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.

ELECTRIC

On September 22, 1937, Presque Isle Electric Cooperative set its first pole in the village of Posen. The lines built that fall were the first energized by a cooperative in the state, and brought electricity to 82 farm homes just in time for Christmas. The cooperative soon extended lines to Montmorency and Cheboygan counties to provide electric service to rural homes.

Today, we service 35,500 electric meters throughout our nine-county service territory. We maintain 4,800 miles of electric line, 3,863 miles of overhead and 947 miles of underground, serving approximately 7.5 members per mile of line.

NATURAL GAS

In 1994, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op entered the natural gas business, again providing a valuable service to rural areas when other companies wouldn't.

Today, we service 8,984 natural gas meters throughout our nine-county service territory, and maintain 584 miles of gas pipeline.