Otsego Electric Cooperative, Inc

P.O. Box 128, Hartwick, New York, United States | Electric Power

Otsego Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative.  

Our mission is to provide safe and reliable electric service to our members at the least possible cost, consistent with sound business practices.

We are dedicated to the cooperative principles, as expressed in our by-laws, and will continue to strive for quality service to enhance the growth and stability of our rural service area.

It's Your Cooperative

In the early days, private power companies provided urban areas with electricity, but rural residents were left in the dark.  The private power companies did not consider it profitable to provide electricity to rural areas.  For rural residents, the cost of getting central station electrical service - even if they could obtain it - was prohibitive.  Working together, local farmers and others created an electric cooperative to supply themselves with power at a cost that they could afford.

It was slow going at first.  The war effort created shortages of both materials and labor.  We needed approval from the “War Production Board” to construct the lines.  Even meters were unavailable.  In June 1944 there were 336 miles of line staked or engineered, and 125 miles of poles had been set.  Two substations, Oaksville and New Berlin, were nearly completed.  In August of that year, 53.5 miles of line were energized with 85 members receiving power.  The Co-op has grown and in 2015, 766.5 miles of line, 7 substations, a 46kV point of delivery station, 13,659 poles, and 4,650 active meters are in place.

Nationwide, there are nearly 1,000 electric cooperatives operating today.  Each one is a locally-owned business enterprise, incorporated under the laws of the state in which it operates.  Consumers who receive service are members and share the responsibility for making it a success.

Otsego Electric Cooperative is unique from other power companies because (1) each member has an opportunity to attend the Annual Meeting and cast a vote in the election of the Board of Directors and any other business that may come before the membership; (2) each member receives ownership equity in the system in the form of capital credits, which are cash repayments to members on a rotating cycle.

Otsego Electric Cooperative, Inc. conducts its business much the same as any other electric utility.  However, the difference lies in the ownership and how the wishes of the owners are carried out.  As owners, our customers really count.

OEC Purpose

WE PROVIDE THE SAFE AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR MEMBERS, OUR EMPLOYEES, AND OUR COMMUNITIES — THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS.

OEC Mission

TO BE RECOGNIZED — FAVORABLY — BY OUR MEMBERS FOR PROVIDING COST COMPETITIVE, CLEAN, SAFE, RELIABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS.

7 Cooperative Principles

The Seven Cooperative Principles

1.  Voluntary and Open Membership– Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership,  without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination

2.  Democratic Member Control – Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.  Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.  In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights – one member, one vote – and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

3.  Members’ Economic Participation – Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.  At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative.  They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership.  Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes:  developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

4.  Autonomy and Independence – Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.  If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including government or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

5.  Education, Training and Information – Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives.  They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

6.  Cooperation among Cooperatives – Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

7.  Concern for Community – While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Company Details
Company NameOtsego Electric Cooperative, Inc
Business CategoryElectric Power
AddressP.O. Box 128
Hartwick
New York
United States
ZIP: 13348
PresidentNA
Year Established1941
Employees50
MembershipsNA
Hours of OperationMonday-Friday :7:30 am–4:00 pm
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