ORECA Legislative Day 2019

Electric cooperative 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 a cap-and-trade proposal (HB 2020).

But it was the electric cooperatives’ response to the storms in Lane and Douglas counties that captured the attention of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Crews had worked tirelessly to restore electricity to areas devastated by the storms.

In an impassioned floor speech before the House of Representatives, Representative Gary Leif (R-Roseburg) introduced the leaders from Douglas Electric Cooperative (DEC) sitting in the gallery.

“I want to personally give thanks to the linemen of Douglas Electric, the county, and other companies that helped restore services to the good citizens of southern Oregon,” Leif said.

Representative Sherrie Sprenger (R-Scio) also recognized the electric cooperative leaders who made the trip to Salem.

“These are cooperatives who provide power to some of the most remote and rural territory in the state,” she said.

Outside the House chamber, electric cooperative leaders met with their elected officials and discussed amendments to HB 2020 that would improve the bill for Oregon’s electric cooperatives.

The Legislative Day events included a compelling keynote speech from Representative Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles), who not only discussed his work in the Legislature but his journey from a small businessman to the halls of the state Capitol.

Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) Executive Director Ted Case said Legislative Day is an integral part of the association’s advocacy effort.

“These cooperative leaders are natural lobbyists,” he said. “They know how to make an impact.”

Advocacy in Action

Scenes from electric cooperative leaders’ journey to Salem in March