As We Prepare for the Future, We Reflect on Past Challenges & Changes
Clearwater Power experienced significant changes in 2024 and will experience more in 2025.
Thank you for your kindness over the past several months in welcoming my family and me in my new role as the CEO of your cooperative. It’s a tremendous opportunity, and I’m grateful every day. The employees of Clearwater Power are remarkable and continue to provide the highest level of service. Your democratically elected board of directors continually has you—our members—in mind as we work to implement fair policies and administration for this great organization.
We announced in December that Clearwater Power is adjusting rates for 2025. As we shared in recent editions of Ruralite, increasing costs to buy and deliver power made this increase necessary. This is not something we take lightly, and our stewardship to our members is crystal clear: continue to provide affordable, reliable and safe electricity to your homes or businesses. Our employees stay informed on trends and technologies in the industry and implement those that make sense. Moving into 2025, we will continue implementations and hope to see positive metrics from these new technologies.
Sometimes, as we prepare for the future, it’s important to reflect on the past. This past year was 1 of the most devastating fire seasons in the history of Clearwater Power and the area and members we serve. The wake of destruction was immense. I’m optimistic about seeing people forging forward with the grit and determination to rebuild.
Clearwater Power will continue its aggressive fire mitigation efforts to reduce our exposure to fires. We received a grant from the State of Idaho that allows us to focus on our most fire-prone areas and maximize our overall wildfire mitigation plans.
Clearwater Power has been a strong supporter of PNGC Power. This past year, PNGC membership grew to 25 members across 7 states, and we signed groundbreaking agreements that give us the flexibility to buy power from other sources moving forward. This will help Clearwater Power maintain stable rates moving into the future.
The lower Snake River dams continue to be at the forefront of conversations concerning electric generation in the region. These dams are critical in helping the region reach its clean power goals. We continue our membership with Northwest RiverPartners and support efforts to keep the dams intact. This year, we continue to work with our state and federal political delegations to highlight the importance of supporting hydropower in the Pacific Northwest. With record returns since the first dams were put in place on the Columbia River System, this past year was proof that dams and fish can and do successfully coexist. These dams do more for our region than supply power; they are critical to the economy. Look for more on the importance of these dams in future issues of Ruralite.
From our Clearwater Power family to you and yours, I wish you a happy and safe new year. Thank you for your membership.
Telly Stanger, CEO
Clearwater Power Co.