About Big Horn REA

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.

 

Districts
Our History
Cooperative Difference
Touchstone Energy
Bylaws

Our Mission & Beliefs

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:

  • Integrity: We maintain a progressive, professional service organization of high integrity.
  • Member Focus: We remain responsive to member needs and communicate effectively with our public.
  • Innovation: We promote the wise use of electricity and provide energy-efficient products.
  • People: Our employees are our most important asset, and we foster a healthy, productive work environment built on teamwork and initiative.


Read Our Member Handbook

territory

Our Districts: 

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).

  • Directorate District  I
    • Extension 1 - Burlington, Otto, Emblem, and surrounding rural areas.
  • Directorate District  II
    • Extension 2 - East of Greybull through Shell over the Big Horns and the areas surrounding Basin on the West, N and E
  • Directorate District  III
    • Extension 3 - E and S of Manderson via Hyattville through Ten Sleep
  • Directorate District  IV
    • Extension 4 - W and S of Burlington/Meeteetse junction through Meeteetse
  • Directorate District  V
    • Extension 5 - Rural area E and N of Deaver/Cowley
    • Extension 6 - Rural area surrounding Byron/Lovell

Our History: 
Lighting the Greybull Valley

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.

historical photo
historical photo
historical photo
historical photo
historical photo

The Cooperative Difference

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.
 

The 7 Cooperative Principles

We operate according to a set of seven core principles that guide all cooperatives worldwide:

  1. Voluntary and Open Membership: Open to all who can use our services.
  2. Democratic Member Control: One member, one vote. You have a say in how we are run.
  3. Members' Economic Participation: Members contribute equitably to the capital of the co-op.
  4. Autonomy and Independence: We are a self-help organization controlled by our members.
  5. Education, Training, and Information: We provide ongoing education for members and employees.
  6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives: We work with other co-ops to serve members most effectively.
  7. Concern for Community: We work for the sustainable development of our local areas.
     

What is a Co-op?

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.

Part of a National Network: Touchstone Energy®

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.

A Part of Our Communities

"Concern for Community" is not just a principle; it’s a practice. We invest in the future of our region through:

  • Youth Programs: Scholarships and Youth Leadership Camps for local students.
  • Safety Education: Safety demonstrations for schools and local organizations.
  • Economic Development: Supporting local projects that help our economy thrive.
     

Governance & Bylaws

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.
 

View our current Bylaws
 

Additional Resources

Rates

Rates, Rules, & Regulations
Outage Center

Outage Information
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