Wasco Electric Cooperative Members Gather for 84th Annual Meeting
Story and photos by Drew Myron
Pride of ownership rang through Wasco Electric Cooperative’s 84th annual meeting in December.
A blend of business and celebration, the meeting is held to elect directors to the co-op’s board and offer members an overview of the cooperative that provides power to more than 4,600 services over 5,000 square miles, in 5 counties— Wasco, Sherman, Jefferson, Gilliam, and Wheeler—with 1,612 miles of power lines and 10 substations.
This year’s event was December 2 at The Dalles Middle School in a spacious cafeteria filled with more than 60 members. The event featured cooperative and industry updates, election results, a prime rib lunch made by Cobblestone Catering, and dozens of door prizes.
The afternoon began with guest speaker Kurt Miller, executive director of Northwest Public Power Association. The organization provides training, conferences, communications, and support to more than 150 public power members and 300 associate members. Kurt previously served as executive director of Northwest RiverPartners and is considered 1 of the nation’s leading advocates for hydropower.
“At Wasco Electric, 90% of your electricity is from hydro,” Kurt said. “You are the greenest electricity in the nation. We have the cleanest energy grid in the entire nation.”
Hydropower keeps energy bills low, he said, noting California rates are 2 to 3 times higher than those of Oregon.
“It’s something we kind of take for granted,” Kurt said.
He said the nation faces many hurdles, such as increased demand for electricity, increased transmission line loads, and rolling blackouts to ration power.
In the Northwest, dam removals are a contentious and ongoing issue.
“We need those dams in this region,” he said, referring to dams along the lower Snake River. “That is something that is not optional.
“The special thing about electric cooperatives is that you own the utility. Every decision is made on your behalf.” —Kurt Miller, Executive Director of Northwest Public Power Association
“It’s been a really challenging time, not just for Wasco Electric Cooperative but for the entire industry. The challenge is that the industry is changing. It has gotten more complex and more political, too.”
Mike Collins, president of WEC’s board of directors, offered an overview of issues and encouraged a vision for the future. He lives in the Simnasho area on the Warm Springs Reservation and has served on the WEC board since 2006.
“I have mentors and elders, and we’re looking generations ahead,” he said. “We’re thinking how they are going to have a life.”
Warm Springs, he noted, was connected to power in 1960.
“That’s a short time, really,” he said. “You look at the changes, not too many years ago, and there was no power in our area. I look at the future and ask what the need will look like ahead.”
Traci Brock, WEC’s member services manager, shared updates on projects and improvements the cooperative has achieved.
While infrastructure and system reliability are ongoing endeavors, a new project involved rebuilding circuits that feed Mill Creek, Skyline, Olney and Knob Hill. The month-long effort saw the replacement of 50 poles and 61,000 feet of conductor, along with crossarms, insulators, and other equipment.
Additionally, to improve detection and response issues, WEC installed several protection devices, including electronic reclosers and grid monitors.
“The devices send in a notification to operations about the same time we start to receive calls from members,” Traci said. “Then we can look at equipment on our new GIS system. Pairing that with member calls allows us to respond quicker.”
While addressing system maintenance and improvements, WEC is also seeing a slight increase in membership.
“Over the last year, we have installed 24 new services,” Traci said. “These services are everything from commercial, residential, pump or shops.”
The cooperative is also expanding internally.
“Over the past 6 months, our team has grown significantly, with the addition of a warehouseman, a journeyman lineman, an engineer and operations support assistant, and a customer service representative,” Traci said.
3 directors were elected at the annual meeting.
Matthew Clausen was reelected to represent District 1. He lives east of Dufur and is the fifth generation to run his family’s wheat farm. He has served on the WEC board since 2014.
Ron Holmes was reelected to represent District 2. Ron lives in Kent. He operates a wheat and barley farm and does custom cutting for farmers in Sherman County. He has served on the board since 2008.
Al Mitchell was newly elected to represent District 3. He lives in Maupin. A retired electrician, Al helps run the family farm on Juniper Flat.
Sylvia McCorkle, who recently retired after 3 years on the board, was recognized for her service.
Aside from budgets and business, a highlight for many members was the prize giveaway. Lucky members walked away with gift cards, tools, fishing poles and more. The grand prize was a $500 bill credit from Wasco Electric Cooperative.