By Ted Case Oregonians are outraged with the state of Oregon’s plan to increase electricity costs and the risk of blackouts—while also relying more on fossil fuels. The Columbia River System Operations litigation is 1 of the longest-running and most consequential energy and environmental cases affecting the Pacific Northwest. The state of Oregon has sought […]
Oregonians from across the state have spoken. But they are not being heard. Nearly 5,000 hardworking Oregon residents—represented by clusters in the map below—have written to Governor Tina Kotek asking her and the state of Oregon to come to the table and collaborate with the state’s consumer-owned utilities over the operation of the Federal Columbia […]
18 Oregon electric cooperative leaders participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Legislative Conference in April. The group met with Oregon’s congressional delegation and key committee staff. These photos tell some of the story of their journey to the nation’s capital.
Last month, the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association hosted 19 power utility executives from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were in Oregon on a mission sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to meet with U.S. organizations to promote exports and share best practices. It was a fascinating […]
1,000,000 Oregonians Served by Consumer-Owned Utilities Deserve an Answer March 9, 2026 Office of the Governor 900 Court Street NE, Suite 254 Salem, OR 97301-4047 Dear Governor Kotek: In October 2025, we wrote to you expressing our deep concern about the State of Oregon’s decision to restart litigation challenging the Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) […]
ORECA President and Wasco Electric Director Ron Holmes likes to fly above the clouds. On the ground, he knows how to navigate the corridors of power. By Ted Case Growing up in Kent, Oregon, Ron Holmes knew nothing about the event that would serve as a beacon for his life’s calling—even though it occurred a […]
“Too many Oregonians are struggling with high energy bills.” –Governor Tina Kotek There is nothing like the March Madness college basketball tournament. Life stops as we marvel over buzzer-beaters, become inspired by Cinderella stories, and despair over our busted brackets. The tournament is so thrilling, it’s easy to forget the crazy things happening off the […]
Senator Kathleen Taylor and Representative Court Boice represent far different constituencies but unite against a threat to all Oregonians: catastrophic wildfire. By Ted Case By all appearances, it is hard to find 2 Oregon legislative districts more distinct than those represented by Democratic Senator Kathleen Taylor and Republican Representative Court Boice. Taylor’s inner Southeast Portland […]
Forgive me in advance if I sound a little nostalgic. Recently, I told the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board of Directors I intend to retire at the end of 2027. That may seem like a long way off, but I know the 700 days will go by in a flash. 40 years ago, I […]
The price of Oregon’s litigation is a more expensive, less reliable, and more carbon-intensive electric system. By Ted Case On October 14, conservation groups and the state of Oregon filed suit in federal court asking for an urgent reduction in the amount of power generated at 8 federal dams on the lower Snake and Columbia […]
Case in Point “What’s on your bucket list?” I posed this question to members of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board of Directors during a recent dinner in Central Oregon. Their answers—from being able to downhill ski at age 90 to soloing a private plane across the United States—made my aspirations to hike portions […]
What can Oregon’s electric cooperatives learn from McDonald’s introduction of the Egg McMuffin in the 1970s? The fascinating answer to this question was just 1 of the many revelations at the first-ever Oregon Electrification Leadership Summit, held last month in Salem. The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association cohosted this event sponsored by the Beneficial Electrification […]
By Ted Case Oregon electric co-op leaders make an urgent push for Senate passage of the Fix Our Forests Act to mitigate catastrophic wildfires. In summer 2024, Midstate Electric Cooperative CEO Jim Anderson walked out of the co-op’s La Pine headquarters to see a massive wall of flames consuming a nearby forest and a critical […]
