News
5/28/2009
OTEC Investigates Efficiency Improvements in La Grande
La Grande, OR – May 28, 2009 – Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) is beginning an investigation into the benefits of consolidating OTEC facilities in La Grande through the construction of a new single facility in the area.
The current La Grande OTEC facilities are aging and will require significant expenditures to bring them up to current industry standards. The downtown office was constructed in the 1930’s and the service center was constructed in the mid 1960’s.
The investigation will focus on the construction of a new consolidated facility on land currently owned by OTEC next to the Ladd Canyon Sub-station between Gekeler Lane and Highway 30. Dave Baum, Union County Board Member and Board President, says, “The fact that OTEC already owns land is a real plus as we begin looking at new efficiencies in La Grande.”
Additionally, the two sites (the operations center on Cove Avenue and the downtown business office on Elm Street) currently owned by OTEC would be sold to help offset the costs. “With the favorable interest rates and decreased commodity prices this is a great time to build,” suggests Baum.
A single facility would improve efficiencies for OTEC members because all employees would now be under one roof, thus creating a “one-stop shopping" opportunity for OTEC members.
“The reality is that OTEC is committed to its members and we are here to serve the area for years to come,” explains Werner Buehler, OTEC General Manager. “Despite the current economic climate, we are high on Eastern Oregon and are willing to step up and demonstrate our optimism through this investigation and ultimately by putting more people to work in the area.”
“The project will put local people to work and will put money back into the community,” says Baum. “This is truly local economic development by a local company.”
The construction of a new facility is not expected to have an appreciable impact on utility rates either. “Our biggest rate concern right now is the pending BPA wholesale rate increase and future power supply rate pressures,” explains Buehler.
If it is determined that a new facility will be constructed in La Grande, OTEC is committed to seeking LEEDs certification. LEED is an internationally recognized certification system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org) that measures how well a building or community performs across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
Watch this web site for additional information and updates as they becomes available.
