Power of Community

Affordable Power is Everyone's Business

The following article was provided by Sandra Flicker, Executive Director of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

If you haven’t joined our statewide grassroots movement called Power of Community, you should think about doing so immediately. It’s the most effective thing you can do to fight for affordable power rates.
     Most electric co-ops purchase all or some of their power from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) either through direct contracts, or by aggregating their load with other co-ops. BPA is the only significant wholesale provider of electricity for non-profit co-ops in the Northwest. As non-profit utilities, your co-ops likely would have to raise electric rates to you if BPA increases wholesale power rates to them.
     BPA is very much a political animal influenced by the laws of Congress. Conversely, members of Congress are influenced by voters such as you. Through Power of Community, you have an organized, focused opportunity to communicate your views and concerns about future rate increases to your elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.
Power of Community issued just such a legislative alert this past April. BPA proposed a 25% rate increase in wholesale power rates to most co-ops. We sent our Power of Community members a postcard, asking them to contact BPA Administrator Steve Wright opposing the rate increase, and to copy their communication to their elected officials. When the dust settled, Power of Community members made more than 400 communications to the appropriate people and policy- makers. Approximately one month later, BPA announced a reduction in its rate increase from 25% to approximately 3%. Most co-ops were able to absorb that increase, and not have to raise electric rates to you as a result. Now that’s grassroots in action, but it takes your participation to make it happen!
     At the state level, there were several bills that would have increased fees and regulations by the state to your co-op. While ORECA successfully lobbied against these provisions, it was good to know that our Power of Community members were ready to contact their state legislators if it was necessary. We kept Power of Community members updated about state activity through a newsletter we produced each month called The Salem Scoop.
Being a part of Power of Community is easy and lets you be as involved as your schedule allows. We send you monthly newsletters when the Oregon State Legislature is in session, as well as in-depth briefings about issues of immediate concern to your co-op. We never share your personal information, and you can cancel your participation at any time.
To sign up for Power of Community online, visit the Power of Community website.  Every co-op member owns a piece of the company, so sign up and help protect your wallet!