Oregon Electric Co-Ops Had a Successful Legislative Session, but Major Challenges Still Loom By Tucker Billman The Oregon Legislative Assembly faced another challenging session in 2025 as it attempted to address high-profile issues such as transportation funding and housing. Energy issues were also on the forefront as legislators from both parties—and in both chambers—considered legislation […]
In July, the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association hosted a tour of Bonneville Lock and Dam on the Columbia River. I have toured the facility many times, and every time I learn something new. This time, someone in our group asked me the origin of the name “Bonneville.” I had no answer. Later, I conducted […]
Oregon Electric Cooperatives Power Up Villagers’ Lives By Shane Stenquist and Ted Case In a powerful demonstration of community and cooperation, a team of volunteer lineworkers from Oregon electric cooperatives recently returned from a life-changing project to bring electricity to Aldea Coco, a remote village nestled in the Guatemalan mountains. The team spent 12 days […]
According to the International Energy Agency, more than 750 million people globally lack access to electricity. While that number is getting smaller each year, progress is slow and incremental. If you’re wondering why, just ask the 18 members of the Oregon Empowers team who, in March, electrified the village of Aldea Coco, Guatemala. 3 hours […]
The Powerhouse Duo of Bobby & Emerson Levy Also Shares a Zeal for Making a Difference in the Lives of Their Constituents By Ted Case Representatives Bobby and Emerson Levy—no relation—share a commitment to finding workable solutions for Oregon, along with adoration for a future Oregon leader. Their friendship started, Bobby recalls, when she approached […]
What is the electric cooperative difference? An Oregon electric co-op general manager reminded me what makes us unique after sharing a heartbreaking letter the co-op received from 1 of its members following a rate increase. “I use cold water to wash,” she wrote. “I am a 71-year-old widow, working for minimum wages when there is […]
As you know, last month signaled the dawn of a new Oregon Legislative Assembly, a new U.S. Congress, and a new presidential administration. I have been asked what this means for Oregon’s electric cooperatives. My answer is that, like every odd-numbered year, it’s another excellent opportunity to shape policies ensuring our access to affordable, reliable […]
By Ted Case Representative John Lively represents Springfield in the Oregon Legislature, but his values were formed in a rural Oregon town far from the center of power. A Willamette Valley legislator representing the state’s 9th biggest city may be an unlikely voice for rural Oregon, but to really understand Democratic Representative John Lively, one […]
The State’s Smallest Electric Co-Op Met the Moment During the 2024 Wildfire Season but Faces an Uncertain Future Without Federal Assistance All of Oregon’s 18 electric cooperatives breathed a collective sigh of relief as a wet October ended Oregon’s fire season. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, wildfires with names like Battle Mountain, Durkee, […]
The season ended in one bad inning. For diehard New York Yankee fans like the Case family, it was a magical season right up until the fifth inning of Game 6 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, when we witnessed a series of miscues we expect from Little Leaguers, not big leaguers. […]
Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) President and Salem Electric board member Joe Van Meter is giving back to a cooperative that provided him an opportunity long ago. By Ted Case Salem Electric Cooperative Director Joe Van Meter started at the co-op literally from the ground up. As a college student in the 1970s, Van […]
While traveling recently on a lonely road to an annual meeting for 1 of Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s members, I heard a campaign ad on a local radio station—not exactly breaking news in the fall of an election year. What was unexpected, however, was the ad promoted a candidate not for a legislative race […]
Oregon’s electric cooperative leaders met in Hood River in July to hear from experts on a range of topics, from wildfire and electric vehicles to the upcoming legislative assembly in 2025.
Wildfire was all around me. Well, the names of wildfires, anyway: Falls, Darlene 3, and Larch Creek. These innocuous monikers did not capture the visible concern among Oregon electric co-op leaders at the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s summer meeting in Hood River. It seems like Oregon co-op leaders talk about little else these days, […]
Oregon Electric Co-ops Are on the Leading Edge of Wildfire Mitigation By Tucker Billman Representatives of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Engineering and Operations Committee met in May in Roseburg to discuss the upcoming wildfire season. With temperatures hitting 90 degrees in parts of the state, one thing became clear to attendees: Wildfire season […]
My son is a high school baseball player, and I often send him motivational material that elicits a lot of eye-rolling. It’s usually well-worn coaching maxims like, “You can’t control playing time, but you can control your effort.” Even if my son doesn’t appreciate my enthusiasm, these sayings have a lot of relevance far from […]
While the short session focused on other high-profile issues, Oregon electric co-ops made headway on critical issues. By Tucker Billman Like all of Oregon’s short legislative sessions, the 2024 Legislative Assembly blew by like a bolt of electricity. However, unlike some past legislative sessions, electricity issues and carbon reduction mandates were not the primary focus […]
10 years ago, I wrote the book “Power Plays,” a political history of rural electrification profiling the giants who have shaped our industry. These leaders were broad-shouldered pioneers and inspiring orators with immense political talent. They had something else in common: They were all men. My sequel will have more diversity, thanks to the recent […]
Oregon Co-op Leaders Convened for the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association Annual Meeting, Focusing on Challenges Facing Utilities That Set the Pace for the Industry. By Ted Case Nearly 200 electric co-op leaders met in Salem on November 30 for ORECA’s 81st annual meeting. The event was preceded by an energy issues workshop on November […]
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 […]
ORECA sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on December 7, expressing concern that the federal government’s secret agreement on the operation of the Federal Columbia River System would “jeopardize electric reliability and increase costs for over 500,000 Oregonians served by electric cooperatives.” ORECA also spearheaded a letter on December 13 to Governor […]
On December 2, Columbia Power held its 74th annual meeting at Mitchell High School. Manager Lisa Atkin updated the members on the latest news at the co-op and ORECA’s Ted Case served as the meeting’s keynote speaker. In the spirit of cooperation among co-ops, Central Electric’s Brad Wilson and Brent ten Pas also attended.
Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) held its 81st Annual Meeting at the Salem Convention Center on November 30. The event was preceded by an NRECA class and an Energy Issues Workshop featuring expert speakers on a wide range of topics, including workforce development, artificial intelligence, and regional transmission organizations.
Each year, during the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association annual meeting, a panel of electric co-op leaders discuss challenges and opportunities in our industry. Because our meeting is 1 week after Thanksgiving, the last question to the panelists is always, “Who is 1 person you are thankful for?” It’s a hard question to answer, and […]
U.S. Representative Val Hoyle is Laser-Focused on Bringing Jobs to Her Coastal District & Believes Electric Co-Ops Are Part of the Solution. By Ted Case After nearly a year in office, 4th District Representative Val Hoyle (D-Eugene) is settling into the life of a freshman member of Congress. While Hoyle was a fixture in Salem […]
If I had a nickel for every time my daughter, Malia, asked me, “Dad, what is your job?” I may have an easier time paying her college tuition. I have been blessed to represent electric cooperatives for 25 years, but my job is not as easy to explain as, say, a firefighter. I also mention […]
U.S. Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer is Tackling Some of the Major Issues Facing Electric Cooperatives & All Oregonians. By Ted Case It’s been a whirlwind 8 months in office for freshman U.S. Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer. A hallmark of her brief tenure follows the blueprint that made her a successful mayor: Be accessible, accountable and willing to […]
For many Americans, congressional hearings are often seen as distant events detached from real world issues, usually reserved for lobbyists in ornate Capitol Hill committee rooms. Yet sometimes a congressional hearing comes to a local high school auditorium and focuses on a topic connected to our way of life. Such was the case when U.S. […]
Across the West, the legislative focus has been on deterrence rather than mandates on security procedures. By Ted Case They are the consummate soft targets: 55,000 utility substations, scattered across U.S. cities, rural roads and suburban neighborhoods, usually guarded by little more than a chain-link fence and a sternly worded warning sign. Because of their […]
Until last year, Harney Electric General Manager Fred Flippence had never been to Washington, D.C. Now, after 3 work trips in a year, he is becoming a seasoned pro on Capitol Hill. His visits have included a private meeting with the director of the Bureau of Land Management and testimony before a congressional subcommittee. The […]
A team from Oregon’s electric co-ops raced against the clock to bring electricity to a remote Guatemalan village, changing the lives of all involved By Ted Case The road to the village of Ventura, Guatemala, was rutted and nearly impass- able. Eventually, it brought us to the shadow of a volcano, where the Oregon Empowers […]
State Senators Janeen Sollman and Lynn Findley bridge the partisan divide the old-fashioned way: by working together. By Ted Case Oregon State Senators Janeen Sollman and Lynn Findley are on opposite ends of the political spectrum, represent vastly different constituencies and serve on a committee known for controversial legislation. Yet Sollman, the Democratic chair of […]
I’ve written extensively about the days the lights came on in rural America in my two books on rural electrification. As it turns out, I didn’t know what I was talking about. Yes, I interviewed people who remembered vividly when power came to their farms in the 1930s. They spoke about the hardship before electricity […]
Oregon co-ops prepare to electrify a small village in Guatemala By Joseph Hathaway A team of Oregon cooperative lineworkers will soon climb the steep hills in the Central American nation of Guatemala to bring electricity to an impoverished village, making villagers feel like they are on top of the world. The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative […]
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is underway in Salem, with leaders of both parties pledging to take on some big challenges that were front and center during last year’s campaign: the housing crisis, homelessness and education, among others. Governor Tina Kotek has announced one of her priorities is making government accountable for all Oregonians. In the […]
Columbia Power lineworkers rescue woman from the freezing waters of Camas Creek. By Jody Foss Columbia Power Cooperative’s lineworkers never know what the day will bring when they head to work. On June 20, Garrett Warner and Jack Jewell were in the right place at the right time to help rescue Cheryl Patterson, 69, of […]
She hadn’t responded to my email, which was odd because normally Erika Paleck wrote back to me within minutes. While she was a relatively new member of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s board—where she served as the representative for West Oregon Electric Cooperative—I greatly valued her perspective. Erika and I shared a passion for […]
In a town known for setting records, Eugene’s Lane Electric Cooperative has set one of its own with a board that looks like none other in America. By Ted Case Throughout the years, Eugene’s iconic Hayward Field has been a part of track and field history. This summer at the 2022 World Athletic Championships, Swedish […]
Last month, I participated in a keynote panel at the Oregon Connections Conference in Ashland on the status of broadband deployment in our state. The OCC is the largest gathering of broadband providers, vendors and policymakers in the state, including several of Oregon’s electric cooperatives. Specifically, the moderator asked panelists to describe this point in […]
While it’s hard to dispute our political process has its challenges, sometimes a bit of common sense emerges and gives us hope. In late 2021, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray announced a process to examine if there are reasonable means for replacing the benefits provided by the lower Snake River […]
OTEC holds first-of-its-kind business summit at Anthony Lakes By Joseph Hathaway Amid the splendor of the majestic Elkhorn Mountains, government officials and business and cooperative leaders from across Eastern Oregon and beyond came together August 29 at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. The inaugural Power Eastern Oregon Summit was created and hosted by Oregon Trail Electric […]
Two Oregon co-ops are participating in a federal research and development program that could transform the industry By Ted Case Situated between Madras and Prineville in Central Oregon, Grizzly Mountain offers steep ridgelines and panoramic views of the valley floor below. Because of Grizzly’s altitude and location, it also is home to numerous communication towers […]
The sun bears down on us as we stand on a ridgeline at Mary’s Peak—the highest mountain on Oregon’s coast range—looking down at one of the rights-of-way belonging to Consumers Power Inc. Oregon is sweltering in a heat wave. The temperature will soon hit 90 degrees in a dense, heavily forested area that is like […]
