Advocating for You at the Nation's Capital
In late April, 3 representatives from Wasco Electric joined more than 2,000 electric cooperative leaders in Washington, D.C., to advocate for federal policies that directly impact rural Oregon.
Alongside 17 other Oregon cooperative leaders, we met with each member of Oregon’s congressional delegation— or their staff—to discuss key legislative issues, including Federal Emergency Management Agency funding, enhanced vegetation management tools in the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, permitting reform, and the future of Bonneville Power Administration. We concluded each meeting on a high note with an update about our recent international electrification work in Guatemala.
With 18 electric cooperatives serving 500,000 people across 75% of Oregon’s land area, the voice of Oregon’s electric co-ops carries weight. These meetings gave us the opportunity to share firsthand how policy decisions made in D.C. affect our communities and the members we serve every day.
1 of the highlights of the trip was a conversation with Rep. Cliff Bentz focused on the delays caused by current permitting processes. These bottlenecks continue to hinder the timely development of critical transmission infrastructure. We also met with Sen. Ron Wyden to discuss the Fix Our Forests Act. If passed by the Senate, it would expand the tools available to cooperatives for removing hazardous vegetation near power lines. This effort would not only improve system reliability but also reduce wildfire risk by eliminating excess fuels.
During a meeting with a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, we emphasized the value of the BPA’s hydroelectric system to the Pacific Northwest. BPA power is a reliable, low-carbon resource that delivers some of the most affordable rates in the nation. We reiterated that during the January 2024 winter storm, hydropower was essential in keeping the lights on while wind and solar resources were unavailable due to extreme weather conditions.
In our meeting with Sen. Jeff Merkley, we shared how Oregon’s electric cooperatives are making an impact beyond our borders. Earlier this year, lineworkers from Oregon co-ops traveled to Guatemala, where they built more than 2 miles of power lines to electrify a remote village. Their work brought electricity to 22 homes, a church, and a school, bringing light, safety, and opportunity to families that had never had access to power.
These meetings in Washington, D.C., are a critical part of our ongoing advocacy on your behalf. At Wasco Electric, we believe in the cooperative principle of Concern for Community, and that includes ensuring federal policy continues to support reliable, safe, and affordable power, both at home and abroad.
Lindsay Forepaugh
General Manager