Your Cooperative

Your Cooperative

Chugach Electric Association is headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Anchorage itself sits at the base of the Chugach Mountains. The word "Chugach" comes from an Alaska Native name, which the Russians recorded as "Chugatz" or "Tchougatskoi." In 1898, U.S. Army Capt. W.R. Abercrombie spelled the name "Chugatch" and applied it to the mountains.

Mission
We provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity through superior service and sustainable practices, powering the lives of our members.

Vision
Responsibly developing energy to build a clean, sustainable future for Alaska.

Values
Guided by our values of safety, accountability and sustainability, we are committed to serving our members, the community, and the Chugach team.

 

Articles of Incorporation
Bylaws

The Cooperative Philosophy

Chugach is a cooperative, formed to serve its member-owners. In many ways, cooperatives are like any other business; but in several important ways they're unique and different.

For more information on cooperatives please visit the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)

Cooperative Benefits

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Owned and democratically controlled by their members – the people who use the co-op’s services or buy its goods – not by outside investors; co-op members elect their board of directors from within the membership.

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Return surplus revenues (income over expenses and investment) to members proportionate to their use of the cooperative, not proportionate to their “investment” or ownership share. This is Chugach’s “capital credits”  program.

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Motivated by service, not profit – to meet their members' needs for affordable and high quality goods or services.

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Exist solely to serve their members.

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There are about 950 electric cooperatives across the country.

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Other businesses can be organized as cooperatives. There are a number of telephone cooperatives in the country. Other examples of cooperatives include REI and Sunkist.

History of Cooperatives

1844 The “modern cooperative era,” when the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society was established in Rochdale, England. Its members documented the principles by which they would operate their food cooperative, implementing the central tenets around which cooperatives are structured today.
Late 1900’s Cooperatives sprung up sporadically in America, particularly in times of economic hardship.
1922 Congress passed the Capper-Volstead Act, allowing farmers to collectively market products without being held in violation of the nation's anti-trust laws.
1929 Farm Credit Administration is established.
1934 The National Credit Union Administration is established.
1936 The Rural Electrification Administration is established.
1978 The National Cooperative Bank was established under the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act.
Today The bank's central function to this day is to stimulate economic growth and community development via an array of financial services for cooperatives.
See Chugach's History

Cooperative
Principles

Voluntary and Open Membership

Democratic Member Control

Members' Economic Participation

Autonomy and Independence

Education, Training, and Information

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Concern for Community