Cooperative Identity

About Blue Mountain Power Co-op - History and Values
Who we are

About Us

Blue Mountain Power Co-op is an electric power distribution service provider with over 70 years of experience in providing dependable power to over 3800 rural sites across west-central Alberta. We proudly provide electric power services to rural residential, agricultural, and commercial members. As of 2020, we’ve expanded to serve rural industry and oil & gas companies.

Starting in 1952 as Rocky Rural Electrification Association (Rocky REA), the organization has since amalgamated with Lockhart REA in 1999 and Horseguard REA in 2005. Blue Mountain Power Co-op adopted the trade name in 2019 and has grown over the years to become a diverse and dynamic power cooperative serving members throughout our service area, which spans a large portion of Clearwater County and into Lacombe County, Ponoka County, and Red Deer County.

As a member-owned cooperative, we are owned by those we serve. Delivering power to rural communities allows us to contribute to the collective prosperity and wellbeing of our members and our community. We are committed to providing timely, efficient, and cost-effective power distribution; with skilled professionals, rigorous safety standards, and proven history of meeting our commitments.

We believe that operating under a cooperative framework, in combination with sound business practices, is the best way to deliver unparalleled value to our members.

Industries We Serve

Residential Power

Residential

Rural based and rural focused, we expedite new power installation timelines while working hard to keep rural residential energy rates affordable.
Agricultural Power

Agricultural

Built in the 1950s by farmers for farmers, Blue Mountain is still the choice provider to help argi-business, ranch, and farm members save money.
Oil & Gas Power

Oil & Gas

Proven past and future-ready, with flexible offerings geared to meet the distinctive power needs of small to medium-sized oilfield operations.
Commercial/Industrial Power

Commercial

Save money every month with our Wholesale Rate – great for campgrounds, RV storage lots, as well as welding, industrial, and construction shops.
Why we exist

Our Mission

Empowering members with reliable energy

What we aspire to

Our Vision

To brighten our member’s future

The Fabric of Our Organization

Our Core Values

  • Community
  • Members
  • Environment
  • Safety
We believe in giving back to the communities in which our members live and work. We support our community through several initiatives, including annual academic scholarships, donations to community and youth groups, participation in local programs, and support of the causes championed by our staff members. We also partner with local companies and contractors whenever possible.
We put people before profit. As a cooperative, we were built by and belong to the member-owners we serve. Thus, our members are at the core of everything we do. Unlike corporations that exist to generate revenue for shareholders, we exist because of and for our members. Our purpose is to provide our members with safe, reliable, environmentally sensitive, and cost-effective power services.
                              We are committed to conducting our business in an environmentally sensitive manner. In addition to incorporating ecologically sustainable practices in our operations, we offer our members access to green energy programs and information while also pursuing green opportunities that can enhance our organization. Our interest is in providing you access to power – sustainably and safely.
We foster a culture of safety within Blue Mountain Power Co-op by training our employees to recognize risk, protect themselves and others, and promote safe work practices. The safety of our members, our staff, and our natural environment is crucial, which is why we are committed to helping our members understand power safety and work around power lines. We have an excellent safety track record, with external audit scores consistently above 90%. In addition, we are COR certified.
What is a cooperative?

Our Cooperative Identity

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. As a cooperative, we are guided by the Cooperative Values and Cooperative Principles of the movement.

Cooperatives are based on these

Cooperative Values

Self-help
Self-responsibility
Democracy

Equality
Solidarity
Honesty

Openness
Social Responsibility
Caring for others

Guidelines we operate by

Cooperative Principles

1. Voluntary & Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Those serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In most cooperatives, members have equal voting rights – one member, one vote. Cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
3. Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. Members allocate surpluses to purposes such as: developing the cooperative, setting up reserves, benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative, and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy & Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training & Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
Blue Mountain Power Cooperative Principles

Recent Announcements

Members are free to purchase electricity services from a retailer of their choice.
For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta).