Utilities
Board Candidate Questionnaire Results Released: Eight Candidates Provide Detailed Perspectives on Cooperative Future
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WA — To help members differentiate among an unusually large field of candidates in the upcoming Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) board election, a group of concerned members has released the results of a candidate questionnaire. Of the…
Vote in OPALCO’s Election – Voters eligible to win prizes
OPALCO Board Candidate election season is in full swing! OPALCO members should have received a ballot. Get to know the candidates this year and vote in the election to help guide the energy future of San Juan County. There are 9 candidates for 2 open positions in…
Multi-Island Initiative Aims to Differentiate Record Field of Nine Candidates Ahead of OPALCO Board Election
In response to an unprecedented surge in members running for the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) board election, a group of concerned members from across the Islands has launched a focused candidate questionnaire. With nine candidates vying for just two…
Report: Data center boom puts WA’s climate goals at risk
Public News Service: A new report argued the spread of data centers is threatening Washington and Oregon’s shift to renewable energy. The report, released by the environmental advocacy group Columbia Riverkeeper, identifies more than 100 data centers either…
Rock Island Communications Reaches Nearly 7,000 Subscribers and Secures $16.5 Million Grant for Broadband Expansion
Rock Island Communications (RIC), OPALCO’s locally owned internet subsidiary, is celebrating a decade of remarkable growth. Rock Island now has almost 7,000 subscribers across San Juan County. Now the company is gearing up for its next major expansion with a $16.5…
OPALCO candidates announced; 2 virtual candidates forum set
VOTE IN OPALCO’S ELECTION! VOTERS ELIGIBLE TO WIN PRIZES! The 2026 OPALCO election opens March 18, To allow members to meet each candidate and hear about their vision for the co-op, OPALCO will be hosting two virtual candidate forums (one for each district) on March…
EGC Announces OPALCO Board Candidates – Nominations by Petition Due March 2
The volunteer member Elections & Governance Committee (EGC) has completed their nominations process and selected a slate of candidates for the 2026 OPALCO Board of Directors election. There are two open positions; one in District 1 (San Juan et al) and one in…
San Juan County publishes guide for reviewing OPALCO’s Proposed Solar Project on Decatur Island
SAN JUAN COUNTY PRESS RELEASE – San Juan County’s Department of Community Development (DCD) received an application from Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) for a conditional use permit (CUP) for a commercial power generation facility on a parcel on Decatur…
OPALCO Response to Misinformation in Letter to the Editor
The article titled “OPALCO Bill Too High? Here’s Why” is so rife with misinformation it’s hard to know where to start. It’s fine to disagree with OPALCO and some of the co-op methodology, but we need to start from facts. The OPALCO team is…
OPALCO Survey Results are In
OPALCO has been engaging the co-op membership in the realities facing the energy world. Things are changing due to climate impacts, carbon reduction legislation, and the transition to renewable energy. As our regional energy supply reaches capacity, utilities…