What is an Electric Cooperative?

About Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives

Your electric cooperative is more than just an energy provider for your local community.  It's part of something bigger.  As a member co-op of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, we belong to an alliance of electric co-ops across the nation made of more than 740 local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives in 46 states.  Touchstone Energy co-ops collectively deliver power and energy solutions to more than 30 million members every day. Electric cooperatives distribute power for 56 percent of the U.S. land mass over 2.4 million miles of power lines.

Electric cooperatives were established to provide electricity to rural America, and now make up the largest electric utility network in the nation. Touchstone Energy is the national brand identity for that network.

Did you know Electric Cooperatives ...

• Are located in 80% of the nation’s counties

• Are the largest electric utility network in the nation

• Total more than 900 local systems in 46 states

• Have 42 million member-owners

• Distribute power over 2.5 million miles of line

• Serve 75% of the U.S. land mass

• Own $130 billion in generation, transmission, and distribution assets

• More than 88% of all local electric co-ops offer electricity generated from renewable sources.

What Makes Our Cooperatives Different

Touchstone Energy co-ops are owned by the members they serve and are committed to providing reliable electricity at the lowest price possible. In short, co-ops “look out” for the members they serve.

Touchstone Energy co-ops provide high standards of service according to their four core values: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.

You're more than just a customer. You're a member and an owner.

All individuals or entities that use electricity from Beltrami Electric are members of the cooperative. They are entitled to participate in cooperative elections and to share in capital credits.

7 Cooperative Principles