The Oregon Legislature was 2 months away, but for Oregon co-op leaders, it was already off to a promising start.
That was the verdict of those who watched House Majority Leader Julie Fahey and Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich participate in a legislative panel at the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual meeting on November 30 in Salem. I had the honor of moderating the discussion between the House leaders, both of whom have electric co-op consumers in their legislative districts and understand the challenges of rural Oregonians.
During our time together, we covered the big topics that confront the Oregon Legislative Assembly: housing, homelessness, and Measure 110, among other issues. Of course, it’s difficult to solve all the state’s problems in an hourlong panel discussion, yet what impressed electric co-op leaders was not so much the details but how these public servants seemed sincere in their quest to find elusive common ground.
“Let’s hope the Legislature works that well together,” 1 co-op leader said to me after the discussion between the 2 leaders. Another co-op leader remarked, “I feel like they may finally be able to get something done in Salem.”
High expectations, to be sure, particularly in a political environment with deep divisions. But all is possible when 2 thoughtful leaders from different parties and different parts of the state share a common interest: caring deeply about the people of Oregon. We wish them and their colleagues well this session.
This display of bipartisanship and mutual respect stands in stark contrast to the recently announced U.S. Government Agreement on the operation of the dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This plan, which envisions the removal of the 4 lower Snake River dams, was enthusiastically embraced by the state of Oregon and could involve a 40% rate increase on our most vulnerable populations, along with threatening the reliability of a Northwest electric grid recently hammered by winter storms.
Oregon’s consumer-owned utilities were not consulted on this agreement, even though we were promised a seat at the table and are significant stakeholders. This process and outcome are deeply disappointing and far from the so-called “Oregon way.”
Executive Director Ted Case
