The Cooperative Difference

Pearl River Valley Electric members have several unique benefits not available to other utility consumers. Four distinct advantages of being served by a cooperative are:

• They receive service at cost because we operate on a not-for-profit basis
   
• They have local control because members of the board of directors are from within the Association’s service area
   
• They have the right to participate through a voting membership because they are a member-owner of the business
   
• They earn capital credits because, in a cooperative, net margins are shared among all the members.

Pearl River Valley Electric is governed by a nine-member board of directors. These individuals are members of the Association. Three directors are elected each year by PRVEPA members at the annual membership meeting held in the fall. Each director represents a specific district and serves a three-year term.

The board meets monthly to develop policies; establish and review budgets; organize long-range planning and govern the Association. They place the responsibility of day-to-day operations under the general manager and his staff.