Power, Safety & a Little Bit of Luck
Dear Member,
During fire season, Douglas Electric Cooperative’s number 1 priority is keeping our members and communities safe from wildfire— even if that means the lights might go out a little more often. We understand power outages can be frustrating, and we truly appreciate your patience when they happen. It is a difficult balance for us because our mission is to keep the lights on.
Part of that balance comes from making investments in our system. Many of our new service installations are going in underground, which is great for safety. But converting our 1,300 miles of existing overhead transmission and distribution lines comes with significant costs. We work hard to weigh those big expenses against our commitment to keep rates affordable for our members—now and in the future.
Even with the challenges, our approach is making a difference. Last year’s fire season brought some outages across our service area. Every outage had a specific cause—often an animal contacting the lines—and each one had the potential to spark a wildfire.
Our wildfire safety efforts have gotten us noticed. DEC was recognized as an industry leader and awarded a $9 million fire mitigation grant to help keep our rights of way clear. We are about halfway through that grant project now, trimming and removing trees, and working closely with local fire agencies and first responders. Keeping vegetation in check is 1 of the most important ways we can prevent wildfires.
Preparation has certainly helped us stay safe, but we will admit—luck’s been on our side, too. Wildfire policy is going to stay front and center in Salem and Washington, D.C., and DEC will keep advocating for policies that protect our rural communities.
Sincerely,
General Manager Keith Brooks