Rural America received electric power as part of the sweeping reforms brought in by Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal. Decades later, members interested in having an impact on their rural electric cooperative can find some help by using WORC’s How To Have an Impact on your Rural Electric Cooperative.

Co-op members interested in governance and transparency issues can find good resources below.

• Colorado recently passed legislation to require cooperatives to make it easier for members to get timely information and participate in important decisions.
• The oldest co-op in the country recently underwent major changes when members elected reform minded board members. Here is a link to Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s open meetings policy.
• Examples of co-operative websites with accessible information for members to participate in important decisions, elections, and meetings.

Orcas Power and Light

Kit Carson Electric Co-op

Delta-Montrose Electric Association

Is your co-op living up to its principles?
This list describes the principles to which rural electric cooperatives should aspire. It comes from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. It sets a standard that all co-ops should meet.

1. Voluntary and Open Membership - Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
2. Democratic Member Control - Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
3. Members’ Economic Participation - Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.
4. Autonomy and Independence - Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.
5. Education, Training, and Information - Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives - Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together.
7. Concern for Community - While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.

Northern Plains Resource Council's “Rural Electric Cooperation Campaign” fact sheet can be found here.

Toolkit for Rural Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency remains the best buy available for electrical consumers. Here is a resource on best practices for distribution cooperatives that was compiled with input from more than 80 regional rural electric cooperatives.

Wind power remains one of the most viable and affordable sources of new, clean, renewable electricity generating capacity. Co-ops could be at the forefront of bringing wind on-line, particularly at a scale and level that would benefit rural economies and communities. Here are some good tools to assist you in advocating for more wind utilization by co-ops.

Community Wind 101: A Primer for Policy Maker

Wind Power Myth’s Debunked, IEEE Power Magazine

Many co-ops in Idaho, Oregon and Montana receive much of their power and services from the Bonneville Power Administration. Since the adoption of the Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act in 1981, the region has been guided by power plans put together by the regional power planning council with representatives from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana.

The Sixth Northwest Power Plan, adopted in 2010, provides useful information about regional power needs and the costs and benefits of investing in energy efficiency, as well as objective data on pricing of all types of energy resources.

The plan is available on-line.