Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative

What Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative does

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative is a private, member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative headquartered at 206 County Road K, Lancaster, Wisconsin, with branch offices in Darlington and Gays Mills. Founded in 1938 (with the current entity formed in 1999 through the merger of Grant, Lafayette, and Crawford Electric Cooperatives) and operating in its 88th year, the cooperative distributes electricity across a 2,000-plus square mile service territory spanning nine counties in southwest Wisconsin (Grant, Crawford, Lafayette, Green, Iowa, Vernon, Richland) and northwest Illinois (Jo Daviess, Stephenson). It serves 14,730 connected meters across 11,876 members via 3,553 miles of energized line (approximately 600 miles underground) and 23 distribution substations stepping voltage from 69,000V to 12,470V.

Core operations consist of regulated electric distribution, supported by member programs including the SmartHub online and mobile account management platform, Capital Credits margin distributions, a Distributed Generation interconnection program for member-owned solar, wind, and anaerobic digesters, an Evergreen voluntary renewable energy subscription tied to Dairyland Power Cooperative's Mt Hope Solar field and Quit Block Wind Farm, Dual Fuel off-peak electric heating, Load Management with load control devices on water heaters and HVAC, energy rebates (appliances, heat pumps, smart thermostats, lighting, EV chargers), free Energy Assessments, the Safety First! Farm Rewiring Program, Dusk-to-Dawn LED light rentals, and Marathon water heater sales. Wholesale power is sourced from Dairyland Power Cooperative under a long-standing generation-and-transmission relationship dating to December 1941, and the cooperative also partners with Focus on Energy, Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), Diggers Hotline, Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, Federated Youth Foundation, and the national Touchstone Energy Cooperatives network.

The business model is not-for-profit and cost-based: revenue is generated primarily from usage-based electricity sales ($34,688,961 in total energy sales, 232,354,003 kWh sold), passed through wholesale cost fluctuations via a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism, with supplementary subscription-style revenue from Dusk-to-Dawn light rentals ($0.45/day per LED fixture) and Evergreen voluntary renewable contributions ($1 per 100 kWh block monthly). Margins are returned to members through the Capital Credits system ($42,082,907 returned to date, with active members receiving bill credits and inactive members receiving checks for amounts $10 or greater). Member segments are horizontal: residential, agricultural (dairy farm), and environmentally conscious participants; the cooperative employs 39 full-time staff, holds an exclusive regulated franchise, and is governed by nine directors elected from nine districts, with no parent company or external shareholders.

Name

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative

Legal name

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative

Website

https://sre.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving 11,876 members across 14,730 connected meters in a 2,000-plus square mile rural service territory spanning nine counties in southwest Wisconsin and northwest Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Utilities (22)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Rural electric cooperative
• Energy efficiency rebates
• Load management programs
• Distributed generation interconnection

Headquarters

HQ city

Lancaster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Electric Energy Sales: Revenue generated from selling electricity to members based on kWh consumption. The cooperative operates on a not-for-profit basis with cost-based pricing. Members pay rates that cover the cost of providing service, with a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism for wholesale power cost fluctuations.
2. Dusk-to-Dawn Light Rentals: Monthly rental fees for 74-watt LED dusk-to-dawn lights installed on cooperative poles. Includes installation, maintenance, and energy costs. Minimum one-year service commitment required.
3. Evergreen Program: Voluntary monthly contributions of $1 per block (100 kWh) for members to support renewable energy sources including Mt Hope Solar field and Quit Block Wind Farm.
4. Capital Credits: Not-for-profit margins distributed back to members based on patronage. Active members receive credits applied to bills in October; inactive members receive checks for amounts $10 or greater.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility that distributes electricity to rural residential, agricultural, and small commercial members across approximately 2,000 square miles in southwest Wisconsin and northern Illinois. The cooperative operates 3,553 miles of distribution line, 23 substations, and 14,730 connected meters, and supplements core electric service with load management, energy efficiency rebates, renewable energy programs, capital credits distribution, and distributed generation interconnection support.

