Verendrye Electric Cooperative provides electricity to homes, farms and businesses in seven counties. Verendrye is headquartered in Velva, has a full service center in Minot and outposts in Harvey and at the Minot Air Force Base.

If you receive power from Verendrye Electric, it means you are a member-owner of the cooperative. You get to vote for local people to serve on the cooperative’s board of directors and the non-profit cooperative returns money to its members in the form of capital credits.

We pride ourselves on providing friendly, local customer service. You are welcome to visit our Velva or Minot locations where you can learn about the services we provide, set up new service or pay your bill. 

To learn more about your cooperative, please check out the other sections under the “About Us” tab on the left side of this page.

History of Verendrye

Verendrye is a non-profit electric cooperative that was formed in 1939 in the tiny town of Verendrye, located about 13 miles northeast of Velva. The cooperative’s office was moved to Velva in 1941.

In the 1930s and 40s many rural residents did not have electricity delivered to their homes like residents in cities. That’s because investor-owned utilities could not make a profit in the rural areas because there were few customers per mile of line compared to cities.

Rural residents took it upon themselves to start their own electricity cooperatives. With the help of low interest loans and technical assistance provided by the Rural Electrification Act, rural electrification became a reality throughout the nation, and to this day can be considered one of the greatest accomplishments in our country’s history.

Today Verendrye stays true to its purpose of providing affordable, reliable electricity and being a part of the communities that we serve.

Learn more about Verendrye Electric and its history by watching the video below or clicking on the link to the left to read the 75th Anniversary History Book.

Mission and Principles

Our mission is to provide quality electric service at a competitive cost, to strengthen the area economy and to lead in improving the region's quality of life through innovation while operating within cooperative principles.

Cooperative principles

Cooperative businesses are special because they are guided by a set of seven principles that reflect the best interests of their member-owners.

All cooperative businesses adhere to these seven guiding 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 policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. At Verendrye Electric Cooperative, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote).

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 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 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, 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.