About

Even with the help of long-term, low-interest REA loans, bringing power to rural Minnesota was no small feat. 电力合作先驱的巨大努力面临着高昂的批发电力成本, thinly settled areas, low farm incomes, 以及明尼苏达州不同地理位置的自然屏障. 这些明尼苏达州的农民努力修建通往明尼苏达州农村的电线，并不是因为他们想进入公用事业行业, 而是因为他们可以改善社区的生活. Thanks to the work of rural electric cooperatives, 电力把美国农村的农业和生活变成了生产力和繁荣.

明尼苏达州农村电力协会的成立是为了代表明尼苏达州的电力合作社. 我们的使命是“促进和提供一种媒介，使从事电力分配的合作协会能够团结一致，交流思想”——这是我们今天仍然在做的事情.

Close to 80 percent of U.S. 由于REA贷款和合作经营模式，农场有了电力供应. Since then, 几代人都听过“灯亮之夜”的故事,” a significant date for farm families.

明尼苏达州的电力合作社提供可靠的、负担得起的电力服务.700万明尼苏达人居住在明尼苏达州85%的土地上.

从转向更可持续的电网到推广电动汽车充电计划, Minnesota’s not-for-profit electric co-ops are innovative industry leaders. 自力更生、成本意识和以成员为中心的文化推动了合作社的创新.

Members

在成功和成熟的合作商业模式下, 明尼苏达州的电力合作社由当地所有，并由其服务的成员进行费率调节. 合作社由选举产生的董事会管理，董事会成员也是合作社的成员. In a cooperative, 成员所有者拥有平等的投票权(一个成员), one vote) and a vital and valued voice.

GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION COOPERATIVES

配电合作社从发电和输电合作社购买电力.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Minnkota Power Cooperative
Dairyland Power Cooperative
East River Electric Power Cooperative
Great River Energy
L&O Power Cooperative

Cooperative Principles

Open and Voluntary Membership

合作社的成员资格对所有能够合理利用合作社服务并愿意承担成员责任的人开放, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.

Democratic Member Control

合作社是由其成员控制的民主组织, 谁积极参与制定政策和决策. 代表(董事/受托人)在会员中选举产生，并对其负责. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

Members’ Economic Participation

成员公平地出资并民主地控制其合作社的资本. 该资本中至少有一部分仍然是合作社的共同财产. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

Autonomy and Independence

合作社是由其成员控制的自主自助组织. 如果他们与其他组织达成协议, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, 他们这样做的条件是确保民主控制以及他们独特的身份.

Education, Training, and Information

Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs, 员工帮助他们有效地为合作社的发展做出贡献. 关于合作社的性质和利益的来文, 特别是对公众和意见领袖, help boost cooperative understanding.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

By working together through local, national, regional and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, 更有效地处理社会和社区需求.