Riverland Energy Cooperative

What Riverland Energy Cooperative does

Riverland Energy Cooperative is a nonprofit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Arcadia, Wisconsin, serving approximately 20,000 meters across 3,474 miles of distribution line in western Wisconsin (Buffalo, La Crosse, and Trempealeau counties plus portions of Pepin, Jackson, and Eau Claire counties). Formed in 1999 through the merger of Buffalo Electric Cooperative and Trempealeau Electric Cooperative—both REA-era cooperatives dating to the 1930s—Riverland does not generate electricity but purchases wholesale power from Dairyland Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative. The cooperative delivers service to a primarily residential membership (82% residential) plus agricultural, commercial, and industrial members, including Anovary, a Bitcoin mining host with 44MW peak load.

The cooperative operates a conventional distribution grid (poles, wires, transformers, smart metering) integrated with a load management control system receiving radio signals from Dairyland, an outage management system, and the SmartHub member-facing digital platform for billing, usage monitoring, and outage reporting. Programming includes time-of-use rates, demand charges, dual fuel load control, EV charging incentives, solar interconnection, and equipment rebates. Member engagement is delivered through Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News (WECN), The Outlet bill insert, social media, community events, and the Riverland Community Cares Foundation.

Revenue is generated through a multi-part tariff: Basic Service Charge, Energy Charge (kWh), Demand Charge ($1.00/kW for peak 15-minute usage), and Power Cost Adjustment (wholesale passthrough from Dairyland). As a nonprofit cooperative, margins in excess of operating costs are returned to members as capital credits on a 20-year FIFO cycle. The cooperative affiliates with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives for national branding and participates in MISO regional grid operations through Dairyland. Go-to-market is direct-to-member via owned distribution infrastructure, SmartHub, walk-in offices in Arcadia and Holmen, and phone support.

Name

Riverland Energy Cooperative

Legal name

Riverland Energy Cooperative

Website

https://riverlandenergy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Riverland Energy Cooperative is a nonprofit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving approximately 20,000 meters across 3,474 miles of line in western Wisconsin, delivering electricity purchased wholesale from Dairyland Power Cooperative to residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Electric Distribution Utility

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Retail Electric Providers / Competitive Distribution Utilities (where applicable) (EUADABAE)

Keywords

• Rural electric distribution
• Member-owned cooperative utility
• Electric load management
• Renewable energy programs
• Capital credit refunds

Headquarters

HQ city

Arcadia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Services: Riverland Energy generates revenue through electricity distribution fees charged to members. Revenue comprises: Basic Service Charge (fixed daily cost for grid maintenance), Energy Charge (per kWh consumption), Demand Charge (based on peak 15-minute usage in kW), and Power Cost Adjustment (wholesale power cost passthrough from Dairyland Power Cooperative). As a nonprofit cooperative, margins beyond operating costs are returned to members as capital credits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Riverland Energy Cooperative is a nonprofit member-owned electric distribution utility that delivers electricity across 3,474 miles of line to approximately 20,000 meters in western Wisconsin. It purchases wholesale power from Dairyland Power Cooperative and resells it to residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial members through multiple rate structures (standard, time-of-use, demand-based, dual fuel). The cooperative offers member programs including Capital Credits refunds, prepaid and budget billing, load management, SmartHub account management, EV charger rebates, solar interconnection, and the Evergreen renewable subscription program.

Product overview

Riverland Energy Cooperative is a nonprofit electric distribution cooperative providing electricity to residential, agricultural, and commercial/industrial members across western Wisconsin. The cooperative operates SmartHub as its primary member-facing platform for account management, offering integrated services for billing/payments, usage monitoring, and outage reporting. The core product portfolio centers on electric service delivery with various rate structures (standard, time-of-use, demand-based), complemented by energy efficiency programs (rebates, load management, dual fuel), renewable energy options (Evergreen subscription, solar interconnection), and member assistance programs (capital credits, energy assistance, prepaid/budget billing). Community engagement includes youth education (scholarships, youth ambassador, safety contests), safety programs (farm rewiring, demonstrations), and charitable giving through Community Cares. The cooperative serves approximately 20,000 meters through 3,474 miles of line, purchasing wholesale power from Dairyland Power Cooperative and operating within the MISO regional grid.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartHub: Online and mobile application for members to manage their electric account, pay bills, view usage, and report outages.

