What is an electric cooperative?

Question

What is it exactly... and can you give me an example?

Answer 1

Essentially the customers are the owners.  You "buy into" the Co-op.  Co-ops are not out to make a profit, so they generally charge lower rates.  Some co-ops have two rates - one for "members" (owners) and a higher one for "nonmembers" (i.e. they will sell to people outside the co-op, but them, the co-op is making profit off of, selling at the going rate, and taking that profit and using it to further reduce the bills of the members).  It is typically a good deal to belong to a co-op.

Answer 2

i am a part owner and customer of southwest electric which is a cooperative = it is one where the customers own the company!!!