Power Eastern Oregon Podcast Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/power-eastern-oregon-podcast The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast explores topics which affect small towns and rural communities in eastern Oregon and beyond. With the help of business and community partners, we will discuss the foundations of healthy communities, innovative new technologies, and challenges we all face. We’ll also explore the value of cooperatives and member-owned utilities and how Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative contributes to the health and growth of our service territory. All rights reserved. 1cba6a6a-93c9-52c6-83c3-de5c1a60cd6f yes en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:14:48 -0700 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:15:47 -0700 https://img.transistorcdn.com/J36hAtCHyIcIRVZwR9-bNSMfJGbWkYnQQSqNwxE13xA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xOGUz/NzU4ZTc1Mjc1MTQy/ZGRjNGYzMGVjYWUw/MmE3YS5wbmc.jpg Power Eastern Oregon Podcast episodic Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast explores topics which affect small towns and rural communities in eastern Oregon and beyond. With the help of business and community partners, we will discuss the foundations of healthy communities, innovative new technologies, and challenges we all face. We’ll also explore the value of cooperatives and member-owned utilities and how Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative contributes to the health and growth of our service territory. The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast explores topics which affect small towns and rural communities in eastern Oregon and beyond. electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative communications@otec.coop No No How Saint Alphonsus Keeps Care Closer to Home, With Tony Swart 13 13 How Saint Alphonsus Keeps Care Closer to Home, With Tony Swart full 43cca44b-5e03-440e-bde0-d7c4fc615683 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2b5320e0 In this episode of the healthcare series, Paige Witham interviews Tony Swart, of Saint Alphonsus - Baker City, about how strong community partnerships are shaping the future of healthcare in Eastern Oregon. From keeping patients closer to home to collaborating with local organizations, Tony shares how relationships and local investment make a real difference in caring for the community, both inside and outside the hospital walls.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop. 

]]> In this episode of the healthcare series, Paige Witham interviews Tony Swart, of Saint Alphonsus - Baker City, about how strong community partnerships are shaping the future of healthcare in Eastern Oregon. From keeping patients closer to home to collaborating with local organizations, Tony shares how relationships and local investment make a real difference in caring for the community, both inside and outside the hospital walls.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop. 

]]> Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:28:24 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 1368 In this episode of the healthcare series, Paige Witham interviews Tony Swart, of Saint Alphonsus - Baker City, about how strong community partnerships are shaping the future of healthcare in Eastern Oregon. From keeping patients closer to home to collaborating with local organizations, Tony shares how relationships and local investment make a real difference in caring for the community, both inside and outside the hospital walls.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop. 

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No Strengthening Harney County Through Innovations in Health Care, featuring Bob Gomes and Samantha Yarbrough 12 12 Strengthening Harney County Through Innovations in Health Care, featuring Bob Gomes and Samantha Yarbrough full 42e4a02b-a114-4a30-9f73-cb369f054e79 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d600b603 The team at Harney District Hospital focuses on innovation and teamwork to provide excellent patient care. The hospital recently installed new state-of-the-art MRI and integrated telestroke services, making a big impact on community health and resiliency. CEO Bob Gomes and Marketing and PR Director Samantha Yarbrough tell us all about the hospital's investment in its community and its impact on this podcast episode.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> The team at Harney District Hospital focuses on innovation and teamwork to provide excellent patient care. The hospital recently installed new state-of-the-art MRI and integrated telestroke services, making a big impact on community health and resiliency. CEO Bob Gomes and Marketing and PR Director Samantha Yarbrough tell us all about the hospital's investment in its community and its impact on this podcast episode.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 1310 The team at Harney District Hospital focuses on innovation and teamwork to provide excellent patient care. The hospital recently installed new state-of-the-art MRI and integrated telestroke services, making a big impact on community health and resiliency. CEO Bob Gomes and Marketing and PR Director Samantha Yarbrough tell us all about the hospital's investment in its community and its impact on this podcast episode.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No Strengthening Rural Healthcare in Grant County, featuring Jena Knowles 11 11 Strengthening Rural Healthcare in Grant County, featuring Jena Knowles full 1572dc55-0f5b-4d58-b555-22d4f14f8fa2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0cb50724 Jena Knowles, of Blue Mountain Hospital District, joined the podcast to discuss the programs, partnerships and innovations supporting rural healthcare in Grant County. From 3D mammogram machines to new telestroke services and workforce training, Jena shares how local collaboration helps keep quality care closer to home.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Jena Knowles, of Blue Mountain Hospital District, joined the podcast to discuss the programs, partnerships and innovations supporting rural healthcare in Grant County. From 3D mammogram machines to new telestroke services and workforce training, Jena shares how local collaboration helps keep quality care closer to home.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 769 Jena Knowles, of Blue Mountain Hospital District, joined the podcast to discuss the programs, partnerships and innovations supporting rural healthcare in Grant County. From 3D mammogram machines to new telestroke services and workforce training, Jena shares how local collaboration helps keep quality care closer to home.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No APEX Elite Line Academy Powers Opportunity, featuring Doug Dalton 10 10 APEX Elite Line Academy Powers Opportunity, featuring Doug Dalton full 697629e6-9a90-485f-b12d-8ab10ddaf6cf https://share.transistor.fm/s/c409e350 OTEC Marketing Coordinator (Paige Witham) and Director of Member and Strategic Services (Lea Hoover) sit down with Doug Dalton, of Baker Technical Institute, to discuss the new APEX Elite Line Academy—a partnership between BTI and OTEC. They explore how this hands-on training program is preparing the next generation of lineworkers, while strengthening the region’s workforce and economy.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> OTEC Marketing Coordinator (Paige Witham) and Director of Member and Strategic Services (Lea Hoover) sit down with Doug Dalton, of Baker Technical Institute, to discuss the new APEX Elite Line Academy—a partnership between BTI and OTEC. They explore how this hands-on training program is preparing the next generation of lineworkers, while strengthening the region’s workforce and economy.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:47:10 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 1657 OTEC Marketing Coordinator (Paige Witham) and Director of Member and Strategic Services (Lea Hoover) sit down with Doug Dalton, of Baker Technical Institute, to discuss the new APEX Elite Line Academy—a partnership between BTI and OTEC. They explore how this hands-on training program is preparing the next generation of lineworkers, while strengthening the region’s workforce and economy.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No Grande Ronde Hospitals & Clinics, featuring CEO Jeremy Davis 9 9 Grande Ronde Hospitals & Clinics, featuring CEO Jeremy Davis full d1140d58-ba33-4002-9c0b-4407b0660653 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2801074a Healthcare is necessary for any community to thrive. On this first installment of our series highlighting rural healthcare in Eastern Oregon, Paige sits down with Jeremy Davis, President and CEO of Grande Ronde Hospitals and Clinics, to discuss how the hospital has recently improved its services to increase quality care for its patients. They discuss facility expansion, teamwork, innovation and the importance of rural partnerships.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Healthcare is necessary for any community to thrive. On this first installment of our series highlighting rural healthcare in Eastern Oregon, Paige sits down with Jeremy Davis, President and CEO of Grande Ronde Hospitals and Clinics, to discuss how the hospital has recently improved its services to increase quality care for its patients. They discuss facility expansion, teamwork, innovation and the importance of rural partnerships.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:40:39 -0800 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 1255 Healthcare is necessary for any community to thrive. On this first installment of our series highlighting rural healthcare in Eastern Oregon, Paige sits down with Jeremy Davis, President and CEO of Grande Ronde Hospitals and Clinics, to discuss how the hospital has recently improved its services to increase quality care for its patients. They discuss facility expansion, teamwork, innovation and the importance of rural partnerships.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No Empowering Healthy Communities: Education, featuring George Mendoza 8 8 Empowering Healthy Communities: Education, featuring George Mendoza full 281f12f5-5d27-4d00-be17-2cbb5f1565ea https://share.transistor.fm/s/f20428a3 Oregon Superintendent of the Year, George Mendoza, joins us for a conversation about his background, the role education plays in a healthy community, scholarships, and how education powers success for Eastern Oregon.

Learn more about La Grande School District at www.lagrandesd.org.
Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Oregon Superintendent of the Year, George Mendoza, joins us for a conversation about his background, the role education plays in a healthy community, scholarships, and how education powers success for Eastern Oregon.

Learn more about La Grande School District at www.lagrandesd.org.
Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:00:02 -0800 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 2420 Oregon Superintendent of the Year, George Mendoza, joins us for a conversation about his background, the role education plays in a healthy community, scholarships, and how education powers success for Eastern Oregon.

