Transcript. This oral history interview with Tom L. Eckman was conducted by Michael O’Rourke at the Northwest Power Planning Council offices in Portland, Oregon, from September 16, 1998, to September 29, 2000. The interview was conducted as part of the Northwest Power Planning Council Oral History Project, which documented the history and purpose of the Northwest Power Planning Council, now known as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. The interview was conducted in five sessions.
In the first interview session, conducted on September 16, 1998, Eckman discusses his family background and early life on a farm in Galesburg, Illinois, including his education. He briefly talks about studying forestry and environmental science at Southern Illinois University, about working as an environmental science educator in Washington, and about serving as chair of both the Washington Environmental Council and the Washington Chapter of the Sierra Club. He speaks at length about the passage of the 1980 Northwest Power Act, and about the Washington Public Power Supply System. He talks about working with Ed Sheets, the U.S. senators from Washington, and with administrators from Bonneville Power Administration during and after the passage of the Northwest Power Act. He discusses serving as manager of conservation resources for the Northwest Power Planning Council, now known as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, from 1982 to the time of the interview.
In the second interview session, conducted on December 17, 1998, Eckman continues to speak about the passage of the 1980 Northwest Power Act, and about the Washington Public Power Supply System. He continues to discuss serving as manager of conservation resources for the Northwest Power Planning Council, and talks about the early activities of the council. He discusses the NWPPC’s 1983 conservation and electric power plan, and talks about the first members of the council.
In the third interview session, conducted on September 21, 1999, Eckman continues to discuss serving as manager of conservation resources for the Northwest Power Planning Council, and to talk about the 1983 conservation and electric power plan. He speaks at length about developing and implementing the model conservation standards for residential and commercial buildings, about opposition to the energy efficient building codes, and about working with Northwest electric utilities on the Super Good Cents program.
Tape 7, Side 1, through Tape 8, Side 1. In the fourth interview session, conducted on May 11, 2000, Eckman continues to discuss serving as manager of conservation resources for the Northwest Power Planning Council. He talks about the conservation and electric power plan amendment processes in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He speaks about factors affecting energy prices in the Northwest, particularly at the BPA, and discusses how changing state politics in the 1990s affected the NWPPC, particularly its fish and wildlife plan.
Tape 8, Side 2, through Tape 9, Side 2. In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on September 29, 2000, Eckman continues to discuss serving as manager of conservation resources for the Northwest Power Planning Council, with a focus on the period between 1995 and the time of the interview. He talks about conducting a comprehensive review of the Northwest power systems and about developing the 1996 version of the conservation and electric power plan. He also speaks at length about the financial situation of the BPA, and about factors affecting its energy prices.
Eckman, Tom L. (Thomas Lester), 1949-