Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association

Our Mission 

We are a not-for-profit cooperative power supplier and our mission is to provide our member systems a reliable, affordable and responsible supply of electricity in accordance with cooperative principles.

Our Members

  We are a cooperative of 46 members, including 43 electric distribution cooperatives and public power districts in four states that together provide power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Cooperative Difference

  What makes us unique among utilities is that cooperatives like Tri-State are member-owned and governed and operate on a not-for-profit basis. Our governing decisions are based on sound financial principles, utility industry best practices and, most importantly, the needs of our members. 

Generation

By working together, our members share in the benefits from a growing supply of emissions-free renewable energy, including hydropower, wind and solar, and from a highly dependable and cost-effective fleet of coal and natural gas power plants. We own generation facilities, contract for long-term power purchases and buy power from the market to meet our members’ energy and capacity needs. Our members can also self-supply a portion of their needs from local resources.

Transmission

It’s a big job to deliver reliable power to communities across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West, from the eastern plains through the Rocky Mountains and down to the southern deserts. We own or operate more than 5,665 miles of high-voltage lines, supported by our system of substations and telecommunications sites. Our transmission maintenance centers work to keep the lights on.

Environmental Management

Tri-State's Environmental Management System (EMS) achieves environmental compliance, enhances strategic planning and promotes environmental stewardship. The comprehensive EMS guides activities and ensures compliance in a systematic approach that accomplishes environmental goals and keeps facilities running efficiently. Tri-State is among the first cooperatives in the nation to adopt EMS. We continue to make sure we're meeting or exceeding the highest standards of federal and state clean air and water standards.

Energy Management

In an increasingly complex and competitive energy market, it’s important for our members that we schedule and dispatch resources and buy and sell power in the most optimized and efficient manner possible. Every minute of every day, we determine the optimal mix of more than 30 generation resources to serve our members, and we look far ahead to ensure our members will have the reliable, low-cost energy they need for the future.

A Legacy of Innovation 

To support our members in an ever-changing utility industry, Tri-State is focused on best practices in our industry, like expanding programs that support the wise use of electricity, and staying on the cutting edge of technology by partnering on research, development and demonstration efforts aimed at tackling a number of important energy and environmental issues – and we have been recognized by the electric industry for its commitment to these initiatives.