Oregon Youth Tour delegates saw the sights and their government in action By Britni Davidson When then-U.S. Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson spoke at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) annual meeting 65 years ago, he addressed the crowd with a novel idea: Rural teens should have the opportunity to experience Washington, D.C., and see […]
There seems to be no end to studies about the future of the lower Snake River dams—a critical component of the Federal Columbia River Power System. They produce 1,000 megawatts of firm, reliable, non-carbon-emitting, affordable energy. While it is undisputed the lower Snake River dams played an essential role in keeping the lights on during […]
By Ted Case History sometimes repeats itself. In 1939, Ivan Laird could not get electricity to his farm in Sitkum, a small town 45 miles east of Coos Bay on the Oregon Coast. Like millions of rural Americans, Laird was living a far different life than those in cities. It was a tale of 2 […]
This month, I was honored to finish my term as the president of the Rural Electric Statewide Managers Association (RESMA). This group of 38 executives leading organizations across the country is dedicated to the advancement of electric cooperative members. The statewide managers are an incredibly talented group of people with backgrounds as diverse as their […]
The fencing, it appeared, had been taken down, making Capitol Hill look less like a fortress. It had been three years since I was near the U.S. Capitol—a pandemic and one insurrection keeping me 2,818 miles away. Yet, with much anticipation, I returned in May for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Legislative Conference with […]
Oregon’s co-op leaders visited Washington, D.C. for NRECA’s Legislative Conference and held meetings with Oregon’s Congressional Delegation. By Britini Davidson For decades, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)’s Legislative Conference was one of the largest annual gatherings of rural leaders in the nation’s capital. Oregon’s electric co-ops were regular attendees of the event until […]
You may have noticed this month’s Ruralite feature story has a different look and tone. We are not writing about the future of the Lower Snake River dams or industry updates, but rather the unlikely friendship between two women in the energy field: Britni Davidson, who works with me at Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association; […]
Two women in energy—unlikely friends—live 5,600 miles apart. One worries as her friend faces an uncertain future in war-torn Ukraine. By Ted Case The Russian Army was amassing at the Ukrainian border, and Britni Davidson— deputy executive director of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association— worried about her good friend, Alessia Shapovalova. Davidson sent a […]
After nearly eight decades, Hood River Electric Cooperative changed its name to reflect a new mission. By Britni Davidson It is safe to say the founders of Hood River Electric & Internet Cooperative— also known as HR Co-op—did not see the advent of broadband when they established the cooperative in 1945 to provide electricity to […]
The question isn’t who is running for governor of Oregon. The question is, “Who isn’t?” And why not? It’s the first time in 12 years Oregon has an open gubernatorial seat, and more than 40 candidates are taking advantage of this rare opportunity. Oregon’s electric cooperative leaders are taking advantage of this opportunity, too. None […]
By Britni Davidson Most people associate scholarships with high school graduation and higher education. However, for several electric cooperatives, scholarships are awarded much sooner—to some, within days of birth. “The first scholarship to our members,” is how Lea Hoover, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative’s (OTEC’s) senior manager of administration, refers to the free books provided each […]
The Oregon Legislature will soon close its 35-day short session after tackling a few big-ticket items before the political season begins. Just like the 2021 long session at the height of the pandemic, the legislature’s committee hearings are held virtually to give Oregonians a safe, accessible way to participate. However, this session there is also […]
It was a rough way to start the year in the Pacific Northwest. As this month’s feature story details, electric co-ops took a hard punch from Mother Nature as the calendar turned to 2022, leaving many without power. Sometimes a combination of trees, ice and wind is too much for the system to handle. Co-ops […]
As snowstorms wreaked havoc on Oregon power lines, neighboring utilities stepped forward in the spirit of cooperation By Britni Davidson After unusually high winds and snowfall, several Oregon electric co-ops began the new year responding to power outages. For members of Philomath-based Consumers Power Inc., a combination of snow, wind, and freezing temperatures interrupted what […]
