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The 72 electric distribution cooperatives operating in Texas begin 1999 with more than 277,000 miles of lines serving more than 1.3 million meters in 245 of Texas' 254 counties. The main mission of electric distribution cooperatives is to provide quality electric service to their members at affordable prices. More than two million Texans benefit directly from the efficient and economical operation of these tax-paying, nonprofit businesses. The smallest system serves about 1,850 meters and the largest more than 126,000. Member-owners of each system control their own independent local electric business in a democratic, truly American manner. Each member is entitled to one vote - and only one vote - in governing the affairs of their own service organization regardless of the number of kilowatt-hours purchased. This direct control by local citizens ensures that each electric cooperative is dedicated to the welfare of the area it serves where its members live and work. The member-owners elect directors of the cooperative. The directors set policies to guide the manager who operates the system with a staff of local employees. As member-owned utilities, the distribution systems are self-regulating, and their rates are based largely on the number of meters per mile of line and the cost of wholesale power to the cooperatives. Texas' 11 generation and transmission cooperatives (G&Ts) are owned by local distribution cooperatives. Of these, Brazos E.C., San Miguel E.C., and South Texas E.C. generate power. Others represent their member distribution systems in wholesale power supply and other service arrangements or own shares of electric generating units. Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (TEC) is the statewide service organization for electric cooperatives operating in Texas. Membership is voluntary. Through the years, TEC has performed typical trade association services in the areas of government relations, communications, economic development, training, technical assistance and custom printing. Texas rural electrification leaders launched a cooperative-member newspaper in 1944. Today, Texas Co-op Power has a circulation of more than 650,000 in magazine format. Since 1946, TEC has supplied member systems with creosote-treated utility poles. Its treating facility in Jasper, Texas produces more than 145,000 poles annually. They are considered some of the best poles produced in the United States. It is the only cooperatively owned wood preserving plant in the nation. TEC operated a transformer repair facility in Austin from 1953-1998. Now in its new facility in Georgetown, Texas, it repairs, remanufactures or salvages more than 36,000 units annually for member systems.
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