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in southeast Oklahoma and other regions of the state, is owned by American Electric Power (AEP), one of the larges investor- owned utilities in the U.S. AEP-owned utilities include AEP Ohio, Indiana Michigan Power, Appalachian Power, Kentucky Power, Wheeling Power, Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, Southwestern Electric Co. and AEP Texas. Approximately 83,000 registered shareholders own stock in AEP. The company serves 5.3 million customers over a system of 221,000 miles of distribution line and some 40,000 miles of transmission line.


Across the nation, IOUs such as AEP serve an average of 34 customers and collect $75,498 in revenue per mile of line.


In virtually every case, IOUs charge electric rates that include amounts for presumed federal tax liabilities. However, available tax breaks (investment tax credits and accelerated depreciation) allow IOUs to retain most of the taxes collected, a total of roughly $107 billion to date. At a cost to the government of $4.6 billion in 2010, this federal subsidy to IOUs works out to about $44 per customer.


Back to the cooperative difference


Choctaw Electric exists to provide affordable, reliable, environmentally responsible electric power. But at the core, it’s really about improving the quality of life in the southeast Oklahoma.


As a co-op, CEC adheres to seven basic cooperative principles. These principles, developed in 1844 by cotton mill workers who banded together to purchase staples such as sugar and flour, now serve as foundation for co-ops around the globe. Among these principles: commitment to community. It’s why CEC established public broadband centers in under-served communities, and now partners with Valliant Telephone to expand high speed Internet service throughout southeast Oklahoma. It’s why the co-op promotes youth leadership programs for rural teens, and provides an affordable means for co-op members to purchase and install safe, in-ground storm shelters. It’s why CEC offers low-interest loans


Seven Principles Guide Your Electric Co-op


■ Voluntary and Open Membership: 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.


■Democratic Member Control: Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.


■ Member Economic Participation: Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with


to members to improve the efficiency of their homes, helped public schools install weather monitoring systems to provide advance weather warnings, and fought battles with state legislators to protect the gross receipts taxes that provide over $879,398.91 per year in funds for local schools. CEC’s public safety programs, CPR classes, AARP defensive driving courses, and the Co-op Connections savings program, that has saved members over $575,916.64 in prescription


the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.


■Autonomy and Independence: Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raised capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.


■Education, Training and Information: Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of cooperation.


■Cooperation among Cooperatives: Co-ops serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.


■Concern for Community: Co-ops work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.


medicine costs since its inception, all spring from this basic principle.


That’s the main difference—the cooperative difference. ■


For details on Choctaw Electric Cooperative services for members, please visit www.choctawelectric.coop, or call your co-op at 800-780-6486.


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