At DEC, Our Members Matter Most!

At DEC, our top priority is providing our members with the most affordable and reliable power possible, and we achieve that goal in a variety of ways.

As part of our commitment to reliability, it is essential that the Co-op continues to maintain and improve our system. We often do this through the implementation of innovative technologies, such as Distribution Automation (DA). DA is an automated system that works to isolate and minimize the impact of outages across our system. Since its introduction onto our lines, DA has helped to significantly reduce the number of members affected by outages, as well as reduced overall outage times. 2023 was a record year for Co-op reliability!

In an effort to keep electric rates affordable, DEC developed the Beat the Peak program in 2008. All members can participate in the program to help the Co-op keep rates low at times when the cost to produce power is high. How? By conserving energy during peak alert hours. When energy costs are high, the Co-op issues Beat the Peak alerts to its membership, encouraging them to cut back on their electric usage during the designated time frame. They can do this in several ways, including raising their thermostats by a few degrees, avoiding the use of major appliances during peak alert times and cooking on the grill or in the microwave instead of using the oven. This year alone, the Co-op saved approximately $1,660,257.60. Since the program began 16 years ago, it has saved members over $40 million.

As member-owners of the Co-op, the people we power invest in DEC. In turn, it is our obligation as a cooperative to provide them with a return on their investment. Each year, we do this by giving back capital credits. When members join our lines and begin paying their monthly bill, that money is used to build and improve our system. Over time, that money is returned to them – usually in the form of a billing credit. If you are new to DEC, it may take more than a decade to receive capital credits. We return money to those who have been on our lines the longest first, as they have been investing in the Co-op for a longer period of time.

In these ways and many more, the Co-op demonstrates its commitment to the mission of keeping the lights on. Through the use of innovative technologies, the integration of energy-saving programs and a focus on upholding cooperative principles, our priority will always be those we power. At DEC, members matter most!