OLLI Presentation No. 6, Fall 2025 - Electric

The City of Ashland Oregon held a presentation focused on its electric utility and conservation programs. The electric utility, managed by Director Tom McBartlet, highlighted its reliance on clean hydro power, infrastructure including substations and power lines, and ongoing investments in wildfire mitigation and system hardening such as fiberglass poles and smart meters. The city recently purchased the Mountain Avenue substation to gain local control and reduce costs. The utility maintains competitive rates and high reliability, with plans to expand capacity to meet increasing demand from electrification initiatives like electric vehicles and heat pumps. Conservation efforts, presented by Climate and Energy Analyst Chad Woodward, include incentives for heat pumps, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient appliances, as well as programs targeting rental properties and home energy scoring. The city is also exploring new loan programs and expanding EV charging infrastructure funded partly through state grants and clean fuels program revenues. The meeting emphasized the integration of clean energy procurement, infrastructure upgrades, and conservation incentives to support Ashland's climate goals and ensure reliable, affordable electric service.