Ruralite, Umatilla Electric Cooperative, July 2024
1920s Style for a 1920s Price
It was a warm summer afternoon and my wife and I were mingling with the best of them. The occasion was a 1920s-themed party, and everyone was dressed to the nines. Parked on the manse’s circular driveway was a beautiful classic convertible. It was here that I got the idea for our new 1920s Retrograde Watch.
Never ones to miss an opportunity, we carefully steadied our glasses of bubbly and climbed into the car’s long front seat. Among the many opulent features on display was a series of dashboard dials that accentuated the car’s lavish aura. One of those dials inspired our 1920s Retrograde Watch, a genuinely unique timepiece that marries timeless style with modern technology.
With its remarkable retrograde hour and minute indicators, sunburst guilloche face and precision movement, this design is truly one of a kind. What does retrograde mean? Instead of displaying the hands rotating on an axis like most watches, the hands sweep in a semicircle, then return to their starting point and begin all over again.
Retrograde watches by the big brands can set you back thousands; one recent offering from a big French fashion house is selling for more than $150,000! But because we’ve designed the 1920s Retrograde Watch in-house, we can offer it to you for just $99!
This watch is so wildly popular with our customers that we’re actually concerned about running out; we only have 937 729 left for this ad!
Watch Specifications:
• Precision movement
• Stainless steel case, caseback and crown
• Retrograde hour and minute indicators
• Water-resistant to 5 ATM
• Brown genuine leather band
• Fits wrists up to 8"
1920s Retrograde Watch
$399 $99* + S&P Save $300
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
“An elegant and exciting timepiece that every collector will love.”
— George omas, internationally renowned watch expert
“[A] unique and beautiful timepiece.”
— Carlos C., Los Banos, CA
Lineman Trade Scholarship:
Wesley Avery, UEC’s Lineman Scholarship Recipient, will attend Northwest Lineman College pursuing a career as a journeyman lineman.
12. 13. 14.
Your Home Could Help Transform America’s Energy Grid
Virtual power plants may be the keys to meeting the country’s
By Dan Catchpole
growing electricity demand
Smart thermostats, rooftop solar, battery systems, electric vehicles and other distributed energy resources are turning homes, shops, factories and other facilities into virtual power plants.
A virtual power plant bundles distributed energy resources— individual energy-generating and -stabilizing devices spread across the grid—and operates them as a single entity. For example, if thousands of homes in a utility’s service territory have rooftop solar panels, the utility can connect them to a digital platform that manages them as if they were one big solar plant sprawled across acres.
Thanks to recent technological advances and years of experimentation, virtual power plants are poised to become a major part of America’s power grid.
There are 30-60 gigawatts of VPPs already running in the country, according to a United States Department of Energy report released in September 2023. By 2030, VPPs could provide 90-180 GW, or as much as 20% of America’s projected electricity demand, the report says.
The key ingredients—private investment, public support, market demand and technological advances—appear to be aligning to make that achievable.
Rocky Mountain Power, which serves areas of Idaho, Utah
and Wyoming, has had no problem signing up customers for its Wattsmart battery program, which lets the utility use battery systems in homes and businesses as a VPP.
Thousands have enrolled since the program launched in 2020, and the company has several hundred more applications in the queue, says Bill Comeau, Rocky Mountain Power’s vice president of customer experience and innovation.
“The growth is much faster than we expected,” Bill says.
The company pays participants a few thousand dollars up front plus a small amount per year depending on the size of their batteries, which often are connected to solar panels on the customers’ homes or buildings.
The batteries typically charge during the middle of the day when solar power is generating more electricity than Rocky Mountain Power needs. The utility then uses that energy in the evening, when energy demand increases as people get home from work, start a load of laundry and turn on air conditioning or heat.
By storing energy from midday to be used when demand is higher, Rocky Mountain Power does not have to build more generation or buy power from the market when it is most expensive. The utility also uses Wattsmart batteries for frequency response, which means balancing energy demand and supply on its system from one second to the next.
All of that is done from the utility’s control room. Customers in the program do not have to do anything, Bill says.
That seamlessness and nimble control is one of the technological advances putting VPPs at a tipping point.
Puget Sound Energy in Washington worked with software provider AutoGrid to launch its first VPP that already has tens of thousands of customers participating as of late last year. The company used the program seven times this past winter to get through peak-demand events.
