OTEC History
Can you really start an electric cooperative with seven hundred pennies? That's what three Baker City residents did in 1987. At the time, this part of northeastern Oregon was served by an investor-owned utility, CP National Corporation. This multi-state conglomerate was looking to unload its dilapidated system and to get out of the not-so-lucrative rural electric utility business. When several attempted purchases failed, Dick Haynes along with Peggi and Glenn Timm brought forward the notion of forming a cooperative to own and operate the utility locally. Thus in 1987, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative was born.
To demonstrate community support for the cooperative, the trio collected a penny from each of 700 citizens, and secured a $33 million loan from the Cooperative Finance Corporation. A year later, the citizens of Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties began operation of OTEC - one of the largest electric cooperatives in Oregon. Foremost among the challenges facing the fledgling cooperative was the need to upgrade a rundown electrical system long overdue for an overhaul. As poles and wires were replaced and substations rebuilt, local residents began to enjoy a service level previously unknown in this part of the state.
Today, system upgrading continues and district offices have been established in Burns, John Day and La Grande in addition to the Baker City Headquarters. The utility now serves approximately 22,500 members and operates a state-of-the-art distribution system representing an investment of over $130 million. OTEC is a living tribute to three community leaders with a dream and 700 pennies.
From OTEC-TV: Watch a brief video featuring OTEC Founding Board members Peggi Timm and Glenn Timm. Watch as they share a general overview of OTEC's formation (part 1; Length 5:51).
From OTEC-TV: Watch a brief video featuring OTEC Founding Board members Peggi Timm and Glenn Timm. Learn how 700 pennies turned into $45 Million. (part 2; Length 8:40).
