For more than a century, Idaho Power has proudly served eastern Oregon — delivering reliable energy, volunteering in the community, and protecting the region’s natural resources.
After careful, thorough consideration, we believe Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC), a local eastern Oregon energy provider, is uniquely positioned to serve our Oregon customers going forward and have reached an agreement to sell the Oregon portion of our service area to OTEC. OTEC has deep roots in eastern Oregon, and they share the same dedication to reliable service and local support that has guided Idaho Power for generations.
This proposal must be reviewed and approved by state and federal regulators before being made final.
We know our Oregon customers will have questions, and we will do our best to address those and keep customers updated throughout the approval process.
For more information, see the frequently asked questions below and visit otec.coop/idahopower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Curious what it means to be an OTEC member-owner?
Learn more about OTEC—including information on OTEC’s history in the region, service offerings, and more—at otec.coop/idahopower.
What is included in the sale, and why is it being proposed?
Oregon represents a small portion of Idaho Power’s business, and reducing our service area to one state will help us focus on the investments and infrastructure needed to serve our growing Idaho population. Because OTEC’s existing service area is already connected to Idaho Power’s Oregon operations, they’re in a strong position to welcome Idaho Power customers as new members and support them efficiently.
If the sale is approved by state and federal regulators, OTEC would take over the distribution infrastructure that delivers power directly to roughly 20,000 Oregon customers. Idaho Power would continue to own and operate generation and transmission resources, including the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line, that provide power to Oregon, Idaho, and across the region.
Does this change the need for B2H?
No. The Boardman to Hemingway (B2H) transmission line has always been and will continue to be a critical resource for serving customers in Idaho, Oregon, and across the region.
Why is the sale beneficial to Oregon customers?
OTEC is a long-standing eastern Oregon energy provider with deep roots in their communities. As Idaho Power’s geographic neighbor, their teams and resources are well-positioned to serve Oregonians with quick outage response times, a new service center and customer-facing office in Ontario, and a local board of representatives made up of member-owners from across their territory.
Will this have an impact on Oregon customers’ bills?
While the specific impacts to Oregon customers’ bills will be presented as part of the regulatory review process, we’re confident OTEC will strive to keep rates affordable for Oregon customers and will offer customer-focused services and programs, ensuring the sale is fair and beneficial to everyone. We’ll continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
Will customers have to pay off their Idaho Power bills before OTEC takes over?
Yes — you would need to settle your Idaho Power bill before becoming an OTEC member. We’ll make sure you have clear information and plenty of time, so the transition feels smooth and straightforward. Our goal is to keep things as easy as possible for you every step of the way.
When will the sale be final?
The proposed sale is subject to state and federal approvals. We anticipate the approval process could take ten months or longer, and we will keep you updated along the way.
How are Idaho customers impacted by the sale?
The sale would allow Idaho Power to focus funding, infrastructure investments, and our workforce on Idaho’s growing population and energy demand.