Established in 1938, Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC) is a member-owned cooperative dedicated to providing exceptional service and innovative solutions to its members. Serving over 29,000 members and delivering electric service to 40,000 active meters. With roughly 140 employees, BEC operates within a seven-county territory in the picturesque Texas Hill Country. With a steadfast commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its members, BEC has pioneered a range of advanced programs. Since 2017, BEC has expanded its services to include fiber-optic broadband internet, ensuring high-speed connectivity for its rural communities. Additionally, BEC offers comprehensive behind-the-meter energy solutions, including Apolloware, an advanced, real-time energy management platform, solar power installations, and energy storage systems.
Mission
Lighting the Grid to Empower Our Members.
Vision
Reimagining Rural America.
As a cooperative, we are locally owned and operated by the members we serve. BEC is democratically governed by a board of directors elected by our members to represent their voice in the business of the cooperative. The board ensures the cooperative is legally and ethically run according to its bylaws and code of ethics.
BEC’s Member Impact Video
Cooperative Principles That Guide BEC
1
Voluntary & 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 (1 member, 1 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 & 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, & 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.