Midstate Electric Joins CHARGE™ EV

In August, Midstate Electric (La Pine, OR) became the first electric cooperative on the West Coast to become a CHARGE affiliate. "The EV industry is growing nationally and it is the perfect time to bring CHARGE to Central Oregon," said Midstate CEO Jim Anderson. "My objective in bringing the CHARGE brand to the West Coast is to provide our members with a recognizable and reliable charging platform they can trust. Co-ops have this unique opportunity to lead the way on EV initiatives and public education, and I want to ensure we are able to do this in a unified and strategic way."

CHARGE affiliates benefit from access to EV-focused companies, such as ZEF Energy, which manufactures EV charging units that will work with many cooperatives' existing load management programs. The technology allows members to delay charging their EV until off-peak hours when the demand for electricity is lower and in some cases, the rates are lower. 

RESAP Observers Visit West Oregon and CPI

As part of the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP), every three years co-ops receive an on-site observation from their peers to identify best practices and possible areas for improvement. In July, site observers visited West Oregon (Vernonia), and Consumers Power Inc. (Philomath), to perform site observations. A big thanks to our observation teams: Jeff Carlson (CPI), Jeff Jones (Blachly-Lane), Brian Kollman (Columbia Basin), Roger Kuhlman (ORECA), Dusty Grogan (Umatilla), Chris McMahon (Umatilla), and Jeremy Alexander (Coos-Curry). 

Co-ops Lead the Way

in Fire Mitigation

In July, Oregon Public Utilities Commissioner Letha Tawney (middle) joined staff from Consumers Power to learn about the use of drones in wildfire mitigation and the Brains4Drones program. Learn more about Brains4Drones in the September edition of ORECA's Ruralite. 

Photo: CPI Safety, Compliance, and Loss Control Specialist Jeff Carlson (front) flies CPI's drone during Commissioner Tawney's visit.

Meet Columbia Power General Manager Lisa Atkin 

Columbia Power (Monument, OR) General Manager Lisa Atkin is no stranger to the world of electric utilities. Prior to relocating east of the Cascades, Atkin spent 11 years with the Eugene Water & Electric Board, serving in various management roles within the divisions of Power Resources and Strategic Planning, Demand-Side Management Energy Efficiency, and Information Technologies.

Despite the broad 90-mile expanse east to west of the cooperative’s service territory, the sense of community is very strong. “Columbia Power members are passionate about their diverse lifestyle needs, and their willingness to creatively partner with the cooperative in meeting their energy requirements inspires us to do our very best each day,” said Atkin. “Unique challenges are presented daily, yet the dedication of our skilled and knowledgeable employees blended with an engaged community make for the perfect mix of shared goals and successful outcomes.”

In her spare time Atkin enjoys exploring rural Eastern Oregon where she can be found hunting and fishing in the Blue Mountains and the Eagle Caps. "I enjoy spending time with my family sharing the great outdoors," she said.