North Dakota’s electric cooperatives are continually involved in the communities they serve, from delivering power to offering scholarships for college-bound students. But what is a cooperative?
Electric cooperatives are owned and democratically controlled by their members – the people who use the electricity.
They operate on the principle of “one member, one vote.” So, each member of a cooperative has the same voting power. As a member, you have a voice in how your co-op operates, by electing directors to represent you.
And, cooperatives are nonprofit entities, returning profits to members proportionate to their use of the cooperative’s service.
Cooperatives are shaped by the specific needs of the communities they serve. This local, member-driven structure is one reason why cooperatives enjoy the highest consumer-satisfaction scores within the electric industry. Electric cooperatives, on average, score higher than all other electric companies, according to the 2021 American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Electric cooperatives are built by and belong to the people they serve. They are led by members from the community and are uniquely suited to meet local needs.
Cooperatives have strong ties to North Dakota’s history – and the state’s future. Rural electrification was born 85 years ago in the spirit of cooperation, and electric cooperatives play a vital role in developing the state today.
