Board Meeting – Salishan Resort, Gleneden Beach

November 27-29, 2012 ORECA Annual Meeting –Salem Convention Center

2012 ORECA Member Calendar

The Rural Electric Youth Tour, held in Washington, D.C., typically hosts more than 1,500 high school students nationwide. The students who attend the Youth Tour learn about electric cooperatives, American history and the U.S. government. Students also visit the historic sights of the nation’s capital.

Since the late 1950s, more than 40,000 students from small towns across the nation have traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Youth Tour. Past participants have gone on to design airplanes, work as congressional aides on Capitol Hill, and serve in some of the highest positions in our government such as Lieutenant Governor and in the U.S. Senate.

The Youth Tour exists to:

• Educate youth on all aspects of rural electrification to promote a better understanding of the value of rural electric cooperatives.
• Provide an opportunity for youth to visit monuments, government buildings and cooperative-related organizations in order to become familiar with the historical and the political environment of the nation’s capital.
• Allow youth to meet elected officials to better understand how federal government operates.

The Rural Electric Youth Tour is a joint effort between local electric co-ops, their statewide co-op associations, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) in Arlington, VA.

For more information on the youth tour or to obtain an application, please contact the sponsoring electric cooperative in your area:
Coos-Curry | CPI | Douglas | OTEC | Salem Electric | Wasco Electric

For more information on the Youth Tour, please visit www.youthtour.coop

Click Here to contact our staff.

From time to time, ORECA will post job opportunities with electric cooperatives and related industry organizations. Job seekers should contact the employing organization for further information about a specific job. Employers should contact ORECA to post and remove job announcements.

GENERAL MANAGER

WESTERN MONTANA ELECTRIC G&T COOPERATIVE, INC.

MISSOULA, MT

Western Montana Electric G&T Cooperative, Inc., through its executive search consultant, seeks an outstanding leader with exceptional people skills to fill the position of General Manager.

The G&T is a non-profit Montana corporation (incorporated in 1980) which represents the interests of its seven public utility members: Flathead Electric Cooperative, Glacier Electric Cooperative, Missoula Electric Cooperative, Ravalli County Electric Cooperative, Vigilante Electric Cooperative, and Mission Valley Power (a tribal managed utility).  Lincoln Electric Cooperative is an associate member of the G&T.

The G&T’s member utilities serve over 100,000 public power customers throughout Western Montana.  These customers receive their power from the Bonneville Power Administration and the G&T and its General Manager endeavor to retain the benefits of the region’s existing low-cost hydroelectric and nuclear generation.  The G&T has the legal capacity to plan, finance, build, operate, and maintain electric generation and transmission facilities however, the G&T does not currently own or operate any generation or transmission facilities.

The General Manager will work with a diverse set of local, regional, and national power supply related issues including:

·        Representing the interests of the member utilities by providing a visible presence at various association meetings such as the Public Power Council, Northwest Requirements Utilities, and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance which attempt to actively influence BPA’s programs and costs.

·        Providing support to the member distribution utilities by assisting them with any BPA power and transmission contract issues including representing the member’s interests in front of BPA staff.

·        Acting as a resource for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council members and staff as they make critical decisions that balance the multiple purposes of the Columbia River and its tributaries including influencing the development of the Council’s power plans as well as its fish and wildlife programs.

·        Interacting with the Montana Electric Cooperatives Association and its board and member utilities to ensure that the interests of the G&T’s members are protected when dealing with statewide public power issues including networking with the Montana governor’s office and any appropriate state legislators.

·        Developing a strong relationship with the Montana congressional delegation and their staff which will allow for shaping federal policy when it is applicable to the members of the G&T.

The General Manager, along with a part time executive assistant, performs the day to day business of the G&T.  Funded through dues assessments, a budget is developed and approved by the Board annually.  The current operating budget for 2011-12 is $371K.

