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August 1, 2026 |

How the Fourth Cooperative Principle is Powered by You

This month, we’re continuing our series on the Seven Cooperative Principles and the role they play in shaping our operations and setting the cooperative business model apart. So far in 2026, we’ve highlighted how the first three principles make a difference for our cooperative and for you, our member. They are:

1.      Voluntary and Open Membership

2.      Democratic Member Control

3.      Members’ Economic Participation

This month, we’re focusing on the fourth principle: Autonomy and Independence. Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.

Autonomy and Independence means your co-op is guided by the people it serves, with decisions rooted in the values and needs of the local community. Rather than being influenced by leaders or shareholders several states away, the co-op is directed by local members. That local control shows up in meaningful ways and strengthens our ability to serve you while keeping important decisions close to home.

Local focus matters because you depend on electricity every day, and we take that responsibility seriously. Behind every light switch is a team working year-round to provide dependable power. From upgraded substations to faster response times, we’re making investments in reliability that help keep your lights on.

We’re also investing in stronger infrastructure, new technology, and preventive maintenance to stay ahead of future needs. From sunny days to snowstorms, you can count on your cooperative to be prepared—because reliability isn’t just part of our job, it’s part of our promise to you.

Rain or shine, day or night, we remain member-controlled, locally guided, and dedicated to powering what matters most to you.