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Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Formed in 1939 with a loan from the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SWECI) is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative located in southwestern Illinois. Southwestern Electric Cooperative serves more than 22,000 residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial members in parts of Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Effingham, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Shelby and St. Clair Counties.

The cooperative, headquartered in Greenville, Ill., maintains nearly 3,500 miles of power line, employs more than 80 people and owns two subsidiary companies—New Illinois Cooperative Energy (NICE) and Propane Plus.

Southwestern Electric Cooperative is an independent co-op and has been for over a decade.  The co-op owns and operates a 47 MW peaking plant and has a 78 MW long-term power purchase agreement from Plum Point station in Arkansas.  SWECI strives to provide affordable and reliable energy and to return earnings to its members. In an era of rising energy costs, the cooperative did not raise its rates for nearly two decades. In fact, Southwestern lowered its rates 5% annually from 1999 to 2002—totaling 18.5%—and rewarded members with free months of electricity in November 2003 and November 2004. Southwestern Electric continues to return earnings to members by retiring accumulated capital credits, including more than $525,000 in 2007..

CEO & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kerry Sloan, Chief Executive Officer
Alan G. Libbra, Alhambra, President
Richard M. Gusewelle, Edwardsville, Vice President
Ronald Schaufelberger, Greenville, Secretary
Barbara Tedrick, Vandalia, Treasurer
Carl Barth, Sorento
Jim Grapperhaus, Troy
Ann M. Schwarm, Loogootee
Ted Willman, Greenville
Randy Wolf, St. Elmo

Statement of Objectives

Southwestern Electric Cooperative exists to serve its consumer-members in the best manner possible. The cooperative will:

Strive to provide the best possible service to all persons within the cooperative’s service area.Provide energy at the lowest sustainable prices, consistent with the highest standards of service.

Provide dependable service, develop a stable financial structure, maintain a sound organization and train leadership on a long-range basis.

Promote the safe and efficient use of electricity, electrical appliances and equipment in the home and on the farm.
Work to stimulate and support initiatives that will promote economic development.

Constantly strive for higher standards of electric service.
Keep consumer-members informed about their cooperative’s operations, plans, problems and progress, illustrating how member participation influences cooperative policy.

Develop the democratic process as it applies to consumer-members, encouraging their participation in cooperative affairs.

Ascertain that no person shall—regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin—be barred from participating in the cooperative’s democratic process.
Develop understanding and support of cooperative objectives, plans and programs.

Provide leadership and cooperate with community and civic groups in fostering programs that contribute to the area’s development.

Work to improve the standard of living for all members.