The board requires that the General Manager live in Western Montana, preferably in Missoula.  The successful candidate will be expected to visit the member cooperatives as needed as well as attending monthly association meetings in Portland.  Montana has biennial legislative sessions in Helena that may require travel, as well as Montana Electric Cooperative Association meetings generally held in Great Falls.  There will also be at least annual trips to Washington DC as part of a delegation of cooperative representatives organized through the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association.

The successful candidate will have a working knowledge of the Bonneville Power Administration and its new tiered-rate methodology, as well as energy efficiency and conservation issues. The position requires excellent communication skills, both written and oral; very strong interpersonal skills including being well versed in acting with diplomacy; strong leadership ability; present a professional image at all times; be politically astute with the ability to represent the G&T at the legislative level; be a good listener; have strong planning and budgetary skills; have the ability to understand wholesale power supply contracts; and have a strong dedication to cooperative principles.  A good technical understanding of the electric power utility industry at the G&T level is desirable.

The G&T offers an excellent NRECA full benefits package and a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Please submit a complete package with a cover letter, resume, recent salary history, along with 6 business and 3 personal references, via email by April 15, 2012 to:

LANGLEY & ASSOCIATES EXECUTIVE SEARCH, INC.

Attn:  Carol M. Langley, President

 (303) 694-2228 Office

 (303) 888-4012 Cell

Email:  cmlangley@earthlink.net

All information kept strictly confidential – An EOE

Northwest Public Power Association Job Mart.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Assocation career center for co-op utilities across the U.S.

Regulatory

March 28, 2012

ORECA's Engineering and Operations Committee met at Portland State University (PSU) to learn more about electric vehicles and to tour Electric Avenue near the campus, reported Lisa Logie of ORECA. 

George Beard of PSU detailed the joint pilot project with PGE and the City of Portland.  "There is no other place like this in the world," Beard said of the project.  The lessons learned from the project are detailed in article that was published in Forbes magazine the day before the meeting.  Beard stressed the importance of locating new a transit hub with a variety of tranportation and retail options, the importance of offering different types of technology, and in learning from the experience so that it can be applied to other areas. 

Greg Delwiche, BPA Senior Vice President of Power Supply, previewed a presentation about Bonneville 75th anniversary that gives a nod to the past and explains the importance of electricity to our economy and regional quality of life for the next 75 years. 

The group discussed the recent hard hitting winter storms and discussed the importance of updating our current mutual aid agreements as well as potentially signing new agreements with co-ops and PUDs in Washington state.  The meeting has received wide-spread interest including participation by two Oregon PUDs, which attended the meeting. 

Photo by Ron Dubbs, Emerald PUD.  Roger Kuhlman of Salem Electric leads a tour of Electric Avenue with charging stations for electric vehicles near the Portland State University campus.

March 25, 2011

ORECA’s Engineering and Operations Committee met March 31 in Portland and brought together co-ops from across the state, as well as, government agency officials and out-of-state vendors. There was great interest in the meeting topics and tour of Oregon Iron Works to see the large ocean buoy before it goes into the water this summer off of Reedsport Wave Project, said Lisa Logie, ORECA staff to the committee.

 "Wave energy seems to have this potential, so we are supporting the wave energy demonstration project… We are keenly interested in learning what this demonstration project can teach us about the performance and operating costs of this resource,” said Kevin Watkins, PNGC’s Vice President of Engineering.

In the legislative arena there are concerns about a bill to charge co-ops for permits and inspections when transmission and distribution systems are in county right-of-ways. “We’re worried about the unintended consequences of this one,” said Ted Case.

Presentations included a legislative update, Oregon OSHA explained the new federal rule on derricks and cranes, a presentation on automated metering, staking systems and GIS products, and the Reedsport Wave project. 

Photo: Ted Case and others examine the large ocean energy buoy being fabricated at the Oregon Iron Works.

