Molly Ayala
Ashland Electric, owned by the City of Ashland, serves more than 11,000 residential, commercial, and government customers. The electric utility has a long history, dating back over a hundred years. The Ashland Electric Department is responsible for the engineering, construction, and maintenance of the system that distributes electrical energy to its customers. In recent years, Ashland has expanded its solar plant capabilities and installed dual-axis solar trackers to provide resilience for city operations. Ashland Electric has consistently received the Excellence in Reliability award from the American Public Power Association.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Ashland, Oregon |
| Customers | More than 11,000 residential, commercial, and government customers |
| Power Source | Bonneville Power Administration |
| Operations | Metering, distribution, engineering, construction, and maintenance |
| Community Services | Installing and removing Christmas decorations, hanging banners, and providing educational services |
| Awards | Excellence in Reliability award from the American Public Power Association |
| Products | Axial fans, centrifugal blowers, motors, and fans |
| History | Founded over a hundred years ago |
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What You'll Learn
Ashland Electric serves over 11,000 customers
Ashland Electric, a publicly-owned utility, serves over 11,000 residential, commercial, and government customers. Ashland Electric is one of only 12 Oregon municipalities that own their electric utility. This ownership model offers several benefits, including lower electricity prices for residents and protection against service monopolization by large private companies.
The history of Ashland Electric dates back to 1886 when a group of businessmen recognized the need for electricity in the city. They formed the Ashland Electric Power and Light Company and constructed a small electrical generator near Lithia Park. Three years later, Ashland's first electric light was turned on, and the company began distributing power throughout the city.
In 1904, a dispute arose between the Ashland City Council and the power company over water rights, leading to the cancellation of Ashland Power and Light's franchise. The issue was resolved in 1906, with the city taking charge of the electric company's assets, including its power plant and water rights. Ashland installed its own 300-kilowatt hydroelectric plant in 1908, marking a significant step towards local control of electricity generation.
Today, Ashland continues to prioritize affordable and reliable power for its residents. The city purchases electricity from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a federal agency managing a network of hydropower dams in the Columbia River basin. Ashland's contract with BPA offers stable pricing and access to conservation programs. Additionally, Ashland Electric does not charge monthly fees for customers generating their own electricity through solar installations, further reducing costs for those exploring renewable energy options.
The city's ownership of its electric utility has provided advantages in meeting the goals of the Climate and Energy Action Plan. Ashland is committed to providing superior electric services at competitive prices while also exploring additional ways to ensure clean, reliable, and affordable power for its community in the future.
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Ashland Electric's history
Ashland Electric is a public electrical utility that has been serving the City of Ashland's power needs since 1908. Ashland is one of just 12 Oregon municipalities that owns its electric utility, and its history can be traced back over a hundred years.
The City of Ashland purchases power from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). This power is metered at distribution substations and dispersed through city-owned feeder and distribution lines, transformers, and meters for each customer. The Ashland Electric Department is responsible for the engineering, construction, and maintenance of the system for distributing electrical energy. The Operations Division works with other city departments to provide additional services, such as processing electric and water connects and disconnects, installing electrical facilities within areas of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Water Treatment Plant, and water pump stations.
The Division also designs, constructs, and maintains electrical transformers, overhead and underground power lines, and meters for power and water consumption. It annually trims trees along 65 miles of overhead power lines to minimize outages during wind storms and maintains approximately 1,800 city-owned street lights. The Division also provides community services such as installing and removing Christmas decorations and hanging banners.
Ashland Electric serves more than 11,000 residential, commercial, and government customers. The city also owns a small 850kW hydropower plant below Reeder Reservoir, and about 4% of its needs are met by over 5MW of local solar capacity owned by local residents and businesses. Southern Oregon University has been pursuing opportunities to expand its solar plant, and the city recently installed dual-axis solar trackers at its operations center along with battery backup to provide resilience for some city operations.
In addition to its electric utility, Ashland has a history in the petroleum industry. Founded in 1924 as the Ashland Refining Company in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, by Paul G. Blazer, the company rapidly expanded through internal expansion and acquisitions. By 1933, the company owned over 1,000 wells, 800 miles of pipelines, bulk distribution plants in twelve cities, service stations, river transportation terminals, and river equipment. In 1936, the company's ownership changed to the Ashland Oil and Refining Company shareholder group, and Blazer stepped down as CEO in 1957. In 2005, Ashland sold its shares of the petroleum joint venture, effectively dissolving its petroleum division. The original oil refinery in Catlettsburg is still in operation today, owned and operated by Marathon Oil.
