Big Horn Rural Electric Company (REA) is more than just a power provider; we are a member-owned cooperative dedicated to enhancing the quality of life across the communities we serve. Founded in the spirit of rural empowerment, we provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electricity while upholding the time-honored traditions of the cooperative model.
Mission Statement: Big Horn Rural Electric Company exists to enhance the quality of life for our members by providing safe, reliable, and competitively priced electricity, energy products, and other services.
To fulfill this mission, we adhere to several core beliefs:
Big Horn Rural Electric Company, established in 1937, currently serves 4,215 meters, over 1,300 miles of line. Big Horn services 3,100 square miles in five counties in Wyoming (Big Horn, Washakie, Park, Sheridan, and Johnson) and two counties in Montana (Big Horn and Carbon).
The roots of Big Horn REA were planted in 1935 at a summer picnic in Greybull, Wyoming. At the time, rural families lived without the modern convenience of electricity. After two years of canvassing and organizing, Big Horn Rural Electric was formally incorporated on April 2, 1937.
A historic milestone occurred on February 1, 1938, when the first switch was thrown, energizing the lines for 225 family farms. From those original lines, we have grown to provide power to over 4,000 services across Big Horn, Park, Washakie, Johnson, and Sheridan Counties in Wyoming, as well as Carbon and Big Horn Counties in Montana.
Big Horn REA is a not-for-profit entity owned by the people it serves. Unlike investor-owned utilities that focus on shareholder profits, our "shareholders" are our members.
We operate according to a set of seven core principles that guide all cooperatives worldwide:
A cooperative is a private, independent business entity. Because we are not-for-profit, any net income (margins) left after expenses is eventually returned to our members in the form of Capital Credits, based on their individual electricity usage.
Big Horn REA is a proud member of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, a national alliance of local, member-owned electric cooperatives.
This partnership allows us to provide the resources and "power" of a national network—including advanced research, employee training, and the Co-op Connections discount program—while maintaining the personal touch of a local neighborhood business. Our alliance is built on four pillars: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation, and Commitment to Community.
"Concern for Community" is not just a principle; it’s a practice. We invest in the future of our region through:
As a member-owned organization, Big Horn REA is governed by a Board of Directors elected from within the membership. This ensures that business decisions are made by local people who understand the needs of the area.
Our Bylaws serve as the governing document for our cooperative, outlining the rules and regulations for membership, meetings, and the duties of the board.