Solar Feed-in Tariff - Pilot Program, November 2009 (ppt)

Net Metering - Net Metering & Interconnection Summary (pdf)

Arc Flash - ORECA comments (pdf)

Technical

Hot Wire (pdf)

• November 2009
• August 2009
• July 2009
• April 2009
• March 2009

Presentations

• Climate Change (ppt)
• Renewable Energy Work Group (pdf)

Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association
698 12th Street, SE
Salem, OR  97301

View Larger Map

From the I-5

From north or south I-5, take Exit 253 OR 22/99E

Go west on Mission Street approximately 2.4 miles

Before 12^th Avenue and the overpass turn right into the Association Center/University Station parking lot.

The University Station is the building at the far end of the parking lot.

ORECA's 18 Board members represent each of the member cooperatives and are appointed by their respective boards.
They are drawn from the ranks of co-op managers and directors.

Electric cooperatives are consumer-owned, not-for-profit utilities governed by member elected boards of directors. Oregon’s electric cooperatives were first organized in the 1930’s to bring electric power to under-served rural areas. All 18 Oregon co-ops are members of ORECA.

Cooperatives serve over 10% of Oregon's electricity consumers, are located in 32 counties and maintain 26,000 miles of line traversing Oregon's most rugged terrain.

 The Energy Committee at ORECA's 2011 Annual Meeting -- photos from ORECA's 2011 annual meeting

Above: Rep. Cliff Bentz who later received ORECA's "Cooperator of the Year" award.

Top right: Rep. Cliff Bentz, Bev Clarno and Rep. Debbie Boone.

Bottom right: Sen. Lee Beyer.

Rep. Cliff Bentz Receives ORECA's "Cooperator of the Year" Award

Randy Whitaker, Harney Electric & Gary Miller, OTEC present Rep. Bentz with the Cooperator of the Year award.

Keeping Pace- the official newsletter of the ORECA.

ORECA Hosts Successful Annual Meeting andAwards Excellence and Recognizes Lifetime Achievement

The reviews are in and the 2011 ORECA annual meeting is a success. 

With wide a wide range of speakers including former gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley, BPA's Bill Drummond, UO economist Tim Duy and Mark Speckman, Willamette University football coach, ORECA received praise for giving members unique perspectives and by helping them apply these practical lessons within their own cooperative and communities. 

At the meeting, ORECA recognized Jim Stubblefield of Columbia Power for his 41 years of service to Oregon co-ops with the Rural Electrification Award and Neal Harth, Wasco Electric Board Member with the Distinguished Service Award. 

The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) honored three exemplary Oregonians before an audience of 200 people at their annual meeting on December 1, 2011.  This year, ORECA recognized a general manager, a long-time Board member and an eastern Oregon legislator for their outstanding work on behalf of electric cooperatives. 

Jim Stubblefield, General Manager of Columbia Power in Monument, was awarded the ORECA “Rural Electrification” award for his 41 years of leadership and service. “When I think of Jim Stubblefield I think of the consummate electric cooperative GM,” said Dave Sabala, General Manager of Douglas Electric.  “No one is more deserving of this award than Jim,” added Lori Anderson, Columbia Basin Board member.

Neal Harth, Wasco Electric Board member, was awarded the ORECA “Distinguished Service” award for his over two decades of service.  “Neal is very deserving not only his 26 years of leadership on the Wasco Electric board, but also for his board leadership within ORECA and NWPPA advocating for the betterment of public power consumers throughout the region,” said Jeff Davis, General Manager of Wasco Electric.

Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) received the ORECA “Cooperator of the Year” award.  “Rep. Bentz knows first hand about rural Oregon having grown up on a ranch where he learned the value of hard work and common sense,” said Randy Whitaker, Harney Electric General Manager.  “It is indeed an honor to receive this award,” said Rep. Bentz. “The rural electric cooperatives are an important part of Eastern Oregon.  Their Board of Directors work hard to balance the needs of their members with the cost of the delivery of power.”  