By Brian Booher and Maddie Sligh, D+R International Driving around Oregon, you probably have noticed more electric vehicles on the road, even in rural areas. The number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered statewide has increased significantly—from 13,261 in 2016 to 35,798 in March 2021. EVs make up about 1% of registered passenger vehicles in Oregon, […]
A new year always brings change, but 2022 is promising upheaval across Oregon’s political landscape. U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio has announced his retirement from Oregon’s 4th Congressional District after 36 years of distinguished service to the state. There already is considerable attention on our governor’s race. It’s the first time in more than a decade […]
How do you find a silver lining in a pandemic? It’s a hard task. But Wasco Electric Director Bob Durham certainly found one during his two-year tenure as president of Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA), where he had the opportunity to chair two in-person meetings. Yes, only two. However, that did not stop Bob […]
After a nearly two-year hiatus, Oregon electric co-op leaders gathered in Salem to hear industry experts, honor outstanding achievement and see some old friends. At an October conference that Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) Executive Director Ted Case called “two years in the making,” electric co-op leaders met for ORECA’s 79th annual meeting— the […]
It was, as they say in Hollywood, a production nearly two years in the making. While that was the promotion for Cecil DeMille’s epic 1956 film, “The Ten Commandments”—featuring the incredible special effect of the parting of the Red Sea—I am writing about something different: ORECA’s 79th annual meeting in Salem. While we did not […]
Cooperative employees help stop fire from spreading through neighborhood Story and photos by Craig Reed Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) linemen Ty Olds, Nathan Robbins, and Jason George recently—and quickly—became first-responder firefighters to a residential structure fire. The men’s training and expertise are in electricity, power poles, and transformers, but they are aware of the threat […]
A Senate infrastructure bill helps small rural utilities harden their grid— and keep consumers and communities safe By Ted Case In August, the U.S. Senate passed a massive infrastructure bill containing enormous investment in roads and bridges, as well as for airports, public transit, and broadband. For Oregon’s electric cooperatives, a new matching grant program […]
A few months ago, I wrote about being free from the grips of the pandemic and how life was going to resume to normal after a year-and-a-half pause. That, it turns out, was premature as the country finds itself in the grips of a variant that has changed our way of life once again. It’s […]
One year after the Beachie Creek Fire devastated the Santiam Canyon, a tour revealed communities are rising from the ashes. By Ted Case We are only 25 miles west of the state capitol in Salem, but the Santiam Canyon feels far more remote, as if we are in a distant wilderness. I am here as […]
My wife is Hawaiian, and that has its benefits. We vacationed on the islands this summer, taking advantage of a few hideaway beaches favored by the locals. These beaches with big, roiling waves coveted by the island’s surfers have one rule: Never turn your back on the ocean, lest you get churned around in the […]
Who do you trust when things are on the line? If you are a Portland Trail Blazer fan, the answer is obvious: Damian Lillard. Few NBA basketball players have ever made as many big shots in the final seconds of a game as Portland’s transcendent All-Star point guard. In fact, they even have a name […]
A federal assessment concludes the lower Snake River dams provided crucial energy and reserves during the brutal ice storm of 2021 By Ted Case As energy experts attempt to unwind why the Texas electric February—contributing to the death of 151 people—a clearer picture is coming into focus on how the Pacific Northwest managed to avoid […]
How will we be remembered? That question is a central theme that runs through the books of presidential historian and best-selling author Doris Kearns Goodwin, who has studied some of the most prominent leaders in American history, including Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Teddy Roosevelt. My first introduction to Kearns Goodwin was in high […]
FDR and Eleanor stopped at Bonneville Dam and Timberline Lodge in 1937 By Scott Laird On September 28, 1937, Oregon received a special treat: a visit from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor. The presidential visit was to promote two of Roosevelt’s most successful programs and dedicate the completion of two successful and […]
Now we know how the cicadas feel. No, we have not been buried underground for 17 years in subterranean lairs like the Brood X cicadas—the buzzing, red-eyed insect that makes its home in the eastern United States. But for at least 15 months— which seems more like an eternity—many of us have felt that sense […]