Learn more about La Grande School District at www.lagrandesd.org.
Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No The Cooperative Advantage, featuring Les Penning 7 7 The Cooperative Advantage, featuring Les Penning full 3a39ce58-c25e-4244-9525-7de78bc0073a https://share.transistor.fm/s/ff27f219 From pennies to power, why having a cooperative model makes all the difference. Listen in as OTEC's CEO Les Penning discusses the unique value that cooperatives bring to the electric industry.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> From pennies to power, why having a cooperative model makes all the difference. Listen in as OTEC's CEO Les Penning discusses the unique value that cooperatives bring to the electric industry.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:58:02 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 2323 From pennies to power, why having a cooperative model makes all the difference. Listen in as OTEC's CEO Les Penning discusses the unique value that cooperatives bring to the electric industry.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No The Current Advantage : How Hydro Powers More than Your Homes, featuring Clark Mather 6 6 The Current Advantage : How Hydro Powers More than Your Homes, featuring Clark Mather full 0fd7bc0d-c528-4bc7-a3c7-3f1d39cca709 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3ce6dc07 The Columbia River and Snake River dams provide clean, reliable, and affordable power in the Northwest. But did you know the river projects provide benefits well beyond the electric system? The dams are vital to agricultural improvements, flood control, the transportation system, and tourism across our region. On this podcast episode, Clark Mather, executive director of Northwest River Partners, tells us how integral these river projects are to our service territory.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> The Columbia River and Snake River dams provide clean, reliable, and affordable power in the Northwest. But did you know the river projects provide benefits well beyond the electric system? The dams are vital to agricultural improvements, flood control, the transportation system, and tourism across our region. On this podcast episode, Clark Mather, executive director of Northwest River Partners, tells us how integral these river projects are to our service territory.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2025 11:35:01 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 2171 The Columbia River and Snake River dams provide clean, reliable, and affordable power in the Northwest. But did you know the river projects provide benefits well beyond the electric system? The dams are vital to agricultural improvements, flood control, the transportation system, and tourism across our region. On this podcast episode, Clark Mather, executive director of Northwest River Partners, tells us how integral these river projects are to our service territory.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No The Lean, Green, Energy Machine : Where does our power come from? featuring Charlie Tracy 5 5 The Lean, Green, Energy Machine : Where does our power come from? featuring Charlie Tracy full 3094041b-3dd1-4a35-8040-9562ef91cc34 https://share.transistor.fm/s/23fe7db3 If you have ever wondered where the electricity that powers eastern Oregon comes from, this is the podcast for you. OTEC’s Director of Engineering, Charlie Tracy, joins Shane and Paige to discuss the carbon-free power sources that OTEC utilizes to provide some of the most reliable and affordable electricity in the nation.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> If you have ever wondered where the electricity that powers eastern Oregon comes from, this is the podcast for you. OTEC’s Director of Engineering, Charlie Tracy, joins Shane and Paige to discuss the carbon-free power sources that OTEC utilizes to provide some of the most reliable and affordable electricity in the nation.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:12:27 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 2124 If you have ever wondered where the electricity that powers eastern Oregon comes from, this is the podcast for you. OTEC’s Director of Engineering, Charlie Tracy, joins Shane and Paige to discuss the carbon-free power sources that OTEC utilizes to provide some of the most reliable and affordable electricity in the nation.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No Wildfire Prevention, Education and Mitigation is a Year-Round Effort at Your Electric Cooperative, featuring Eric Wirfs 4 4 Wildfire Prevention, Education and Mitigation is a Year-Round Effort at Your Electric Cooperative, featuring Eric Wirfs full 47fc8747-832d-4900-868a-4584c3c26915 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ea46044c Nearly 90% of wildfires were human caused in recent years. What can our communities do to help decrease the risk of wildfires? On this episode, Paige and Shane are joined by Eric Wirfs, director of operations at OTEC, to discuss best practices in preventing wildfires, both by the cooperative and the entire community.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Nearly 90% of wildfires were human caused in recent years. What can our communities do to help decrease the risk of wildfires? On this episode, Paige and Shane are joined by Eric Wirfs, director of operations at OTEC, to discuss best practices in preventing wildfires, both by the cooperative and the entire community.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:37:45 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 1340 Nearly 90% of wildfires were human caused in recent years. What can our communities do to help decrease the risk of wildfires? On this episode, Paige and Shane are joined by Eric Wirfs, director of operations at OTEC, to discuss best practices in preventing wildfires, both by the cooperative and the entire community.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No Powering Your Future with Scholarships, featuring Hadley Marshall and Ethan Peasley 3 3 Powering Your Future with Scholarships, featuring Hadley Marshall and Ethan Peasley full 0b5a16f7-871f-4da3-b17a-541e34b057f6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/665383e8 Tuition can be a financial burden to those who wish to pursue higher education. That’s one reason OTEC created a scholarship program with its unused capital credits. On this episode, you’ll learn about OTEC’s scholarship program and hear from two of OTEC’s scholarship recipients as they join Paige and Shane to discuss how the financial assistance helped them pursue their dream degrees, earn valuable intern experiences and power their future for success!

