WELCOME TO BELTRAMI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
We look forward to being your local electric provider. Beltrami Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit utility, dedicated to providing reliable electric service, excellent member service, and innovative energy solutions at fair and reasonable prices.
If you have any questions, please contact our Member Services Department at (218) 444-2540 or (800) 955-6083.
We offer three easy ways to start the membership application process.
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By Phone: call our friendly member service representatives Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (218) 444-2540 or (800) 955-6083.
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In Person: our office is located at 4111 Technology Dr NW, Bemidji. Walk-in office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Online: complete and return a membership application.
If you are building and wish to apply for a new construction electric service, please see New Construction
If you are moving in to a location that already has an existing electric service, please see Moving In
Membership Fee & Rates
Anyone requesting electric service, who has not had service in their name with the Cooperative, will need to complete and submit a Member Application.
Federal law and the cooperative's bylaws require all consumers be members of the cooperative. The membership fee is $50 and must be paid prior to receiving electrical service. If you discontinue service, the membership fee will be applied to your final bill.
A security deposit may be required for service at each location. The cooperative will asses a credit risk by using a credit evaluation service through a credit bureau or provide the Cooperative with an acceptable credit reference from a prior utility or pay a deposit. The deposit amount will be equal to two times the monthly average history, provided that 12 months valid history exists. If valid history does not exist, the deposit amount shall be $225. Existing deposit amounts may be modified based on 12 month usage history if service is disconnected for non-payment or refunded towards the account balance if the account is inactive. The deposit will be applied to the account after monthly bills have been paid on time for 12 consecutive months. Security deposits are paid interest, which is accrued each month and applied every October or when deposit is refunded.
As a not-for-profit cooperative, our rates are designed simply to cover the costs of wholesale power, transmission and distribution related costs plus provide adequate margin.
The whole premise of electric rates in a cooperative is one of fairness. Beltrami Electric Cooperative (BEC) uses consulting engineering firms to assist in studying the impact that each member group has on incurring the cost components. We then develop a method to send the correct rate signals in order to recover the expenses incurred in serving each customer group.
In an electric cooperative, the ultimate authority on all issues belongs to the member elected board of directors. The staff and consulting engineers must present the studies and proposed rate to the member’s representatives for approval, including service rates.