Photo above: Randy Whitaker, Harney Electric and Gary Miller, OTEC present Rep. Cliff Bentz with the "Cooperator of the Year" award.

Testimony of Ted Case on Smart Grids, Senate Commitee on Environment & Natural Resources, September 22, 2011

Chair Dingfelder and Members of the Committee:

My name is Ted Case and I am Executive Director of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association.  ORECA represents 18 Oregon electric co-ops, serving over 200,000 members in mostly rural and remote parts of Oregon.

Oregon’s electric cooperatives are making exciting investments in smart meter systems.  These AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) systems have a range of capabilities, contributing to lower operating costs and improved service.

While three Oregon cooperatives invested in smart meters through a 50 percent grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, others deployed this technology several years ago.  We are on target for approximately 130,000 smart meters in homes around the state of Oregon.  Recently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concluded that electric cooperatives lead the country in the deployment of smart meters.

The advantages of these smart meters are increased reliability, cost savings, and readiness for demand side management programs.  They are excellent tools for rural electric systems with large territories to serve, but without a large staff to help maintain reliability.

Some of the benefits of the smart meters include:

·         Outage management -- getting information quickly so the cooperative can shorten the duration of the outage.

·         Enabling consumers to monitor their electricity usage on their computer or even their phone.  Consumers have been shown to boost energy conservation when they can clearly see how much energy they are using.

·         Ability to control the meter from the office.  For instance, Lane Electric in Eugene does not need to send crews 60 miles up the McKenzie to connect a meter.  Now they can control it from the office, saving staff time and expenses. 

·         The ability to set up pre-pay programs, so members pay in advance to help address credit issues.  We are finding this to be an extremely popular program, as the customer is now in charge of their usage rather than relying on a bill at the end of the month.

There are many other capabilities and we continue to learn each day about the benefits of the technology.  The key issue for the Committee to know is that we are installing these systems without any mandates because they make sense for our cooperatives and our members.  We also take security and privacy concerns very seriously and all information remains confidential.    

Thank you for the opportunity to testify.  I would be happy to answer any questions.

Industry, political leaders headline ORECA summer meeting

   Oregon electric co-op leaders were treated to an A-List group of  utility and political heavyweights at ORECA’s recent Mid-Year Meeting at Salishan.  Called by one cooperative as ORECA’s “best meeting” in years, Oregon managers and directors heard from notables such as influential State Rep. Vicki Berger and NRECA’s legendary CEO, Glenn English.  It was BPA Administrator Steve Wright who kicked off the meeting, covering territory from environmental redispatch to market rates as a way to reduce the deficit.  Wright also challenged ORECA to become more involved in some of the regional issues that have huge potential costs for consumers.  “These are big rocks up big hills,” Wright said.  “We need your involvement.”
     Rep. Berger – after a terrific introduction by her husband Jerry, a director at Salem Electric – gave the attendees a behind the scenes look at the Oregon Legislature.  The legislator was at the center of many of the legislature’s signature achievements and gave credit to the unique governing structure of the Legislature.  “The Co-Speakership Model worked amazingly well,” she said.

     Glenn English provided the keynote address, speaking on the importance of compromise in the political process.  “If we didn’t have compromise, we wouldn’t have the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence,” he said.  English also commented on the importance of political involvement and on his legacy as an electric cooperative leader.  He observed that while the rural electric program was born in politics and will die in politics, he decided on one thing when he took over NRECA.  “Politics is not going to die on my watch,” he said.   
      The afternoon session featured presentations by respected Oregon pollster Bob Moore and Melissa Wilson, a Youth Tour participant from Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative.

Photos: Glenn English speaks at the ORECA mid-year meeting; Steve Wright, BPA Administrator;  Rep. Vicki Berger.