“What we’re trying to do is this idea of energy orchestration, where we’re working with and for our customers to make sure that we’re maximizing the potential that all these connected devices will bring,” says Aaron August, PSE senior vice president, chief customer and transformation officer.
The utility, which serves more than 1 million electric service consumers, expects to have 30 megawatts of battery capacity by the end of the year and at least 86 MW by the end of 2025.
The utility is focused on adding battery storage to the VPP but Aaron says the vision is to use energy-efficiency practices, distributed energy resources and battery storage systems. The utility also plans to use vehicle-to-grid storage, which enables energy to be pulled back to the power grid from an electric vehicle battery. The utility encourages its consumers to lower or shift their electricity use during daily peak times when energy use is highest and power is most expensive.
“Each one of those assets ... it’s like a musical instrument,” Aaron says. “If you keep adding instruments together, you can
create this orchestra.”
In the San Francisco Bay area, MCE is assembling its own orchestra in Richmond, California. The electric service provider expects to unveil the first house this summer in its inaugural VPP program, which will start with 100 homes and larger commercial and industrial sites, MCE Chief Operating Officer Vicken Kasarjian says.
The program overhauls abandoned homes and sells them at a discount to low-income, first-time homebuyers. The VPP will harness an array of clean-energy technologies in the refurbished homes, including energy storage, smart thermostats, rooftop solar, heat pump water and space heating, and electric vehicle charging.
Participants agree to connect their smart appliances to the grid. MCE will bundle the devices and operate them based on market signals, which, according to MCE, will increase grid reliability, cut consumers’ power bills and reduce emissions.
Other communities have contacted MCE about the program, and it is looking to expand, Vicken says.
VPPs could play a critical role in transforming the energy grid, but that is not a foregone outcome,
Bill says.
“There are a lot of opportunities but a lot of work that needs to be done to get these working on the grid,” he says. n
Rocky Mountain Power’s Wattsmart program uses battery systems in homes and businesses to meet energy demand during peak times. This allows the utility to rely on local generation instead of buying from the power market when it is most expensive. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER
PET-FRIENDLY ADVENTURES
Map out trips with furry friends
By Kathy Denes
Summer typically means travel, whether it’s scenic road trips or flights to vacation destinations. More than ever before, beloved pets are tagging along for the ride.
If you want to take your four-legged companion on your next vacation, here are some pet-friendly resources to make the most of your trip.
Conde Naste Traveler has an online list of nationwide hotels and Airbnbs it deems best for accommodating pets, especially dogs.
Meanwhile, on travelandleisure.com, search “pets” and you’ll unleash a wealth of helpful articles. Even financial companies are weighing in. NerdWallet compiled a list of Best Hotels for Pets in 2024, based on factors such as fees and amenities, and rated air travel options, topped by Alaska Airlines. If you don’t want to do the research yourself, there are travel agencies that specialize in taking care of the details for you.
Also, hotels, resorts, parks and campgrounds usually post their pet policies, fees and amenities, as do airlines, trains and even cruise lines that allow furry passengers. Many websites are focused entirely on pet-friendly travel. Just browse by city, state or destination at resources such as:
• bringfido.com.
• petswelcome.com.
• tripswithpets.com.
Expert Advice
“Before deciding to bring your pet along on a trip, you need to ask yourself whether or not it’s in your pet’s best interest to do so,” says Dr. Rena Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
What’s a fun adventure for you might be an overwhelming experience for your dog.
“If you choose to include your pet, a pre-trip veterinary visit is a good idea to make sure your pet is healthy and up to date on vaccinations and microchip registration, and to obtain a health certificate, which is required by law if you’re traveling to a different state with your pet,” Rena says.
Your veterinarian can also provide vital information about the risk of parasites and other diseases that your pet may be exposed to at your destination, as well as possible preventive steps or treatments.
“Make sure to plan for their comfort in transit, whether by land or air, with regular breaks and by choosing the least stressful travel options,” Rena says. “Confirm in advance that your destinations are pet-friendly, and try to maintain your pet’s routine as much as possible to help them feel secure. Your careful planning can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for everyone involved.” n
Your Own Massive Backyard
Whether you plan to explore the rugged coast or hike trails through vast mountain forests, the Pacific Northwest offers plenty of options for bringing your pet along. State departments of tourism have resources for trip planning, and many pet owners post blogs sharing their own experiences. Here are a few insights:
X From the riverfront and downtown areas of Spokane, Washington, to the base of Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint, Idaho, the Ruby Hospitality family of hotels welcomes dogs—limit of two per room and registration required—for a daily fee of $25 each. The Ruby River Hotel location in Spokane has a dog park, and Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail is nearby. The hotel is also just a 10-minute walk from BARK, A Rescue Pub, where your pet can join in for food and refreshments. The pub partners with the local humane society to help rescue dogs and cats find new families, so you may leave there with more than just a full stomach.
