About Lake Country Power

Lake Country Power is a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative serving parts of eight counties in Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St. Louis. We provide electricity and other energy related services to more than 44,000 members in the rural parts of northern Minnesota. 

Power Sources

Lake Country Power receives and distributes power from its supplier, Great River Energy. GRE is a not-for-profit electricity provider owned by 28 distribution cooperatives (including Lake Country Power) in Minnesota and Wisconsin which generates and transmits electricity.

GRE provides wholesale electric service to its member-owners who distribute electricity to approximately 660,000 member consumers - or about 1.7 million people.

Power Generation Resources


Energy Mix Comparison

GRE-energy-mix-comparison_0_0.jpg

Cooperative History

We maintain more than 8,200 miles of distribution lines within 10,872 square miles of service territory. Geographically, we are Minnesota’s largest electric cooperative.

Our service centers are located in Cohasset, Kettle River and Mountain Iron. We also have five outpost facilities strategically located throughout our service area in Cook, Ely, McGregor, Remer and Saginaw.
 
Lake Country Power was formed on January 1, 1997 when the memberships of three electric cooperatives, Carlton County Cooperative Power Association in Kettle River (est. 1936), Dairyland Electric Cooperative in Grand Rapids (est. 1940) and Northern Electric Cooperative Association in Virginia (est. 1938), voted to consolidate.

Overall map of the Lake Country Power service territory

 

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.

Democratic Member Control — Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.

Members’ Economic Participation — Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.

Autonomy and Independence — Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.

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.

Cooperation among Cooperatives — Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together.

Concern for Community — While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.

Vision Mission Values

Vision:

To exceed our member-owners’ expectations.

Mission:

To enhance our communities by providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy services to our members.

Lake Country Power Values:

SAFETY — We provide the tools and knowledge to safely deliver reliable service while protecting our employees, our members, and our communities.

COMMUNICATION — We maintain open and honest dialogue among all stakeholders by sharing knowledge and information including “what, when, who, where, how” and most importantly “why.”

EXCELLENCE — We strive to excel in every aspect of our business and will focus on continuous improvement.

INTEGRITY — We deliver honest and trustworthy services, enabling others to rely on our word.

RESPECT — We treat everyone as we would like to be treated; with courtesy, dignity, and honor.

TEAMWORK — We have a team environment in which all players are committed to contributing toward the safe achievement of a common goal.