Leading the Charge

Oregon Co-op Leaders Convened for the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association Annual Meeting, Focusing on Challenges Facing Utilities That Set the Pace for...

Getting Stuff Done

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...

In the Middle of It All

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...

Cover image of July Ruralite magazine

An Environment of Trust

State Senators Janeen Sollman and Lynn Findley bridge the partisan divide the old-fashioned way: by working together. By Ted Case Oregon State Senators...

Paying it Forward

Oregon co-ops prepare to electrify a small village in Guatemala By Joseph Hathaway A team of Oregon cooperative lineworkers will soon climb the...

Community First

Columbia Power lineworkers rescue woman from the freezing waters of Camas Creek. By Jody Foss Columbia Power Cooperative’s lineworkers never know what the...

A Lane of Their Own

In a town known for setting records, Eugene’s Lane Electric Cooperative has set one of its own with a board that looks like...

Power Players

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...

Using All the Tools

Two Oregon co-ops are participating in a federal research and development program that could transform the industry By Ted Case Situated between Madras...

Heard on Capitol Hill

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...

From the Co-op to Kyiv

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...

Making a Name

After nearly eight decades, Hood River Electric Cooperative changed its name to reflect a new mission. By Britni Davidson It is safe to...

What a Way to Make a Difference

By Britni Davidson Most people associate scholarships with high school graduation and higher education. However, for several electric cooperatives, scholarships are awarded much...

Winter Wallop

As snowstorms wreaked havoc on Oregon power lines, neighboring utilities stepped forward in the spirit of cooperation By Britni Davidson After unusually high...

Linemen to the Rescue

Cooperative employees help stop fire from spreading through neighborhood Story and photos by Craig Reed Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) linemen Ty Olds, Nathan...

Clutch Performers

A federal assessment concludes the lower Snake River dams provided crucial energy and reserves during the brutal ice storm of 2021 By Ted...

In the Conversation

Representative Mark Owens (R-HD 60) will talk to anyone on any issue to help his constituents in rural and frontier Oregon. By Ted...

Smoky area with burned down structures.

Misery and Miracles

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...

A man standing behind a podium in front of the American flag. Salem Electric, An Electric Cooperative. Affordable energy. Salem Electric is a not-for-profit electric cooperative. Electricity is brought to members at cost and any excess revenue is shared back with the people we serve in the form of capital credits. Salem Electric has returned over 30 million dollars in capital credits to members and former members. Salem Electric Goals. Reliable service, good customer relations, good employee relations, financial integrity, low rates. Community Focused. Salem Electric is committed to the communities we serve by providing

Meeting the Moment

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...

California’s 2018 Camp Fire burned at rate of a football field every second.

Getting Ahead of the Blaze

As the Oregon Legislature considers wildfire mitigation measures, Oregon electric co-ops are implementing plans to protect their communities By Ted Case For Billy...

Bev Clarno is surrounded by her husband, Ray, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at her swearing-in ceremony.

Thinking Big, Staying Local

Bev Clarno adds secretary of state to her distinguished resumé of public service By Courtney Cobb Deschutes County commissioner, Oregon state representative, speaker...

Salem Electric General Manager Tony Schacher, Tom Tomczyk and Energy Analyst Marcos Huerta

Bringing Solar to Salem

Salem Electric’s photovoltaic program provides incentives for members who want to take control of their energy future By Ted Case On August 21,...

cooperative leaders standing in front of the U.S. Capitol building

Masters of Disaster

Oregon electric co-op leaders travel to Capitol Hill seeking disaster aid for storm damage— as well as relief from policies that could have...

A tree is engulfed in flames while two people look on.

A Summer of Fire

The worst fire season in Wasco County history takes a financial and emotional toll By Drew Myron Wildfire made history this summer, though...

Midstate Electric CEO Dave Schneider briefs Sen. Ron Wyden about the impacts of cuts to low-income assistance programs

36 Hours on Capitol Hill

Twenty-four Oregon electric cooperative leaders participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Legislative Conference April 10-11. The group met with Oregon’s...

Sens. Ted Ferrioli, left, and Richard Devlin join the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Transfer of Power

Two high-ranking Oregon senators join the influential Northwest Power and Conservation Council The Northwest Power and Conservation Council was created nearly four decades...

ORECA Midyear Meeting 2017

Co-op leaders met in Hood River as political winds blow toward carbon legislation As the Oregon Legislative Assembly departed Salem, Oregon’s electric cooperative...

Salmon Success Story

July 6, 2017 Governor Kate Brown State Capitol Building 900 Court Street NE, 160 Salem, OR 97301 Dear Governor Brown: As leaders of...

The format for December’s National Environmental Policy Act meeting focused on information and constructive dialogue. Photo courtesy of the Bonneville Power Administration

Getting Out the Facts

The federal government’s NEPA process provides an opportunity to clear up misconceptions about the Northwest hydro system By Ted Case In a cavernous...

State Rep. Sherrie Sprenger’s legistlative district overlaps Consumers Power Inc.’s service territory, and she also is a member of the co-op. “Sherrie understands her constituents and our members,” says Consumers Power CEO Roman Gillen. “And she’s not afraid to take on the tough issues.” Photos by Lynn Howlett

Leading by Example

State Rep. Sherrie Sprenger and Consumers Power CEO Roman Gillen are powerful voices for rural Oregon—while rarely raising their voices By Ted Case...

Dedicating the electric vehicle charging station in Condon are, from left, Condon Mayor Jim Hassing, Columbia Basin Electric Cooperative Director Roy Carlson, CBEC staff member Josh Coiner, CBEC staff member Debbie Lankford, Gilliam County Judge Steve Shaffer and Condon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director K’Lynn Lane. Photos by Tommy Wolff

Getting Lots of Mileage

Four unlikely towns welcome EV charging stations, opening scenic byways and creating economic development opportunities By Ted Case The territory served by Columbia...

Power Couple Rep. Gene Whisnant and his wife, Josie, have lived a life of service— and one worthy of a spy novel

Two of a Kind

Reps. Deborah Boone and Brad Witt are watchdogs in the Oregon Legislature for West Oregon Electric Cooperative and its member-owners. The following profiles...