X Less than an hour away, the largest state park in Washington, Mount Spokane, welcomes leashed pets at campsites and on most of its more than 100 miles of trails. As with all state recreation lands, vehicle entry requires the Discover Pass, costing $10 per day or $30 a year. AllTrails reviewers say the most pet-friendly hikes are the challenging 12.6-mile trail to the top of Spokane Mountain and Tripps Knob and Linder Ridge Loop, along with moderate Day Mountain and Mount Kit Carson trails, Shadow Mountain Loop and Trail 121/Trail 122 Loop.
X Alaska, large enough to cover 20% of the continental U.S., has immense vacation potential, but the vast wildness that draws visitors also requires travelers with pets to take extra care. Veterinary health certificates must be shown on entering the state, and most Alaska destinations and activities require that dogs be kept on a short leash—no longer than 6 feet, or 9 feet in a state park.
X The Oregon Coast is doggy heaven, with a vast amount of room for running and sniffing. Lots of shops are pet-friendly, and some even offer water dishes near their entrances. Many restaurants have outdoor dining areas where pets are welcome. A number of hotels that allow pets, just ask about their policy when you make your reservation.
Healing on Wheels
Roller derby family provides structure and support
By Vicki Hillhouse
Amanda McGahen’s roller derby journey started in 2023 in a parked car. The night of an open-house-style recruitment meeting for the Walla Walla Sweets Rollergirls, the 42-year-old drove from just across the state line in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, then debated whether to get out from behind the wheel.
“I actually sat in the parking lot and thought, ‘Am I going to go to this all by myself, not knowing anybody?’” she says.
It wasn’t the roller-skating that worried her. As a child in Lebanon, Oregon, she spent weekends at the skating rink, racing girls a couple of years older than her around the wooden floor.
“I skated every chance I could get, and I was fast,” she says. “I felt like I was flying. I felt invincible. I loved skating.”
She wanted that again, and the enticement of a contact sport intrigued her even more.
“I’ve always been interested in sports— boxing, martial arts,” she says. “I like anything that can challenge me, that pushes me harder.”
She’d started home workouts with lunges, squats and cardio.
But there was one condition to joining as she summoned the nerve to enter the orientation with a room full of strangers that night: “I don’t think I can make practices if we have them on Sundays,” Amanda told one of the cocaptains at the end of the session. “Every other practice day works for my schedule but Sundays. My husband has work, and I won’t leave my children with anyone else.”
Like many parents who seek out a new hobby or activity, she looked forward to the dedicated time to focus on herself. But she carried into the space a loss from 11 years before, shaping every decision she makes around the care of her children.
Amanda
joined roller derby in 2023. The sport has had such an impact on her that she commemorated it with a tattoo of a skate and her number on her foot.
LEFT:
“Camanda” McGahen
PHOTO BY VICKI HILLHOUSE ABOVE: As jammer, Amanda makes her way through the pack against Rodeo City in Ellensburg, Washington, in April. BELOW: Wearing the black-and-white helmet, Amanda works with her fellow blockers to hold a Rodeo City jammer. PHOTOS BY SCOTT BUTNER
Serve Tasty SUMMER SALADS
Orzo Salad With Shrimp and Lemon Dressing
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup uncooked orzo
8 ounces fresh asparagus, trimmed and diagonally sliced into 1-inch pieces
4 ounces fresh sugar snap peas, trimmed
1 cup fresh or frozen English peas, thawed if frozen
12 ounces medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Whisk together oil, zest, juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. Prepare orzo according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Transfer orzo to a bowl. Cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
While orzo cooks, bring a large saucepan of water to boil over high heat. Add asparagus and sugar snap peas to boiling water. Cook until bright green and tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Add English peas. Stir until softened, about 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to an ice bath, reserving boiling water in saucepan. Add shrimp to boiling water. Cook until opaque, about 3 minutes. Drain. Transfer shrimp to ice bath with vegetables. Let stand until chilled, about 3 minutes. Drain.
