The Cooperative Difference

Cooperatives around the world operate according to seven guiding principles. 

Our story began in 1938 when local communities came together to bring light and power where there was none. They didn’t have access to electricity like in big cities, but they had the tenacity to build something different - a member-owned cooperative to power local homes, schools, and businesses. Back then and still today, DEMCO is more than just an electric company – we are your neighbors, your family, and your friends. 

  1. The Seven Cooperative Principles

    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.
    Handshake

  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.
    Elections

  3. Members’ Economic Participation

    Members contribute equitably to and democratically control the capital of their cooperative. 
    Coin

  4. Autonomy and Independence

    Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. Democratic control and cooperative autonomy must be maintained when entering into any agreements with external sources.
    Puzzle Piece

  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.
    Training

  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.
    Crowd

  7. Concern for Community

    While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
    Trust

In 1938 DEMCO membership corporation was established by 750 people who banded together to bring electricity to rural areas of East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, and Livingston parishes.

Now one of the largest electric co-ops in the nation, DEMCO powers 117,500+ meters in seven parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana. 

DEMCO exists to serve our co-op members. The decisions about your co-op are guided by a member-elected local board of directors, who represent all members in our seven-parish service area.

  • About | DEMCO is a local not-for-profit electric cooperative formed in 1938 and owned by the people who receive our services – our members.
  • Mission | DEMCO focuses on enhancing members' lives by providing safe, reliable, and competitively priced energy services.
  • Location | DEMCO is headquartered in East Baton Rouge Parish, 16262 Wax Road, Greenwell Springs, LA 70739. DEMCO has member service centers located throughout our seven-parish service area.
  • Electric Distribution System | DEMCO purchases wholesale power and then distributes that power to our co-op members. Our state-of-the-art modern distribution and transmission system comprises 9,243 miles of line and 35 substations, 10 metering points, 3 switching stations and 2 mobile stations. Best-in-class technology ensures that power is distributed reliably and efficiently. 
  • Meters | DEMCO powers 117,500+ meters that serve about a half million people in seven parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana.
  • Number of Employees | DEMCO has 260 trade and professional employees.
  • Governance | DEMCO is governed by a 13-member local Board of Directors elected by the membership for a three-year term.
  • Economic Impact | DEMCO contributed $353 million to the local economy, supported 1,103 jobs annually in our local communities, and generated $93 million in state/local tax revenues (as reported in an NRECA study 2014-2018).
  • Regulation | DEMCO is regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC), an independent agency that manages Louisiana's public utilities and motor carriers. The commission has five elected members chosen in single-member districts for staggered six-year terms.

DEMCO operates in accordance with our bylaws and rates & terms of service. All members agree to these when they accept service from the co-op.