NLI is a rural electric cooperative which means it is owned, by you, the member.

As a rural electric cooperative, we operate differently from an investor-owned utility. Any revenues that we realize over expenses are assigned to you in the form of equity (capital credits), and may be returned to you at a time determined by the NLI Board of Directors. Also, we are a democratic organization. Service policies that affect your cost and quality of service are determined by a Board of Directors elected by members like you.

What is a cooperative?
A cooperative is a business organization, which is owned and operated by those who use it for mutual benefit.  Northern Lights is a service cooperative which performs the functions of providing electric service.  Northern Lights is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by its members.

Why do cooperatives hold an annual meeting?
The annual meeting gives members an opportunity to hear and evaluate a report of the year’s operation and to vote on any bylaw changes.

Why is pride of ownership and education important for members?
The strength of the cooperative depends on the membership’s interest, understanding and participation in cooperative activities, such as the annual meeting.

About how many kilowatt-hours do you think the average family uses in a month in this area?
At the present time, the average usage is 1257 kilowatt hours a month, as compared to 309  kilowatt hours a month 40 years ago.

“NLI dares to go where no commercial electric company has gone before.” Cooperatives install electric service to those in outlying areas that would not be served by the commercial electric companies.   Our Cooperative has 3 to 4 customers per mile as opposed to the commercial companies serving 35 customers per mile.