Local Electric Lineman to Set Up Power in Guatemala

APRIL 16, 2025|

Photo – Garrett Ricketts, CP&L Lineman – Courtesy Oregon Empowers

With the assistance of a Carbon County lineman, a northwestern electricity cooperative is working to bring power to residents in Guatemala.

Oregon Empowers is an electricity cooperative that has been sending linemen from across the western United States to South America to electrify rural villages.

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Director of Member and Strategic Services Lea Hoover explained Oregon Empowers is the 501(c)(3) branch of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Oregon Empowers was established to undertake international charity projects. In 2023, the non-profit organization traveled to Guatemala to run electrical lines to remote parts of the country.

Hoover said earlier this year, Carbon Power and Light lineman Garrett Ricketts was selected to join the Oregon Empowers team as they returned to Guatemala.

Garrett Ricketts was joined by another Wyoming lineman, Levi Gossard of the Powder River Energy Corporation.

Hoover explained that the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, or NRECA, oversees the Guatemala trips, ensuring the linemen have everything they need to safely accomplish their goals.

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Strategic Director Hoover said the Oregon Empowers crew spent nearly two weeks in Guatemala, installing electrical lines. Hoover said the project is highly coordinated to maximize the crew’s productivity.

Hoover explained the electrical poles are already in place by the time the Oregon Empowers team arrives in the country. In addition to running power lines, the team was also be responsible for installing electrical systems inside local homes.

Hoover said the work was difficult and hot, with mountainous terrain and temperatures ranging between 95 and 107 degrees.

Oregon Empowers is in the process of planning their next humanitarian trip. In the meantime, Hoover said Garrett Ricketts can use the experience he gained in Guatemala to encourage more Wyoming electrical cooperatives to join the next Oregon Empowers project.