Lower Valley Energy board of directors member Fred Brog has won the John M. George Public Service Award from the Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA).
LVE says this is one of the region’s most prestigious awards and is given to an individual who has demonstrated a high level of service “to furthering the goals and objectives of public power”.
“Fred’s dedication to public power – locally, regionally, and even nationally – has been faithful and enthusiastic,” Lower Valley Energy said in a public statement. “Fred has committed 35 years of service to Lower Valley Energy and held all positions on the board, including Chairman. Fred has also tirelessly represented his cooperative on the Wyoming statewide for over five years and served on the Idaho statewide board for 20+ years prior to that.”
Brog says he recalls how a board member first approached him 35 years ago to help serve and he did not want to commit. He says he had a ranch to pay for, nine children to help raise, and didn’t have time. This person called three times and each scenario he said he couldn’t do it.
He says he ended up at a family friend’s home in Eliza Robison and he told her about how he got asked to serve. She told him of when Lower Valley brought power to her house, it saved her life.
“She says ‘You owe it to Lower Valley and you owe it to your father to take this board position’,” Brog said. “Public service is just something you have to do sometimes.”
He says the NWPPA serves over 20 million people in the region. He says it also takes in Alaska and parts of Canada. This includes the northwest states like Oregon, Washington, California among others as well.
“It’s a non-profit public service,” Brog said. “And this is an organization that really has a big impact in the western United States.”
This covers a lot of regions and people who work in the industry. So, he says this is a big deal. The NWPPA also helps train Lower Valley Energy employees.
“They also have a national footprint,” Brog said.
He says the greatest part of these last 35 years is the service. He says LVE’s power is the lowest in the nation. He recalls how many people have played a part in bringing low-cost energy to the area and he is grateful for those that have made sacrifices to put LVE where it is today.