Toss together shrimp-vegetable mixture with orzo, and drizzle with dressing. Add chives and parsley. Toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
PHOTO BY KATIE WILCOX
READER EXCHANGE
Crafts/Hobbies
I have 10 handmade porcelain and cloth dolls ready to dress along with many patterns. They are various sizes and include Tom Sawyer and Chief Crazy Horse. I will donate if shipping is paid.
Janet Dixon P.O. Box 969 Priest River, ID 83856 Jkdixon14@gmail.com
Would you be willing to part with a Christmas hanky that is tucked away just waiting for a home? Be sure it will receive tender care as it becomes part of a Christmas Tree project. Thank you.
Kathy Heitkemper
1302 Hermits Way
The Dalles, OR 97058 jandktd@gmail.com
I have scads of stamps. Most canceled and some are collectors. I’ll send them to you with the postage paid.
Judith Sather 65067 Webster Road La Grande, OR 97850
Milestones
Please help us celebrate our dear mother’s birthday as she turns 90 in a couple of months. She is a social butterfly who sees the best in everyone she meets and dearly loves old-fashioned snail mail. Birthday wishes would mean so much to her. Thank you. Send cards to Kay Elmes, 25363 Arnold Lane, Elmira, OR 97437.
Mary A. Minyard Elmira, Oregon
My dad will turn 90 this month. He would thoroughly enjoy receiving birthday cards celebrating his milestone birthday. Thank you for your consideration. Please send cards to Michael Martell, 17501 Killdeer Drive #399, Bend, OR 97707.
Donna Poirier Sweet Home, OR
My sweet father is turning 100 years old this month. His career was in helping those who were disabled on the job find retraining for a new vocation. He has always enjoyed seeing those he has helped succeed. I would love to inundate him with birthday wishes from readers all over the country. Please send birthday cards to Rulon Ogden, 8131 Beaver Lake Drive, San Diego, CA 92119. Thank you so much.
Pam Anderson West Richland, Washington
I have met a very nice lady through the Elks as we play poker together once a week in Springfied, Oregon. She doesn’t miss many nights and she really enjoys playing. Her name is Elsie Bergold and she will be 105 years old at the end of July. Please send her cards to my address and they will be delivered at our weekly poker party, and what a surprise it will be. Elsie Bergold, C/O Martha Curl, 81851 River Drive, Creswell, OR 97426.
Martha Curl Creswell, Oregon
Odds
To the lady from Fort Rock/Christmas Valley area who was interested in the Palomino painting that hung at La Pine Law. I have the painting. Please let me know if you’re still interested. Thank you.
M. Van Dyke
P.O. Box 1049 La Pine, OR 97739
Recipes
Avid carp angler seeks Asian, European and American carp cooking recipes. Also interested in recipes for bait concoctions: paste/dough baits, boilies, particle baits, etc.
D. A. Blanco
P.O. Box 8805 Moscow, ID 83843
Thanks
What a nice surprise to receive so many cards, notes and little gifts in the mail from thoughtful readers. I enjoyed every one of them. Thank you for making my 90th birthday in November so special. Also, thank you to all the veterans for your service to our country.
Jean Bartholomew Oakland, Oregon
Have a safe Fourth of July!
Submitting Requests Is Free
Send your request (no attachments) to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange.
Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates. Submissions are handled firstcome, first-served as space allows. We cannot honor every request.
Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting. By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information.
We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad (pricing applies).
When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone. Phone numbers are not published. Email addresses are if they are part of the ad, but you must include a postal address.
Requests must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
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Butcher’s Cut Filet Mignons (5 oz.)
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Omaha Steaks Burgers (4 oz.)
Capturing the Joy of Summer
By Dave LaBelle
As a school-age child, I could hardly wait for the last day of school and the beginning of summer vacation, where freedom, sunshine, time with my dogs, fishing in the creeks, baseball games, watermelons, swimming pools and working with my grandfather on his fishing boat awaited.
As an adult, those carefree summer memories still bring me joy and serve me faithfully in storytelling, whether with words or photographs. In fact, beginning writers, unsure what to write about, are often encouraged to start with their childhood, a treasure chest rich with stories.
While childhood memories are a good source of inspiration for activities, making photographs that capture the essence of summer requires thought.
“Don’t just show me what something looks like,”
Renowned author, photographer and lecturer
Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
Reader Challenge
I often admonished my photojournalism students.
“Show me what it feels like.”
That was a common theme in all of my classes, and it remains sound advice for anybody using photography to communicate. If you want to reach people with your photographs, aim high. Those images connect us and make us smile or remember.
