San Bernard Electric Cooperative, Inc. had its beginning in 1939, when several leaders from Austin and Colorado Counties became interested in securing service for their farms. As a result of their efforts, the cooperative was incorporated in November of 1939.
The cooperative derived its name from the San Bernard River, which is the common boundary between Austin and Colorado Counties. The first 89 miles of power lines were built in 1940 and energized on December 31st, 1940. They served 141 members in the rural areas of Colorado and Austin Counties. The construction was financed by a government loan through the Rural Electrification Administration (REA).
Currently the Cooperative has approximately 3,900 miles of line serving approximately 25,000 meters in parts of eight Texas counties – Austin, Colorado, Lavaca, Waller, Montgomery, Harris, Grimes and Fayette. San Bernard Electric Cooperative, Inc. no longer borrows government loan funds. When financing is required for system construction, funds are obtained from (CFC) a financial cooperative.
San Bernard Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a distribution utility. The Cooperative does not own or operate any electrical generating plants. Instead, SBEC's power requirements are purchased from Garland Power and Light and are distributed by San Bernard Electric to its members.
WELCOME TO SAN BERNARD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
When you applied for electric service you were asked to pay a membership fee. When you paid your membership fee you joined a non-profit, member-owned cooperative that is dedicated to efficient management to provide you with reliable electric service at the lowest cost possible. Along with being a member of SBEC, you have rights and responsibilities:
- The right to talk to co-op management about any problem concerning SBEC.
- The right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote for directors.
- The responsibility to report hazardous situations or vandalism to SBEC property.
- The responsibility to keep your account current and help maintain the financial strength of your cooperative.
We in turn have a commitment to you to fulfill our obligations as a responsible business organization and to supply power at the lowest cost possible and to maintain the highest quality of service.
ANNUAL MEETING
SBEC holds it's annual meeting every year on the third Saturday during the month of May. At this meeting you have the opportunity to participate in the operation of your electric cooperative. By casting your vote at the annual meeting, you are electing a board of directors, who are also SBEC members, whose function is to set down the policies and procedures by which your cooperative is governed. Qualifications for directors and additional information concerning the annual meeting are included in the cooperative bylaws.
TEXAS CO-OP POWER MAGAZINE
To keep all members current on local and statewide issues in the electric industry, each member receives a monthly copy of the Texas Co-Op Power Magazine. The magazine is published by Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (TEC) in Austin, and has circulation over 800,000. Featured every month are "local pages" that are specifically for SBEC members. Watch these for meeting announcements, safety tips, conservation ideas and other important information for members of the cooperative.
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.
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