Washington Rural Electric Co-Op Association

WRECA represents approximately 20 small mutual electric companies and rural electric cooperatives throughout Washington. Our members serve over 280,000 customers at approximately 149,000 locations throughout Washington; nearly one-fourth of Washington when measured by surface area!

All of our members use either the “cooperative” or “mutual” business model, which means that they serve their customers on a non-profit basis. The rural and small utilities we represent play a critical role in supporting the agriculture industry in Washington by providing electric service at cost to two-thirds of all farmland in Washington.

Local control is maintained; as cooperatives, the customers actually set their own rates, operating policies, and long term plans through elected representatives. This democratic process ensures that the customers always maintain control.

History

On May 20, 1936 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act, establishing the Rural Electrification Administration (now known as the Rural Utilities Services) as a lending agency. The Act authorized self-liquidating loans for the purpose of financing the construction and operation of generating plants, electric transmission and distribution lines or systems for the furnishing of electric energy to people in rural areas where central stations would not serve.

At the same time, the federal government was beginning to build hydroelectric projects throughout the country. Since federal law granted public preference to consumer-owned, nonprofit utilities, like electric cooperatives, they were able to make affordable, dependable power a reality in the communities of rural America.

The Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association (WRECA) was established in 1942 to provide its members with a unified voice at the state capitol in Olympia.

Today, WRECA provides its members with a variety of services. As the unifying voice for the state’s mutual electric companies and rural electric cooperatives at the state capitol, WRECA identifies and monitors state legislative issues impacting the membership, develops strategic alliances to effectively deal with identified state issues, serves as a resource center for state issues concerning membership, and acts as the statewide liaison for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. WRECA is continually using all means possible to further their member’s interests.

Mission

WRECA’s mission is to proactively influence the regulatory environment in the best interests of the consumer-owned electric utilities in the State of Washington.

Electric Co-op Difference

What distinguishes electric co-ops from other types of utilities is that the co-op business model keeps the focus on the member-owner and the local community.

Electric co-ops are involved in community development and revitalization projects, such as small business development and job creation, improvement of water and sewer systems, and assistance in health care and education services.

Local ownership and the accountability it demands is one reason electric co-ops enjoy the highest average customer satisfaction rating in the industry, according to the University of Michigan’s American Customer Satisfaction index.

7 Cooperative Principles

1. Voluntary and Open Membership. Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all the 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 policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote). Cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3. Members’ Economic Participation. Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members 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; benefitting 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 governments, 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, regional, national, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community. While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies acceptable by their members.