Wood County Electric Cooperative Inc

We’ve been bringing electric power to our corner of East Texas since 1938. We’re proud of our history as one of Texas’ first electric cooperatives, and we’re grateful to continue to be of service to our good neighbors in East Texas today.

Mission Statement

Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a not-for-profit cooperative with the mission of providing its member-customers reliable electric service at a reasonable rate.

Our Values

Service — We make service a high priority as part of our vision and our mission. It's what we do … it's what we've always done.

Integrity — We perform our work with honesty and commitment all day, every day.

Excellence — We have dedicated employees who are constantly looking for ways to provide you with quality service.

Community — Our employees live in the communities they serve, and take pride in contributing in positive ways through community service and through charitable contributions.

History

It may be something we take for granted now, but in 1938 electric power was only a dream for most people in the farming communities and rural areas of Texas.   So, back then, a group of local leaders joined together to form Wood County Electric Cooperative.  The purpose of the non-profit cooperative was straight forward, simply to bring power to residents, at a price they could afford to pay.

Taking advantage of funding and other resources from the federal government’s Rural Electrification Agency, those early Quitman leaders signed up 1,100 Wood County Electric Cooperative members at five dollars each, and then constructed the first 100 miles of lines to deliver electricity.

At that time, the average electricity user was then able to power one radio, five lights, an electric fan, a water pump and an iron.  WOW! Times have really changed!  Today, in addition to heating and cooling, the average home employs well over 50 electronic appliances ranging from that big screen TV, to an electric toothbrush, and all types of appliances in-between.  Electricity has not only come to power our conveniences, but the necessities of our lives.

Current Facts

Today, from the Quitman headquarters, 86 local employees maintain over 4,800 miles of line and serve over 34,000 meters in parts of 9 counties throughout northeast Texas, including Camp, Franklin, Hopkins, Rains, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood.  Even with enormous growth in both size and responsibility, the mission of the cooperative has remained the same as it was in 1938.  And that is to provide the most reliable power possible at the most affordable cost.

Residential and Business Service

The co-op serves both long-time residents who’ve lived here for decades, as well as those with vacation homes who come to enjoy activities on area lakes.  Additionally, the cooperative provides power for a myriad of businesses and industries including those in hospitality, retail, farming, oil, medical, municipal and manufacturing. 

Member-Owned and Operated

Wood County Electric Cooperative is owned by the people it serves.  Rates are set to operate and maintain the system – not to make a profit.  The co-op’s operations are governed by a seven-member board elected from and by the members. The general manager who oversees day-to-day activities is appointed by the board.

Capital Credits

One of the advantages of co-op membership is building up ownership in the co-op, in the form of capital credits.

The Seven Cooperative Principles

The beliefs and values reflected in the seven cooperative principles have kept Wood County Electric Cooperative on track since 1938.

Consumer Bill of Rights

We eagerly pursue policies that protect consumers’ interests, including those in this consumer bill of rights developed by the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA).