By: Ted Case
The 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly is nearly halfway through its busy session. Thousands of bills have been introduced, and it can be difficult to cut through the chatter.
We believe going to the Oregon Capitol is an important way to make sure our voices are heard. In February, more than 60 Oregon electric cooperative leaders, including representatives from Umatilla Electric Cooperative, spent a day in Salem advocating for policies that protect the affordability, reliability and safety of your power supply.
Whether it is legislation to protect electric co-ops from uncapped liability from wildfires, mandates on how to operate systems or even the types of vehicles utilities can buy, the Oregon Legislature is considering serious proposals that have real consequences for members across the state.
It was a productive day with a good discussion of the issues, and we appreciate the attentiveness of our elected officials. But we also found considerable interest from legislators in the electric co-op business model—perhaps more than ever before.
In an era of spiraling costs, legislators said they appreciate we are local and not-for-profit. While we are not immune to rising costs, decisions about the operation of your co-op are made by elected leaders in our communities, not distant shareholders seeking to maximize profits. You have a voice in this decision-making, and lawmakers seem to recognize this distinction. In the Oregon Capitol, there is a growing recognition that electric co-ops are different.
Effective advocacy in Salem on your behalf is a part of a responsibility we take seriously—and the Oregon Legislative Assembly still has a long way to go. We will see it through to the end and keep you updated on any legislation that may affect the ability of Oregon Cooperatives to provide their members with the best possible service.
Ted Case
Executive Director
Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association