Welcome to the Bandera Electric Cooperative Family!
What It Means to Be a Member
At Bandera Electric Cooperative, you are more than a customer—you’re a valued member-owner. That means you have a direct stake in how your cooperative operates and a voice in shaping its future. Unlike investor-owned utilities, BEC isn’t focused on profits—it’s focused on people.
As a member, you enjoy:
- Capital Credits – Sharing in the co-op’s financial success through annual allocations and periodic refunds.
- Member Programs & Benefits – Access to programs that help you save money and use energy more efficiently.
- A Voice in Your Co-op – Opportunities to vote, run for the Board of Directors, and participate in important co-op decisions.
- Reliable & Affordable Electric Power – Delivering dependable electricity at rates below state, national, and neighboring for-profit utilities.
Membership in BEC connects you to something larger: a cooperative committed to reliable service, innovation, and the well-being of the Hill Country. 
Capital Credits
Because BEC is a not-for-profit, member-owned organization, we return our margins back to you—our members. These refunds, called capital credits, are allocated based on your annual energy usage. They represent your share of the co-op’s financial success.
Capital credits are retained for a time to ensure BEC remains financially strong, with refunds issued when the Board determines the co-op’s financial position allows. Since its founding, BEC has returned over $21.8 million to members (as of 2020).
It’s one of the most tangible ways your membership sets you apart from being just a customer—you’re an owner sharing in the cooperative’s success.
The 7 Cooperative Principles
BEC follows the 7 Cooperative Principles, which guide cooperatives worldwide:
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.