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Tuition can be a financial burden to those who wish to pursue higher education. That’s one reason OTEC created a scholarship program with its unused capital credits. On this episode, you’ll learn about OTEC’s scholarship program and hear from two of OTEC’s scholarship recipients as they join Paige and Shane to discuss how the financial assistance helped them pursue their dream degrees, earn valuable intern experiences and power their future for success!

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:21:53 -0800 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 1049 Tuition can be a financial burden to those who wish to pursue higher education. That’s one reason OTEC created a scholarship program with its unused capital credits. On this episode, you’ll learn about OTEC’s scholarship program and hear from two of OTEC’s scholarship recipients as they join Paige and Shane to discuss how the financial assistance helped them pursue their dream degrees, earn valuable intern experiences and power their future for success!

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No Partnering with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, featuring Aletha Bonebrake and Charlene Chase 2 2 Partnering with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, featuring Aletha Bonebrake and Charlene Chase full b36de9ba-2508-45cb-b45b-1d85aedbeb49 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4d615a9c Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was founded to inspire a love of reading in children. The program gives books to children free of charge from birth until age 5. OTEC is proud to fund half of the cost of the program for children living in Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties, while the James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation pays the other half. Hear more about this incredible partnership and program on this podcast episode.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was founded to inspire a love of reading in children. The program gives books to children free of charge from birth until age 5. OTEC is proud to fund half of the cost of the program for children living in Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties, while the James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation pays the other half. Hear more about this incredible partnership and program on this podcast episode.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:20:43 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 1699 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was founded to inspire a love of reading in children. The program gives books to children free of charge from birth until age 5. OTEC is proud to fund half of the cost of the program for children living in Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties, while the James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation pays the other half. Hear more about this incredible partnership and program on this podcast episode.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast Inaugural Episode, featuring Lea Hoover 1 1 The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast Inaugural Episode, featuring Lea Hoover full 06494a6d-7e06-42fd-93cd-33f9b826a76f https://share.transistor.fm/s/117c0e13 In this inaugural episode of “The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast,” hosts Shane Stequist and Paige Witham sit down with Lea Hoover to discuss the cooperative model, safety trivia and expectations for the podcast’s future episodes. 

 

“The Power Easter Oregon Podcast” is produced by Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative in Baker City, Oregon. If you have any ideas for future episodes, please contact us at communications@otec.com.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> In this inaugural episode of “The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast,” hosts Shane Stequist and Paige Witham sit down with Lea Hoover to discuss the cooperative model, safety trivia and expectations for the podcast’s future episodes. 

 

“The Power Easter Oregon Podcast” is produced by Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative in Baker City, Oregon. If you have any ideas for future episodes, please contact us at communications@otec.com.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> Fri, 03 May 2024 09:09:28 -0700 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative 576 In this inaugural episode of “The Power Eastern Oregon Podcast,” hosts Shane Stequist and Paige Witham sit down with Lea Hoover to discuss the cooperative model, safety trivia and expectations for the podcast’s future episodes. 

 

“The Power Easter Oregon Podcast” is produced by Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative in Baker City, Oregon. If you have any ideas for future episodes, please contact us at communications@otec.com.

Learn more about Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative at www.otec.coop.

]]> electric, cooperative, co-op, electricity, Oregon, Oregon trail, eastern Oregon, energy, renewable energy, power, community No