OPALCO Starts Selling “Green Power”
The Green Power Program began. Members who opted in paid a 4 cent-per-kWh premium on their bills. Of this amount, 2.5 cents paid for BPA’s Environmentally Preferred Power … Read More
E-Car Charging Stations Installed
1993: OPALCO installed the first electric car recharging stations on San Juan Island.
Electric Vehicles Join OPALCO Motor Pool
OPALCO purchased its first two electric vehicles with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy: a General Motors G-Van and a Solectria Force, a retrofit based on … Read More
OPALCO Adopts Underground Plan
The Board instituted a five-year storm abatement program to bury power lines in areas that were damaged by the storms of 1989 and 1990. The program included a … Read More
Project PAL is Born to Help Members in Need
The Project PAL “Round-up” Program began. Members began to round up their bill paymetns to help their neighbors in need during the heating season.
Third “100-Year Storm” Creates Islands-Wide Work Parties
The third 100-year storm in two years caused power outages for two-to-four weeks. Staff member Beth Anderson recalled, “Hurricane-force winds whipped trees in all directions. Trees and power … Read More
1993 Office Staff
Cherry Thurman, Robin Morgan, Michelle St. Claire, Karin Becker, Rita Davis, Cele Westlake, Judi Resch and Carol Merrill.
Armitage Island Lights Up
Tiny Armitage Island became the 20th island to be electrified by OPALCO.
First “100-Year Storm” Causes Massive Outages
The first of three “100-year storms” to hit San Juan County in a two-year period struck. Acres of trees were mowed down by the storm, and power was … Read More
New General Manager: Doug Bechtel
Doug Bechtel was named General Manager. Bechtel played a key role in the development of the Co-op during his 14-year tenure and was responsible for moving the utility … Read More
Celebrate OPALCO's 75th Anniversary