Product overview

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative offers a comprehensive suite of energy services as a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility. The core offering is electric distribution service with associated member programs. Key products and services include SmartHub (online account management with bill payment, usage tracking, and autopay), Capital Credits (annual margin distribution to members), and distributed generation interconnection. Energy efficiency programs include Energy Assessments, Energy Rebates (appliances, HVAC, lighting, EV chargers), Marathon Water Heaters (85-105 gallon), and Dusk-to-Dawn LED lights. Renewable energy options include the Evergreen voluntary program and distributed generation interconnection for solar/wind. Load management programs (Dual Fuel, Load Control) help reduce peak demand. The cooperative also provides outage management, new service installation, farm rewiring assistance, and energy assistance referrals through WHEAP and Focus on Energy partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartHub Online account management platform and mobile app enabling members to view and pay bills, monitor electricity usage, set up autopay, sign up for paperless billing, receive notifications, and report outages.
• Marathon Water Heaters Long-lasting, energy-efficient electric water heaters available in 85-gallon and 105-gallon sizes, featuring filament-wound fiberglass construction that resists rust and corrosion. Offered to members through the cooperative.
• Dusk-to-Dawn LED Lights 74-watt LED rental lights installed on cooperative poles providing outdoor illumination from dusk to dawn, with installation, maintenance, and energy included at $0.45 per day plus tax, requiring a minimum one-year commitment.
• Distributed Generation Program Program supporting member-owned small-scale renewable energy systems including solar panels, small wind turbines, and anaerobic digesters, with established interconnection guidelines, net billing, and application procedures.
• Dual Fuel Program Off-peak electric heating rate program providing members a lower rate for electric heat when paired with automatic backup systems (propane, LP, or natural gas), qualifying when LP gas exceeds $1.45/gallon or fuel oil exceeds $2.05/gallon.
• Energy Assessments Free service that investigates total building electric use and breaks it down into components such as heating, cooling, lighting, and water heating to help members identify energy-saving opportunities.
• Energy Rebates Bill credits for members who purchase and install qualified energy-efficient items including appliances, heat pumps, smart thermostats, lighting, water heaters, and EV chargers, applied on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Evergreen Renewable Energy Program Voluntary program allowing members to contribute $1 per month per block (100 kWh) to support renewable energy sourced from the Mt Hope Solar field and Quit Block Wind Farm, with up to 20 blocks available per member.
• Load Management Program Program that installs load control devices on residential electric water heaters, geothermal systems, central air conditioners, and electric in-floor heating to temporarily limit usage during peak demand periods, helping control costs for members.
• Outage Center Online outage information resource featuring a real-time outage map, safety tips, reporting procedures, and automated meter-based outage detection for members.
• New Electric Services Electric service installation, transfer, and upgrade service for new construction or modifications to existing service, including on-site consultations, service agreements, and membership applications.
• Safety First! Farm Rewiring Program Wisconsin Electric Cooperative statewide program assisting dairy farmers with farm rewiring costs and promoting electrical safety through inspections and upgrades for agricultural operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Capital credits of $42,082,907 returned to members to date
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 1941Dairyland Power Cooperative is Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative's Generation and Transmission (G&T) power supplier, formed in December 1941. SREC purchases electricity from DPC at wholesale cost to meet member needs. DPC also provides load management systems and infrastructure including the Mt Hope Solar field and Quit Block Wind Farm that supply SREC's Evergreen renewable energy program.
• Focus on EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin utility program partner offering free energy-saving packs and rebates on residential and business home upgrades available to SREC members. Focus on Energy provides additional energy efficiency resources and incentives beyond SREC's own rebate programs.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide network of local electric cooperatives including SREC across 46 states, serving over 32 million member-owners. Touchstone Energy provides shared resources, branding, and cooperative principles (integrity, accountability, innovation, commitment to community) that SREC upholds.
• Federated Youth FoundationminorOthersNonprofit organization holding unclaimed capital credits in trust. When SREC cannot locate members or their heirs for Capital Credits refunds, funds are donated to Federated Youth Foundation which uses the money for youth programs and scholarships in the service territory.
• Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program funded by Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Public Benefits program that assists eligible households with heating and electric bills. SREC refers members to WHEAP for energy assistance.
• Diggers HotlineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin underground utility locating service reachable at 811 or 800-242-8511. Wisconsin Statute 182.0175 requires excavators to call at least three working days before digging. Free service that protects underground facilities including electric lines.
• Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association partnering with SREC for Youth Leadership Conference and Electrical Safety Poster Contest. WECA coordinates statewide cooperative programs and events including Youth Tour to Washington D.C.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dairyland Power Cooperative: SREC's wholesale Generation & Transmission supplier since 1941. Dairyland is itself a Touchstone Energy cooperative serving distribution co-ops across a four-state region, making it the most directly comparable cooperative peer in SREC's ecosystem.
• Connexus Energy: Minnesota-based member-owned electric cooperative offering distribution, broadband, and member programs. Comparable in cooperative governance, member programs (capital credits, rebates), and focus on rural/edge-of-metro service territory.
• Stearns Cooperative Electric Association: Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative serving central Minnesota with electric distribution, load management, and member programs. Highly comparable operating model, member-owned structure, and rural service profile to SREC.
• Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving rural eastern Iowa directly adjacent to SREC's service area. Comparable scale, cooperative governance, and member-focused programs (rebates, capital credits, distributed generation).
• Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin-based Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative serving rural western Wisconsin. Highly comparable in territory, regulatory regime, member programs, and wholesale power arrangements with a Dairyland-adjacent G&T.

Broad incumbents

• Alliant Energy: Investor-owned utility serving Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois with regulated electric and gas distribution. Operates adjacent to SREC's service territory, providing a benchmark for what a scaled, publicly traded alternative in the same Wisconsin/Illinois rural-utility space looks like.
• Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Large Generation & Transmission cooperative serving distribution members across multiple states. A scaled cooperative peer relevant for benchmarking capital structure, G&T-to-distribution relationships, and renewable program design that mirrors SREC's DPC interface.

Others

• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives: National network of 750+ local electric cooperatives that SREC belongs to. Provides shared branding, best-practice sharing, and procurement leverage; a peer in the sense that SREC competes for member mindshare within the network.
• Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange: Insurance and risk-management partner to electric cooperatives including SREC. Relevant as an ecosystem participant that understands the cooperative utility risk profile and underwrites rural distribution operations.
• Focus on Energy: Wisconsin statewide energy efficiency program partner providing rebates and assessments to SREC members. A complementary, not competing, participant in the same customer journey SREC serves with its own rebate suite.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sreccoop
• Instagraminstagram.com/scenicriversenergycoop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scenic-rivers-energy-cooperative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative