By Dianna Troyer

Technological marvels, unimagi-nable when Raft River Rural Electric Cooperative was founded, were showcased during the co-op’s 80th annual meeting in March.

At tables inside Raft River High School’s lobby, members mingled and looked at displays focused on conser-vation, operations, engineering, mem-ber services and the Bonneville Power Administration.

Linemen showed members a piece of black fiber-optic cable with a red stripe along the side. Inside the cable, glass fibers about the thickness of a human hair carry light signals enabling commu-nication networks to operate efficiently.

“It might be mistaken for a 1-inch waterline,” Lineman Kenneth Loughmiller told members.

He reminded them to call 811 so per-sonnel can mark underground lines for

free and prevent injury or outages during excavation or digging projects.

At another booth, a portable induction cooktop burner heated water for hot choc-olate faster than a microwave, but imme-diately cooled down when not in use.

While the co-op’s founders could not foresee such technological advancements, they knew providing electricity to resi-dents would make life easier for future generations.

Board President Gary Jones of Almo praised the foresight of nine men who filed articles of incorporation to establish the co-op in 1939.

After applying for loans to build trans-mission lines, each co-op member was allocated $10 to wire a house.

“We’ve come a long way in 80 years,” Gary said.

Today, co-op employees maintain more than 2,500 miles of line to provide electricity for 5,000 residential, commer-cial and irrigation services in Idaho, Utah

and Nevada.Interim General Manager Chad Black

received a standing ovation when he reminded members the co-op has dealt with challenges for decades and will con-tinue to face difficulties with resilience and unity.

“The heart of the co-op is our mem-bers,” he said. “We’ve fostered a culture of adaptability and are always more power-ful working together.”

Chad replaced manager Kurt Anderson, who resigned March 11 to pursue career opportunities in the health care industry. The board of directors appointed Chad, the operations manager, as the interim general manager.

“Our co-op is in sound financial shape,” Chad said, adding that 60 percent of the co-op’s operating expenses are due to power costs.

“We’ve had about a 30 percent increase from the Bonneville Power Administration in power costs over the

A Time to Remember and Celebrate

Raft River

Raft River Electric Cooperative members benefit from founders’ foresight 80 years ago

Raft River Electric Cooperative Lineman Kenneth Loughmiller

explains fiber-optic cable to member Lew

Roberts at the 80th annual meeting.

4 M AY 2019

last 10 years,” he said. “The board and management of Raft River Electric have been able to hold rates steady, absorb the majority of the increases and have only had to pass on approximately 15 percent of those costs.

“I assure you, we will continue to work to enhance your service. We have dedi-cated employees who work constantly to keep the power on. Our board’s support adds to the strength of our team.”

Retiring board members Stan Spencer and Doug Webb and co-op employee Sherrie Erickson were recognized and applauded for their many years of service.

Raft River High School junior Nick Spencer thanked the co-op for sup-porting the youth rally each year, so high school sophomores and juniors

can participate in the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association Youth Rally in July.

“It’s a great way for introverts to get out of their shell,” he said. “There are so many social and educational events. We orga-nized and ran our own utilities. I encour-age kids to apply.”

After the weeklong event at the College of Idaho, Nick was selected to represent Idaho at the national youth tour in Washington, D.C., in June. Participants of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association event will tour historic landmarks and develop leadership skills.

In other business, Raft River Jr./Sr. High School Principal Eric Boden thanked the co-op for supporting the community and

school programs—especially for donating money to help with the purchase of a new sound system in the auditorium.

Members passed a motion made by co-op member Bill Loughmiller. He pro-posed an advisory committee be orga-nized to make recommendations for changes to the Raft River Electric bylaws regarding the appointment of the elec-tion committee and term limits for board directors.

At the finale of the business meet-ing, results of the director elections were announced. Members elected John Campbell in District 1 and incumbent Dennis Poulsen in District 3.

Lee Matthews of the Highway Unit Grazing Association won the grand prize: a $1,200 energy credit. n

Clockwise from top left, Board Member Doug Webb, left, and Interim General Manager Chad Black visit before the business meeting. From left, Reta Kempton, Tessaly Erickson and Ainsley Erickson read about hydropower. Nick Spencer will represent Idaho at the Rural Electric Youth Tour in June. Lee Matthews won the $1,200 energy credit grand prize.

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