Powder River Energy

What Powder River Energy does

Powder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp) is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative founded in 1946 and operating under a certificated service territory approved by the Wyoming Public Service Commission. The cooperative provides electricity to more than 12,000 member-owners across five northeastern Wyoming counties (Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan, and Weston), serving residential, commercial, agricultural, and large industrial customers including coal mining operations under a dedicated Large Power Transmission - Coal Mine (LPT-CM) rate class. Wholesale power is purchased from Basin Electric Power Cooperative, with PRECorp participating as a founding member of Members 1st Power Cooperative G&T alongside Fergus Electric and Tongue River Electric to diversify load and secure board representation.

The cooperative's technical infrastructure centers on an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deployment feeding real-time sensor data to a proprietary anomaly detection platform built in-house by PRECorp engineering and IT staff, which applies machine learning algorithms to identify voltage irregularities that may indicate deteriorating electrical connections before failure. Supporting systems include the SmartHub digital portal and mobile application for member account management and outage reporting, a comprehensive Avian Protection Plan (active since 2005) using laser and scent-based deterrent technologies at substations, and a Wildland Fire Risk Mitigation Plan governing Red Flag weather restoration procedures. The cooperative is currently developing the LaBelle Prairie Project, a 5 MW / 21.6 MWh battery storage facility paired with 1.25 MWdc of ground-mount solar generation, in partnership with PowerSecure (a Southern Company subsidiary) and NRTC, targeted for 2027 operations.

PRECorp operates on a non-profit, cost-of-service model under which revenues exceeding expenses are allocated to members as capital credits, with $16.15 million retired in 2023 and over $130 million returned cumulatively since inception. Revenue is generated primarily through electricity sales across multiple rate classes (residential basic service, general service, irrigation, heat rate, and time-of-use), with periodic Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) filings passing through wholesale power cost changes from Basin Electric. Customer segments include residential members (primary), commercial and industrial members, agricultural and irrigation members, and large load customers. Member engagement occurs through quarterly telephone town halls, an annual meeting, a monthly podcast, and grassroots advocacy via the PRECorp Local Action Network (P.L.A.N.).

Name

Powder River Energy

Legal name

Powder River Energy Corporation

Website

https://precorp.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Powder River Energy Corporation is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving over 12,000 member-owners across five northeastern Wyoming counties, providing electricity distribution and member services including AMI-based outage prevention, renewable energy credits, and cooperative governance under a certificated service territory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

C&I Renewable Supply & Green Tariffs (Bundled RE, Sleeves, Utility Green Tariffs) (EUAGACAE)

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Rural electric cooperative
• Electric distribution services
• Wholesale power supply
• Member-owned utility

Headquarters

HQ city

Gillette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Electric Energy Sales: PRECorp generates revenue through electricity sales to member-owners. As a non-profit cooperative, revenue exceeding operating costs is allocated as capital credits to members based on patronage. The cooperative maintains various rate classes including residential, general service, irrigation, and heat rate options, with pricing adjusted through the Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) mechanism.
2. Wholesale Power Supply: PRECorp purchases wholesale power from Basin Electric Power Cooperative and manages the distribution to end members. The cooperative also participates in the Members 1st Power Cooperative G&T to diversify loads and manage wholesale power costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Powder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp) is a non-profit Touchstone Energy electric cooperative that distributes electricity to over 12,000 member-owners across five counties in northeastern Wyoming (Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan, and Weston). The cooperative purchases wholesale power from Basin Electric Power Cooperative and delivers it through owned distribution infrastructure, offering multiple rate programs including residential basic, general service, irrigation, heat rate, time-of-use, and large power transmission. Additional offerings include renewable energy certificates (Green Tags and WyRECs), member financial programs (Budget Billing, PREPay, Capital Credits), the SmartHub digital member portal, and community initiatives through the PRECorp Foundation.

Product overview

Powder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp) is a non-profit Touchstone Energy Cooperative serving northeastern Wyoming with electricity to over 12,000 members. The company operates as a single integrated utility service with multiple billing and rate options rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core products include electricity distribution with various rate programs (Budget Billing, Heat Rate, Time of Use), the SmartHub member portal for account management and outage reporting, and energy assistance programs. Green Tags and WyREC renewable energy programs enable members to purchase environmental attributes. The LaBelle Prairie Project represents a new battery storage and solar initiative. Additional services include the Tempest weather station program, EV charging infrastructure evaluation, Capital Credits retirements, Operation Round Up charitable giving, and environmental stewardship through Avian Protection and Wildland Fire Risk Mitigation Plans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartHub: Online and mobile application for members to pay bills, report outages, and manage their account
• Operation Round Up
• P.L.A.N. (PRECorp Local Action Network)
• WyRECs (Wyoming Renewable Energy Credits)