As I write this column, the Oregon House of Representatives is preparing to consider Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA)-supported legislation (HB 2654) to help bring broadband to rural and frontier Oregon. Normally, I would be in the House gallery, anxiously waiting for the vote, but these are still not normal times. For safety reasons, […]
Representative Mark Owens (R-HD 60) will talk to anyone on any issue to help his constituents in rural and frontier Oregon. By Ted Case It is hard to keep Representative Mark Owens out of any conversation he wants to be in—and not only because Owens, a 6 foot 4 inch former football player, cuts such […]
If you pay attention to news about the electric utility industry, you will hear and read a lot about a future with “100% clean energy.” It is a worthwhile goal, but it also is easier said than done. Oregon’s electric cooperatives are some of the cleanest utilities—not only in the United States but in the […]
Harney Electric Manager Fred Flippence urges Governor Brown to adopt the “Harney County way” By Ted Case What follows this article is an editorial Harney Electric Cooperative Manager Fred Flippence submitted to the Burns Times-Herald urging Oregon Governor Kate Brown to collaborate on the operations of the federal hydropower system in the Pacific Northwest. In […]
By Ted Case Oregon electric co-ops rallied as February storms devastated areas served by Consumers Power Inc., Salem Electric, and West Oregon Electric Cooperative. It was a Valentine’s Day weekend most would rather forget. After a relatively mild winter, Mother Nature unleashed a storm that pummeled the Portland metro area and the upper Willamette Valley. […]
I live next to a forest, and on the evening of Friday, February 12, I thought Paul Bunyan was outside my window. As a historic snow and ice storm hammered the upper Willamette Valley, countless trees groaned and snapped under the immense pressure—including two in my backyard. I was one of the lucky Oregonians who […]
Oregon’s electric co-ops support a bipartisan bill (HB 2654) that is one of the best steps Oregon lawmakers can take to deploy rural broadband—without spending a single penny. By Ted Case Among the many lessons learned from the pandemic of 2020, one remains irrefutable: Expanding the ability to work remotely, learn online and conduct health […]
“I need you to disappear.” I heard this request as a young Capitol Hill staffer when a Republican congressman asked a Democratic colleague to help him out on a procedural motion in a committee vote. The two congressmen were friends, in an era where there was more socializing between the two political parties. Even still, […]
Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative reaches into its storied past to bring forward-looking technology to Oregon’s south coast when no one else will By Ted Case History has a way of repeating itself. More than 80 years ago, Coos-Cur Electric Cooperative (CCEC) brought electricity to the southern Oregon Coast because no one else would. Now, the co-op—which […]
“What do you want to do when the pandemic is over?” I asked my children this question over the holidays and received answers that reflect their distinct personalities. My 12-year-old son wants to go musky fishing in Minnesota. My teenage daughter dreams of a trip to Disneyland. Perhaps this wish list will change before the […]
Co-ops use a variety of methods to mitigate wildfire threats By Erin Kelly As the threat of devastating wildfires continues in the West, electric cooperatives are strengthening their efforts to reduce the risk to their communities. Many co-ops are aggressively clearing vegetation from power lines, developing higher-tech ways to monitor their systems for problems, and, […]
I guess it is the new normal that conducting your association’s annual meeting in the shadow of an exercise bike is no big deal. But like so many things in 2020, the traditional Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association annual meeting at the Salem Convention Center took place in the unlikeliest of places—a cramped upstairs office […]
I wondered what the woman in the flowered dress was searching for in the rubble. Surprisingly, there was not a trace of smoke in the air as I awaited the arrival of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and our Oregon congressional delegation to tour the extensive damage to Consumers Power Inc. from the deadly Beachie […]
FEMA’s tour of fire-ravaged Consumers Power territory created opportunities, challenges, and a Plan B. By Ted Case “This is the spot,” Consumers Power CEO Roman Gillen said, as he stood a massive fir tree that had fallen across an access point on North Fork Road in the Santiam Canyon. “This spot tells our story.” The […]
As communities in rural Oregon grapple with unimaginable tragedy from deadly wildfires, electric co-ops band together to restore power—and hope. By Ted Case On the evening of Monday, September 7, 2020, the power went out at the home of Steve and Kathy Keable, who live in the town of Blue River, in the McKenzie River […]
