Pioneer Electric Cooperative

The difference between Pioneer Electric Cooperative and other power companies is that we are 'owned by those we serve.' Each person who receives service from this non-profit, member-owned electric utility is a member - and an owner. 

Pioneer Electric members have several unique benefits not available to other utility consumers. Four distinct advantages of being served by a cooperative are:

• They receive service at cost because we operate on a not-for-profit basis.
• They have local control because members of the board of directors are from within the Association.
• They have the right to participate through a voting membership because they are a member-owner of the business.
• They earn capital credits because, in a cooperative, net margins are shared among all the members.

Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

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.

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) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

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; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

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.

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.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

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

Concern for Community

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

History

By the turn of the century, electricity had become the driving force for prosperity and was available in every major city.  In 1920 the Alabama Power Company extended lines to Greenville and provided service but that was as far as they came; there was no profit in serving sparsely populated rural areas.

By the 1930s there was still no electricity in the countryside.  Because they had electricity, cities and towns were able to pull themselves out the Great Depression but on the farms times were hard and life seemed destined to go on as it had for generations. By late 1938 line crews from the Butler County Electric Membership Corporation (the predecessor of Pioneer Electric Cooperative) were setting poles, stringing wire and installing transformers along county roads in Butler, Dallas, Lowndes, and Wilcox counties. During the following spring, the Cooperative energized the first 81 miles of line and farm families shared an unforgettable experience as light bulbs began turning on across the area. 

Organization

At Pioneer, members are at the top of the organizational chart because they are the owners.  Each person receiving electric service is a member, and they elect the Board of Trustees. Nine trustees each represent a district. The board sets the co-op's policies and rates and hires the president/chief executive officer, who reports to and is directly responsible to the board. Terry Moseley is the current Executive Vice President/General Manager.

Annual membership meetings are held in October each year. At this meeting, members hear reports on the co-op and elect trustees.  Members who cannot attend in person are still able to participate in the business of the cooperative by mail-in ballot, which are distributed the month prior to annual meeting by mail.

The cooperative’s service area covers south central Alabama and include most of the rural areas of Butler, Lowndes, Dallas and Wilcox counties. The service area does extend into five other counties which include parts of Autauga, Crenshaw, Covington, Conecuh and Monroe counties. We currently serve approximately 13,500 electric services in the entire Pioneer service area.

Cooperative Business

Pioneer’s mission is to safely deliver reliable service, in a timely and courteous manner, at the lowest possible cost to our members. Pioneer strives to uphold this mission by securing an affordable supply of energy for its members and delivering it over a well-maintained distribution system, charging each member only their fair share of what it costs the Co-op to provide electric service to the members' homes or businesses. 

While working on long term objectives, Cooperative employees aspire to be courteous, friendly and efficient in their daily service to members and in completing their work responsibilities. 

Mission