Utility Cooperatives

Utility cooperatives provide essential electric, telecommunications, and water services to their consumer-member owners. Unlike investor-owned utilities, they operate on a not-for-profit basis, prioritizing affordability, reliability, and community needs.

Electric Cooperatives

Electric cooperatives fall into two categories:

• Distribution Cooperatives serve end-users, such as homes and businesses, who also make up their membership.
• Generation & Transmission (G&T) Cooperatives produce and transmit electricity, selling wholesale power to distribution cooperatives. These are cooperative federations owned by their member co-ops.

Telecommunications Cooperatives

These member-owned providers offer services such as local and long-distance telephone, internet access, and television. They help bridge the digital divide, particularly in rural areas where private providers may not invest.

Water Cooperatives

Typically found in suburban and rural areas beyond the reach of municipal water systems, water cooperatives ensure access to safe, reliable drinking water. Many also provide wastewater services to their members.