LIGH READING
It’s Lineworker Appreciation Month!
While many of us remain cozy in our beds in the early morning hours, many lineworkers are already starting their day, wearing fire retardant clothing, safety glasses, rubber gloves, and sturdy boots. They truly exemplify dedication to service in its most genuine form. As we observe Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 14, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the crucial role they play in our everyday lives.
Amidst towering utility poles and intricate power lines, lineworkers display a strength that extends well beyond the physical. Whether facing harsh weather conditions, troubleshooting technical issues, or navigating hazardous heights, they showcase resilience and a steadfast determination to
keep our lights on, our homes comfortable, and our communities connected. Their exceptional skills ensure that our homes stay connected to the grid, businesses remain operational, and emergency services are always accessible—a vital link that unites us all.
During moments of emergency and we find ourselves without power, lineworkers bring assurance and optimism. Their prompt responses help restore normalcy and provide comfort during uncertain times. Whether mending storm-damaged power lines or ensuring stability during emergencies, their unwavering commitment brightens our lives when we need it the most.
Inland Power lineworkers also extend their support beyond local borders. Our crews travel to assist fellow cooperatives, near and far, when widespread outages occur, and extra help is needed. Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our seven guiding principles, and no one exemplifies this commitment better than lineworkers.
This month, as we honor our remarkable lineworkers, let’s acknowledge their steadfast dedication to the communities they serve. The next time you flip a switch, take a moment to appreciate those who make it all possible—lineworkers, who are committed to powering our lives!
Our mission is our members!
Braving the elements to serve our members
The amazing effort of our
linecrew!
In late February, the Latah Creek Valley in our Palouse service territory experienced substantial flooding due to unseasonably warm temperatures, significant rain, high winds and rapidly melting snow. These rare flood conditions caused our line crews to face precarious working conditions in order to replace lost poles from flood waters and restore power to members affected.
Our team worked tirelessly and within 24 hours power was restored to residents and businesses that were impacted by this extraordinary flooding. An Inland Power member who was impacted by conditions took time to comment on the dedication of our lineworkers - “I wanted to express my appreciation to the line crew who, on February 24, repaired the downed poles/ lines due to the Latah Creek flooding. The conditions were dire, such that I was certain it would be days to complete the repair, but the crew handled the situation very professionally, as though
it was just another day on the job. I am really impressed and thankful for their effort. Again, a heartfelt thank you.”
We thank our members for their support and our crews for their outstanding efforts!
What you need to know. An update on future IPL rate adjustments
We understand that any rise in rates has a direct impact on our members, and we take this decision very seriously. Your board and leadership team have devoted considerable time to evaluating all possible options to reduce the impact while ensuring we maintain the high level of service that you expect and bring reliable power to your homes and businesses.
We want to be completely transparent about why Inland Power will be making necessary rate adjustments:
We must maintain financial stability – Rising costs mean that we must adjust our rates to ensure Inland Power remains in a strong financial position. BPA is making necessary infrastructure enhancements due to an increase in energy demand and ongoing needs and improvements, as a result our tier 2 power supply costs have doubled. BPA is also projecting an 8.3% increase in tier 1 power and a 21% increase in transmission costs.
We must ensure system reliability – Without these investments, we risk outages, equipment failures, and an inability to meet growing demand.
We must continue to invest in safety – Preventing wildfires, upgrading infrastructure, and improving response systems all require funding.
Even after these changes, Inland Power continues to be one of the most affordable electric providers in the country. Our commitment to delivering reliable and cost-effective electricity to our members has always been our priority, and that commitment remains steadfast.
New Rate Information
We received a great response and many outstanding photo submissions for our Digital Winter Photo Competition. All entries were judged based on basic technique, lighting, composition, originality and story/mood. We are pleased to announce the competition winner is Inland Power member Carol Larsen. Carol’s entry is a tranquil photo taken near Almota Road in Colfax, Wash. Thank you Carol for sharing your photo and congratulations on winning a $50 Inland Power bill credit! Our runner-up entry comes from Carla Danielson. This energetic photo was taken near Hooper, Wash. and is a photo of Carla’s dog Wally having a great time in the fresh fallen snow! Thank you Carla for participating and congratulations on winning a $25 Inland Power bill credit. Many thanks to all our members who took time to submit their photos. We enjoyed seeing images of your winter activities and appreciate your participation.
