By definition, a cooperative is a self-governing association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and wishes through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice. Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures. 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.