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Committed to Its Communities

Publicly owned utilities invest in improving the lives of those they serve

Compiled by Pam Blair

In big ways and small, the public power family makes a difference in local communities. Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative and its subsidiary, Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications, and the employees who work there, have a stake in the community because they live there, too.

Emily Compton coaches the Portola High School volleyball team. Photo by Mari Erin Roth

PSREC/PST sponsor youth programs such as the Washington Youth Tour, sending local students on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., each year.

The co-op and its subsidiary also offer $1,000 scholar- ships to local students who are members of PSREC or customers of PST. There is no upper age limit.

PST sponsors Christmas stockings for local children at the Portola Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration.

Employees present electric education and safety awareness programs in schools and various children’s groups; participate in local chambers and economic development groups; coach local sports teams; participate in Safe Trick-or-Treat events; host food, toy and coat drives in November and December; participate in Adopt-A- Highway cleanups through- out the year at the Graeagle Park and Ride; volunteer time at community events and parades—including golf tournaments, marathons, bike races, concerts and fundraisers; and buy, cook and serve food at community dinners.

If PSREC and PST can help your group improve the community, please call the member services department at (530) 832-4261.

Here are ways other member-owned utilities contribute.

Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative, Junction City, Oregon. Employees installed scoreboard posts and lights at local schools and participates in a high school career fair.

Central Electric Cooperative, Redmond, Oregon. CEC and its employees support more than 50 organizations and causes, including childhood health and development, veterans’ outreach and food banks.

Clatskanie PUD, Clatskanie, Oregon. Employees and board members donated $3,800 to local food banks. The PUD sponsors an energy assistance fund to help those in need.

Columbia Basin Electric Cooperative, Heppner, Oregon. CBEC donates to schools, 4-H and FFA. Employees volunteer for the fire department, coach youth sports, and serve on the cemetery board.

Portola Mayor Pat Morton, left, and Linda Cooley pick up donated gifts for local families in need from the PSREC/PST office. Photo courtesy of Corby Erwin

Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, Port Orford, Oregon. CCEC plans and hosts a one-day camp for first- and second-graders covering bike and pedestrian safety, electrical safety, fire safety and how to call 911 in an emergency.

Hood River Electric Cooperative, Odell, Oregon. HREC donated funds to help a seventh-grade First Lego League robotics team, “The Pink Fluffy Unicorns,” travel to compete in the World Festival.

Lane Electric Cooperative, Eugene, Oregon. LEC donated beef bought from the 4-H live-stock auction to food banks.

Lassen Municipal Utility District, Susanville, California. LMUD hangs Blue Star banners on Main Street, provides high-voltage safety demonstrations to schools, and puts up Christmas decorations for Susanville and Westwood.

Corby Erwin hands out candy during the Safe Trick-or-Treat Halloween event in Quincy.

Midstate Electric Cooperative, La Pine, Oregon. A local park received a make-over thanks to a $10,000 grant from Operation Round Up.

Northern Lights Inc., Sagle, Idaho. NLI’s Community Trust funds local food banks, fire departments, schools and community organizations.

Parkland Light & Water Co., Tacoma, Washington. Employees donate to a jacket and toy drive for children. PL&W participates in Touch-a-Truck, where kids can get up close with big vehicles.

Surprise Valley Electrification, Alturas, California. Employees donate food and prepare Christmas gift baskets for families in need. SVE donates staff time and equipment to put up decorations and community banners, replace lights and install playground equipment.

Tanner Electric Cooperative, North Bend, Washington. TEC offers scholarships to graduating seniors, accredited lineman college and Youth Tour.

Plumas-Sierra’s Corby Erwin and Kristen Schiavone pick up litter at the Graeagle Park and Ride. Photo by Corby Erwin

Tillamook PUD, Tillamook, Oregon. The PUD awarded $75,000 to nonprofits for economic development projects.

Umatilla Electric Cooperative, Hermiston, Oregon. Employees serve on the Chamber of Commerce and donate turkeys to the annual Kat Country drive.

Wasco Electric Cooperative, The Dalles, Oregon. WEC buys 4-H animals at county fairs and annually provides community economic grants totaling $7,500.