Guest Speaker
Zabyn Towner, executive director of Northwest Requirements Utilities (NRU), reviewed Salem Electric's new Provider of Choice contract with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). NRU advocates on behalf of its members for cost-effective and reliable wholesale power supply and transmission service. Towner's presentation provided the timeline, changes from our previous contract, obligations of both parties, and load and resource options. Towner concluded that "The Provider of Choice power sales contract locks in 16 years of nearly carbon-free power at cost from the Bonneville Power Administration, and its terms provide significant benefit to Salem Electric."
Board Information
The Board approved a motion to authorize the general manager to sign Salem Electric's Provider of Choice Contract with BPA for the power delivery period of October 1, 2028, through September 30, 2044.
2026 Budget
The development of the budget is a thorough, multi-month project that evaluates the cooperative’s operational needs in alignment with SE’s goals of reliable service, good employee relations, low rates, good customer relations, financial integrity, and safety.
Factors affecting revenue include weather, economic trends, and advancements in technology. No significant change is projected in kWh per consumer sales, and in April 2026, a rate increase of 5.41% is anticipated. The projected allocation of revenue for 2026 is: 42.8% for power costs, 34.7% for operating expenses, 15.8% for reserves and capital requirements, and 6.7% for taxes and interest.
Major projects include continuing pole replacements along Edgewater Street NW, replacing switches downtown, upgrading secondary underground cables in Keizer, replacing a network storage device, and updating the lobby and front office layout.
General Manager's Report
Tony Schacher provided Strategic Plan updates: A contract was negotiated for a property in Keizer with future plans to provide a payment kiosk for members and a storage area for materials and trucks; SE’s prepay option is growing in popularity and has been a useful tool for members; and an EV charging station was recently installed at Capital Manor.