Wade Carey is the director of Monmouth Power & Light in Oregon. He joined the NWPPA Board of Trustees as an interim trustee in February and will serve as an interim through next May, when he will be eligible for election to his first full term. Carey has 24 years of experience in the utility industry and began leading Monmouth Power & Light in 2023. Before that, he worked at Central Lincoln PUD in Newport, Oregon, for 13 years, serving most recently as the PUD’s energy services manager. He was also previously a federal programs specialist for the Bonneville Power Administration. He holds an associate of applied science in energy management from Lane Community College.

What are the current challenges at your utility?
Our biggest issues are rising material costs; increased purchase power and transmission costs; and availability of operational and line staff.

What do you see as the current challenges in the industry?
The biggest challenges to our industry are rising demand with electrification and new large loads; increasing regulations, including around climate, fish mitigation, and wildfire mitigation; transmission system builds; and retirement of generation versus generation development.

How does NWPPA help your utility and the industry with these challenges?
NWPPA provides our utility with valuable training opportunities, industry news and information, and advocacy on regional issues.

Any hobbies outside of the public power world?
My hobbies include activities with my family, movies, concerts and music festivals, golf, motorcycle riding, and anything that lets me spend time in the sun.