Bandera Electric Co-Op IncPO Box 667, Bandera, Texas, United States

Bandera Electric Cooperative proudly distributes electricity to nearly 24,000 members and more than 33,403 active meters across seven counties in Central Texas. Roughly 80 employees operate and maintain more than 4,536 miles of power lines. If all those lines were connected end-to-end, they’d stretch almost from our Bandera headquarters to Nome, Alaska.

BEC's mission is to enhance the quality of life by providing highly reliable electric and other related services, that are valued by our members, at the lowest possible cost.

Our vision is to transform BEC from one of the best electric cooperatives in Texas to the best electric utility in Texas by 2020 through an unwavering focus on operational excellence and outstanding customer service.

As a cooperative, we are locally owned and operated by the members we serve. BEC is democratically governed by a board of directors elected by our members to represent their voice in the business of the cooperative. The board ensures the cooperative is legally and ethically run according to its bylaws and code of ethics.

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. 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.