Products and services

• SmartHub Member-facing digital platform enabling customers to pay bills, monitor energy usage, view billing history, report outages, and manage electric accounts via web or mobile app, with secure SSL-encrypted transactions and no personal data stored on mobile devices. Available to all members across the cooperative's service territory.
• Electric Distribution Service Core electric distribution service across 3,474 miles of line serving Buffalo, La Crosse, Trempealeau, Pepin, Jackson, and Eau Claire counties in Wisconsin, with various rate structures including standard rates, time-of-use rates, and demand charges. Provides electricity to residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial members.
• Capital Credits Nonprofit member profit-sharing program where margins remaining after expenses are returned to members based on annual electricity purchases, using a 20-year FIFO refund cycle. Members receive capital credit allocations annually and refunds as the cycle matures.
• Dual Fuel Program Load management program offering reduced electric rates (6.61 cents/kWh winter, 12.177 cents/kWh summer) for members with dual heating systems, where electric heat is controlled during peak demand periods. Requires dual heat sources and a load control device.
• EV Charger Program Electric vehicle charging program offering $400 rebate for chargers on load control, plus optional EV CHARGE N SAVE time-of-use rate with on-peak ($0.21148/kWh) and off-peak ($0.05595/kWh) pricing and $0.16/day service charge. Requires secondary meter or smart charger on load control.
• Solar Energy Interconnection Program for members installing solar panels with interconnection requirements, metering for net metering, and excess energy credited at avoided cost rates. Available to members in the cooperative's service territory.
• Evergreen Renewable Energy Voluntary renewable energy program allowing members to contribute $0.65/month per block (100 kWh) to support wind, solar, hydro, and biogas renewable energy generation. Initial one-year commitment, then ongoing monthly subscription.
• Outage Center Outage reporting system with SmartHub reporting, text message outage reporting to 55050, outage notification text alerts, and outage map for real-time status. Managed with after-hours support via Cooperative Response Center (CRC).
• Prepaid Billing Pay-as-you-go electricity program allowing members to prepay for electricity with $50 minimum initial payment, daily billing, and alerts when balance is low before disconnection. Helps members manage electricity budgets.
• Load Management Program Program controlling power to residential water heaters, central air conditioners, and off-peak electric heat to reduce peak demand, with $5 monthly credit for controlled central AC during summer months. Connected to Dairyland Power Cooperative signals for economic and capacity-based control.
• Energy Efficiency Rebates Energy efficiency rebates for Agricultural/Commercial/Industrial equipment, appliances, HVAC, lighting, EV chargers, water heaters, new homes, and audit-recommended improvements, available through December 18, 2026. Available to qualifying members.
• Business Development Loans USDA Rural Economic Development Loan Program (REDLG) with zero interest loans and Riverland's own Revolving Loan Fund for local businesses, infrastructure, healthcare, and educational facilities that create or retain jobs in rural areas.
• Safety First Farm Rewiring Program Loan/grant combination up to $30,000 for dairy farmers to rewire farms to meet electrical code standards, with WECA grants up to $10,000 and Riverland loans up to $20,000 at 3% interest. Joint program with Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA).
• Energy Assistance (WHEAP) Low-income energy assistance program funded by a $1.50/month non-taxable facility charge, with 50% supporting energy conservation programs and 50% funding low-income assistance and weatherization.
• Payment Options Multiple payment methods including Automatic Bill Pay, Online Payment via SmartHub, Drop-off locations, Prepaid Billing, Budget Billing, and Phone Payment via IVR system. Available to all members.
• New Construction Line Extension New service line extension available to new construction projects within the cooperative's service territory. Pricing includes $750 new service fee plus $10.00/foot plus line brushing/clearing costs (time and equipment basis) plus actual boring costs. Rock boring at actual cost. Temporary service: $100 additional.

