Orcas Island’s Lines Powered Up
Orcas Island’s first power lines were energized, resulting in an influx of real estate buyers.
Orcas Island Generating Plant Completed
The Orcas Island generation plant was completed at a total cost of $150,000. The original plant consisted of two Worthington General Electric diesel engines. Engine No. 1 was … Read More
BPA’s Bonneville Dam Completed
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) finished construction of the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River and installed many miles of transmission lines throughout the Northwest.
Orcas Island Puts Up First Power Lines
The firm of NePage McKenny began construction on 53 miles of overhead power lines on Orcas Island. Four crews with a total of 85 men, many of them … Read More
First General Manager Hired: E. W. Johnson
Mr. E.W. Johnson was hired as first General Manager of Orcas Power & Light Cooperative.
Contract for Generating Plant Awarded
OPALCO signed a contract for $36,940 with the Fairbanks Morse Co. for the construction of the generating plant. “It is understood that [OPALCO is] making a successful campaign … Read More
First Orcas Power and Light Board Convenes
Members of the original Board of Trustees were Charles S. Gerard (Project Supervisor), John E. Harrison, Edward J. Young, Chester R. Martin, Harry P. Walrath, Amos B. Coffelt, … Read More
Islanders Form Orcas Electric Association
Orcas Island residents F.H. Boddington, W.E. Boyer, Amos Coffelt, Rev. F. Eastman, C.S. Gerard, Dr. A.B. Harrison, J.E. Harrison, Chester R. Martin, Mrs Opperman, Carl Templin, H.P. Walrath, … Read More
FDR Signs the Rural Electrification Act of 1936
President Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 into law, providing official status to the REA as a lending agency for electric cooperatives and authorizing $410 million … Read More
FDR Creates Rural Electrification Administration
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) for the purpose of making long-term, low-interest loans to electric utilities for construction of power facilities in rural … Read More
Celebrate OPALCO's 75th Anniversary
