Manager’s Message – February 2023

We’re Looking out for Our Members

The Oregon Legislative Assembly is underway in Salem, with leaders of both parties pledging to take on some big challenges that were front and center during last year’s campaign: the housing crisis, homelessness and education, among others. Governor Tina Kotek has announced one of her priorities is making government accountable for all Oregonians.

Wasco Electric Cooperative has a voice in our state capitol through our partnership with the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA).

In recent sessions, the Oregon Legislature has approved measures to reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable energy production.

This session, ORECA is educating lawmakers—many of whom are in their first terms—about the important role electric co-ops play in our state, with an energy portfolio that is 96% emission free.

While we’re proud of our track record as one of the cleanest utilities in the country, we’re also advising elected officials that, like our state, we face big challenges maintaining our accountability to you.

These challenges include wildfire mitigation, vegetation management, supply chain issues and—perhaps the biggest challenge of all—protecting the federal hydroelectric dams that are critical to maintaining an affordable, reliable and renewable power supply in the Pacific Northwest.

As the session progresses, we will keep you updated on legislation of interest to your electric co-op. In the meantime, we thank our elected officials for rolling up their sleeves and working together to make our state a better place to live.

General Manager
Ned Ratterman