Quantifiable outcome

• 510 miles of distribution line serving members across multiple counties
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dairyland Power CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 1999Generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Riverland purchases all wholesale power from Dairyland, which generates and procures electricity from coal, natural gas, hydro, wind, landfill gas, biomass, solar, and animal waste sources. Dairyland serves 24 member distribution cooperatives and 15 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. Dairyland also provides load management radio signals for Riverland's demand control programs.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational brand identity network of electric cooperatives providing resources, marketing materials, training, and partnerships. Part of the largest electric utility network in the nation with over 700 local systems serving 30.5 million member-owners. Riverland displays the Touchstone Energy logo as a member of this network.
• Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association representing Wisconsin electric cooperatives. Provides director training, legislative advocacy, Safety First Farm Rewiring Program partnership (with grants up to $10,000), youth scholarship programs including Charles Van Sickle Endowment Scholarship, and safety poster contest sponsorship.
• WECA Safety First Farm Rewiring ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program with WECA offering loans and grants up to $30,000 to assist dairy farmers with farm rewiring to meet current electrical code standards. WECA provides 30% grant up to $10,000; Riverland provides 70% loan up to $20,000 at 3% interest.
• 4 Control Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHerbicide application contractor based in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Applies EPA-registered herbicides following mechanical cutting or mowing for vegetation management along right-of-ways, consistent with Wisconsin state licensing guidelines.
• AnovarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBitcoin mining hosting company headquartered in Dallas, Texas (established in Delaware). Eight project sites with 22 mining containers deployed in Riverland territory with 44MW peak consumption. Anovary's fully dispatchable load helps improve Riverland's load factor and system efficiency. Riverland owns property leased to Anovary. Anovary has helped upgrade local electrical infrastructure.
• Federated Youth FoundationminorOthersAdministers unclaimed capital credit funds for scholarship and education programs when original owners cannot be located. Unclaimed capital credits are forfeited and assigned to the Foundation after notification period expires.
• Cooperative Response Center, Inc. (CRC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCall center handling overflow calls and outage reports after regular office hours. Manages text message outage reporting system and provides after-hours member support.
• MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional transmission organization managing the electric grid for 15 U.S. states and Manitoba, Canada. Dairyland Power Cooperative participates in MISO market, and Riverland's wholesale power costs are affected by MISO market prices. MISO declares Max Gen Alerts requiring load shedding to preserve system reliability.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Dairyland Power Cooperative: Generation and transmission cooperative that serves as Riverland's wholesale power supplier and 24 other distribution cooperatives across WI/MN/IA/IL. Operates in the same electric utility value chain but upstream (generation/transmission vs. distribution).

Direct peers

• Barron Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin rural electric cooperative serving Barron and surrounding counties. Same nonprofit cooperative structure, dairy-farming customer base, and Dairyland Power wholesale relationship.
• Pierce-Pepin Cooperative Services: Wisconsin member-owned electric cooperative serving Pierce and Pepin counties—Pepin County is partially within Riverland's service area. Similar scale, rural-agricultural customer base, and Dairyland Power wholesale supplier.
• Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving Adams and Columbia counties. Comparable scale, agricultural customer base, and Touchstone Energy cooperative-style operations.
• Dunn Energy Cooperative: Wisconsin member-owned electric cooperative serving Dunn, Chippewa, and Eau Claire counties—Eau Claire County overlaps with Riverland's territory. Same Dairyland Power wholesale supplier and Touchstone Energy affiliation.
• Oakdale Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin rural electric distribution cooperative serving Monroe and Juneau counties. Operates under the same cooperative governance model with electric distribution as its core business.
• Vernon Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin-based member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving rural Vernon and surrounding counties. Operates the same Touchstone Energy-affiliated cooperative model with comparable rate structures and dairy-farm-dominated service territory.
• Jackson Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin member-owned electric cooperative serving Jackson County, which overlaps with Riverland's service territory. Operates under the same cooperative structure and Dairyland Power wholesale arrangement.
• Tri-County Electric Cooperative: Electric distribution cooperative serving parts of La Crosse, Monroe, and Juneau counties in Wisconsin—just across the Mississippi from Riverland's territory. Same Dairyland Power Cooperative wholesale supplier and Touchstone Energy affiliation.
• Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin member-owned electric cooperative serving Polk and Burnett counties in northwestern Wisconsin. Comparable scale and rural distribution cooperative model with Touchstone Energy affiliation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoiZiY5nPM1ceqSbnqXVmdA
• Facebookfacebook.com/RiverlandEnergyCooperative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riverland-energy-co-op
• Instagraminstagram.com/riverland_energy_cooperative
• Xx.com/riverlandenergy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Riverland Energy Cooperative