Timeline

The Bruns-Madan Legacy Story

May 26, 2015

The Bruns-Madan Legacy Story

Carolyn Harrison Sisley – Founding Member Family

July 23, 2012

Early OPALCO – From a Child’s Memory I was three years old when we moved to Orcas. My Dad, John E. Harrison, was born and raised in Eastsound, … Read More

Co-op Signs 20-Year Contract with Bonneville Power

October 11, 2011

OPALCO signed a record 20-year, full-requirement contract with Bonneville Power for supplying power, locking into a tiered rate structure that guaranteed the Co-op its full share of clean hydro-power … Read More

Green Power Incentive Program Launched

May 1, 2011

May 2011: A group of OPALCO members form a committee to build a new Green Power Program and M.O.R.E. (Member Owned Renewable Energy) is launched to provide incentives … Read More

Third Electric Vehicle Added to Fleet

March 1, 2011

OPALCO purchased a Nissan LEAF, a 100% battery-powered, zero-emission electric vehicle for OPALCO business. Electric Vehicle charging stations on San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Island are updated to … Read More

The Broadband Expansion: Island Network Considers Islands-Wide Service

January 1, 2011

2011- 2012:  OPALCO began to study expanding its fiber infrastructure to provide broadband (high-speed Internet) services to its members.

Island Network Spreads into Town Centers

January 1, 2010

The fiber infrastructure expanded into Eastsound and Lopez Village areas for greater business access to Island Network services.

Island Network Beefs-Up Back-Up, Signs on Medical Clinics

January 1, 2008

OPALCO built its own redundant microwave backup system covering Friday Harbor, Eastsound, and Bellingham for its fiber infrastructure. Medical centers on Lopez and Orcas Islands subscribed to Island … Read More

OPALCO Awards Banquet – 2007

January 17, 2007

Dismantling of Old Diesel Generators: 2007- 2010

January 1, 2007

After the laying of submarine power cables to the mainland in the 1950s, OPALCO’s old deisel generators fell into disuse.  Several were maintained for a few decades as back-up … Read More