Electric Co-op Today

It’s a staggering figure: $12.6 billion of electric co-op revenue last year came from commercial accounts. Nationally, more than 400 co-ops collect at least a third of their revenues from businesses they serve; for 200 co-ops, half of all revenues are commercial.

This Best Buy facility on co-op lines in Kentucky is just one example of a major commercial account for co-ops. (Photo By: Salt River Electric)

“For a number of co-ops, their commercial and industrial revenue is core to their survival,” said Jim Bausell, COO of Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives. “C&I revenue has been growing at a faster rate than residential growth now for many years.”

That’s just part of why Bausell believes it is crucial for co-ops to attend the 2011 New and Emerging Technologies Conference. After a year’s hiatus, the event is set for Jan. 31-Feb. 3 in New Orleans. Heading into its 11th year, NET brings together co-ops and businesses.

Bausell cautioned against underestimating the value of C&I, which he said “has a direct bearing on residential load, residential growth and economic development.”

“Where are the jobs going to come from that fuel the quality of life in the communities they serve?” Bausell asked. “Those jobs are going to come from either the businesses they serve now, or from businesses they need to meet now in order to get those jobs.”

And while some huge firms see co-ops as what Bausell called “a fairly big blip on their radar screen,” he said not to get overconfident. “It’s incumbent upon us to continue to strengthen and work that relationship for the benefit of all of our members back home.”

You’ll get no argument from Mark Faulkenberry. The marketing and communications manager at Anadarko, Okla.-based Western Farmers Electric Cooperative said C&I members will always have options, such as other fuel sources, or relocating.  Read more

Tags: C&I, NET Conference, R&D, Touchstone Energy