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 […]
We had to decide what to take. But the real question was, “What do we really need?” Evacuating our home was not something I had ever contemplated. Fires burned throughout Western Oregon, and several small towns served by Oregon’s electric cooperatives were incinerated, fanned by easterly winds during Labor Day weekend. But we do not […]
By Ted Case In a virtual meeting with Oregon’s governor, utility leaders put a human face on those who benefit from Lower Snake River dams On July 29, eight consumer-owned utility leaders met via Zoom with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and her key natural resource and energy staff regarding operation of the Federal Columbia River […]
I thought for sure Gov. Kate Brown’s staff would cancel our meeting. She is, after all, an exceptionally busy leader dealing with multiple crises: COVID-19, budget shortfalls, and tense confrontations in downtown Portland that captured the attention of the nation. On this day in late July, she was also in a bitter and very public […]
There are countless differing perspectives about the coronavirus epidemic, but hopefully we all agree the loss of life is tragic, wherever it occurs. We are learning the extended electric co-op family is not immune to the pandemic. Last month, a sibling of an Oregon electric co-op director died of COVID-19—one of, at this writing, 140,157 […]
By Lisa Jacoby Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative in Baker City continues to use the newest technology to educate communities on how to safely coexist with power lines. OTEC has finished seven virtual reality videos. Two are focused on safety. The first educates viewers on the proper procedures in case of a downed power line, such […]
Oregon’s electric co-ops are transitioning open, but with a new look focused on safety By Ted Case Photos by Bailey Anderson To say Oregon’s electric co-ops are transitioning back to business is a bit of a misnomer. They never actually closed. Yes, many employees worked from home, but the business of running an electric utility […]
I took a call from National Public Radio the other day, which I concede is not a regular occurrence. The reporter, who was familiar with electric co-ops, was interested in what Congress and the president could do to meet the moment on energy issues, much as they had done in 1936 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt […]
Oregon electric co-ops take extraordinary steps to help their members in extraordinary times The first in a series on how Oregon electric co-ops are helping their members through the global pandemic. By Ted Case Electric co-ops know this is not business as usual. Extreme unemployment, shuttered businesses and school cancellations brought on by the coronavirus […]
OK, I was wrong. A few months ago, we published my column expressing hope that I would soon be writing about some topic other than the coronavirus. I wish I could write about “The Last Dance”—the stellar 10-part documentary about Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player who ever lived. But that would be ignoring what […]
As the coronavirus swept though the state, three crucial days in March demonstrated the role Oregon’s electric cooperatives play in the lives of their consumers. By Ted Case On March 20, 2020, there were 114 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oregon. While the cases were mostly clustered in the Portland metro area, Oregon’s 18 rural […]
I run the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association under the watchful eye of Charlton Heston. He’s glaring down in my new home office from the poster of 1973’s The Omega Man— one of my all-time favorite movies. Heston plays a scientist who believes he is the last man on Earth after a virus wipes out […]
A government study concludes: Snake River dam breaching would harm Northwest families, electric grid reliability and the global environment The Columbia River System Operations Draft Environmental Impact Statement was released February 28—a dense 5,000- page document with a remarkably clear message: Breaching the lower Snake River dams would have an adverse impact on Northwest families, […]
This is the last column I ever wanted to write. I’d rather use this space to write about anything else related to electric co-ops: what we are doing for our communities, such as providing affordable, reliable, emission-free power or money-saving energy-efficiency programs. Or broadband, economic development and scholarships. I’d rather write about anything other than […]
Oregon’s electric cooperative leaders are some of the friendliest people I have encountered. They are reasonable, courteous to a fault and slow to anger. It takes a lot to rile them up— things such as, well, taking away their clean, affordable power supply. Amazingly, that’s been proposed. We are extremely disappointed with Gov. Kate Brown’s […]
Dave Markham’s testimony on wildfire mitigation helped establish America’s electric cooperatives as the anti-PG&E. By Ted Case The title of the January 28 hearing was enough to give Dave Markham, CEO of Central Electric Cooperative, pause: “Out of Control: The Impact of Wildfires on Our Power Sector and the Environment.” The witness list before the […]
Wasco Electric’s Bob Durham is adding another job to an already heavy workload: president of the ORECA Board of Directors. Bob Durham is a man on the move. Like many rural leaders, Durham, a director for Wasco Electric Cooperative, has deep roots in his community and stacks up volunteer opportunities like the hay on his […]
Don’t blink. The Oregon Legislature convenes this month, and there are some large questions to be answered. Unlike the odd-year slog of a session that feels like a marathon on a hilly course in the rain, the 35-day short session is more akin to watching Usain Bolt run 100 meters. It’s a blur of motion. […]
By Paul Wesslund We depend on electricity 24/7, but have you ever wondered how it’s made, or where it comes from? To understand the basics of something so important to modern life, think about steam from a teakettle and those magnets stuck to your refrigerator door. Magnetic metals in nature attract each other because parts […]
Prelude to Power: On the Cusp of a New Way of Life Oregon electric co-ops prepare to bring electricity to the Guatemalan village of Aldea Montañita de la Virgen in spring 2020. By Ted Case In November 2019, a planning team led by Roger Meader, the project leader for the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s […]
It was a good way to end the year. In 2019, I used this page several times to advocate for passage of the Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas and Lands Act (S. 1032/H.R. 2147), which ensures co-ops do not jeopardize their tax-exempt status when they accept government grants. As of this writing, the RURAL Act was […]
ORECA’s 2019 annual meeting highlighted the importance of passing the RURAL Act, while honoring those who kept Americans free. The Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association held its 77th annual meeting by exploring global energy issues, breaking down partisan barriers and honoring those who fought to defeat tyranny on D-Day 75 years ago. The meeting also […]
