Northern Wasco County People's Utility District

As a consumer-owned utility committed to our community, this hits home for us as we witness the growing divide between utility models across Oregon. While many Oregonians face skyrocketing costs from investor-owned utilities, we remain dedicated to providing reliable service at fair rates that keep money in our local economy. We're proud that our modest 2.3% increase stays below inflation and reflects our mission: putting our community first, not shareholders

The Women of NWCPUD: Powering Our Community with Excellence Today on International Women's Day, Northern Wasco County People's Utility District celebrates the remarkable women who contribute their talents, expertise, and leadership to our organization and the utilities industry. From engineering to customer service, finance to administration, IT to energy management, and who could forget corporate services and power resources - the women at NWCPUD play vital roles across every department. They not only ensure our community receives reliable, affordable power every day, but they're also essential to keeping our entire utility running smoothly and efficiently. Their diverse perspectives, innovative thinking, and dedication help us better serve our customers and build a stronger utility. We're proud of the contributions women have made to the energy sector throughout history and especially proud of those making a difference right here at Northern Wasco County PUD. Today we celebrate their achievements, acknowledge the challenges they've overcome, and look forward to continuing to build an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Check out our photo slideshow featuring the amazing women of NWCPUD! We tried to get everyone in front of the camera, but we missed a few of our wonderful team members — we'll be sure to catch you all next year! The photo collection isn't complete without you. Here's to powerful women everywhere, especially those who help keep the lights on in our community. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #WomenInEnergy #WomenInUtilities #WomeninPower #PowerfulWomen #PublicPower

Celebrating the Professionals Who Power Our Community | National Employee Appreciation Day Today we recognize the dedicated team members who make Northern Wasco County People's Utility District successful and ensure reliable service for our community. Our team excels because: ? They consistently deliver exceptional service with integrity ? They foster meaningful connections throughout our service area ? They collaborate effectively to overcome challenges ? They approach complex problems with innovative solutions ? They embody our values and mission in their daily work From maintaining critical infrastructure to providing responsive customer service, these skilled professionals are the foundation of our organization. Their expertise and commitment ensure that our utility operates efficiently and reliably for everyone we serve. We're proud of the positive impact our team makes on our community every day. #EmployeeAppreciationDay #NorthernWascoCountyPUD

We're celebrating some excellent news for our region! The Department of Energy has granted BPA a significant reprieve, allowing them to bring back 70 probationary employees and providing exemption from reduction-in-force orders. This is a major win for Northwest power reliability! This positive development means BPA can better maintain its critical operations that our entire region depends on - managing 75% of our high-voltage transmission and coordinating power from 31 federal dams that serve millions across the Northwest. We applaud the DOE's decision and the tireless advocacy from regional stakeholders who helped secure this victory. Special thanks to NewsData and Stephen Ernst for their excellent coverage of this critical issue.

?Critical Moment for Northwest Power: Workforce Changes Impact Entire System The backbone of the Pacific Northwest's power system is facing a severe staffing crisis that threatens the entire power delivery chain - from water to wire. These changes affect not just our power system, but our communities - these aren't just service providers, they're our friends, neighbors, and customers who live and work right here in the Northwest. ?? It starts with water management: The US Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation are losing critical hydroelectric staff who manage the 31 federal dams that power our region. These skilled workers ensure water flows are optimized for both power generation and environmental needs. ? Then comes power generation and delivery: The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is losing approximately 430 employees (14% of workforce) as of today, including: ? Chief Operating Officer ? Senior VP of Transmission Services ? Power dispatchers ? Substation operators ? Transmission engineers ? Field maintenance crews Many of these professionals are longtime community members who have spent decades developing the expertise needed to keep our lights on. ?? The impact ripples through the entire system as BPA: ? Operates 75% of the region's high-voltage transmission ? Manages power from 31 federal dams ? Balances power every 4 seconds ? Serves millions of customers across OR, WA, ID, MT, and Northern CA ??? Economic growth at risk: ? 65 GW of transmission service requests pending ? 94 GW of interconnection requests in queue ? $5 billion in critical grid modernization projects ? Data centers and semiconductor manufacturers need reliable power ?? Public power utilities are stepping up: Public power is exploring expanded mutual aid agreements and new cooperation frameworks to maintain reliability. But these are short-term solutions to what could become a long-term challenge. ?? Why this matters to Northern Wasco County People's Utility District and NW Public power: Grid reliability is paramount for our local utility customers. These staffing reductions could lead to: ? Increased outage risks due to reduced maintenance capacity ? Higher costs as utilities may need to contract for services previously provided by BPA ? Potential rate impacts from operational inefficiencies ? Delayed connections for new customers and economic development ? Reduced ability to respond quickly to system emergencies The unintended consequences reach beyond just numbers and services - we're losing generations of expertise, local knowledge, and community members who understand our unique regional needs. These are the people who know every line, every substation, and every challenge our system faces. These changes directly affect every utility's ability to deliver reliable, affordable power to our communities. Let's work together as a region to ensure reliable, affordable power continues to flow.

