The 7 Cooperative Principles

1. 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. 

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

7. Concern for Community 

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

 

The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives brand represents a nationwide alliance of consumer-owned electric cooperatives.

H-D Electric Cooperative is a member of the nationwide alliance and adheres to their four core values of: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.

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 in all Electric Cooperatives ...

  • Powers over 20 million businesses, homes, schools and farms.

  • Serving over 42 million people

  • Serve members across 88% of the U.S. counties

  • 831 local distribution cooperative

  • 62 generation and transmission cooperatives

  • Distribute power over 2.6 million miles of line (42% of U.S. electric distribution lines)

  • Serve 56% of the U.S. land mass

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

  • Supported 68,200 electric cooperative jobs

  • More than 90% of all local electric co-ops provide 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 cost-based electricity. 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.

2017 data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), one the nation’s most recognized measures of customer satisfaction, Electric cooperatives on average score three points higher than all other electric companies. 

Touchstone Energy co-ops are owned by the members they serve and are committed to providing reliable cost-based electricity. 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.

2017 data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), one the nation’s most recognized measures of customer satisfaction, Electric cooperatives on average score three points higher than all other electric companies. 

  • ​Meters served (December 31, 2022) - 3,778

  • Total Members - 2,910

  • Peak Demand - 26.3 MW

  • Miles of Line - 1,613

    • ​Overhead Miles - 657

    • Underground Miles - 956

  • ​MWh Sales - 122,251

  • Operating Revenues - $12,752,468

  • Cost of Power - $7,073,835

H-D Electric Service Area Map

Learn more about our history by clicking below.

 

Our History

"Committed to Safely Enhance the Quality of Life for our Members, Employees and Communities".