OPALCO Board rescinds dam resolution in favor of collaboration with membership

— from Suzanne Olson for OPALCO —

At the January 23 board meeting on Lopez Island, the OPALCO Board voted unanimously to rescind Resolution 2-2019, which was enacted in September 2019 in support of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS). There were 17 members at the meeting to comment on the matter and more than 50 co-op members voiced concerns about the resolution in public meetings and through letters
and emails.

In the spirit of the Governor’s Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD) Stakeholder Engagement Report, the OPALCO Board was motivated to facilitate a respectful conversation with its members that included diverse perspectives and to encourage collaboration—current and future—with its stakeholders.

“The Board is not taking a position on the LSRD dams specifically,” said General Manager Foster Hildreth. “Our mission is to provide reliable, affordable and clean power to the 20 islands we serve. OPALCO is closely monitoring the progress of the Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), new legislation and and other peer-reviewed studies.”

The Board expects that the EIS will analyze the FCRPS using the latest available data, including the best forward-looking estimates for resource adequacy in the region. OPALCO continues to be very concerned about the myriad issues affecting the Pacific Northwest including salmon and whale survival, carbon reduction, balancing electric capacity to meet load in the wake of coal plant closures and especially the deficiencies in power capacity projected for the near future.

“We appreciate the engagement of our members,” said Hildreth. “We ask that members stay engaged as we work collaboratively to address the upcoming challenges and, in particular, as we invest in local renewable generation and electrify transportation to make sure we have adequate and acceptable resources that work with our sensitive marine environment and help us realize our vision.”

Members thanked the Board for opening up the discussion and asked that they “plan for our priorities.” OPALCO does have a strong plan in place laying out the Co-op’s vision for a healthy and sustainable future. Check out the 2020-2040 Integrated Resource Plan (https://www.opalco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/OPALCO-2020-2040-IRP-R16.pdf) and let OPALCO know if you have a group that would like to learn more. The vision for a clean energy future is clear, but how we get there is complex and expensive.

Board President Vince Dauciunas thanked each member for their participation and emphasized, “We need our members more than ever as we navigate the new energy landscape of decarbonization and the impacts of climate change. We must work together for a healthy future.”

To keep up to speed on OPALCO issues, including monthly board agendas, please subscribe to the Co-op’s email newsletter, “This Electric Life” at https://www.opalco.com/newsroom/email-newsletter-sign-up//.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,400 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 97% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937. Follow OPALCO @OrcasPower on Facebook and Twitter.