Scenes From ORECA’s Summer

Inside Ruralite

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.

ORECA Executive Director Ted Case facilitated a discussion with Doug Grafe, wildfire program director for Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Photo by Brent Ten Pas

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative CEO Les Penning shared an update on ORECA’s project to electrify another village in 2025 in Guatemala. Photo by Ted Case

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) President Tony Anderson gave a keynote address on what he learned about safety and leadership during a distinguished career as a cooperative CEO. Photo by Ted Case

Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (ORECA's) Tucker Billman, right, moderated a discussion with Oregon Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham of The Dalles on key issues for the upcoming state legislative assembly. Photo by Ted Case

A recent wildfire in Central Oregon provided an unwelcome but apropos introduction to the midyear meeting. The Darlene 3 fire in La Pine burned close to Midstate Electric Cooperative’s yard. Photo courtesy of MEC

John Hewa, CEO of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Virginia, discussed the importance of utility infrastructure to support the wave of electric vehicles. Photo by Ted Case