Over 250 OTEC members enjoyed live music by the Wasteland Kings of La Grande.  More than 50 raffle gifts were given away during the course of the meeting.  The opening door prize, an Oster convection oven, was won by Al Aschenbrenner of Baker City. Josephine Koontz of Baker City won the grand prize, a window unit air conditioner.

 

 During the business portion of the meeting, Board President Grant Holman reviewed the financial health of the co-op.  Werner Buehler, General Manager, reported on federal and state legislative and regulatory requirements facing Oregon’s electric utilities. 

    

Buehler in particular identified the significant cost challenges that the 10-year energy plan by Oregon’s Governor Kitzhaber will create for electric utilities.  Along with increased costs, there may be incentives or mandates on how consumers use electricity.  He also noted issues raised by U.S. Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu’s recent plan for the changes to the oversight of Bonneville Power Administration, the supplier of OTEC’s electricity.  Buehler stressed that the co-op would pay close attention to any regulations affecting the cooperative and how those regulations would affect members’ electric rates.  “We’re working to ensure our members interests,” Buehler told the audience,”and we’re always looking out for you.”

 

Results of director elections were announced during the meeting. Grant Holman of Union County was unseated by George “Austin” Bingaman. Ralph Ward of Baker County and Gary Miller of Grant County were both re-elected for another three-year term.  Ward defeated Baker County candidate Mike Vorboril.  Miller defeated Grant County candidate Steve Parsons.

 

Also, a ballot measure was passed to change a by-law requirement from 250 signatures to 50 signatures needed by a member seeking candidacy through member signatures. The Little Pig restaurant of Baker City catered the free luncheon held after the business meeting.

 

The OTEC Annual Meeting is held each spring to conduct the business of the cooperative. OTEC is a non-profit and member-owned utility serving Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties.

“Safety continues to be a top priority with OTEC,” said Alvin Dockweiler, manager of loss control, “as evidenced by the fact that the co-op had no lost time accidents in 2011.” No lost work due to accidents and the lack of injury cases is what put OTEC in the front-running for the award, according to Dockweiler.

Utilities from across the Pacific Northwest and California participate in the annual safety contest. OTEC was awarded in the “150,001 – 200,000 of work hour exposure” category.

“OTEC’s incredible safety record is well below the average,” said Dockweiler. “And that can be attributed to the culture of safety here. Employees are focused not only on their own safety, but the safety of their co-workers.”

Other benefits of having a strong culture of safety in the workplace include savings on insurance premiums for OTEC employees and remaining in good standing with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OTEC is a not-for-profit electric utility serving 22,500 members in Baker, Grant, Harney, and Union counties.