Electric Cooperatives – Protecting Consumer Members
Electric cooperatives are significantly different in ownership structure and purpose than other electric utilities. Electric cooperatives are private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned businesses. Cooperatives have proven to be a viable and even preferred business alternative in which consumers have the ability to provide electricity and other services for themselves.
The electric cooperatives’ perspective on the electric utility industry stems from their unique characteristics of consumer ownership and local democratic control. Electric cooperatives want to ensure that American families and small businesses nationwide benefit from any regulatory changes within the electric utility industry. Although the growing power of big companies is an increasing threat to consumers, electric cooperatives provide a business model where profit is not the driving force and consumers have a voice.
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