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04/21/2008: "Co-op Members Can Use Their Power to Take Charge of the Future"

The landscape of power in the United States–and in the world–is changing. Federal and state legislation is looking to require more renewable generation of electricity and to make carbon users pay towards the environmental costs of non-renewable generation.

Washington State House Bill 2815, known as the “Climate Bill,” was signed into law by Governor Gregoire on March 13, 2008. This bill directs the Department of Ecology to implement a greenhouse gas reporting program for large emitters and design a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade program in coordination with the regional plan being developed by the Western Governors Association’s Western Climate Initiative.


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While small co-ops like Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) are not directly effected by this bill (because we are not large emitters—and have access through the Bonneville Power Administration to a fuel mix that is mostly hydro-generated and already 97% greenhouse-gas free), it is clear that demand for the Northwest’s renewable hydro-power is increasing and as a result, costs will go up.

Co-op members are in a unique position to have a say in how their local electric utility is managed and how co-ops will respond to the changing political climate. As co-op members, we are owners of our cooperatives. We have the power to elect the directors who make the policies and approve the tariffs that inform our rates, practices and priorities.

How can you use your power?

1. Stay Informed . OPALCO’s annual report will be in mailboxes by the first week of May. Get updated on the state of the Co-op, read about the director candidates up for election this May in District 1 (San Juan, Brown, Henry, Pearl and Spieden Islands) and learn what you can do to use electricity—and the resources of your co-op—more efficiently.

2. Ask Questions. . Voice your questions, comments or concerns in person at the annual meeting on Saturday, May 17th. Call the OPALCO office at 376-3537 to speak with staff and better understand the issues that matter to you.

3. Vote. . Plan to attend OPALCO’s annual meeting on the ferry scheduled for Saturday, May 17th (see www.opalco.com for travel schedule) and cast your vote. If you can’t attend, send in your absentee ballot included in the annual report.

4. Spread the Word. Remind your family, friends and neighbors to read their annual report and to vote. Talk about the issues that matter to you.

5. Become an Ambassador . Join OPALCO’s Electric Ambassador Program. You will receive special updates about the legislative process each session and be invited to meet with OPALCO’s general manager, Randy Cornelius. Ambassadors are the grassroots team who keep our legislators informed of the issues that matter most to co-op members. Contact solson@opalco.com.

Take charge of the future of your cooperative: OPALCO gets its power from you!