As
this article goes to press, the Oregon Legislature is still meeting. There are
several bills that have been heavily debated and could have an impact on Salem
Electric. The most important one, of course, is the electric restructuring bill
that has been passed by both chambers and will most likely be signed into law
by the Governor. As you may recall, in October 1996 the board voted unanimously
to adopt the following resolution: During the 1997 legislative session we were in good company
with those who helped defeat a restructuring bill. That bill languished in
committee and was the subject of exhaustive debates and never made it to a
vote. This session we knew the debate would be better crafted, and more
education would go into the discussions. Last summer, several board members
attended a meeting with the other sixteen cooperatives and adopted principles
that would ensure our ability to provide low-cost power and maintain our higher
levels of reliability. Armed with those principals, our local association began
meeting with legislators and policy makers to ensure our position was known,
and that first and foremost we wanted to protect our members and not create
disadvantages for our residential and small business customers. As the session moved forward, we watched as the restructuring
bill moved through the Senate Committee, and on to a floor vote with virtually
no opposition. At that point, the board felt we had to take a firmer stand to
remain true to our opposition of deregulation. In a letter to the President of
the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) we stated our
inability to continue to support the "neutral" position the organization was
taking. In addition, we felt that the purpose of the bill was to take what one
local State Senator called a "first step" toward restructuring the electric
utility industry in Oregon, as a first step toward the end of low-cost power in
Oregon. In the next Board Report, we will be able to convey more information
about this bill and its impact on Salem Electric, but we would like to thank
Senator Peter Courtney for supporting our position and being a strong voice in
opposition to deregulation. President The meeting of the Salem Electric Board
of Directors was called to order by newly-elected President, Nancy Towslee, at
7:00 p.m. on June 22, 1999. Other board members present were Murray McCreary,
Curt Culver, Jeff Anderson, Jim Dyer and John Elliott.
President Towslee welcomed our newly-elected board member, John Elliott.
As is customary for the edification of our new board members and a review for
others, a brief summation of our financial and operations reports were
presented by Jack Belleque and Roger Kuhlman.
In reviewing the monthly financial reports, John Elliott questioned why it was
necessary to review "checks written" for as little as $300, considering the
size of our operation. The board will revisit this issue in July, looking at
reports simply showing $500, $750 or more, deleting the smaller checks written.
Covering our community involvement activity, it was noted that Salem Electric's
volunteer "team" raised over $4,000 in the recent American Cancer Society's
Relay for Life held in June. This effort by staff placed us in the top ten
companies locally. Under the General Manager's report, Bob Speckman noted that a new union contract
had been successfully negotiated. He complimented those who had a major role in
this negotiation. The contract is for five years.
Speckman provided an update on pending legislation effecting our cooperative,
primarily SB 1149, the "deregulation" bill. The legislature is divided on this
issue and no final direction had been determined.
The dedication and renaming of the Brush College Substation in honor of Jim
Hughes, our former Line Superintendent who passed away earlier this year, will
be Friday, August 27.
Member Services Manager Terry Kelly presented a plan for modification of the
Energy Smart Design program including an incentive plan for new commercial
buildings. The modified plan was adopted unanimously by the board. A review of
the program's cost controls will be brought back for board review.
President Towslee announced assignments and sought volunteers from the board to
represent Salem Electric on various state, regional and national
industry-related associations and conferences. Board members are encouraged to
participate in these meetings; not only for educational purposes, but to
provide Salem Electric's input as well.
Culver inquired about the status of the board's proposed long-range planning
meeting. Towslee will meet with Speckman to create a suggested agenda.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Secretary/Treasurer
August 1999
Salem Electric takes a position in opposition to
mandatory retail wheeling for consumer owned utilities, but will continue to
monitor retail wheeling and be alert to advantages that may appear for members.
Nancy Towslee
Minutes of the Meeting Held on:
June 22, 1999
Curt Culver
