This direct control by local citizens ensures that each electric cooperative is dedicated to the welfare of the area it serves where its members live and work. The member-owners elect directors of the cooperative. The directors set policies to guide the manager who operates the system with a staff of local employees. Of these, Brazos E.C., San Miguel E.C., and South Texas E.C. generate power. Others represent their member distribution systems in wholesale power supply and other service arrangements or own shares of electric generating units.
Membership is voluntary.
Through the years, TEC has performed typical trade association services in the areas of government relations, communications, economic development, training, technical assistance and custom printing. Texas rural electrification leaders launched a cooperative-member newspaper in 1944. Today, Texas Co-op Power has a circulation of more than 650,000 in magazine format. Since 1946, TEC has supplied member systems with creosote-treated utility poles. Its treating facility in Jasper, Texas produces more than 145,000 poles annually.