Consider what is in the frame when you press the shutter. Being patient and watching for storytelling moments is critical. The act of fishing might not be nearly
as storytelling as the reaction of the angler once the fish is caught.
Conversely, an overall scene of a fisherman in a beautiful stream might best evoke the serenity of the moment. Sometimes the liberal use of negative space—that which is not occupied by people or objects—helps humble us and wrap us in wonder.
Finally, consider the angle from which you photograph. A child’s perspective is different than an adult’s, and subtly helps take us back to those long, carefree summer days. n
See if you can make a photograph that captures the joy or the essence of summer. Reach into your memory bank and consider what you loved most about summers. Chances are the places and activities that brought you joy in the past—lakes, campgrounds, fishing villages or swimming pools—will lead you to where you find the best pictures today.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to GPH@pur.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
I spent about 30 minutes folded beneath a diving board on a hot and muggy summer day watching and waiting for the right moment, the right gesture and composition. I knew I wanted a picture that felt like the joy of summer. PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE
NIKON D800, 24mm lens ISO 100, f/10 at 1/800
Proud River Leadership Academy
Umatilla Electric is committed to the personal and professional development of citizens in our region. The Proud River Leadership Academy, formerly known as Leadership Hermiston, is now offered through Umatilla Electric, as we aim to power professional and civic achievement in the region.
Proud River Leadership Academy will take professionals through a development course aimed at enhancing leadership skills to oversee personnel, improve workplace communications, and empower others to achieve common goals. Whether personal or professional, relationships and communication drive progress and achievement.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for the Proud River Leadership Academy are open to professionals in Morrow and Umatilla counties and are now available online. Applications are accepted through July 19 and selected attendees will be notified of acceptance and sent additional information by August 1, 2024. For the full program schedule and details to apply, please visit www.umatillaelectric.com/proud-river-leadership-academy/ or scan the QR code above.
UMATILLA ELECTRIC
MonthlyNEWS
Energy Scams Unmasked
by Anne Prince
Consumers with water, gas and electricity connections have long been targets for utility scams. But in today’s digital world, every swipe and click increases the risk of potential scams.
Scammers are more sophisticated than ever before, and they understand our increasing reliance on technology. With their sharpened digital knives, scammers have adapted their tactics to trick unsuspecting consumers through a variety of methods.
Umatilla Electric wants to help you avoid energy scams, whether a financial loss or leak of your personal information. We would like to share updates on some the latest utility scams, as well as tips to help you stay safe from even the craftiest scammers.
Recent Utility Scams
Scammers typically disguise themselves––either physically or digitally––as utility employees or representatives to steal consumers’ money or personal information. A common trick is to claim a consumer’s bill is past due and threaten to disconnect service if payment isn’t received immediately. Scammers approach consumers through a variety of means, including phone calls, text messages, emails and even in-person visits. However, the digital line of attack is increasingly more common.
Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency, like claiming your electricity or other services will be disconnected if a payment isn’t made immediately.
Additionally, scammers may ask for unusual payment methods such as gift cards or cryptocurrency. If someone is pushing for an unusual payment method, it’s likely a scam.
You’ve probably noticed that many digital scams, like emails or text messages, include poor grammar, spelling errors and odd email addresses. These are red flags, so when you see these dodgy forms of communication, consider it a potential scam.
For example, new capabilities disguising caller ID or “spoofing” can make the phone number you see on caller ID appear to be from a trusted source. Spoofing makes it easier for scammers to deceive you because it’s more difficult to immediately verify the call. Another recent scam uses fraudulent websites that are identical to a utility payment webpage––and what’s worse, these pages are often promoted on search engines to trick consumers into clicking and making a payment.
Another recent scam involves phone calls, text messages or emails claiming you overpaid your electric bill and will receive a cash or banking refund. This offer may seem too good to be true, and it is––it’s likely a scam aimed to steal your personal information.
Spotting a Scam
There are several red flags you can watch for to identify an energy scam.
What Umatilla Electric Will (and Won’t) Do Umatilla Electric will never demand an instant, immediate payment and threaten to disconnect your service without prior notices or warnings. We strive to resolve challenging situations and work with our members to avoid disconnects.
Umatilla Electric will never ask for your Social Security number or banking details over the phone or through email. We offer several secure payment options, including in-person, online, auto payments, and SmartHub. Find more on our Payment and Billing page.
