Fall River Electric, Lower Valley Energy consolidation proposed

Two of the region’s largest electric cooperatives are considering a merger.

The boards of directors of the Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative based in Ashton, Idaho and Lower Valley Energy based in Afton, Wyoming jointly announced their intention to investigate joining the two cooperatives as one.

If the boards agree, they will take a consolidation plan to their respective members for a vote of approval.

According to a Fall River news release, the two cooperatives have considered a merger for several decades, but believe policies planned by the Bonneville Power Administration make the idea more practical now.

Two consolidation studies concluded the consolidation could save members nearly $4,000,000 annually and an estimated $38,000,000 over a ten year period.

The boards believe a consolidated group would provide greater financial strength and an opportunity to expand natural gas and propane services to more members and create greater workforce efficiencies.