General Information about Cooperatives
Electric cooperatives are privately owned businesses established to supply electricity to their member-owners.
• Electric co-ops are owned by the people who use the power the co-op provides. Its customers are also its owners.
• Electric co-ops operate on a not-for-profit basis, with excess margins returned to the consumer either in the form of patronage capital or in stable rates.
• Electric co-ops are governed by a board of directors elected from among the membership.
• Any member may run for the board and all members are asked to participate in an annual membership meeting at which board members are elected.
• Electric co-ops adhere to the seven guiding principles of all cooperatives:
Voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training and information, cooperation among cooperatives and concern for community.
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