Your Cooperative

We are dedicated to our Northern Lights, Inc. members and to the communities we call home… because that’s the power of local service.

Whether you are already a member, are moving into our area or are merely visiting, we hope you will find our website informative. Please contact us with additional questions.

Mission Statement

The mission of the member-owned Northern Lights, Inc. electrical cooperative is to provide reliable electrical service to its members in a safe and cost-effective manner.

The Board of Directors and employees of NLI share a set of guiding principles designed to fulfill the mission statement of the cooperative. Among these principles are:

• We will have actions, policies, and procedures that strengthen our sustainable financial position and ensure a well-maintained system.
• We will maintain strong channels of communications between the Board, management, employees, and members so our policies and objectives deliver value and satisfaction across the cooperative.
• We will provide a safe work place, training opportunities for our employees to grow, and the tools they need to succeed.

History

Northern Lights has a long and rich history in northern Idaho and western Montana, the area it has served since 1935. When we were established as the Northern Idaho Rural Electrical Rehabilitation Association, it was the first rural electric cooperative west of the Mississippi River. At the very beginning, there were three board members and 248 rural families committed to obtaining power. Today it is one of the largest rural electric cooperatives in Idaho, providing power to nearly 24,000 locations across approximately 2,900 miles of distribution line.

Northern Lights was organized to bring electricity to those rural areas investor-owned utilities would not serve. That philosophy still holds true today. As a not-for-profit corporation, Northern Lights is owned by its members and is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors.

Board of Directors

The Board is the policy-making body of the cooperative. The directors hold regular monthly meetings to establish policies, review co-op activities and make other decisions affecting the cooperative. The directors are elected at the membership meeting held during the month of May each year.

The Board hires a General Manager to carry out the policies it has established. The General Manager, in turn, hires a staff to handle the operational details and to implement the policies set forth by the Board. Northern Lights’ staff of well-trained employees is committed to keeping the cooperative running smoothly.

It is your privilege to request to speak to the Board regarding any matter. An appointment should be made with the President of the Board or the General Manager prior to the meeting.

Learn more about the board by visiting the Board of Directors page.

Annual Meeting of Members

Northern Lights prides itself in being a democratic organization that gives its members a voice. Your chance to become involved and help decide the direction your co-op will take happens at the annual meeting of the members. The meeting is held primarily to inform the membership of the financial and operating condition of the cooperative, to discuss important issues affecting the co-op, and to elect the board of directors.

The annual report is available at the annual meeting and will be mailed to any member who requests it. This report details the financial standing of the cooperative.

The annual meeting is very important for the continued success of your cooperative. We hope you feel the same and will plan to attend every year. More information about annual members’ meetings, nominations, elections of the directors, and how to use a mail-in ballot can be found in the Bylaws of Northern Lights.

Current copies of NLI’s annual report and our articles of incorporation and bylaws are available by calling or emailing us.

About Cooperatives

Northern Lights is one of more than 900 rural electric cooperatives serving 42 million people in rural areas of 47 states. Cooperatives nationwide average only 6 consumers per mile of line. Northern Lights averages 7 members per mile of line, whereas investor-owned utilities such as Avista serve as many as 50 or more customers per mile.

The lower density of customers means that a smaller number of people share the operating expenses and the expense of building and maintaining lines. Another factor is that rural electric cooperatives often operate in rural, rugged terrain which impacts costs as well.

Even so, Northern Lights has an impressive record of providing electric service to its members in a more efficient and cost-effective manner than many investor-owned utilities.

7 Cooperative Principles