OUR PURPOSE

We're guided by our Mission, Values, Strategic Goals and the seven Cooperative Principles.

WHO WE ARE

WE ARE NOT FOR PROFIT

East River Electric is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative. Our main campus is located in Madison, South Dakota and we also operate eight regional service centers.

We deliver wholesale power to our members, which include 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally-owned electric system in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Our members, in turn, power the homes, farms, schools and businesses of the member-owners in their service territories.

East River exists to enhance the value of our members by providing power, information and innovation. As an electric cooperative, we’re guided by the cooperative principles that govern all co-ops.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

OUR MISSION

East River Electric Power Cooperative exists to enhance the value of its members.

OUR VALUES

The four Touchstone Energy® Cooperative values of integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community are our foundation. These values represent the cooperative difference and why our members trust us to provide reliable and affordable power and service every day.

STRATEGIC GOALS

East River’s member-focused strategic plan is our guiding compass.

The plan re-emphasizes our core values of integrity, accountability, innovation, commitment to community, safety and health. It also identifies strategic themes and initiatives for East River’s staff to follow as we move into the future.

The plan’s strategic themes are to provide leadership on public policy; work together with a common voice and common service; continually strive for organizational excellence; and the ongoing effort to always provide reliable, affordable power and to be a sustainable organization.

COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

As an electric cooperative, we’re guided by the cooperative principles that govern all co-ops.

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as 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 organized in a democratic manner.

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

DID YOU KNOW?

As a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, East River is part of a nationwide alliance of hundreds of electric cooperatives in 46 states.

Learn More

WHO WE ARE

WE ARE NOT FOR PROFIT

WHAT WE BELIEVE

OUR MISSION

OUR VALUES

Integrity

Accountability

Innovation

Commitment to Community

COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

Voluntary and Open Membership

Democratic Member Control

Member Economic Participation

Autonomy and Independence

Education, Training and Information

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Concern for Community