Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc440 Highland Ridge Road, Marietta, Ohio, United States
Since Dec, 2016
Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc., is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving more than 10,500 rural customers in southeastern Ohio. As a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, Washington Electric is part of an alliance of 700 cooperatives in 46 states which deliver power to more than 16 million consumers.
Many people consider electricity not only a convenience, but a necessity -- something we cannot live without.But it wasn’t that long ago in southeastern Ohio that electricity was a luxury accessible only to those living in cities or well-populated areas. At the time, investor-owned utilities had deemed it unfeasible and unprofitable to extend their lines into the rural countryside.
In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order creating the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), and the Rural Electrification Act was enacted on May 20, 1936. Deemed one of the most important pieces of legislation of the New Deal, the act allowed the government to provide federal loans for the construction of electrical systems in rural parts of the United States.
In 1940, a group of farmers obtained a 100-percent loan from the REA and organized Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc. The first memberships were issued to those paying $5 and lines were built to members with borrowed funds. The lines were energized for the first time in 1940. Back then, members then used an average of 22 kilowatt hours (kWhs) per month. Today, the average use is more than 900 kWhs.
Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc., now has more than 10,500 meters with a system that consists of more than 1,700 miles of line, eight substations and three metering points. The co-op serves portions of six counties in southeastern Ohio: Athens, Guernsey, Morgan, Monroe, Noble and Washington.
Mission Statement
Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc., is a local, consumer-owned, nonprofit cooperative whose mission is to provide reliable electric and other services to its consumers while assuring the financial integrity of the Cooperative and maintaining a strong community presence.
Cooperative Principles
Cooperatives around the world operate according to a core set of principles. These principles, along with the cooperative purpose of improving quality of life for their members, make electric cooperatives different from other electric utilities.
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 that 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.
| Company Name | Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc |
| Business Category | Electric Power |
| Address | 440 Highland Ridge Road Marietta Ohio United States ZIP: 45750 |
| President | NA |
| Year Established | 1940 |
| Employees | 50 |
| Memberships | NA |
| Hours of Operation | Monday-Friday :7:30 am–4:00 pm |
- Electricity