About Us
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) was founded in 1939 to bring affordable electric power to the residents of northern Escambia County and Santa Rosa County, Florida.
EREC is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Jay, Florida, with an additional office in Walnut Hill, Florida.
While providing dependable electric service at competitive rates is our mission, we continue to seek additional ways of enhancing our area’s quality of life.
Our Prime Directive
EREC was founded to bring reasonably priced electric power to the residents of Escambia County and Santa Rosa County Florida.
We have been successful in this mission! EREC has some of the lowest power costs in the state, and we intend to keep it that way in the future.
Providing electric service the co-op way is what distinguishes EREC from alternative power suppliers.
As a local co-op, EREC is committed to building a stronger community. We’re close enough to understand our members’ needs, to respond to them quickly and personally, and to know what issues are facing the communities we serve.
As a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, EREC is working to strengthen the ties to the communities we serve by delivering on our promises through accountability, integrity, innovation, commitment to community, and most of all, the power of human connections.
EREC continues to remain focused on you, our member-owner, by providing every customer with state-of-the-art technology, reliable and responsive service, and excellent value.
Rural Services
EREC provides much more than competitively priced, reliable energy.
Through our subsidiary company, Escambia River Rural Service, Inc., EREC can offer value-added services to our membership.
We invest time, money, and expertise to build the local economy and strengthen relationships with our member-owners.
As a member-owned cooperative, EREC is committed to keeping our focus on member needs and local priorities.
Co-op Principles
All cooperative businesses adhere to 7 guiding principles:
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote), and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3. Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training, and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7. Concern For Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
History
Widespread rural electrification began after Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, making loans available for the establishment of rural electric cooperatives. The formation of cooperatives in other parts of the country inspired local action as well.
1937
The first meeting was held to organize Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. at the Oak Grove Community House.
By lamplight, leaders laid out the blueprints for the formation and operation of EREC.
C.R. Walker
E.H. Lundy
J.L. Robbins
County Agent J.G. Hudson
By lamplight, leaders laid out the blueprints for the formation and operation of EREC. They continued to move forward with their plans even though they were often met with opposition and skepticism.
March 10, 1939
Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. was born.
Incorporators met at the American National Bank building in Pensacola to pass the bylaws, which would establish the Cooperative and make their dream a reality.
Growth
The Cooperative’s first month of operation brought them 88 members.
Since that time, the Co-op has grown to serve approximately 12,000 members in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with 1,800 miles of energized line.