Quick Facts

Each year, OPALCO’s finances are examined by an independent third-party auditing firm. For 2025 the Board hired Baker Tilly, a national auditing firm. This kind of independent oversight is one … Read more

The General Manager (GM) is one of three positions hired and managed by the OPALCO Board of Directors. The other two are the Auditor and Legal Counsel. The unique characteristics … Read more

Retail Rates: Even though OPALCO’s Retail Rates are either equivalent to or less than US and WA averages, OPALCO manages our complex grid successfully and is able to keep our … Read more

Balancing Cost, Benefit, and Fairness As a non-profit co-op, OPALCO keeps rates as low as possible by controlling expenses and pricing electricity at the residential and commercial cost of service. Though … Read more

Rock Island is OPALCO’s wholly-owned subsidiary. Together they have built a hybrid fiber and LTE wireless network to meet the needs of our rural, remote territory. This robust communication system … Read more

Balancing Cost, Benefit, and Fairness As a non-profit co-op, OPALCO keeps rates as low as possible by controlling expenses and pricing electricity at the residential and commercial cost of service. Though … Read more

Electric utility distribution cooperatives operate on a member-owned, nonprofit basis, ensuring that the communities they serve receive reliable and affordable electricity. As a member of such a cooperative, individuals enjoy … Read more

In the electric industry, power surges are unavoidable. However, just like with home security systems, there are things we can do to protect us from surges, though never fully. The … Read more

OPALCO’s Renewable Energy Dilemma The 2025 member survey revealed something important: OPALCO members support reliable, affordable, and cleaner electricity — but many of the projects needed to provide that power … Read more

Balancing Cost, Benefit, and Fairness As a non-profit co-op, OPALCO keeps rates as low as possible by controlling expenses and pricing electricity at the residential and commercial cost of service. Though … Read more

Project on hold awaiting Department of Energy Funding The Orcas Power & Light Cooperative team recently wrapped up phase one of the Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Pilot Project draft license … Read more

OPALCO’s mission is to provide reliable power to its membership. OPALCO’s power comes from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which utilizes hydropower, some of it from the Lower Snake River … Read more

On May 8, 2026: San Juan County Hearing Examiner Gary N. McLean officially approved the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the project, finding that all requirements were found to be … Read more

This guide outlines the criteria that must be met for siting OPALCO renewable energy projects in San Juan County. These standards ensure that proposed sites are compatible with the utility’s … Read more

OPALCO’s solar rate is designed to encourage local renewable generation by ensuring that more of the cost of service is fairly allocated. Solar producers use the grid to buy and … Read more

Rooftop Solar and Our Local Energy Future Washington State is pushing hard to remove carbon emissions from our daily lives –  decommissioning coal plants and electrifying heating and transportation (including … Read more