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What is a Cooperative?

A cooperative is a business owned and controlled by the customers who use its services. The voice of every person makes a difference. The economic benefits of a cooperative are given back to the members, reinvested in the co-op, or used to provide member services. In our case, those returns are called Capital Credits.

Rural electric cooperatives began back in 1935 when the Rural Electric Administration (REA) was created with the help of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The REA's goal was to provide electricity to the rural areas and jobs during hard times. The idea was to provide established member-owned utility companies with federal REA loans. The objective was to bring electric power to the countryside when no one else would.

Many industries have ventured into different types of cooperatives throughout the years. Today our "modern day" co-ops offer such products and services as natural foods, financial services, farm products, hardware and, of course, electricity. In all cooperatives, the people have the power.

Electric cooperatives deliver energy to members at the cost of service. We are small enough to listen and yet big enough to serve members' needs through state-of-the-art technology.

The seven cooperative principles:

  • Voluntary and open membership

  • Democratic member control

  • Member participation

  • Autonomy and independence

  • Education, training and information

  • Cooperation among cooperatives

  • Concern for community

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©2022 East Central Energy. All Rights Reserved. All information on this website can be made available in an alternate form by calling 1-800-254-7944.

  • Home
  • Your Cooperative
    • About Us
      • Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
      • History
      • About Touchstone Energy
    • Capital Credits
    • Careers & Job Openings
    • Cogeneration
    • Directors and Districts
      • Board Meetings
    • Hours & Locations
    • Member Resource Council
    • Sustainability
    • Statement of Non-Discrimination
    • Power Concerns
    • Red Flags Rule
  • New Construction
    • Residential
    • Commercial
  • Residential
    • Billing & Payment
      • Charges & Fees
      • Payment Options
      • Understanding My Bill
    • Assistance Information
    • Cold Weather Rule
      • Military Cold Weather Rule
    • Landlord Preauthorization Agreement
    • Power Outage
    • Medical Alert
    • Renewable Energy
      • Solar Energy
      • Wind Energy
    • Sales Tax Exemptions
    • Start or Stop Service
    • Together We Save
    • High Speed Internet
    • Contact Us
  • Programs & Rebates
    • 2022 residential program highlights
    • Residential Rebates
    • Air Source Heat Pump
    • Storage Space Heating
    • Storage Water Heating
    • Ground Source Heat Pump
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Dual Fuel
  • Business
    • Charges & Fees - Commercial
    • Contact Us - Business Accounts
    • Economic Development
    • Cost Saving Programs
    • Business Bulletin
    • Energy Saving Tips
      • Business Energy Evaluation
    • Payment Options Business
    • Start or Stop Service - Commercial
    • Rebates - Commercial
  • Contractors
    • Before Working Overhead
    • HVAC Contractors
    • Power Line Emergencies
    • Resources for Electricians
  • Safety
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Downed Power Lines
    • Storm Information
    • Copper Theft
    • Request a presentation
    • Safe Electricity
  • Community
    • Operation Round Up
      • Grants
    • Scholarships
    • Community Award
    • Caring Members
    • Youth Tour
    • Community Partnership
    • Parents and Educators
    • Watt's Cookin'
    • Co-op Connections
  • Trees & Lines
    • Emerald Ash Borer
    • Storm Damage & Downed Lines
    • Tree Concerns & Requests
    • Tree Planting Guidelines
    • Vegetation Management Plan
  • Newsroom
    • Co-op Advantage Newsletter
    • News & Events
    • Pollinator Blog
    • Video Gallery
    • Annual Report