Skip to main content

To report an outage, please call our 24-hour hotline: 1-866-430-4265

CONTACT US
APPLY FOR SERVICE
CAREERS
QUICK BILL PAY
Home
Menu
 
  • Interested in Running for the OTEC Board of Directors? - Click Here to Learn More
  • Want to Support Your Community? - Donate to the OTEC Member Foundation
  • Are You Prepared for Winter Storms? Click Here to Learn More
  • OTEC Scholarship Applications Now Open! - Click Here for Details!
1 of 4 
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Your Cooperative
      • History
      • What Is A Cooperative?
      • Where Your Power Comes From
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Your Board of Directors
    • Annual Meeting & Board Elections
    • Bylaws, Tariffs and Rates
    • Careers
    • Newsletter
  • Members
    • Value of Membership
    • Apply for Membership/Service
    • Prepaid Metering Agreement
    • Bill Pay
    • Call 811 Before You Dig
    • Capital Credits
    • New Construction
    • Sample Bill
    • OTEC Claims Reporting Form
  • Community
    • OTEC Member Foundation
    • Charitable Giving
    • Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
    • Scholarships
    • DC Youth Tour
    • Idaho Youth Rally
    • Member to Member
    • Mini-members
    • Co-op Connections
  • Economic Development
  • Energy Solutions
    • Programs & Rebates
    • Renewable Energy
      • Oregon's Hydropower
      • Community Solar
      • Solar
    • Electric Vehicles (EVs)
    • Touchstone Energy Savings
  • Safety & Education
    • Safety First
    • Winter Storm Safety
    • Wildfire Preparedness
    • Public Safety Power Shutoffs
    • Call 811 Before You Dig
    • Power Surges
    • Understanding Electromagnetic Fields
    • Kids Electrical Safety Artwork Contest
    • Safety Quiz
  • Outage Center
    • Outage Map
    • Power Outage Tips
    • Restoration Process
    • Generator Safety
  • News
    • Ruralite
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter
    • Legislative
    • Power Eastern Oregon

Winter Weather Makes Preparation a Top Priority for OTEC

Thursday | December 8, 2022
All News

Winter weather is here in eastern Oregon and Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative wants its member-owners to prepare to endure any weather-related circumstance this winter.

“Winter storms can be unpredictable and can lead to power outages and unsafe situations” said Eric Wirfs, OTEC’s Director of Operations. “OTEC is always prepared to respond with crews at a moment’s notice to restore power as fast as possible and reduce the amount of time any member-owner is without service.”

To ensure you are prepared for, and stay safe during, any outages, OTEC recommends every member to maintain an Emergency Outage Kit that includes the following:

  • Flashlight
  • Battery-operated radio and clock
  • Extra batteries
  • Non-perishable foods
  • Manual can opener
  • Bottled water
  • Blankets
  • Supply of critical medications

If a power outage occurs, OTEC encourages member-owners to first check the fuses and circuit breakers in their home’s electrical panel. If the power failure was not caused inside the home or business, OTEC member-owners should report the outage by calling 1-866-430-4265.

Additionally, OTEC suggest these safety precautions once a storm has hit:

  • Stay away from any downed power lines at least 50 feet. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and are extremely dangerous. Call 911 immediately to report downed power lines.
  • Never drive over any downed power line.
  • If you are inside a vehicle, and a downed power line is within 50 feet, stay inside the vehicle and call 911.
  • If you are using a generator, read the instructions. Never plug it into an outlet and don't connect a generator directly to your home's main fuse box or circuit panel. Generators can be extremely dangerous to OTEC personnel if used/installed incorrectly.
  • If it's a gas-powered generator, never refuel the unit while it’s operating. Avoid spilling gas or other fuels on hot components. Always use these generators outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide build-up inside spaces where people are present.

Find more information and tips on winter and generator safety at otec.coop/safety.

Back to Top

Quick Links

Contact Us

News

About Us

Careers

Energy Solutions

Members

Outage Center

Baker Office

4005 23rd St.

Baker City, OR 97814

541.523.3616

Burns Office

567 W. Pierce St.

Burns, OR 97720

541.573.2666

John Day Office

400 Patterson Bridge Road

John Day, OR 97845

541.575.0161

La Grande Office

2408 Cove Ave.

La Grande, OR 97850

541.963.3155

Office Hours

8 AM – 5 PM | Monday – Thursday

9 AM – 5 PM | Friday

Offices Closed Holidays for 2023

New Years – Monday, January 2nd (Observed)

President’s Day – Monday, February 20th

Memorial Day – Monday, May 29th

Independence Day – Tuesday, July 4th

Labor Day – Monday, September 4th

Veterans Day – Friday, November 10th (Observed)

Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 23rd & 24th

Christmas – Monday, December 25th

 

©2023 Oregon Trail Electric Co-op. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Your Cooperative
      • History
      • What Is A Cooperative?
      • Where Your Power Comes From
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Your Board of Directors
    • Annual Meeting & Board Elections
    • Bylaws, Tariffs and Rates
    • Careers
    • Newsletter
  • Members
    • Value of Membership
    • Apply for Membership/Service
    • Prepaid Metering Agreement
    • Bill Pay
    • Call 811 Before You Dig
    • Capital Credits
    • New Construction
    • Sample Bill
    • OTEC Claims Reporting Form
  • Community
    • OTEC Member Foundation
    • Charitable Giving
    • Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
    • Scholarships
    • DC Youth Tour
    • Idaho Youth Rally
    • Member to Member
    • Mini-members
    • Co-op Connections
  • Economic Development
  • Energy Solutions
    • Programs & Rebates
    • Renewable Energy
      • Oregon's Hydropower
      • Community Solar
      • Solar
    • Electric Vehicles (EVs)
    • Touchstone Energy Savings
  • Safety & Education
    • Safety First
    • Winter Storm Safety
    • Wildfire Preparedness
    • Public Safety Power Shutoffs
    • Call 811 Before You Dig
    • Power Surges
    • Understanding Electromagnetic Fields
    • Kids Electrical Safety Artwork Contest
    • Safety Quiz
  • Outage Center
    • Outage Map
    • Power Outage Tips
    • Restoration Process
    • Generator Safety
  • News
    • Ruralite
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter
    • Legislative
    • Power Eastern Oregon