Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc

In the early 1940's, rural Sequoyah and Haskell County were without electric service.  The farmer took care of the farm chores by hand and with the flickering, undependable light of a kerosene lantern.  His wife labored over the wood stove and washboard.

After seeing the needs in the rural areas, President Roosevelt signed an executive order on May 11, 1935, establishing the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), bringing electricity to isolated rural areas not serviced by private utilities.  The idea of providing federal assistance to accomplish rural electrification gained ground rapidly.  After World War II ended, rural electric systems multiplied and began supplying electric service to rural areas across the nation.

Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative began when a group of farmers decided to bring electricity to their rural area.  On July 11, 1945, a representative from Sequoyah County met with 48 rural leaders at the Sequoyah County Courthouse. Following a full explanation of the Rural Electrification Program by an REA representative from Stillwater, the farmers voted to accept a plan to proceed to obtain memberships in an electric cooperative and to run electric lines to southeastern Oklahoma.

Many volunteers spent long hours soliciting prospective members.  A total of 450 members paid a $5 membership to join the organization within the first three weeks.

After redistricting and dividing territories, the Articles of Incorporation were filed on October 8, 1945.  The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held October 16, 1945 at Stigler, Oklahoma.  On March 13, 1946, the REA approved the first loan for $305,000 for construction of 200 miles of electric distribution and service lines.

In January 1947 the Board of Trustees authorized the purchase of one acre of land for $100 to build a substation in Haskell County.  In October of the same year, a deed was accepted for property donated by the City of Sallisaw to build a substation in Sequoyah County.

Supplies such as poles, copper wire, and transformers were used for the war effort.  After the war ended there was a serious shortage of materials.  The determined farmers continued their quest, and their determination paid off.  The coop's lines were finally energized on June 28, 1948, bringing Southeast Oklahoma out of the darkness.  A total of 187 miles of line was energized to serve 502 members.  Electricity spelled a new kind of life for farmers and residents of our area.

Today our electricity is generated by Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., and transmitted through KAMO Power's transmission lines to 13 substations located at Stigler, Enterprise, Porum, Tenkiller, Sallisaw, Akins, Muldrow, Humphrey, Keota, Marble City, Nicut, Vian and Liberty.  CHEC is serving just under 18,000 meters and operate almost 3,000 miles of line from those substations.

CHEC is a member-owned not-for-profit electric cooperative and is governed by a seven-member board of trustees.  At the end of each year, margins are allocated to members in the form of capital credits.  As of December 31, 2015, CHEC has paid back all margins to members through the year of 1996.  In December of 2015, CHEC retired $786,255.76 in patronage capital to its members.

The legacy of Cookson Hills Electric is etched in our minds, from our meager beginnings to where we are today.  We are grateful for those before us who made our cooperative what it is today.  We look forward to the furture of CHEC and of the members and communities we serve. 

The Co-op Connections card is a free membership card that gives you discounts on everyday expenses.  The card can be presented for valuable discounts at local and national businesses who participate in the program. And, the Co-op Connections member benefit program is absolutely free for Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative members!