MEC Economic Development Informational Flyer

MIDSTATE ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE, INC.
Locally Owned and Operated
16755 FINLEY BUTTE RD
LA PINE OREGON 97739
541-536-2126
ABOUT US
Midstate Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a
member-owned Rural Electric
Cooperative. We are governed by a
locally elected Board of Directors. Our
cooperative business model is different
than Investor Owned Utilities (IOU) or
Public Utility District (PUD).
Co-op
Ownership
IOU
PUD
Member-Owned
Shareholders or
Investors
A government body or
customers/members
Rates
Rates are set/approved
by the utility's Board of
Directors
Rates are set/approved
by state public utility
commissions through
public process that
includes customer
partipation
Rates are set/approved
by utility's governing body
such as board of
commissioners or city
council. This may include
a member or public
participation process
Financing
Low-interest loans from
Rural Utilities Services
(RUS) or National Rural
Utilities Cooperative
Finance
Corporation(CFC)
Stockholders (Investors),
sale of bonds and
borrowing from the bank
Access tax-free bonds
Profits & Net
Revenue
Rates are set to recover
costs and any additional
funds are returned to
members in Capital
Credits.
Rates are approved by
state utility commissions
to recover costs and earn
a reasonable return/profit
for investors
Rates are set to recover
costs and earn additional
return to maintain bond
rates and invest in new
facilities
THE
COOPERATIVE
DIFFERENCE
Being part of a Cooperative is unique because
they are member owned and operate for the
benefit of the members, rather than to earn
profits for investors. Cooperative members
enjoy distinct advantages over investor-owned
utility customers.
LOCALLY OWNED AND
OPERATED
MEC is owned and operated by
our member-owners
(consumers) and focuses on
their needs and local priorities.
Members have local control
because the Board of Directors
reside within the co-op’s service
area
MEMBER-OWNERS ARE
FIRST
Members know they can
trust their electric
cooperative, because it was
created not to make a
profit, but simply to provide
reliable electricity and
service at an affordable
rate. Rates are based
directly on what it costs the
co-op to buy and deliver
energy to each class of
consumer.
RESPONSIVE TO LOCAL
NEEDS
MEC works hard to achieve a
better quality of life and higher
level of service for our memberowners. Our goal is to
exceed their expectations.
MIDSTATE ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE INC.
MEC's primary mission is to deliver safe, reliable and cost
effective energy services while providing outstanding service to
its members and communities the Central Oregon area.
MEC offers a variety of programs for the students in the local
elementary, middle and high schools, supports the local
businesses and promotes economic development. MEC offers a
number of different products and services that have been
developed to assist residential, commercial, industrial and
agricultural member/owners.
As a preferred customer of the Bonneville Power
Administration, MEC retains first right to low-cost federally
owned hydroelectric resources. As a locally controlled utility,
MEC has a significant competitive advantage in siting new
businesses and has competitive electric rates far lower than
most parts of the United States.
Average 2014
Industrial Rates
(in cents per kWh)
U.S.
6.67
CA
11.93
OR
6.15
Average 2014
Commercial Rates
(in cents per kWh)
MEC
6.45
U.S
10.55
CA
15.45
OR
8.88
MEC
7.59