1/9/2012

Co-ops offer benefits to members

Electric power associations in Mississippi make up the state’s largest cooperative network. You, as a member of an electric power association, benefit in many ways from the power of this network. Electric power associations work together to control expenses, devise solutions to common challenges and restore power during emergencies, just to cite a few examples.

How does this cooperation affect you? The short answer: You pay the least amount possible for your electric service. And it is among the most reliable in the world.

Here are a few more benefits of being a member of an electric power association:

• Local management. You are invited each year to attend your electric power association’s membership meeting where you can talk face to face with top management. You can ask questions or make comments directly to the CEO and the board of directors (which the members elect). How many other businesses are this accessible? Have you ever talked to the CEO of your phone company, TV provider or superstore?
• Energy-efficiency leadership. Your electric power association is serious about helping you control energy costs by being more aware of your energy use. Every time you flip a switch on or use hot water, you are buying electricity. Today in Mississippi has a long history of promoting wise energy use to electric power association members. How many other companies actually encourage you to use less of their product or service?
• Fast power restoration. Your electric power association is poised to respond to any outage, any time of day or night. When the big storms mow down our lines, your electric power association can call on emergency power restoration help from other electric co-ops in Mississippi and other states. We’ve had co-op crews from across the region pour into Mississippi by the hundreds to repair destruction to lines from hurricanes, ice storms and tornadoes. We’ve returned the favor when our sister cooperatives were similarly stricken.
• Legislative watch dog. Electric cooperatives in Mississippi and throughout the nation monitor proposed state and federal legislation with your energy interests in mind. We target any proposal that might threaten the cost, reliability or availability of your electricity. Our government relations team makes every effort to point out potentially harmful legislation to elected officials. We want them to understand the unique nature of not-for-profit electric cooperatives and the needs of our membership.
• You are an owner. Your electric power association is owned by the members it serves. Not by stockholders across the globe. Your electric power association is governed by local members (the directors you elect at the annual meeting) and staffed by local employees. The result is a cooperative focused entirely on providing service—not pleasing stockholders—and leading efforts to make your community a better place to live.

Cooperatives truly help build a better world.

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