Surprise Valley Electrification Corporation
Surprise Valley Electrification Corporation
Surprise Valley Electrification Corporation (SVEC) was founded in 1937 and energized in 1938 to provide reliable electric service to the member-owners at the lowest rates possible. Because SVEC's service area is extends into Lake County, Oregon, which is within the service boundary of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Surprise Valley is the only California co-op that can purchase wholesale electricity from that federal power agency.
Historically BPA's rates have been extremely low, thanks mainly to the abundance of low-cost hydro electric power from major Columbia River hydro projects. Surprise Valley currently has the lowest electric rates in California and is among the lowest in Oregon and Nevada. SVEC strives to have stable affordable rates.
Because it serves a unique agricultural area, SVEC provides a number of special services to its members, from irrigation pump testing to conservation services. Local control and non-profit service-at-cost are two things this co-op takes great pride in. With over 70 years of steady growth and success, those basic principles are paying great dividends to all co-op members.
SVEC is presently developing geothermal power on a member's property in Paisley, Oregon. The project will bring approximatley 3 MW on line in 2013. SVEC is looking into developing other geothermal resources within its service territory in the coming years to help keep rates stable for its members.
SVEC is headquartered at Alturas, California and serves 7,650 square miles in both Northern California and Southern Oregon. Dan Silveria is the General Manager and Craig Joiner is the Board President.