Avoiding
Scams
Whether in-person, over the phone or online, always be suspicious of an unknown individual claiming to be a UEC employee requesting banking or other personal information.
If you’re ever in doubt about a potential energy scam, just give us a quick call at (541) 567-6414 so we can assist. UEC wants to help protect you and our community against utility frauds, and by notifying us about potential scams, you can create the first line of defense. We encourage you to report any potential scams so we can spread the word and prevent others in our community from falling victim.
Anne Prince writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing nearly 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.
BEFORE YOU GO
Beauty In Your Backyard
The readership area of this magazine is vast and beautiful, containing everything from mountains to deserts and lakes to oceans. Some of you have views from your homes that rival the views of national parks.
From time to time, we will share some of the excellent reader photos in this space. If we use your photo here, we will send you your choice of a $25 gift card to REI or Amazon.
To submit your high-resolution photo, email a JPEG file to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line. Please share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n
Ray DeBaun says that he and his wife like to look for rainbows after rainstorms in Mitchell, Oregon. They found this one in their front yard. PHOTO BY
RAY DEBAUN
• Up to 2X the power of the competition
• Cut overgrown brush, tall field grass, and saplings up to 3" thick
• Commercial, Electric, Walk- and Tow-Behind models available, including the NEW PRO MAX60T!
Offices
750 W. Elm Ave.
Hermiston, OR 97838
400 N.E. Eldrige Drive Boardman, OR 97818
Hours
7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday-Thursday 541 567-6414 1 800 452-2273
Report An Outage 1 888 465-5701 day or night
Directors
Bryan Wolfe, President
Jeff Wenholz, Vice President
Steve Platt, Secretary-Treasurer
Lee Docken
Phil Hamm
John Otis
Tom Pitzer
Management
Robert Echenrode, General Manager / CEO
Robert Cromwell, Vice President Power Supply
John Donner, Vice President Finance & Rates
Josh Lankford, Vice President Engineering & Operations
Lisa McMeen, Vice President Administration
Our Mission
Umatilla Electric Cooperative is a member-owned business that sells energy and invests in and supports other services to improve the quality of life in our communities. www.umatillaelectric.com
OR-8
Echoes of the Past: History Repeating Itself
As we move forward into the second half of the year, I’d like to share some updates about Umatilla Electric’s ongoing o ce remodel, and how UEC has transformed in the past 40 years. is transformation is more than just a change of scenery; it is a re ection of UEC’s commitment to enhancing your experience and our dedication to future growth.
If you have driven down Elm Avenue in Hermiston recently, you have likely seen the progress that has taken place at our Hermiston headquarters, a location that UEC has called home since August of 1981. In that year, the UEC Board of Directors accepted a bid to build over 17,000 square feet of o ce space and over 20,000 square feet of warehouse space.
With over 40 years of service in one dedicated location, your current UEC Board of Directors are committed to staying at the heart of UEC’s service territory – to be here for you, our members.
Since 2018, UEC sta and Board of Directors had been reviewing the o ce needs to support employees, our members, and our communities at large. In early 2024, the sta and the Board made the thoughtful decision to move forward with the remodel.
With careful planning and recon guration of the existing o ce, the renovated building will result in an almost 50 percent increase of usable o ce space to meet our members’ needs. In addition to the increase in square footage, a few other key details of the remodel include:
• Our member services counter will be revised with a centrally focused entrance, to support and aid in member safety and privacy.
• An area for EV charging will be made available to members and the public.
• Enhanced access for safer tra c ow for members, employees, utility line trucks and deliveries.
Some of you reading this may remember our initial construction in 1981. But did you know that much of what prompted that construction is playing a huge role in today’s remodel? For example, just as UEC saw its employee size grow from 27 in 1972 to 58 in 1975, UEC today has added over 40 employees since 2018 to support the operations of the cooperative’s membership with 126 employees. And in 1976, UEC had the largest percentage increase in kilowatt hours sold of any utility in the northwest, at nearly 24 percent. is past year? UEC saw an over 20 percent increase on our system.
Similar to the irrigated agriculture boom that swept across eastern Oregon in the 1970’s, our growth today is attributed to advancements in technology, agriculture, residential growth, and other contributing factors.
With 87 years of service under the same business model, it’s easy to run across certain operations or avenues where history repeats itself. In this instance, UEC’s dedication and commitment to our members has not waned and just as we were in 1981 – we are here to serve you, right in the heart of eastern Oregon.
