Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative

What Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative does

Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative is a member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative serving approximately 2,843 owner-members across 544 miles of distribution line within a 380 square mile territory in western Lane County, Oregon. Founded in 1936 and headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, the cooperative is governed by a five-member elected board representing five geographic districts, with each member holding one vote. The cooperative purchases wholesale electricity from the Bonneville Power Administration and distributes it through its own infrastructure to residential, small commercial, and large industrial members under tiered usage-based rate structures.

The cooperative's core technology is its owned distribution network, supplemented by the NISC SmartHub member portal for account management, bill payment, and outage reporting, and a real-time outage map. Member-facing product modules extend beyond electricity distribution to include FlexPay prepaid service, Budget Billing averaging, Green Power renewable subscriptions sourced from the jointly developed Coffin Butte Resource Project, net metering for member-owned generation, energy efficiency rebates (windows, insulation, heat pumps, smart thermostats, appliances), the Blachly-Lane Energy Share (BLES) assistance program, a $5,000 trade school scholarship, and GenerLink portable generator rebates.

Revenue is generated primarily through usage-based electricity sales across residential, small commercial, and large industrial rate classes, with supplemental streams from green power subscriptions, new service construction fees, and capital credit allocations. As a cooperative, excess margins are not retained for shareholders but allocated to members as patronage capital and periodically retired; $634,118 was retired in December 2025 to members served in 2008-2009, bringing cumulative returns to $19,067,054 since 1937. In March 2026, Blachly-Lane executed a term sheet with PacifiCorp to acquire Monroe, Oregon's electric service territory, pending Oregon Public Utility Commission approval, which would represent the cooperative's first material territorial expansion.

Name

Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative

Website

https://blachlylane.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative is a member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative serving approximately 2,843 owner-members across 544 miles of distribution line in western Lane County, Oregon, operating since 1936 under democratic governance with margins returned as capital credits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Electric Distribution Utility

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Utilities (22)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI), Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), C&I Renewable Supply & Green Tariffs (Bundled RE, Sleeves, Utility Green Tariffs) (EUAGACAE)

Keywords

• Rural electric distribution
• Electric cooperative services
• Energy efficiency rebates
• Prepaid electricity programs
• Renewable energy subscriptions

Headquarters

HQ city

Eugene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electricity Sales: Revenue from providing electric service to 2,843 owner-members across residential, small commercial, and larger industrial member categories. Rates include tiered energy rates and second-meter discounts for residential and small commercial customers.
2. Green Power Program: Optional green power subscription program where members can support renewable energy by purchasing 100 or 1000 kWh blocks at $2.00 per 100 kWh or $15.00 per 1000 kWh, appearing as a separate line item on bills
3. Capital Credits: As a cooperative, excess margins are allocated to members as patronage capital. Capital credits help maintain and improve the electric system. After a period of time, capital credits are retired and paid back to members.
4. New Service Construction Fees: Application fees and construction costs for new electric service installations, including $250 application fee and cost estimates for site-specific engineering and construction work

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative distributes electricity to 2,843 owner-members across 544 miles of distribution line in 380 square miles of western Lane County, Oregon, under rate classes for residential, small commercial, and large industrial members. The cooperative supplements core distribution with member programs including SmartHub online account management, FlexPay prepaid electricity, Budget Billing, Green Power renewable energy subscriptions, net metering, energy efficiency rebates, the BLES energy assistance program, new service construction, and GenerLink generator interconnection rebates. Power is sourced wholesale from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

Product overview

Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative is a member-owned rural electric utility providing electricity distribution service to approximately 2,843 members across 544 miles of distribution line in western Lane County, Oregon. The cooperative operates as a single unified utility product supplemented by member-facing service modules including SmartHub online account management, FlexPay prepaid electricity, Budget Billing averaged payments, and Green Power renewable energy subscriptions. Additional programs include net metering for member-owned renewable generation, energy efficiency rebates for residential and commercial customers, the Blachly-Lane Energy Share (BLES) assistance program, trade school scholarships, GenerLink generator interconnection rebates, new service construction, and outage management services. The cooperative has proposed expanding its Monroe, Oregon service territory through acquisition from PacifiCorp.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electric Distribution Service Primary electricity distribution service delivering power to 2,843 owner-members across 544 miles of owned distribution line spanning 380 square miles of western Lane County, Oregon. Service is provided under tiered rate classes for residential, small commercial, and large industrial members, with power purchased wholesale from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).
• SmartHub Account Management
• FlexPay Prepaid Electricity Program Prepaid electricity service allowing members to purchase electricity in advance in amounts they choose with no monthly bills and no security deposit. Includes text, email, and phone alerts for low balance; minimum $25 to open.
• Budget Billing Program Averaged payment plan that levels out monthly electricity bills over 12 months to eliminate seasonal fluctuations. Requires 12-month billing history and a paid account.
• Green Power Renewable Energy Subscription Subscription-based renewable energy program supporting the Coffin Butte Resource Project biomass facility. Members purchase 100 kWh blocks at $2.00 or 1,000 kWh blocks at $15.00 per month, added as a separate line item on bills, with withdrawal available at any time.
• Net Metering Service Service for members who own renewable generation facilities (solar, hydro, wind) that measures net electricity consumption and credits excess generation at avoided-cost rates.
• Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Rebate program covering energy improvements including windows ($6-$8 per square foot), insulation, heat pumps, smart thermostats, and heat pump water heaters for residential and commercial members.
• Blachly-Lane Energy Share (BLES) Member Assistance Member assistance program providing a one-time $275 payment during a 12-month period for members facing energy cost difficulties who meet income guidelines and have 12 months of membership. Funded by member and employee donations.
• New Electric Service Construction New electric service installation service covering site consultation, engineering design, trench inspection, and construction. Requires a $250 application fee and electrical permit.
• Outage Management and Real-Time Outage Map Member service providing real-time outage tracking via an interactive map, 24/7 outage reporting via phone and SmartHub, and safety information for severe weather and wildfire conditions.
• GenerLink Generator Interconnection Program Program supporting the GenerLink portable generator transfer device that allows members to safely connect generators to home wiring. Includes a $500 instant rebate for qualifying members with at least one year of service and 2S meter/200 Amp service.

