What Tri-County Electric Cooperative Is
Tri-County Electric Cooperative is a member-owned utility that provides electricity to parts of three counties. Unlike investor-owned utilities that answer to shareholders, Tri-County operates as a cooperative — meaning the people who use the power own the company. Members elect a board of directors from among themselves, and any profit the cooperative makes gets returned to members as a credit on their bill or reinvested in the system.
The cooperative serves a specific geographic area, and membership is open to anyone who lives or operates a business within that service territory. You do not choose to join; if you want electricity in that area, you get it from Tri-County, and you automatically become a member when you open an account.
Tri-County operates under different rules than traditional utilities. It is governed by the Rural Electrification Act and answers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not to a state public utilities commission. This structure shapes how rates are set, how decisions get made, and what services the cooperative can offer.
Key Takeaways
- Tri-County Electric Cooperative is owned by its members — the people who use its electricity — and any surplus revenue is returned to members rather than paid to shareholders.
- Membership is automatic when you open an account in the service area; you do not explore or pay a separate membership fee.
- The cooperative is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Rural Electrification Act, not by a state public utilities commission.
- Members can attend annual meetings and vote on board members, giving them a direct voice in how the cooperative operates.
- Tri-County sets rates based on the cost of providing service, not on profit margins, which often results in lower rates than investor-owned utilities in the same region.
How Membership Works
When you request electricity service from Tri-County, you become a member automatically. There is no separate membership process or membership fee. Your membership is tied to your account — if you close your account, your membership ends.
As a member, you have the right to attend the cooperative's annual meeting, vote on the board of directors, and receive a copy of the cooperative's annual report. You also have a claim on any capital credits the cooperative accumulates. Capital credits are the cooperative's way of returning surplus revenue to members; they appear as a credit on your bill or are paid out in cash, depending on the cooperative's policy.
Members can also run for the board of directors if they meet the cooperative's may be able to access requirements, which typically include living in the service area and being in good standing on their account. The board sets policy, approves the budget, and hires the general manager who runs day-to-day operations.
How Rates and Billing Work
Tri-County sets rates to cover the cost of generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity, plus the cost of maintaining the system and paying employees. Because the cooperative is not trying to generate profit for investors, rates are typically lower than those charged by investor-owned utilities serving similar areas.
Your bill from Tri-County will show your kilowatt-hour usage, the rate per kilowatt-hour, and any applicable fees. Many cooperatives charge a base service fee (a fixed monthly charge) plus a per-kilowatt-hour charge. Some offer time-of-use rates, which charge different prices depending on when you use power, or seasonal rates that vary by time of year.
Capital credits appear on your bill as a separate line item. The amount you receive depends on how much electricity you used during the year and how much surplus the cooperative had. Some cooperatives pay out capital credits annually; others accumulate them and pay them out over time or when a member leaves the system.
Services and Programs Tri-County May Offer
Beyond delivering electricity, many electric cooperatives offer programs to help members manage their bills and use power more efficiently. These may include budget billing (spreading your annual costs evenly across twelve months), time-of-use rates that reward you for shifting usage to off-peak hours, or rebates for upgrading to energy-efficient appliances or insulation.
Some cooperatives offer payment plans for members who fall behind on bills, though the specifics vary. Tri-County may also provide information about weatherization programs, solar options, or other energy services. Contact the cooperative directly to learn what programs are currently available in your area.
Cooperatives often partner with state and federal programs to offer additional support. For example, the Low Income Home Energy information Program (LIHEAP) may help pay heating or cooling bills for members who meet income limits. Tri-County's member services department can tell you which programs serve your area.
How to Contact Tri-County and Manage Your Account
You can contact Tri-County by phone, mail, or through their website to report an outage, ask about your bill, request service, or inquire about programs. Most cooperatives have a 24-hour outage line for emergencies and regular business hours for other questions.
Many cooperatives now offer online account management, where you can view your bill, check your usage, report an outage, or make a payment without calling. Some also offer a mobile app. Check Tri-County's website to see what tools are available.
If you have a dispute with your bill or believe there is an error, contact the cooperative's billing department first. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with the cooperative's board or with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service, which oversees cooperatives.
Differences Between Tri-County and Investor-Owned Utilities
The main difference is ownership and purpose. Tri-County is owned by its members and exists to provide electricity at cost. An investor-owned utility is owned by shareholders and exists to generate profit. This difference affects rates, decision-making, and how disputes are resolved.
Tri-County answers to its members through the annual meeting and board elections. An investor-owned utility answers to its shareholders and is regulated by a state public utilities commission. If you disagree with a rate increase at an investor-owned utility, you can file a complaint with the commission; at a cooperative, you can vote for different board members or attend the annual meeting to voice concerns.
Cooperatives often have lower rates than investor-owned utilities in the same region because they do not need to generate profit for shareholders. However, cooperatives may have higher outage rates or slower service restoration in rural areas, since they serve less densely populated regions and have smaller budgets.
What Happens If You Move or Close Your Account
When you move out of Tri-County's service area or no longer need electricity, contact the cooperative to close your account. Provide a final meter reading date, arrange for a final bill, and settle any outstanding balance. Your membership ends when your account closes.
If you have accumulated capital credits, the cooperative will either explore them to your final bill, mail you a check, or hold them in your name for a period of time (usually several years) in case you return to the service area. The cooperative's policy on capital credits should be in your member handbook or available on request.
If you are moving within the service area, you can transfer your account to the new address. Contact Tri-County with your move date and new address, and they will arrange to read the meter at your old location and set up service at your new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay a membership fee to join Tri-County?
No. Membership is automatic when you open an account, and there is no separate membership fee. You pay only for the electricity you use, plus any applicable service charges.
Can I vote on Tri-County's board of directors?
Yes. Members in good standing can vote at the annual meeting. You will receive a notice of the meeting and information about candidates. Some cooperatives allow voting by mail or online if you cannot attend in person.
What are capital credits and when do I get paid?
Capital credits are the cooperative's way of returning surplus revenue to members. The amount you receive depends on your usage and the cooperative's surplus that year. Tri-County pays them out according to its policy — some cooperatives pay annually, others accumulate and pay out over time. Check your bill or member handbook for Tri-County's specific schedule.
What should I do if my power goes out?
Call Tri-County's outage line, which is usually available 24 hours a day. Have your account number ready. The cooperative will ask where you are located and whether others nearby are also without power, then dispatch a crew if needed.
Can I install solar panels and sell power back to Tri-County?
Some cooperatives allow net metering, where you can send excess solar power back to the grid and receive a credit on your bill. Others have different policies. Contact Tri-County directly to ask about solar options and interconnection requirements in your area.