Existing utility companies have a guarantee from the government that they will be reimbursed for any financial looses they face. They are negotiating now in each state to be reimbursed for these stranded costs. Up until now, the utility companies have been the major voice in electric deregulation. These monumental changes, however, require consumers have a major role. Consumers trust cooperatives to operate in their best interest.
Cooperatives are legally, organizationally, and financially structured to meet consumer needs.
There is a large cooperative electric industry ready to support these development efforts. Cooperatives are effective in meeting consumer needs. They found consumers trust cooperatives more than non-cooperative businesses. They said cooperatives provide high quality service, are trustworthy, have the customers interests in mind, and provide high-value products at fair prices. Consumers want to do their business with cooperatives.