Firelands Electric Cooperative Inc.

Overview

Firelands Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a nonprofit, member-owned electric utility serving over 9,100 homes and businesses in rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland counties in Ohio. The cooperative operates on a not-for-profit basis.

History

Firelands Electric Cooperative was originally incorporated in May 1936 as the North Eastern Farm Bureau Electric Cooperative, Inc. It was the 83rd electric cooperative formed in the United States, established under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. The cooperative began serving its first members in August 1938, with initial operations covering 117 miles of line and serving 281 members. By the end of January 1939, this expanded to 142 miles of line serving 358 members. Today, Firelands Electric Cooperative spans over 987 miles of distribution lines.

In 1942, the cooperative acquired the New London Power and Light Company, relocating its headquarters to New London the following year. Over time, the cooperative has grown and modernized, moving to a new all-in-one facility in 2019, which includes a community solar field.

Service Territory

The cooperative serves a diverse range of customers, including residential homes, farms, and businesses across nine districts:

• District 1: Richmond, Norwich, and Greenfield townships.
• District 2: New Haven, Ripley, Greenwich, Ruggles, Cass, and Blooming Grove townships.
• District 3: Peru, Bronson, Fairfield, and Hartland townships, and Fitchville Township west of State Route 250.
• District 4: Clarksfield and Rochester Townships, Fitchville Township east of State Route 250, and north of Conrail in New London municipality and New London Township.
• District 5: Monroe, Green, and Lake townships.
• District 6: Butler, Clear Creek, Orange, Weller, Milton, Mifflin, and Madison townships north of State Route 42.
• District 7: Vermilion, Mohican, Montgomery, and Perry townships.
• District 8: Mifflin Township south of State Route 42 in Ashland and Richland counties.
• District 9: South of Conrail/CSX in New London municipality and New London Township.

Governance

Firelands Electric Cooperative is governed by a Board of Trustees elected by and from its members. The cooperative adheres to seven cooperative principles, emphasizing member ownership and community involvement.

Operations

Today, Firelands Electric Cooperative continues to serve as a vital electric utility for rural communities in Ohio. The cooperative focuses on safety as its top priority, reflecting significant advancements in safety practices since its inception.

Community Engagement

Firelands Electric Cooperative supports various community initiatives, including the Operation Round Up program, which funds local projects and organizations. The cooperative also produces regular newsletters and updates for its members.

Name Origin

The name "Firelands" originates from the historical "Connecticut Western Reserve" in northern Ohio, which was designated as the Fire Lands or Sufferers’ Lands for Connecticut residents whose homes were destroyed during the Revolutionary War. This historical background is reflected in the naming of several townships within the region.

Current Status

As of recent years, Firelands Electric Cooperative remains committed to providing reliable and affordable electricity to its members while promoting sustainable energy solutions and community engagement.

[1] https://firelandsec.com/service-territory [2] https://firelandselectric.com [3] https://www.ohiocoopliving.com/co-op-spotlight-firelands-electric-cooperative [4] https://firelandsec.com/cooperative-history [5] https://firelandsec.com/about-us-1