Products and services

• SmartHub Online member portal and mobile app enabling bill payment, outage reporting, usage viewing, and account management for residential and commercial members of the cooperative.
• PREPay Program Prepaid electricity payment option allowing members to pay for electricity in advance, providing flexibility for household budget management.
• Budget Billing Averaging billing program that spreads electricity costs evenly across 12 months to help residential members manage seasonal fluctuations in their bills.
• Heat Rate (HR) Special electric heating rate option available to residential and non-residential members using electric resistance heat, offering different pricing with credits available October through April.
• Time of Use Rate (T.O.U.) Voluntary time-based electricity rate where pricing varies by time of day and season, allowing members to shift usage to lower-cost off-peak periods.
• Home Efficiency Loan Program (H.E.L.P.) Loan program helping residential members finance energy efficiency improvements for their homes.
• Green Tags Renewable energy certificate purchase program allowing residential members to offset their electricity usage by purchasing RECs in 100 kWh increments at $0.20 per unit from Basin Electric's Prairie Winds program.
• Wyoming Renewable Energy Credits (WyREC Program) Program selling renewable energy credits to businesses with sustainability objectives, with proceeds reinvested in community development projects in PRECorp's service area.
• Outage Map & Restoration Services Real-time online outage mapping showing affected townships, plus 24/7 dispatcher service for outage reporting via phone or SmartHub app for residential and commercial members.
• Electric Distribution Service Core electricity distribution service delivered to residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural members across Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan, and Weston counties in northeastern Wyoming through owned distribution infrastructure including thousands of miles of power lines and substations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $130 million in capital credits returned to members since inception
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PowerSecure (Southern Company subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2026PowerSecure has partnered with PRECorp and NRTC to develop a utility-scale hybrid solar and battery energy storage project in Moorcroft, Wyoming. The project integrates a 5 MW battery storage system with 21.6 MWh capacity alongside 1.25 MWdc of ground-mounted solar generation to address grid-level peak demand driven by industrial growth.
• National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2026NRTC is collaborating with PRECorp and PowerSecure on the LaBelle Prairie hybrid solar-battery project to enhance grid reliability and reduce power costs for PRECorp's rural service territory.
• Basin Electric Power CooperativecoreOthersPRECorp's primary wholesale power supplier. Basin Electric provides all or substantially all of PRECorp's power supply needs. The relationship includes capital credit retirements to PRECorp members and ongoing rate adjustments through the COPA mechanism.
• Members 1st Power CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-member Generation & Transmission (G&T) cooperative created by PRECorp along with Fergus Electric Cooperative and Tongue River Electric Cooperative (both Montana). The G&T manages wholesale power supply costs through load diversification and guarantees long-term board representation at Basin Electric.
• Touchstone EnergyminorOthersNational brand affiliation for electric cooperatives providing cooperative identity, marketing resources, efficiency programs, and national brand presence.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)minorOthersNational trade association for electric cooperatives providing advocacy, education, and the Cooperative Action Network platform for grassroots member engagement.
• PRECorp FoundationminorOthersIndependent foundation supported by member-donated capital credits, providing community grants and charitable donations. Has distributed over $2 million in direct donations since founding in 2007.
• Lunavi (formerly Green House Data)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWyoming-based company that has purchased WyRECs (Wyoming Renewable Energy Credits) from PRECorp to offset their carbon footprint, with funds reinvested in community development projects.
• U.S. Department of Energy / National Renewable Energy LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRECorp participated in the American-Made Digitizing Utilities Prize competition administered by NREL, winning $75,000 in Phase 1 for AMI-based anomaly detection software development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• High Plains Power: Rural electric cooperative serving eastern Wyoming and a small slice of Montana, structured as a member-owned Touchstone Energy co-op. Direct peer in scale, cooperative model, service territory type, and reliance on Basin Electric wholesale supply.
• Fergus Electric Cooperative: Montana-based rural electric cooperative that co-owns Members 1st Power Cooperative G&T with PRECorp and Tongue River Electric. Direct peer as a co-owner G&T member with overlapping Basin Electric supply arrangements and similar member-driven programs.
• Big Horn Rural Electric Co. Wyoming-based rural electric distribution cooperative serving a comparable rural Wyoming member base. Direct peer in cooperative structure, service territory profile, and member programs; close analog for benchmarking rate structures and capital credit practices.
• Tongue River Electric Cooperative: Montana rural electric cooperative and the third co-owner of Members 1st Power Cooperative G&T. Direct peer in G&T ownership structure, rural service territory, and member-owned cooperative economics.

Others

• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives: National network/brand of 750+ member-owned electric cooperatives across the U.S. PRECorp is a Touchstone Energy affiliate. Not a direct competitor but the closest ecosystem peer — comparable in cooperative values, marketing resources, and national advocacy voice.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA): National trade association serving U.S. electric cooperatives. PRECorp is an active member using NRECA's Cooperative Action Network for grassroots advocacy. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler for rural electric distribution but not a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Lunavi (formerly Green House Data): Wyoming-based data center operator and WyREC purchaser from PRECorp, representing the data center demand PRECorp is targeting for large-load growth. Comparable as a Wyoming-based energy-adjacent counterpart; relevant as a customer segment and as a benchmark for large-load tariff design.

Broad incumbents

• Black Hills Energy: Investor-owned utility serving parts of Wyoming and neighboring states including electric distribution to rural and small-town customers. Comparable as a Wyoming electric distribution operator, but with broader geographic reach, for-profit incentives, and IOU cost structures rather than cooperative economics.
• Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp): Investor-owned electric utility and the largest electric service provider in Wyoming, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers statewide. Broad incumbent peer; comparable in regulated electric distribution but at much larger scale and with for-profit ownership structure.
• Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Wholesale power supplier to PRECorp and a generation & transmission (G&T) cooperative serving rural electric co-ops across the northern Great Plains. Comparable as a cooperative utility serving similar rural members, but at much larger scale and focused on generation/transmission rather than distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PRECorp
• Facebookfacebook.com/precorp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Powder River Energy