Quantifiable outcome

• Returned $19,067,054 in capital credits to members since 1937
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PacifiCorpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Executed term sheet for PacifiCorp to transfer its electric service in Monroe, Oregon to Blachly-Lane. Proposed expansion would bring Monroe into Blachly-Lane's service territory pending Oregon Public Utility Commission approval.
• Emerald PUDminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2025Partnership on Alderwood Line Rebuild Project where Emerald PUD collaborated on the major infrastructure upgrade that improved reliability and reduced outages for Blachly-Lane members.
• Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2025Power supplier providing wholesale electricity to Blachly-Lane. The 2026 rate increase reflects higher wholesale power costs entering a new rate period with BPA.
• Coffin Butte Resource Project (Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen power generation facility near Corvallis, Oregon built jointly by Blachly-Lane and approximately a dozen other electric cooperatives. Biomass from landfill creates methane gas to fuel generators producing over 5 megawatts of electricity 24/7, serving approximately 4,000 homes.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational brand identity alliance of 750+ local consumer-owned electric cooperatives serving 30 million members. Blachly-Lane operates under Touchstone Energy brand with access to Co-op Connections Card program offering 32,000+ local and national discounts.
• Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative (PNGC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPower generation cooperative partner listed among cooperative organizations supporting Blachly-Lane's operations.
• Federated InsuranceminorOthersInsurance provider for cooperatives offering coverage tailored to electric cooperative operations and risk management needs.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association representing consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing advocacy, education, and business support services.
• Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association representing Oregon's electric cooperatives, with Executive Director Ted Case speaking at Blachly-Lane's 2026 annual meeting.
• Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional association providing training, education, and resources for public power utilities in the Northwest.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Central Lincoln People's Utility District: Oregon consumer-owned electric utility serving the central Oregon coast. Comparable as a regulated Oregon electric distribution PUD with similar BPA wholesale supply relationship, member/rate-payer governance, and rural service characteristics.
• Consumers Power Inc. Oregon member-owned electric cooperative serving parts of the Willamette Valley and coast. Comparable in cooperative structure, member ownership, and rural distribution focus, providing a useful benchmark for member services, capital credit practices, and rate design.
• Tillamook People's Utility District: Consumer-owned electric distribution utility on the Oregon coast. Comparable Oregon PUD with similar distribution-only model, BPA wholesale power reliance, and small-customer rural service territory. Touchstone Energy-affiliated.
• Emerald People's Utility District: Neighboring consumer-owned electric distribution utility also serving Lane County, Oregon. Directly comparable in scale, customer model, and Oregon Public Utility Commission regulation. Blachly-Lane already partnered with Emerald PUD on the Alderwood Line Rebuild Project, underscoring operational similarity.
• Salem Electric Cooperative: Small member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving areas around Salem, Oregon. Closely comparable in size, member count scale, Oregon regulatory framework, and Touchstone Energy affiliation.

Others

• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives: National brand alliance of 750+ consumer-owned electric cooperatives. Blachly-Lane operates under the Touchstone Energy brand, accessing shared marketing, Co-op Connections Card program, and collective resources. Comparable as the network/ecosystem Blachly-Lane participates in, rather than a direct distribution competitor.
• Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative (PNGC): Generation and transmission cooperative serving Blachly-Lane and other Pacific Northwest electric cooperatives. While not a distribution peer, PNGC is a relevant industry counterpart that provides wholesale power and transmission services to cooperatives of similar size and member-owned structure.

Direct peers

• Lane Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative also serving portions of Lane County, Oregon. Most directly comparable peer in size, governance model, and service territory type (rural Lane County). Operates under the same OPUC regulatory framework and Touchstone Energy network.
• Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative on the southern Oregon coast. Directly comparable as a small rural Oregon electric cooperative with similar BPA wholesale supply, member governance, and capital credit allocation practices.
• West Oregon Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving western Oregon including parts of Columbia, Washington, Yamhill, and Tillamook counties. Closely comparable in cooperative structure, member services portfolio (SmartHub, budget billing, green power), and rural distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blachlylane
• Facebookfacebook.com/blachly.lane

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative