C & L Electric Mission Statement
To provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to our members in order to enhance their quality of life.
C & L Electric is owned by its Members
C & L Electric Cooperative Corporation is a non-profit business organized in 1937 by people in Cleveland and Lincoln Counties who wanted electricity and could not get it from power companies who said there was no profit from lines in sparsely populated areas.
The new business was incorporated on August 16, 1938, as C & L (Cleveland & Lincoln) Electric Cooperative Corporation. A request for a loan to build a line of 90 miles with 350 signatures was first sent to Rural Electrification Administration (REA). The directors were notified that 100 miles of line would be required for approval. So they extended the line into Jefferson and Grant Counties. REA approved the new plan –having 161 miles of line and 437 signatures.
The first section of line was energized December 19, 1939.
At the end of the first year, C & L was serving 370 members, who used an average of 39 kWh and paid 7.9¢ per kWh.
The Pace Act of 1944 made a covenant with C & L that if it would extend area coverage in its allocated territory, they could get loans for a 35-year period at 2% interest.
C & L expanded rapidly after this, and soon, C & L's lines went into eight counties; Cleveland, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson, Bradley, Drew, Desha and Dallas.
In 1955, electric cooperatives in Arkansas were given legal right by legislation to generate electricity. C & L and other cooperatives in Arkansas organized Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC), a cooperative which now provides all of C & L's electricity at wholesale cost.
Today, C & L serves over 22,192 members and owns and maintains over 4,385 miles of distribution power lines and 14 substations. David Vondran currently serves as General Manager/CEO.
Cooperative Principles
C&L Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative. As a cooperative, we operate by these seven cooperative principles:
1. Open and Voluntary Membership
Membership in a cooperative is open to all persons who can reasonably use its services and stand willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Elected representatives (directors/trustees) are elected from among the membership and are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3. Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control as well as their unique identity.
5. Education, Training, and Information
Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperatives. Communications about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, helps boost cooperative understanding.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
By working together through local, national, regional, and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.
7. Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.
C & L Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit business.
It charges a fair rate for electricity and uses the money to make sure there’s enough power for every Member. The revenue is used to maintain equipment, build lines and run the business. Anything that is left over is returned to the Members in the form of Capital Credits.
Capital Credits are the most important distinction between a cooperative and any other form of business. Members of the cooperative have a financial stake in the business. This is called Member Economic Participation and is one of the principles on which this business was founded. That is why it is so important that each and every person who receives electricity from C & L Electric understands that they are Members of the cooperative, not just consumers.
Capital Credits are assigned to each account and refunded when financial conditions permit. How much a member receives is based on how much electricity they used during the year being allocated.
C & L Electric Bylaws
C & L Electric Cooperative Corporation Bylaws set forth the basic structure by which the cooperative is governed.