Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association

09/17/2026

Higher rates are officially flowing downriver. In a Federal Register notice published today, the Bonneville Power Administration launched formal rate proceedings to recover a staggering $250 million shortfall—the direct result of Governor Tina Kotek's litigation forcing water over federally owned hydropower dams rather than through their clean energy turbines. The official filing sets an expedited 6.3% wholesale rate hike in motion, shifting the cost burden directly onto Oregon’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives and the rural families they serve.

As Salem Electric General Manager Tony Schacher warned: "Gov. Kotek's anti-hydropower lawsuit will cause higher bills, less reliability, and more reliance on fossil fuels. The cost burden will fall on the most vulnerable Oregonians, who will be left wondering if they should pay their electricity bill or cover other essential needs, like food or medicine." The effect of the legal battle is no longer theoretical—the formal federal process to hike power bills is underway. Learn how this impacts your co-op at https://protecthydropower.com/.

07/22/2026

Oregon co-ops and Voices for Cooperative Power have generated nearly 5,000 grassroots letters to the governor supporting carbon-free, low-cost hydropower.

07/13/2026

ICYMI: Salem Electric General Manager Tony Schacher took to the pages of The Oregonian to spell out what the state's hydropower lawsuit really means for Oregonians — higher electric bills.
The lawsuit could drive up wholesale power costs 6–7% for Oregon's consumer-owned utilities — costs that land directly on the families and small businesses they serve.
Tony leads one of Oregon's member-owned electric cooperatives, and he's seen firsthand how litigation against the federal hydropower system threatens the clean, reliable, affordable power our co-ops deliver every day. We're grateful for his leadership and his willingness to speak up for affordability.
Read his letter to the editor: https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2026/07/readers-respond-hydropower-lawsuit-hurts-affordability.html?gift=6726c08d-15d7-4730-a7e2-da062a39fcb7
Learn more at ProtectHydropower.com.

Letters to the Editor can be submitted to [email protected] with full name and place of residence.

06/29/2026

3 consumer-owned utility leaders - Jeff Jones of Blachly-Lane Electric Co-op, Scott Coe of Lane Electric Cooperative & Kyle Roadman of Emerald People's Utility District - just told Lane County the hard truth: Governor Tina Kotek's litigation over the Columbia & Snake River dams means pricier, dirtier power. Appreciate their leadership. Read it 👇

Oregonians need energy decisions that prioritize affordability and reliability. Not policies that raise everyone’s electricity bills.

06/21/2026

On their last full day in Washington, D.C., our Electric Cooperative Youth Tour students explored some of the nation's most historic and meaningful landmarks. The day included visits to Ford's Theatre, the Washington National Cathedral, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Pentagon Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.

From reflecting on pivotal moments in our nation's history to honoring those who sacrificed and served, the experiences provided powerful lessons in citizenship and leadership. Thank you to our Oregon co-ops who selected and sponsored these students for this opportunity! We are proud to continue this tradition that began in the 1950s. (Photos by Multnomah Media)

06/20/2026

Yesterday our Youth Tour students visited Mount Vernon and the National Museum of the Marines. The busy day ended with a dinner in Alexandria, a Colonial tour, and a Potomac water taxi back to the National Harbor.

(Photos by Multnomah Media)

06/19/2026

Today our delegates for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour spent the day exploring Smithsonian museums and then joining with the nearly 2,100 other students for the NRECA Youth Day program.

06/18/2026

Capitol Hill Day was a memorable one for our Electric Cooperative Youth Tour students! After starting the morning with an NRECA advocacy training session, students headed to Capitol Hill to put their civic engagement skills into action.

They had the opportunity to meet with Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley. While the U.S. House of Representatives is currently in recess, students appreciated the opportunity to meet with Congressman Bentz's staff.

A special thank you to Senator Merkley's staff for providing our students with a tour of the U.S. Capitol. The students also toured the Library of Congress and finished off the day exploring the National Harbor. (Photos by Multnomah Media)

06/17/2026

Day one in D.C. for our Electric Cooperative Youth Tour delegates. They toured Arlington National Cemetery, the National Mall monuments, and watched the Marine Corps Sunset Parade. (Photos by Multnomah Media)

06/15/2026

Governor Tina Kotek, Oregonians deserve transparency when it comes to the future of the hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The dams supply critical reliable, affordable, carbon-free electricity across our state and region. Decisions about the dams that will raise power bills and threaten electric reliability should not move forward without meaningful input from electric cooperatives and their communities who depend on them. http://bit.ly/3RM4C0c