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Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative
The name Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc., was chosen as a tribute to the Withlacoochee River, which was a common thread through the Cooperative’s original service area (Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties) in Florida. The title “Cooperative” signifies the not-for-profit status of your utility.
The Cooperative was first organized on August 20, 1941. At that time, a group of innovative individuals asked the Rural Electrification Administration for a loan to begin construction of an electric system. Just a few days later war was declared, and all loans were repealed. After the conclusion of the war in 1945, the loan application was resubmitted and approved.
The first Member was connected on April 4, 1947. The first operating report ending on May 31, 1947, reflected sales of 862 kWh at a cost of $0.19 per kWh. Today, your Cooperative’s energy sales on average exceed 363 million kWh per month, at a cost of less than $0.09 per kWh. WREC now serves more than 280,000 accounts across Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, and Polk counties and has been in operation for over 78 years.
Although the numbers have changed considerably, the main core of the seven Cooperative principles remain the same today: Open Membership, Democratic Control, Economic Participation, Autonomy and Independence, Education, Training and Information, Cooperation among Cooperative, and Concern for Community.
These principles differ greatly from many other utilities you may have had electric service with. Guiding our dedicated employees and our Members make us the world class utility we are today!
What is an Electric Cooperative?
An electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric utility service that is owned and operated by its Members.
Members of the Cooperative work together for a common goal and share in the excess margins of the Cooperative based on their patronage (annual energy charges). Electric cooperatives were created when President Roosevelt signed an executive order in 1935 creating the National Rural Electrification Administration (NRECA).
Today there are 832 Distribution and 63 Generation & Transmission cooperatives that serve:
- 42 million people in 48 states.
- 21.5 million businesses, homes, schools, churches, farms, irrigations systems, and other establishments in 2,500 of 3,141 counties in the U.S. (80 percent of the nation’s counties).
- 13 percent of the nation’s population.
- 56 percent of the nation’s landmass.
- Co-ops added 475,000 new Members in 2021.
Florida’s electric Cooperatives are:
- Not-for-profit, private, independent electric utility businesses.
- Established to provide safe, affordable, resilient energy service.
- Revenues beyond the Cooperative’s operating expenses go back to Members overtime as Capital Credit refunds.
- Owned by consumer Members.
- Governed by a Board of Trustees elected from the membership.
- Incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida.
To perform their mission electric Cooperatives:
- Own and maintain 2.7 million miles, or 42%, of the nation’s electric distribution lines, covering three quarters of the nation’s landmass.
- Deliver 12 percent of the total kilowatt hours sold in the U.S. each year.
- Employ 73,000 people in the United States.
- Retire more than $1.3 billion in Capital Credits annually.
- Pay more than $1.5 billion in state and local taxes.
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Source of Power
Seminole Electric Cooperative is owned and governed by Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative and 8 other distribution Cooperative-owners, who distribute energy to nearly 2 million residential, commercial, and industrial end-use Members in 42 of Florida’s 67 counties.
How it Works
WREC Members: Over 280,000 Members are proud owners of Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC). These Members receive their electricity from WREC and, through their membership, share ownership of Seminole Electric Cooperative.
WREC: WREC is dedicated to providing safe, resilient and affordable electricity to its Members. To achieve this, WREC, along with 8 other Cooperatives, formed and owns Seminole Electric Cooperative, one of the largest generation and transmission companies in the nation. This ownership ensures safe, affordable, and reliable energy to its 9 Cooperative Member owners.
Seminole Electric: As the largest of Seminole Electric’s 9 distribution electric Cooperatives, WREC plays a vital role in this Cooperative effort. Seminole Electric's mission is to supply affordable energy at the lowest possible cost to its distribution Cooperative-owners. Seminole Electric is governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees, consisting of CEOs and Board Members of its 9 Cooperative owners across Florida.
Concern for Community
We dedicate our time, resources, and financial support to esteemed organizations like United Way, Vincent House, Scouting America, and many other groups focused on youth, the elderly, and community welfare. Additionally, we are committed to fostering economic development by supporting local businesses and creating skilled jobs, thereby building a stronger, more prosperous future for everyone. Our initiatives, such as the WREC Educational Foundation Scholarship and Operation Round-Up, are designed to assist and uplift our community members.
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