Legislative Session Wraps Up
Dear Members,
Oregon’s 83rd Legislative Assembly ends this month after a session full of twists and turns. While lawmakers focused on budgets, taxes, and funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation, electric cooperative representatives were in the state capitol each day advocating for policies that protect the reliable and affordable power you depend on.
The session included a robust discussion about legislation requiring the Oregon Department of Energy to study the state’s long-standing ban on nuclear power generation. Multiple studies have concluded that power generation resources are not being built fast enough to keep pace with the Pacific Northwest’s projected increase in electricity demand over the next decade, raising concerns that the region could face blackouts. Oregon’s electric co-ops support the ODOE study to ensure the state can make an informed decision on the future of nuclear energy based on the best possible data and science.
We also raised awareness about the importance of federal hydropower to millions of Oregonians, as it remains the backbone of the Northwest’s clean, reliable, and affordable electricity system. Protecting access to hydropower is especially critical as electricity demand grows and other generation resources face increasing costs and uncertainty.
Finally, with wildfire season right around the corner after a dry winter, we emphasized the need for lawmakers to consider the financial liabilities electric utilities face when wildfires occur. While no legislation was passed this session, we were pleased last month when the Oregon Public Utility Commission announced a comprehensive study that appropriately balances utility accountability for wildfire risk mitigation, consumer needs for reliable and affordable essential services, and timely compensation for those affected by wildfire. We look forward to this report in advance of the 2027 legislative session.
In the meantime, we thank all legislators for their service to the state of Oregon and look forward to continuing discussions about policies that keep your electricity affordable and reliable.
Thank you,
General Manager Billi Kohler