CEO’s Message – March 2024

The Work Goes On–In the Field and At the Table

Safe, reliable, electricity. Keeping you informed. Lowest possible rates.

Those are pretty much the big three in terms of our “mission-critical” responsibilities around here. We have some tried-and-true practices that we follow to maintain system integrity, keep your lights on, keep your rates down as much as we can, and communicate those issues with you.

But sometimes, all the pole replacements, tree trimming, fire mitigation efforts, and transformer upgrades are not enough. At its core, Columbia REA is a business, and like any business, a lot of the work happens not out in the field, but in a meeting (in-person or virtual), over lunch, or at the negotiating table.

Many of the issues that affect us most are not weather-related, inflation-based, or determined by equipment wear and tear. They are political in nature and require a diplomatic approach, which means getting involved, staying involved, and keeping the pressure on, at both the State and Federal level.

Within the last six months, representatives of Columbia REA have traveled to Olympia to meet with elected officials, and national representatives of our industry have testified before Congress on a number of issues. In the coming months, we will be traveling to Washington D.C. to meet with elected leaders there. I have written countless letters, made hundreds of phone calls, and met with dozens of people on a wide variety of topics. And I’m not the only one. Our Board of Directors and even our management team are involved at various times and to varying degrees. It’s truly a cooperative effort.

The most familiar issue to all of us is the ongoing debate over the Lower Snake River Dams. Nothing new to report this month, but we will not let up in our quest for and support of a solution that protects our environment and protects our steady supply of clean, affordable, renewable hydropower.

But there are other, very important, very relevant, and very active issues in motion right now that will impact our industry in the coming years. The State Climate Commitment Act, issues around the integration of the telecom industry and electric utilities, and the development of clean energy alternatives–and how and where to acquire more clean energy if and when those resources become widely available–are all on the table right now, and Columbia REA is in the thick of these conversations. But we can use your help.

If you would like to learn more and get involved, let’s talk. As a member, you are more than welcome to reach out to me anytime. I would also encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and share your thoughts, and perhaps more importantly, learn their thoughts on these matters. Another great resource is Voices For Cooperative Power, an information-packed, industry-driven website where you can learn about all the issues facing electric co-ops today and how co-ops are working hard to protect safe, affordable, reliable electricity, and what you can do to help! You can find a link to voicesforcooperativepower.com on the Columbia REA website.

Now more than ever, we are more powerful together.

Best,
Scott Peters, CEO