People Power
Be a Part of People Power
The electric utility industry is changing. In the past, your non-profit, or "consumer-owned" utility could keep rates stable and power available for Northwest consumers. Now, the effects of California's failed deregulation effort and the energy crisis of 2001 are causing rates to skyrocket. That's why we need your help.
People Power is a grassroots movement of consumers from non-profit utilities who support the goal of making sure power is affordable and available here at home. Outside interests want our affordable power, which drives up prices for all of us in the process.
By joining People Power, you will learn more about benefits you receive from the Columbia River Power System and the issues we face. You also will have the chance to contact legislators who make decisions affecting these benefits, and ultimately your wallet.
(To learn more about People Power click on the logo above)
Benefits
Consumer-owned utilities like yours are owned by the people they serve. Joining People Power protects your interests, as well as:- Helps your utility keep rates affordable.
- Protects our power supply in the Northwest.
- Provides you with updates on preference and issues affecting your utility.
Your Role
It was people who started the movement for consumer-owned utilities. It must be People Power again that fights for our rights to affordable and available power in the future. As a member, we will ask you to :- Learn about the benefits of the Columbia River Power System.
- Access updates through the People Power web site -- www.pplpwr.org
- Contact your legislators when needed.
Preference and the Columbia River Power System
The federal government built hydroelectric dams along the Columbia River to generate power for consumer-owned utilities like yours in the Northwest. Our government made sure that these utilities would have the first right, or "preference" to purchase this power through the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). In return for preference status, your utility shares the benefits of the Columbia River Power System by reselling this power to you at nonprofit rates.The future of the Columbia River System and our rights to preference is uncertain. For a variety of reasons, BPA power is in high demand as energy markets change and states deregulate. Our once abundant power supply is now limited and being attacked by other industries, for-profit utilities, as well as politicians from other states. We need your help to keep the benefits of the Columbia River Power System for consumers of non-profit utilities in the Northwest.