Local Producers Gear Up for New Irrigation Season with UEC
Local irrigators gathered on Mar. 23 at the headquarters of Umatilla Electric Cooperative to hear updates from staff and leadership on recent activities at the co-op.
Presenters in the meeting discussed everything from fire mitigation to new substation builds, rate information, and automated metering. The group also got to hear from UEC’s Energy Efficiency team about new energy efficiency funding from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and higher incentives for agriculture-related improvements beginning in October. The co-op’s Government Relations Manager, Alec Shebiel, finished the presentation with an update on legislative measures making their way through the Oregon legislative session this spring that could raise concerns for members of UEC.
“We look forward to bringing our irrigation members on-site and learning ways to better serve them," says Tami Sinor, Key Account Manager for UEC. “Our service to our irrigation community has improved tremendously over the years as our system has seen improvements. It is rewarding to hear our members recognize that and hear more about new projects they're planning."
Irrigation members at the event were anxious to get their questions answered by UEC’s General Manager, Robert Echenrode, after the presentation. Irrigation members are invited to meet bi-annually outside of irrigation season.