Three-tiered System & Service Area

51 member distribution cooperatives in Missouri, southern Iowa and northeast Oklahoma comprise the first tier. These distribution cooperatives provide electric service directly to more than 935,000 member meters, including businesses, farms and households representing more than two million people.

Distribution cooperatives take on many different responsibilities, including: 

• Installation and maintenance of power lines from substations to members’ homes 
• Planning for future needs of their service areas 
• Working with communities to encourage economic development 
• Helping their members use electricity efficiently 
• Incorporating consumer technology
• Educating about safety

The regional transmission member-owners that transmit the power from Associated Electric Cooperative to the 51 distribution cooperatives represent the second tier. These organizations are known as generation and transmission cooperatives (G&Ts), and they serve six geographical areas of Missouri, southern Iowa and northeast Oklahoma.

G&T cooperatives operate, build and maintain the high-voltage transmission system built with member investment. G&Ts help Associated ensure its success through member governance that keeps it focused on the following:

• Its mission 
• Legislative, government, industry and community relations
• Interconnections and relationships with neighboring utilities.

Associated is the system’s third tier and is responsible for generation and power procurement, leaving transmission as the primary responsibility of Associated’s six owners.