When people hurriedly get ready for volatile winter weather, electricity generators are already prepared — and have been for months. As a generation and transmission cooperative, Wabash Valley Power Alliance (WVPA) works with the power plants it owns to ensure that they are ready to weather the worst each season. That means handling searing summer… Continue reading.

I am excited to announce that at the end of November, we will distribute capital credits to our members. This year, we are retiring capital credits for the years 1966-1970, and as a cooperative, it’s our privilege to return these funds to you — our valued member-owners. For members who were on the line from… Continue reading.

What is a capital credit? A capital credit is your portion of patronage in our company. Since we are a not-for-profit entity, any profits we make (referred to as margins) are returned to you, the member, in a portion of what you paid for the year. What are unclaimed capital credits? Unclaimed capital credits are… Continue reading.

They can when those pennies are combined with similar donations from other electric cooperative consumers. That is the whole premise behind Operation Round Up (ORU). Through the aptly named program, those who receive their electric service from a cooperative like Marshall County REMC can “round up” their monthly bill to the nearest dollar. So, if… Continue reading.

When Lauren Davis discusses electric cooperative jobs, she admits that few consider a role similar to hers in human resources or the job that began her evolving co-op career.  Davis, the human resources manager for Wabash Valley Power Alliance, began her WVPA career in economic development. Her positions are an example of the wide breadth… Continue reading.

One tangible benefit of being an REMC member — that literally puts money back in your pocket — is your access to what are called “capital credits.” Capital credits are simply your share of your electric cooperative ownership. This concept of returning your financial investment in your electric utility back to you is something you… Continue reading.

Wabash Valley Power Alliance is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that provides wholesale power to 23 electric distribution cooperatives. That makes us a co-op of co-ops! Our strong partnership with our member co-ops across Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri is how we deliver great rates. 1) AN ELECTRIFYING JOURNEY How does the partnership work? Imagine electricity as… Continue reading.

Indiana’s electric cooperatives have been around for almost 90 years. Read on to learn more about Hoosier co-ops. Can you find the bolded words in the puzzle? ► The first successful U.S. cooperative was organized in 1752 by Benjamin Franklin. ► Electric cooperatives began in the 1930s because it was not cost-effective for investor-owned utilities… Continue reading.

Cooperatives worldwide operate according to the same set of core principles and values adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance. These principles are rooted in the first modern cooperative, founded in Rochdale, England. These principles are a key reason that America’s electric cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of their members first…. Continue reading.

Electric cooperatives serve over 42 million people and power over 22 million businesses, homes, schools, and farms in 48 states. You might be surprised by the number of co-ops of all kinds that are around you. Co-ops have been formed to sell produce and electricity, offer financial and banking services, provide housing and health care,… Continue reading.

In the early 1930’s, electric power was only available in major metropolitan areas. Businesses and homes there had access to electricity, while others weren’t as lucky. Residents in rural areas lived without hope of electric capability until political action was initiated. Before they were consumer-owners, small groups of farmers and rural residents across the state… Continue reading.