ORECA President offers testimony before Congress

Oregon electric co-op leaders brought a message of affordability and reliability to Washington D.C. in early May, as our nation’s capitol was obsessed with the two B’s: bin Laden and the budget. Still, the group had productive meetings with both U.S. Senators and the House delegation on issues ranging from overgeneration, the bulk electric system and the RUS loan program. The centerpiece event of the trip was the testimony of Roman Gillen, Consumers Power, Inc. CEO, before the House Water and Power Subcommittee. Gillen testified on behalf of ORECA in a hearing titled: Protecting Federal Hydropower Investments in the West: A Stakeholder’s Perspective. Scott Corwin of the Public Power Council also testified. In his testimony, Gillen touched on the need for balance in the overgeneration issue, the punitive nature of "market rates" for federal hydropower and the importance of adopting the biological opinion for salmon recovery. "We support the bi-op, even though it comes at a great cost to our consumers," he testified. After his testimony, Gillen had a question and answer session with Rep. Peter DeFazio on the issues of wind generation and the importance of wind paying for the costs incurred. "We wouldn’t want to be subsidizing private companies," DeFazio stated.

In addition, DeFazio made a compelling case against dam breaching on the Snake River, pointing out the dramatic cost increases and impact on navigation.

An overriding theme in the Capitol Hill meetings was the budget deficit, but co-op leaders were able to point out that the RUS loan program makes money for the Treasury. Several House Members expressed support for a NRECA letter in support of the RUS program.

"The Capitol was buzzing about Osama bin Laden, but our group managed to make their mark on the key issues for consumers," said ORECA Executive Director Ted Case. "It was an historic time to be in Washington."

Watch the Committee Session video here.
A copy of Roman Gillen's Testimony may be downloaded here.

ORECA wins Communication awards 

ORECA picked up two major awards at the NRECA Connect Conference in Denver. ORECA’s newsletter, Keeping Pace, won an Award of Merit for Best External Newsletter in the statewide category. "There are exciting things going on in Oregon and it’s important to share this information with our members," said ORECA Executive Director Ted Case. "I want to thank our partners at Ruralite Services for their excellent help." Case was also recognized for an Award of Merit for a speech he gave to a national co-op Executive Assistant’s conference. The speech titled, "Everything I Know about Co-ops I learned from Pixar" focused on how movies such as Monsters, Inc and Toy Story had underlying themes about energy shortages and renewable energy. "The assistants had all watched these movies," Case said, "so it was a fun way to get out the message about the industry."

Tsunami-related damage and power outages hit Curry County

Loose boats still moored to sections of dock were tossed around the basin like plastic toys in a bathtub after a 9.0 earthquake hit Japan on March 11.  Oregonians anxiously watched the coastline to see what would happen.  No place was harder hit than coastal Curry County in southern Oregon.  Up to eight-foot waves buckled docks and sank boats with the most severe damage at the Port of Brookings.    

What was not widely reported is that Coos-Curry Electric Co-op did not have any power outages associated with high winds the day of the tsunami.  Roger Meader, General Manager at Coos-Curry Co-op was alerted to the potential for damage and outages at 3 am on Friday morning, said Christine Stallard, Coos-Curry’s Marketing and Member Services Manager.  The co-op assessed what the surge action would be, and determined that there would be no damage to the co-op’s facilities and infrastructure. 

An on-call employee monitored the situation through 6 pm on Friday, March 11 but line crews did not need to be called out.  Because the Port area was evacuated, several of Coos-Curry’s customers – 2 major hotels, an RV Park and a restaurant – were affected, said Stallard. 

High winds associated with the tsunami left 37,000 Pacific Power customers without power.  Power was restored to all but 400 customers by the following morning.  The tsunami did bring high winds several days later, which did cause some outages for our co-op, added Meader.

Photos provided courtesy of Scott Graves, Curry Pilot.

