What is the difference between a Municipal Utility and Co-Op Utility.

[ICRS]

I have electricity through municipal utility company. It is a government entity. Is an electric co-op essentially the same thing? What makes them different from one another?

 

[zzuupp]

Co-op's are owned by the customers, not the city/town/whatever government they live in.

 

[ICRS]

Originally posted by: zzuupp
Co-op's are owned by the customers, not the city/town/whatever government they live in.

In a Cooperative, who gets to vote in on the election board members? Everyone of voting age?. If a house has 3 adults do they get 3 votes? Is the ballot on your regular election ballot with the other government elections?

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: ICRS

Originally posted by: zzuupp
Co-op's are owned by the customers, not the city/town/whatever government they live in.

In a Cooperative, who gets to vote in on the election board members? Everyone of voting age?. If a house has 3 adults do they get 3 votes? Is the ballot on your regular election ballot with the other government elections?

Depends on the co-op and the rules it was set up under.

 

[BoomerD]

Municipal utilities are owned by the city/county that they serve as a rule.

Co-ops are "owned" by the customers, much as credit unions are, but in either case, don't think that means you can just go "borrow" a pick-up truck for the weekend...

"Hey...I'm a co-owner...I get to use this!"

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: ICRS

Originally posted by: zzuupp
Co-op's are owned by the customers, not the city/town/whatever government they live in.

In a Cooperative, who gets to vote in on the election board members? Everyone of voting age?. If a house has 3 adults do they get 3 votes? Is the ballot on your regular election ballot with the other government elections?

In my co-op each account gets one vote. It has nothing to do with any government so it is not on your regular election ballot. Just like shareholders of a corporation voting for members of the board is not on your regular election ballot.

 

[cardiac]

Our electric co-op is the same as what woodie1 said. We have an election every April, and there is one vote per household/account. Our rates are cheaper by 20% than those of NIPSCO (A Nisource company) which stops about 1 mile away....

Bob