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Ashland Electric's Operations Division
Ashland is one of just 12 Oregon municipalities that owns its electric utility. Ashland Electric serves more than 11,000 residential, commercial, and government customers, and its team consistently receives the Excellence in Reliability award from the American Public Power Association. The Ashland Electric Operations Division is committed to providing superior electric services at competitive prices in an environmentally responsible manner.
The Operations Division works with other City departments to provide additional services such as processing electric and water connects and disconnects, installing electrical facilities within areas of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Water Treatment Plant, and water pump stations. They also maintain backup generation systems for facilities within City-owned buildings that are sensitive to outages.
Ashland Electric has been visionary in pursuing opportunities to expand its solar plant. The city recently installed dual-axis solar trackers at its operations center, along with battery backups, to provide resilience for some city operations. Last year, the city received a state grant to explore other solar sites on city-owned property to add more local solar capacity.
Owning its electric utility gives Ashland a significant advantage in meeting the goals of the city's Climate and Energy Action Plan, approved in 2017. The Operations Division also provides community services such as installing and removing Christmas decorations and hanging banners.
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Ashland Electric's community services
The City of Ashland Electric Department is a public electrical utility that has been serving the public's power needs since 1908. Ashland is one of just 12 Oregon municipalities that own its electric utility. The department serves more than 11,000 residential, commercial, and government customers.
The Operations Division of the Ashland Electric Department provides several community services. These include:
- Installing and removing Christmas decorations
- Hanging banners
- Providing educational services
- Trimming trees along 65 miles of overhead power lines to minimize outages during wind storms
- Maintaining approximately 1800 City-owned street lights
- Installing electrical facilities within areas of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Water Treatment Plant, and water pump stations
- Providing and maintaining back-up generation systems for facilities within City-owned buildings that are sensitive to outages
Ashland Electric has consistently received the Excellence in Reliability award from the American Public Power Association. The company offers Ashland centrifugal blowers, which are designed for high reliability and maintenance-free operations. They are available in single and duplex configurations. Ashland axial fans are another product, designed for high-volume, low-pressure applications, making them suitable for quiet operation.
Ashland's ownership of its electric utility has provided several advantages to the city, including the ability to meet the goals of the Climate and Energy Action Plan, approved in 2017. The plan involves reducing the use of fossil fuels and switching to electricity to power buildings and vehicles.
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Ashland Electric's products
Ashland Electric Products, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing high-performance motors, fans, and blowers for almost 70 years. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including defence, aerospace, medical, transportation, and semiconductors.
Their product line includes a comprehensive range of electric motors, such as induction motors, synchronous motors, and torque motors, along with stator and rotor sets. Ashland also specializes in various types of blowers and fans, including centrifugal blowers, vaneaxial fans, propeller fans, and axial fans. These fans are designed to deliver high air volumes at relatively low pressures, making them ideal for applications requiring quiet operation.
Ashland's centrifugal blowers are engineered for high reliability and maintenance-free operation. They are available in single and duplex configurations to meet diverse application needs. The company also manufactures fan blades and offers precision machining capabilities for custom applications.
Beyond their standard product offerings, Ashland Electric Products, Inc. provides tailored solutions to their customers. Their engineering staff works closely with clients to address specific requirements and application challenges. This commitment to customer satisfaction, along with their reputation for performance, quality, and on-time delivery, has solidified Ashland's standing in their served industries.
Ashland Electric, as a whole, serves over 11,000 residential, commercial, and government customers. The company's operations extend beyond electricity provision to include community services such as installing and removing Christmas decorations and hanging banners. Ashland Electric also plays a role in educational services and environmental initiatives, such as solar power expansion.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ashland Electric is still in operation and serves more than 11,000 residential, commercial, and government customers.
Ashland Electric is the electric utility owned by the City of Ashland, Oregon. Ashland is one of just 12 Oregon municipalities that own their electric utility.
Ashland Electric has been in operation for over a hundred years. Since 1953, Ashland has designed and produced several thousand versions of its motors, fans, and blowers for commercial, industrial, and military applications.
Ashland Electric produces a range of motors, axial fans, and centrifugal blowers designed for high performance and reliability.
Ashland Electric has consistently received the Excellence in Reliability award from the American Public Power Association. The company has also been visionary in pursuing opportunities to expand its solar plant and has installed dual-axis solar trackers to provide resilience for city operations.
