Few events bring a collective sense of national pride and achievement among the American people than the Olympic Games. This year’s games in France were no exception. And as Oregonians we are especially inspired by the 34 athletes with ties to our state who competed, with some even taking away gold medals.
While the Olympics only come around every four years, it is an opportunity of a lifetime for these athletes – one that only comes after years of intense preparation and sacrifice. At Columbia Power Cooperative we do not pretend to be Olympians. But we do try and bring the same level of commitment and relentless determination that Olympians bring to their respective sports.
Like Olympian competitors, sometimes our success is based on one single defining moment – a wildfire disaster or major weather event that threatens our communities. Some things are outside of our control, but we are often judged on our ability to get the lights back on in a timely manner.
But more often, it is Columbia Power Cooperative’s employees diligently preparing every day for the long-term success of the co-op – decisions that will unfold over years if not decades. The work continues as we face Olympic-sized decisions when it comes to regional power supply, wildfire mitigation and the resiliency of our electric grid. I am beyond proud of the work our team does to ensure you have affordable, reliable and safe energy. They may not hear the roar of the crowd or appear on a medal stand, but they still inspire us every day.
Lisa S Atkin, General Manager