Happy National Engineers Week! ?? Today, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible engineering team at Northern Wasco County People's Utility District who work tirelessly to keep our community powered and connected. Our dedicated team are the problem-solvers behind the scenes, ensuring reliable electricity delivery to thousands of homes and businesses throughout The Dalles and Wasco County. Whether they're designing system upgrades, implementing new technology, or responding to challenges in all weather conditions, our engineers consistently demonstrate innovation, expertise, and commitment to service. To our engineers: Thank you for your dedication to powering our region safely and efficiently. Your technical excellence and innovative solutions make a difference in our customers' lives every day. Join us in celebrating the Professional Engineers who help make Northern Wasco County PUD a leader in public power! ?? #NationalEngineersWeek #PublicPower #NorthernWascoCountyPUD

?? Exciting Opportunity: Northern Wasco County People's Utility District is investing in the next generation of utility industry professionals! We're proud to announce our 2025 Board of Directors' Scholarship Program, offering $10,000 in scholarships to support local students in our service territory. Whether they're passionate about renewable energy, engineering, finance, communications, or skilled trades like line work, we want to help power their future. What we offer: ?? $10,000 scholarship distributed over two years ?? Support for various educational paths ? Opportunity to launch a meaningful career in utilities ?? Investment in your future and our community Know someone who might be eligible? ? Live in NWCPUD service territory ? Graduating high school, finishing homeschool, or completing GED this year ? Minimum 2.0 GPA ? Interest in utility industry careers Application process is now fully online and streamlined! Deadline: April 1, 2025. Visit https://lnkd.in/gPJatiGA to learn more! Know someone who might be interested? Share this post and help us spread the word! ????

?? Celebrating #SEPWeek! Northern Wasco County People's Utility District was honored to be recognized among the nation's leading public power utilities as a #SmartEnergyProvider by the American Public Power Association (APPA). This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in energy efficiency, renewable energy initiatives, and environmental stewardship. What makes this even more special? We're the ONLY utility in Oregon to receive this recognition in the program's six-year history! This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team who work tirelessly to implement innovative energy solutions, enhance customer experience, and create a more sustainable future for our community. From developing energy efficiency programs to exploring distributed energy resources, our team consistently demonstrates what it means to be a leader in smart energy practices. Congratulations to all the other utilities receiving this designation - together, we're setting the standard for excellence in public power! ?? #SmartEnergyProvider #SEP #NorthernWascoCountyPUD #PublicPower #APPA #Sustainability

Great data shared by Clark Mather and Austin Rohr at Northwest RiverPartners highlighting the crucial role of hydropower in our region. The strong public support (75%) for dams reflects their importance in providing reliable, affordable energy that benefits families, farmers, and businesses across the Pacific Northwest. Thanks for bringing attention to how hydropower continues to be a cornerstone of our community's economic stability and future energy security.

Northern Wasco County People's Utility District (NWCPUD) regularly receives questions about our power supply planning, particularly regarding data centers, artificial intelligence, and extreme weather preparedness.?Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about these important topics: Frequently Asked Questions About Power Supply & Planning at Northern Wasco County PUD Q: How does NWCPUD ensure fair cost distribution between residential and large industrial customers? A: NWCPUD maintains strict rate structures ensuring each customer class pays its equitable share, with no cross-subsidization between classes. ?Large power users pay for any infrastructure upgrades their operations require. Q: How does NWCPUD prepare for extreme weather events? A: As a Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) customer, NWCPUD purchases capacity and operating reserves specifically to cover extreme weather events. ?BPA's planning accounts for critical conditions, including drought scenarios under peak load conditions. Q: Should there be concern about summer power supply with increasing temperatures? A: While recent summers have seen record temperatures, the Northwest remains a winter-peaking region – peak loads occur in winter, not summer. ?NWCPUD purchases adequate energy and operating reserves from both BPA and other non-Federal suppliers to meet all current and forecast retail load obligations. Q: Why can't NWCPUD share specific information about data center power usage? A: Customer privacy and confidentiality are fundamental to utility operations. ?All customer usage data and account details are protected under the same standard of confidentiality. Q: How can community members learn more about NWCPUD's power supply planning? A: Information is available through several channels: NWCPUD website at www.nwascopud.org "Where We Get Our Power" page: https://lnkd.in/gUNkQdpg Power Resources Policy: https://lnkd.in/gf7M-yNY Monthly Board meetings Customer service team As a community-owned, not-for-profit utility, NWCPUD remains committed to providing reliable, affordable power while planning responsibly for future needs. ?Through transparent operations, regular public Board meetings, and ongoing community engagement, NWCPUD continues to balance growth with the best interests of all customer-owners.