Using your power as a rural electric cooperative member-owner

Most Floridians are serviced by an investor-owned utility, like Duke or FP&L. But about 10% of us get our electricity from a rural electric cooperative. Unlike those utilities, the rural electric cooperative customers are its owners. This is why cooperative customers are often referred to as member-owners. Member-owners have a say in how the utility is run.

You can use this power to push for better service, better prices, cleaner energy, investment in local clean energy projects, local economic development, and local energy efficiency projects to help cooperative members save money and energy costs. A great first step to exercising that power is attending your electric cooperative’s annual meeting.

We have compiled a list of upcoming Annual Meetings in Florida in the table below. It is always a good idea to bring a photo ID and recent bill with you to the annual meeting. You can also visit the website listed (if applicable) or call to try to RSVP. Registering to your annual meeting can even score you a bill credit!

The annual meeting is a great first step to being more involved in your rural electric cooperative. You can also read the founding seven principles of rural electric cooperatives from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

When engaging with elected or prospective leadership, advocate for your solar rights, fair fixed charges, protection of net metering, and communicate the value of solar.