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Value of Membership

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  1. Members
  2. Value of Membership

The Value of Membership

Being part of an electric cooperative means being part of something special!

As an OTEC member, you are not just a customer, but an owner of the cooperative.

As a co-op member-owner, do you know the difference between the three types of electric utility ownership?

  1. A cooperative (like OTEC): Owned by its members, who are also the consumers.
  2. An investor-owned utility: A for-profit business.
  3. A public power system: Owned by a city, state or federal government.

In general, co-ops like OTEC are based on the values of self-help, self responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Following in the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, transparency, social responsibility and caring for others.

Want to learn more about cooperatives?

As a member of a cooperative, there are many benefits.

  • You have a voice in the governance of OTEC. Members vote in the annual election of OTEC's Board of Directors, who set the vision and direction of the cooperative. 
  • Members receive a capital credit check in the mail for excess revenues above expenses. Learn more about capital credits here.
  • Access to OTEC's generous rebate programs to upgrade energy efficient appliances and complete projects that help lower bills. Visit OTEC's rebate page here.
  • OTEC awards scholarships for college, trade and lineman school. Scholarships are also offered for youth programs that support leadership development. Learn more about OTEC's scholarships here.
  • OTEC is proud to sponsor Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which gifts free books for local children ages 0-5. Click here to learn more!
  • OTEC supports economic development projects in the communities its serves and donates charitable contributions to local communities, schools and first-responder agencies. Learn more about OTEC's economic development efforts here.
  • OTEC offers a plethora of convenient services and options to make it easy to conduct business.

 

 

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Outage Center

Baker Office

4005 23rd St.

Baker City, OR 97814

541.523.3616

Burns Office

567 W. Pierce St.

Burns, OR 97720

541.573.2666

John Day Office

400 Patterson Bridge Road

John Day, OR 97845

541.575.0161

La Grande Office

2408 Cove Ave.

La Grande, OR 97850

541.963.3155

Office Hours

8 AM – 5 PM | Monday – Thursday

9 AM – 5 PM | Friday

Offices Closed Holidays for 2023

New Years – Monday, January 2nd (Observed)

President’s Day – Monday, February 20th

Memorial Day – Monday, May 29th

Independence Day – Tuesday, July 4th

Labor Day – Monday, September 4th

Veterans Day – Friday, November 10th (Observed)

Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 23rd & 24th

Christmas – Monday, December 25th

 

©2023 Oregon Trail Electric Co-op. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Your Cooperative
      • History
      • What Is A Cooperative?
      • Where Your Power Comes From
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Your Board of Directors
    • Annual Meeting & Board Elections
    • Bylaws, Tariffs and Rates
    • Careers
    • Newsletter
  • Members
    • Value of Membership
    • Apply for Membership/Service
    • Prepaid Metering Agreement
    • Bill Pay
    • Call 811 Before You Dig
    • Capital Credits
    • New Construction
    • Sample Bill
    • OTEC Claims Reporting Form
  • Community
    • OTEC Member Foundation
    • Charitable Giving
    • Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
    • Scholarships
    • DC Youth Tour
    • Idaho Youth Rally
    • Member to Member
    • Mini-members
    • Co-op Connections
    • Use of Meeting Space
  • Economic Development
  • Energy Solutions
    • Programs & Rebates
    • Renewable Energy
      • Oregon's Hydropower
      • Community Solar
      • Solar
    • Electric Vehicles (EVs)
    • Touchstone Energy Savings
  • Safety & Education
    • Safety First
    • Winter Storm Safety
    • Wildfire Preparedness
    • Public Safety Power Shutoffs
    • Call 811 Before You Dig
    • Power Surges
    • Understanding Electromagnetic Fields
    • Kids Electrical Safety Artwork Contest
    • Safety Quiz
  • Outage Center
    • Outage Map
    • Power Outage Tips
    • Restoration Process
    • Generator Safety
  • News
    • Ruralite
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter
    • Legislative
    • Power Eastern Oregon