Utility Co-ops

Learn how utility co-ops are benefiting our economy and communities.

Utility co-ops are putting the power in the hands of the community. The cooperative business model is used to manage electricity, water, telecommunications, and other public utilities.

Utility co-ops have a powerful impact on how vital community resources like electricity, water, and internet are delivered.

Here is just one story from United Electric Cooperative.

Watch the video

COMMUNITY-OWNED

The nature of the cooperative business model offers a unique opportunity for utility customers. Each utility cooperative is a private, nonprofit business owned and governed by the consumers that it serves. A utilities co-op is managed by and for the community it serves, giving each customer the opportunity to participate in the governance of the co-op. Being inherently tied to the local area, co-ops are often involved in community development projects, support of local businesses, and job creation. In electricity alone, co-ops account for 42% of the United States’ electric distribution, covering 75% of the nation’s land mass.

What is a Cooperative?

Member-ownership of a utility co-op comes with a voice in the management and delivery of services, a community-focused guarantee, and may even come with a share in the profits based on participation and use of services in the form of a shareholder dividend – because when you are a customer, you are a member-owner, therefore you are a shareholder.

“Utility co-ops build community. Local area co-ops are often involved in community development projects, support of local businesses, and job creation.”

DID YOU KNOW?

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Over 900 electric cooperatives provide power to 47 states.
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Electric co-ops account for more than 1/3, or 33%, of the United States electricity service.
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More than 18 million homes, schools, and businesses are powered by co-ops.

HELPFUL LINKS

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA
Search Other Associations

Find Co-ops Near You

What is INVESTED, BUILT, GROWN, MADE and SPENT with a co-op directly benefits the local community – make a bigger impact when you choose local co-ops.

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