We packed a lot into the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association annual meeting last month. We had excellent presentations from energy experts, legislators, pollsters and even Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno. Perhaps the most important item on our agenda was honoring three co-op leaders for careers of outstanding achievement: West Oregon Electric Cooperative former […]
One of the most challenging things about planning an Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association annual meeting is not what content to include in our brief time together. It’s deciding what I have to leave out because of time constraints. The issues have proliferated since I got in this business nearly 25 years ago. We could […]
As the Oregon Legislature considers wildfire mitigation measures, Oregon electric co-ops are implementing plans to protect their communities By Ted Case For Billy Terry, director of operations at Philomath-based Consumers Power Inc., wildfire is not just something that worries him as he oversees the co-op’s vast utility infrastructure crossing forestland. It’s something that keeps him […]
Bev Clarno adds secretary of state to her distinguished resumé of public service By Courtney Cobb Deschutes County commissioner, Oregon state representative, speaker of the House, state senator, regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Central Electric Cooperative board director: Bev Clarno has held each of these positions with distinction […]
The other day, I looked up from my computer at work and observed a group of deer right outside my window looking at me. It was surprising because the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association office isn’t exactly in the woods. In fact, we are a block away from a Maserati dealership, which means our 35-mph […]
I am not what you would call a daredevil. Sure, I like adventure as much as the next guy, but it’s more along the lines of a rigorous hike than free-soloing rock walls in a national park. So this summer, when my 14-year-old daughter suggested we go zip lining during our vacation in Moab, Utah, […]
Salem Electric’s photovoltaic program provides incentives for members who want to take control of their energy future By Ted Case On August 21, 2017, the area around Salem was a prime viewing spot for a total solar eclipse that captivated the thousands of visitors who flocked to Oregon’s capital and looked to the sky. The […]
ORECA’s midyear meeting in Bend offered a variety of speakers, including an inspiring address by NRECA President Curtis Wynn and a call for preparedness by OEM Director Andrew Phelps By Ted Case As one participant said, there was “a little bit of everything” at the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s July midyear meeting in Bend. […]
The story is familiar: Forests are burning and oceans are rising because of climate change. Something needed to be done. The solution? Cap-and-trade legislation that could be passed with large Democratic majorities. The bill was the subject of countless hearings, dragging on for months and stuffed full of complex provisions for various specials interests—including ours. […]
Legislation to protect electric co-op’s tax-exempt status is pending in the U.S. Congress, but it needs a push. Oregon’s electric cooperatives may soon face their own version of a Hobson’s choice. Do they accept Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance after their system has been leveled by a storm? Do they accept broadband grants to serve […]
What is that on the cover of our magazine? A graphic of a U.S. Senate bill? We have a tradition of putting extraordinary people on our cover, such as electric co-op leaders and legislators, but S. 1032—the RURAL Act—is no run-of-the-mill piece of legislation. The RURAL Act allows co-ops to receive grants for a host […]
Recently, I drove 3½ hours to attend an annual meeting of one of my electric cooperative members. It was a long day for me, but that distance is no big deal for rural Oregonians—usually just another trip to the regional hospital or even an outing to shop for common household goods. Life is hard for […]
Oregon electric co-op leaders travel to Capitol Hill seeking disaster aid for storm damage— as well as relief from policies that could have disastrous consequences for their members By Ted Case The largest group from Oregon electric co-ops ever to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association legislative conference traveled to Washington, D.C., in early […]
Electric co-op leaders traveled to Salem amidst a flurry of legislative action. They were also honored for their work restoring power after devastating winter storms. More than 60 Oregon electric cooperative leaders descended upon the state Capitol in March, coming at a time when the Legislature was embroiled in a spirited debate on cap-and-trade proposal […]
My middle-school-age daughter is studying government, and it’s been a bit humbling. She is a smart girl, and I’ve looked at her homework. It is apparent she knows more about the Founding Fathers and our Constitution than I do—which is hard to admit, as I lived in Washington, D.C., for two decades. There is one […]
By Pam Blair Nearly two decades ago, Northfork Electric Cooperative’s Heath Martin survived a 7,200-volt shock on the job. He admits the accident was his fault. Heath and his co-worker, Chad Crompton, had worked all night, then were called to a routine outage. Heath says he was thinking about an upcoming fishing trip with his […]
Be aware of your surroundings and don’t get complacent near power lines Each year, nearly 400 people die from electrical accidents in the U.S. There are more than 51,000 home structure fires caused by electrical faults that claim another 500 lives. Electricity is important in our daily lives. Our homes and workplaces are filled with […]
Two Oregon electric co-ops took a heavy blow this winter, but picked themselves up with true grit, a relentless spirit, constant communication and a lot of help By Ted Case In late February, a weekend snowstorm walloped Douglas and Lane counties, nearly leveling the infrastructure of two electric cooperatives that serve those areas. The significant […]
As evidenced by our feature story this month, this winter tested the strength of the Oregon rural electric program like I have not seen before, at least for two western Oregon cooperatives: Douglas Electric and Lane Electric. Our brethren in the Southeast batten down the hatches every hurricane season, but we rarely see Mother Nature […]
There will be plenty to talk about. That is my message to the scores of electric cooperative leaders who will descend upon Salem this month for ORECA’s Legislative Day. Electric co-op managers, directors and employees will travel from the Oregon Coast, high desert, Columbia Gorge and everything in between to meet with their representatives and […]
Two rising stars in the Oregon Legislature bring different perspectives to climate policy, but share backgrounds in local government and a deep connection to their districts By Ted Case State Reps. Karin Power (D-Milwaukie) and David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) are affiliated with different political parties, serve vastly different constituencies and are on opposite sides […]
