Touchstone Energy — the national brand of electric cooperatives — provides the resources of a national network that helps cooperatives take advantage of economies of scale and enhance their unique relationships with their local member-owners.
More than 620 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 44 states deliver energy and energy solutions to more than 22 million members every day. Touchstone Energy helps its cooperatives communicate the distinctiveness of co-ops to business and residential member-owners, large and small, all across the country.
Four values are the foundation of every Touchstone Energy co-op's service to its members. It's how Touchstone Energy cooperatives put their slogan — “the power of human connections” — into action and earn the trust of millions of people, every day. The four values are:
Innovation
Touchstone Energy cooperatives offer new solutions and state-of-the-art technology to meet customers' needs.
Accountability
Since consumers own co-ops, they have a say and help chart the course for the business. Every member has an equal voice in running the enterprise. Unlike an investor-owned utility, in which the investor with the most shares has the most clout, co-op business is conducted through a locally elected board of directors and an annual meeting where policy is proposed and voted on by members, each having one vote.
Integrity
The co-op business model always puts customers first. Not-for-profit electric cooperatives deliver energy to their members at the cost of service. In contrast, investor-owned utilities typically distribute their profits to investors across the nation or even the world — not necessarily to those they serve.
Commitment to Community
Electric cooperatives invest time, money and expertise to build the local economy and strengthen relationships with consumer-owners.