Back to Our Roots

Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative hosted its 82nd annual meeting of members Thursday, September 5. This year’s meeting came with many changes, including a new venue, the Sierra Valley Grange, and a new day and time, Thursday evening. These changes were made to save on the costs of the annual meeting and to increase member participation by avoiding conflicting events on Saturdays.

The Sierra Valley Grange is where the cooperative was formed and held its first member meeting in 1937. Taking the meeting back to our roots and filling the Sierra Valley Grange with members is another example of how we are more powerful together.

Although we experienced scattered showers throughout the day, we were pleased Mother Nature kept the raindrops at bay throughout the evening.

The doors to the Sierra Valley Grange in Vinton opened at 4:30 p.m. Members registered, collected gift bags with energy-saving items, visited Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications’ broadband information booth and PSREC’s information booths where they learned about PSREC’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan and energy-efficiency programs.

PSREC’s Annual Meeting Photo Contest submissions were on display for all to view.

The meeting gave members the chance to sit together, catch up, and meet new friends while enjoying tasty tri-tip and pulled-pork sandwiches served by the Las Plumas 4-H Club. The Portola High School soccer team kept lemonade and iced tea flowing.

Corby Erwin, member services manager, and David Hansen, PSREC board secretary/ treasurer, presented winners of the Washington Youth Tour, PSREC/PST citizen scholar scholarships and PSREC photo contest with plaques and ribbons.

PSREC Board President Fred Nelson called the meeting to order following the invocation led by Pastor Darren Hogan of the Honey Lake Valley Assembly of God Church, the presentation of colors by American Legion Post 329, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the playing of the national anthem by the Portola High School band.

Representatives from PSREC’s power suppliers- Northern California Power Agency and Western Area Power Administration delivered updates on the power market.

Director Nelson gave an update on the cooperative, and reminded members about PSREC’s Community Shared Solar Program. If you have questions about the program please call at 530-832-4621.

General Manager-Bob Marshall-spoke to members about the effects of the Camp Fire in Paradise and the resiliency of PSREC’s system during this time. He also gave an overview of PSREC’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan and what is on the horizon in the coming year for the cooperative.

Mike Vergara, PSREC’s legal counsel, directed the business meeting. Members reelected board directors Dick Short, District 2, and David Hansen, District 5.

The meeting concluded at 7:15 p.m. with door prizes, including electric bill credits of $200, $300 and $500. A record number of members completed satisfaction surveys, with two lucky members going home with prizes.

PSREC thanks the sponsors of the annual member meeting: the Utah Association of Municipal Power Systems, Tri Sage Consulting and General Pacific.

PSREC knows its members are busy, and we thank all of you who came to participate in the meeting. Please join us again next year and remember that as your cooperative, we are more powerful together.