Manager’s Message – March 2024
Snake River Dams Kept Houses Warm & Lights on During Ice Storm
Oregon’s electric cooperatives have shared our concerns with Governor Tina Kotek’s office about the signed agreement the federal government signed late in 2023. This controversial agreement is intended to determine the future of the lower Snake River dams and locate other sources of electricity to serve our members.
While the dams are a sensitive subject, the most recent ice storm again demonstrated how essential the 4 hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River were in keeping Oregonians warm and safe. According to the Bonneville Power Administration, the lower Snake River dams made a major contribution to BPA’s efforts to keep the lights on during the cold snap in January.
During the most intensive freezing weather event the Pacific Northwest has seen in 20 years, the lower Snake River dams operated at levels higher than normal to meet record energy needs, made greater by the lack of wind and solar energy during the storm.
The recent federal agreement calls for replacing these critical hydroelectric projects with intermittent wind and solar resources, which are not always dependable due to the variability of wind and solar during extreme events.
Visit the Voices For Cooperative Power website to have a say in energy policy decisions that affect you.
Short Legislation Session
In the fast-paced realm of legislative developments, Wasco Electric Cooperative strives to communicate legislative bills that affect us.
Recognizing the dynamic nature of policies that impact our members, we prioritize staying aware of the latest changes to ensure we can advocate effectively.
Throughout the short session, we remain dedicated to providing timely updates on legislation that may affect our community, leveraging our social media channels and our website Wasco Electric.
Staying up-to-date on these platforms, we not only enhance transparency but also empower our members with the knowledge necessary to participate in the democratic process actively.
Lindsay Forepaugh
General Manager