LIGH READING
2026 Inland Power Board of Trustee Elections and Annual Meeting
Time is fast approaching for the 2026
Inland Power Annual Meeting event is set to take place at Northern Quest Resort on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. with breakfast available during the event. This year’s agenda will feature:
A formal business meeting
Board of trustee elections for districts five and seven
Various Inland Power booths where you will be able to ask questions of our team regarding billing, operations, energy savings and rebate programs
Special Guest Speaker, Adam Ratliff, the Armchair Engineer
Doors for the event will open at 9:30 A.M.
Members play a vital role in our Annual Meeting with the opportunity to elect your board members through our election process. Members are able to cast their vote three different ways - electronically through their
MEET THE 2026 CANDIDATES
District Five Candidate
RANDY SUESS (Incumbent)
Cheney, WA
IPL Member since 1976
District Five Candidate
CLIFF FOSTER
Nine Mile Falls, WA
IPL Member since 2023
District Five Candidate
JASON POPE
Cheney, WA
IPL Member since 2011
District Seven Candidate
BRIAN SLAYBAUGH (Incumbent)
Pomeroy, WA IPL Member since 1985
Inland Power SmartHub account, mail in their official ballot, and in person if you choose to bring your ballot to the Annual Meeting. Voting packets will be mailed out the end of February and online voting will open at the same time through your SmartHub account and the Vote Now button.
Remember, your voice matters! You can make a difference in your cooperative by participating in the voting process. We look forward to seeing you in March at our Annual Meeting!
Our mission is our members!
Factors driving the rising demand for electricity The Power Surge
Acrossthe United States, the demand for electricity is increasing at one of the fastest rates seen in decades. As the economy becomes more dependent on electricity with increased home usage, electric vehicles and data centers, electric utilities are gearing up to tackle the challenges brought by this increasing demand.
The North American Reliability Corporation, the overseer of the U.S. electric grid, recently published its 2025-2026 winter reliability assessment. This report along with other recent studies indicate that while there should be sufficient energy resources under normal conditions, potential supply shortages and outages could occur during extreme weather events in both the extreme heat and cold. There are several critical factors that are creating this rise in demand:
Economic Growth: Expanding manufacturing and the development of data centers are significant contributors.
Electrification Trend: More homes and businesses are opting for electricity for heating and transportation, leading to increased energy consumption.
Smart Technologies: The use of smart appliances and connected devices can drive up overall electricity use.
Tech companies are establishing new data centers across the region, leading to significant increases in electricity demand. Data centers are a major factor contributing to this demand surge. With the expansion of AI, cryptocurrency, and cloud computing technologies, the need for data processing and storage has skyrocketed. These facilities require enormous amounts of power to run servers,and cooling systems around the clock. Many data centers are targeting the Pacific Northwest for our low rates when compared to the national average.
The overall expansion of businesses and industries is driving the need for reliable, high-capacity power. The revival of domestic manufacturing has led to the construction of many new facilities, which often demand substantial energy loads to maintain continuous operations. This growth not only creates jobs and investment opportunities but also places additional demands on the electric grid.
Furthermore, population growth and residential development are contributing to rising demand, as modern life becomes increasingly energy-dependent. The integration of smart appliances, entertainment systems and the rise of home offices, adds to overall consumption, despite advancements in energy efficiency.
While the heightened demand poses challenges for electric utilities, it also presents significant opportunities for our communities. This includes job creation, steady revenue and enhanced infrastructure.
Inland Power is dedicated to advancing and integrating new technologies to meet the increasing demand. We understand that strategic planning is crucial to ensure the grid can support a range of needs, from electric vehicle charging stations to large-scale manufacturing facilities. As the trend of electrification progresses, we recognize that innovation and investment are vital for establishing a reliable and resilient energy future.
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Optimize your home Four ways an energy audit can benefit you!
A home energy audit evaluates the overall efficiency of your residence or business, while uncovering opportunities for improvement. Here are four significant benefits of conducting an energy audit:
INSIGHT INTO ENERGY CONSUMPTION: An audit reveals where your energy is primarily being used and provides strategies for more efficient energy use, ultimately saving you money.
PROPER SIZING OF EQUIPMENT: It assesses whether appliances and heating/cooling systems are appropriately sized for your space.
SAFETY IDENTIFICATION: An audit can pinpoint potential safety hazards related to home wiring and ventilation.
INCREASED PROPERTY VALUE: Implementing changes based on the audit's recommendations can enhance your property's market value.
Inland Power is pleased to offer a no charge energy audit service to Inland Power members. Our energy audit is a comprehensive assessment that can help you understand the whole picture of your home’s energy use. To find out more or schedule your audit, please contact us at conservation@inlandpower.com
Enhanced Outage
We recognize that effective communication is essential for our members, particularly during an outage. We have been attentive to your feedback and are implementing measures to enhance how we connect with you, our valued members, when the power goes out.We are excited to unveil our upgraded outage map, which includes the following features:
User-friendly outage icons that are color-coded according to the number of outages in a specific area.
A zoom-in feature that allows you to pinpoint your location and access notes and updates relevant to your outage.
Detailed comments section allowing you to find out more details regarding your outage.
The option to view the map by county or zip code, enabling you to better understand and gather information about your outage. You can view our outage map at inlandpower.com and remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for outage updates and weather alerts.
