OPD5 CEO pleads the rural cause on Capitol Hill

Leaders from Nevada Rural Electric Association entities met with Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto during a Legislative Conference in Washington DC last week.

OPD5 CEO/General Manager MeLisa Garcia joined with more than 1,500 other electric utility leaders at the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Legislative Conference held in Washington, DC on April 27-28. 

During the two-day event, Garcia teamed up with a dozen other Nevada Rural Electric Association members to meet face-to-face with congressional leaders and to advocate for smart energy policies. 

“Having that face time with members of the Nevada delegation and their staff is a valuable experience,” Garcia said. “We had such a warm reception at each one of their offices. They were very accessible, supportive and willing to hear our message.”

NREA members meet with McKenna LeVitt and Carlos Lara, staffers from the office of Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen, during a Legislative Conference in Washington DC.

That message was focused on the unique challenges of small, not-for-profit electric utilities in providing their service to rural communities across the state. The NREA group emphasized the need for bipartisan energy solutions to ensure that their ratepayers have access to reliable, affordable power. 

One of Garcia’s key discussion points was the vital importance of hydro-power resources to rural communities across the West. With 23 percent of OPD5’s portfolio coming from heritage hydropower allotments generated along the Colorado River system, these resources are essential to keeping rates affordable for rural ratepayers, Garcia said. 

“The dry winter we have just experienced, and the record low lake levels that are projected because of it, will likely impact hydropower production on the river,” Garcia said. “That would have a real effect on our cost of power. So we were able to drive home the urgency of that situation to our representatives. We urged them to support common-sense measures that could alleviate these issues rather than falling into policies that might further exacerbate the problem.” 

NREA members advocate for smart energy policy with Ian Haimowitz of the Congressional staff of Rep. Steven Horsford, during a Legislative Conference in Washington DC.

Other topics discussed by the NREA representatives included support for the Fix Our Forests Act, a bipartisan measure allowing utilities greater leeway for clearing vegetation from public rights of way; and the SPEED Act, which aims to shorten federal permitting timelines, reduce litigation and streamline reviews for energy projects on public lands.

Garcia said that the meetings had given an opportunity for rural utility leaders to be heard by the Congressional delegation and their staff. She appreciated each one of them for their time and support. 

“This annual conference allows our rural utilities to emphasize to our representatives that our business is nonpartisan,” Garcia said. “Our focus doesn’t change based on which party holds the majority in Congress or who is in the White House. Our priorities stay firmly rooted to what is best for the customer at the end of the line. That is really our sole focus.”