Co-ops Promote Affordable Energy
Rural electric utility leaders meet with state legislators to support rate stability

Electric cooperatives are closely watching the Oregon Legislature this year as energy issues continue to be a part of the debate.

On February 16, more than 70 electric cooperative leaders came to Salem to lobby their state legislators during the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 2011 Legislative Day.

Energy issues are nonpartisan because both Republicans and Democrats represent members of electric cooperatives. Co-op leaders work with both parties on public policy to minimize rising costs.

Senate Republican leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day, District 30) told a group of rural electric leaders “cooperatives must engage in the political process to protect your members.”  

A group of co-op leaders also met with Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem, District 11) and outlined their concerns with legislation that could increase costs for their members. 

During their day at the Capitol, co-op leaders highlighted the following points with their legislators:

Electric co-ops strive to keep electricity affordable for consumers. Any new mandated fees, taxes or assessments on electric cooperative consumers will hit hardworking families without improving the reliability of the electrical power system.

Electric co-ops have made a commitment to renewable power and energy efficiency. Electric cooperatives get more than 90 percent of their electricity from carbon-free sources through the Bonneville Power Administration, which markets renewable hydropower from dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Electric co-ops have worked for many years on cost-effective conservation programs. These programs not only help members be more energy efficient, but save co-ops money and offset the need for new sources of generation.

Want to be the first to know? Sign up for Power of Community here.

December 6, 2010

Rep. Hanna  Named “Cooperator of the Year” For His Strong Support of Rural Communities

 The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association presented Representative Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg) with the “Cooperator of the Year” award at their annual meeting last week for his strong support of electric cooperative utilities in keeping electricity costs low in rural communities throughout Oregon.

“Having grown up in rural Oregon, Rep. Hanna understands the challenges of running a small business while not driving up costs up from unnecessary mandates and restrictions,” said Dave Sabala, Manager of Douglas Electric Cooperative.  “Rep. Hanna is not only a friend of co-ops, but he is also deeply involved in the local communities he represents through his extensive involvement on community boards,” added Ron Doan, Manager of the Umpqua Indian Electric Cooperative.

Download the full press release here

Message from Ted Case, ORECA Executive Director

Co-ops and Climate Change

Climate change is the most important issue to effect electric rates and service since deregulation of the electric utility industry. The increases to your electric bill will be dramatic if we don’t participate in discussions with policy makers.

As the debate moves forward, we need answers from our Congressmen and State Legislators to three questions:

1. Balancing electricity needs, emissions reduction and environmental goals, like salmon recovery, will be difficult. How much is all this going to increase my electric bill and what will you do to make it affordable?

2. What are you doing to fully fund the research required to make emissions free generation an affordable reality? Do you recognize the importance of hydro power in reducing Northwest emissions?

3. Experts say that our region’s growing electricity needs will soon go well beyond what renewables, conservation and efficiency can provide. What is your plan to make sure we have the electricity we’ll need in the future?

That’s why we need you to join Power of Community, Oregon’s grassroots program of electric cooperative (co-op) members. This is a free program sponsored by your co-op to help us, help you keep your rates affordable and service reliable.

You have the right to answers – and accountability – from your elected officials. By becoming a Power of Community member you will have a voice in issues that effect your cooperative. Please join Power of Community today.  Click here to sign-up

Joining Power of Community

As a Power of Community member, you will receive Action alerts that will request you contact your elected officials to express support or opposition to policies that would affect your co-op, including step-by-step instructions for contacting your representatives. You will likely only receive a couple each year as the needs arise.  

Joining Power of Community is free and you are never under any obligation. ORECA and your co-op never share your personal information, and you may cancel your participation at any time. Please support your local electric co-op and sign up today!

Click here to sign-up.

Welcome to Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association

ORECA - Oregon's Rural Electric Cooperative Association represents the legislative and regulatory interests of Oregon's 18 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperative utilities.

This site provides information about ORECA, and its member utilities. If you would like more information, please use our contact form.

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.