From the CEO's Desk: By Doug Tracy
Recently, some of our newer employees asked me what makes electric co-ops different than other types of utilities.
This month, I thought I’d share with you a few of the things I told them.
In cooperatives like Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC), membership really does mean something more than just the right to buy electricity. Co-ops of all types are founded on seven cooperative principles that give us guidance and strategic direction. Membership also gives you rights as an owner of this co-op.
Co-ops operate a little differently than other utilities. CREC’s decisions are made locally, by directors who also live right here in our community. Everyone who pays to receive electricity from the co-op is a member. When you pay your electric bill each month, your money stays here –– to pay for the electricity used, or to make improvements to our local system to strengthen service reliability. And any monies left over after all expenses are paid are returned to members as capital credits. The money you pay the co-op doesn’t line the pockets of shareholders five states away. We’re a co-op, and we exist to provide a service to you, our local members.
Your voice matters at our annual meeting/election. Your vote determines the board members who represent you and guide your cooperative’s direction. Periodically, we conduct surveys to gather your feedback on co-op programs and services so that we can plan and adjust for the future.
Because you’re part of an electric cooperative, you can count on our team to maintain local jobs, at-cost electricity, and first-class service, no matter what the economy — and supply chain issues — throw at us.
If you want to receive important information from CREC, such as power restoration updates, make sure you are signed up for alerts through our online member portal or the MyCuivre app. You can also stay in the know with our monthly e-newsletter, CREC Connections.
Please know that you –– the members of CREC –– are at the heart of everything we do. We exist to serve you and provide the quality, reliable, friendly service you expect and deserve. While we’ve grown over the years, we’re still driven by the same guiding principles to serve our community. This co-op was created for you, the members. The power is in your hands.