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Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association
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February 2022
Volume 1, Issue 2
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ORECA Hosts Virtual Gubernatorial Candidate Forums | |
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On February 7, ORECA welcomed Republican Christine Drazan to their gubernatorial candidate forum. Drazan, a former House Republican leader, told co-op leaders that her top priorities as governor will be to restore a sense of normalcy to Oregonians after two years in a pandemic, ensure tax dollars are being used effectively for education, and allow local government to follow city ordinances when dealing with homelessness and community safety issues.
During the meeting Drazan spoke out against breaching the Lower Snake River Dams, "There is no future for Oregon if we are only dependent on wind and solar," said Drazan. "I am whole heartedly committed to keeping the dams."
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Former Speaker of the House Tina Kotek joined Oregon's cooperative leaders during ORECA's candidate forum on February 15. As governor, Kotek said she would focus her efforts on fighting climate change, the housing crisis, and helping the state recover from the pandemic. When asked about her position on breaching the Lower Snake River Dams, she said, "I want to be sure whatever comes, it's a collaborative effort," noting that co-ops will be at the table during these discussions.
If elected, Kotek said she will reassess board and commission appointments. She plans to engage with community leaders to ensure representation. "The state should be helpful, not a barrier," Kotek said.
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Oregon Co-ops Promote Childhood Literacy
In partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL), several electric cooperatives across the state are delivering the gift of literacy. “The first scholarship to our members,” is how Lea Hoover, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative’s Senior Manager of Administration, refers to the free books provided each month to children ages 0-5 years, in Baker, Grant, Harney, and Union counties from the co-op and DPIL.
Read more about how electric co-ops are getting involved with DPIL in March’s ORECA Ruralite.
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From left: Roman Gillen, CPI Board Chairman Russ Sapp, and Billy Terry assess fire damage in the Santiam Canyon after wildfires devastated the area in 2020. | |
CPI Leaders Take the Stage at Wildfire Conference
In January, Consumers Power, Inc. CEO Roman Gillen and Operations Manager Billy Terry were featured panelists and presenters at NWPPA's conference titled, Wildfires: What Utilities Need to Know, held in Seattle. Gillen and Terry, who helped guide CPI through the devastating Beachie Creek fire in September 2020, shared their experience and lessons learned working with FEMA for reimbursement of losses and applying for FEMA wildfire mitigation funds.
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White House Engages Northwest Public Power
on the Future of the Columbia River Basin
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On February 22, Northwest public power leaders met with the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to discuss the ongoing controversies and litigation around the Columbia River Basin. Litigation on the operation of the Federal Columbia River System has been paused until July to allow stakeholders the opportunity to discuss the challenges throughout the region. ORECA Executive Director Ted Case spoke about the impacts breaching the Lower Snake River Dams will have on rural and frontier communities, and how those projects were critical to system reliability during the extreme weather events of 2021.
The meeting was coordinated by Public Power Council Executive Director Scott Simms, and Kurt Miller, Executive Director of Northwest RiverPartners. The CEQ stressed this meeting is the first in a series of engagement sessions among stakeholders. ORECA will continue to engage with the CEQ on this important issue.
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Co-op Bookshelf: Authors
Among Us
Three talented Oregon co-op leaders have penned books for all types of readers. This month we highlight books from Coos-Curry Director Georgia Cockerham, who writes about foul play along the southern Oregon coast in Murder at Macklyn Cove. Former ORECA Statewide Manager Mark Glaess has written Aspire to Better, which describes the rich history of the rural electrification program and how cooperatives can make forward progress. Lane Electric Director Jack Billings uses his experience as a jurist and attorney in Bargains, a realistic, gritty crime drama.
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Bargains and Murder at Macklyn Cove are available at Amazon.com. Aspire to Better is available at aspirebetterbook21.com. | |
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Case Discusses Co-op Issues with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
This month, ORECA Executive Director Ted Case had the opportunity to discuss issues such as wildfire resilience and federal hydropower with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. Case thanked Senator Wyden for funding in the infrastructure bill that will assist utilities in hardening their systems in wildfires. In addition, Case also stressed the importance of the Lower Snake River Dams to Oregon's clean energy future.
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Seen Out and About
Lane Electric Director Ingrid Kessler and Janine Benner, Director of the Oregon Department of Energy, visited at the Eugene City Club, where Director Benner moderated a discussion about the future of nuclear energy.
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Capital City
Commentary
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Meet Joe Van Meter: ORECA
Vice President
Joe Van Meter is no stranger to electric co-ops. Having been a Salem Electric member since 1972, Van Meter joined the Salem Electric board in 2004. Since then, he has served the role of board member, board president, secretary treasurer, and is currently serving as vice president. Recently, Joe was elected as vice president of ORECA. “As vice president I hope to make my contribution in the steady, reliable representation ORECA has provided to Oregon co-ops," he said. "It is a privilege to serve with the many dedicated co-op leaders from throughout our State, and I look forward to seeing you all at the ORECA events this year!”
In Joe's spare time he enjoys spending time outdoors - camping, rafting, skiing, crabbing, and fishing with his wife Karen, three children, and eight grandchildren. "I have a passion for fishing Oregon rivers, bays, and lately out on the Big Pond," he said.
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Halibut anyone? Joe Van Meter proudly shows off a halibut he caught fishing 20 miles outside of Newport. | |
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Umatilla Recognized as Business Partner of the Year
Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) was recognized as Business Partner of the Year by the 2021 Umatilla County Fair on January 29. "We can't thank our industry partners enough for their contributions to our local events," said Lisa McMeen, Vice President of Administration at UEC. "Our industry is far more than electricity, it's about taking care of our communities," she said.
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In Memoriam: Curtis Short
Blachly-Lane Board of Director Curtis Short, 79, passed away January 28, 2022. Short, a resident of Junction City, was first elected to the Blachly-Lane board in April 2015 and was mid-way through his third term.
Blachly-Lane General Manager Greg Gardner said, "Those of us that knew Curtis will always remember him as a kind and gentle person, who kept his co-op's best interests in mind as he carried out his duties on the board. He will be truly missed." Short is also a former member of the ORECA board. "Curtis always had a ready smile, and his crafts were always an important part of our auctions," said ORECA Executive Director Ted Case. "We send our condolences to his family," he said.
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Upcoming Events & ORECA Key Dates | |
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March 6-9
NRECA PowerXchange
Nashville, TN
March 14
ORECA Candidate Forum
Virtual
April 2-5
NRECA Director's Conference
Austin, TX
April 19
ORECA Board Meeting
Virtual
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April 19-20
RESAP Training
La Pine, Oregon
May 1-3
Legislative Conference
Washington D.C.
July 11-13
ORECA Mid-Year Meeting
Bend, OR
November 29 - December 1
ORECA Annual Meeting
Salem, OR
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Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association
8565 SW Salish Lane Suite 130
Wilsonville, OR 97070
503-585-9988
www.oreca.org
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