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Hi everyone, Jo from OPALCO here. The numbers listed above are not a fair comparison, as the numbers for the other cooperatives look to be closer to base salaries for other General Managers/CEOs, while Foster’s total compensation is shown.
As an example, on the IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Page 2 for Inland Power & Light, the total compensation for their CEO is listed in column (E) as $645,908. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/910267315/202543159349300204/full
On the 990, Schedule J, Page 2 for Kootenai Electric Cooperative, the CEO total compensation (Column E) is listed as $605,008. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/820136983/202503049349302610/full
Using ProPublica IRS Form 990 Schedule J numbers for the same cooperatives shown in the image above, these are the correct numbers for total compensation comparisons.
Flathead Electric Cooperative (MT) $653,843
Inland Power & Light (WA) $645,908
Kootenai Electric Cooperative (ID) $605,008
Central Electric Cooperative (OR) $767,124
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (WY) $569,905
Lane Electric Cooperative (OR) $407,165
Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative (OR) $392,317
OPALCO (WA) $791,700
Clearwater Power Company (ID) $368,414
Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative (OR) $305,413
Harney Electric Cooperative (OR) $301,553
Hood River Electric & Internet Coop (OR) $351,014
Nespelem Valley Electric Coop (WA) $283,330
Okanogan County Electric Cooperative (OR) $332,555
West Oregon Electric Cooperative (OR) $253,408
Salmon River Electric Cooperative (ID) $449,562
Lost River Electric Cooperative (ID) $302,888
You can view a Regional Cooperative Executive Compensation Comparison using ProPublica 990 numbers of around 123 cooperative utilities here: https://www.opalco.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Exectutive-Compensation-Comparison-219.pdf
You can also view OPALCO’s General Manager compensation Quick Fact for additional information: https://www.opalco.com/quick-fact-opalco-general-manager-ceo-compensation/2026/02/
Johanna,
Using your numbers ,… OPALCO still overshadows the rest.
OPALCO only serves 15K customers the big guys serve 2 to 4 1/2 times that many!
Flathead Electric Cooperative ██████████████ • (C: ~67,500) $653,843
Inland Power & Light Company █████████████ • (C: ~45,500) $645,908
C entral Electric Cooperative ████████████████ • (C: ~36,000) $767,124
Lane Electric Cooperative ████████ • (C: ~34,000) $407,165
Kootenai Electric Cooperative ████████████ • (C: ~33,100) $605,008
Oregon Trail Electric Consumers ███████████ • (C: ~31,500) $569,905
Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative ████████ • (C: ~19,500) $392,317
OPALCO ████████████████ • (C: ~15,900) $791,700
Clearwater Power Company ███████ • (C: ~10,600) $368,414
Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative ██████ • (C: ~4,800) $305,413
West Oregon Electric Cooperative █████ • (C: ~4,700) $253,408
Okanogan County Electric Coopera█████ • (C: ~4,200) $332,555
Hood River Electric Cooperative ███████ • (C: ~4,000) $351,014
Lost River Electric Cooperative ██████ • (C: ~3,500) $302,888
Salmon River Electric Cooperative █████████ • (C: ~3,200) $449,562
Harney Electric Cooperative ██████ • (C: ~2,500) $301,553
Nespelem Valley Electric Cooper █████ • (C: ~1,500) $283,330
http://www.OurOpalco.com
If you want to view that bar graph more clearly go to the website http://www.OurOpalco.com