Co-ops Are Led by Concern for Community
Dear Members,
Every October, National Co-op Month gives us an opportunity to reflect on what makes electric cooperatives different. We’re here to provide reliable power, but our connection to the communities we serve goes much deeper than that.
1 of the 7 Cooperative Principles is Concern for Community, and it’s something we see reflected in Oregon’s electric cooperatives. We live and work in the communities we serve, and the decisions we make are guided by what is best for our members and the long-term strength of those communities.
At West Oregon Electric Cooperative, that means delivering the power you depend on while managing the costs of providing that service responsibly. It also means keeping you informed when outside decisions have the potential to affect those costs.
On September 17, Bonneville Power Administration published a notice in the Federal Register formally beginning an expedited rate proceeding known as BP-27. The proceeding is intended to address the financial impact of a February 25, 2026, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon’s decision to change operations at 8 federal dams on the lower Snake and Columbia rivers.
Changes in dam operations can reduce the amount of electricity generated by the federal hydropower system. When that happens, BPA may need to replace some of that lost generation by buying power on the open market, where costs can be higher.
Under its BP-27 proposal, BPA seeks to recover an additional $250 million through power rates. BPA estimates its proposed adjustment would result in a 6.3% increase in wholesale power costs paid by its utility customers, including WOEC.
The ultimate impact to WOEC depends on the outcome of BPA’s rate proceeding and how the final adjustment applies to the power we buy.
We know any increase in power costs matters to our members. WOEC will participate in the BPA rate process, follow it closely, and continue working to manage costs responsibly. We’ll keep you informed as the process moves forward and we see a clearer picture of what the final decision could mean for WOEC and your electric bill.
For additional information about the regional hydropower system and this issue, visit the Oregonians for Affordable Hydropower website.
Best,
General Manager Billi Kohler