Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is a member-owned, non-profit cooperative utility providing energy services to San Juan County since 1937.

OPALCO’s mostly hydro-electric power is generated by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and delivered to the islands by way of submarine cables.

MEMBER BENEFITS

• A community of over 11,000 local members in the San Juan Islands
• A monthly newsletter, the Co-op Connector, to stay up with events
• The right to elect the OPALCO Board of Directors
• A share in the financial health of the Cooperative through capital credit allocation and distribution

Seven Cooperative Principles

Independent, democratically-governed businesses, electric cooperatives are organized under the Rochdale Principles, also known as the Seven Cooperative Principles:

• 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. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also 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 co-operative. 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 their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; 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 co-operative 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 co-operation.
• 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 approved by their members.