“All-in” rate

We operate on a cost-based, non-for-profit basis, and are democratically governed by our members. Our wholesale rate is set by our board of directors,

Since our founding, Tri-State has leveraged our combined size and competencies to efficiently provide our members with a wide range of important services and benefits beyond our reliable and affordable power generation and transmission. These services not only add value, but also reduce the complex financial, market, operational, and regulatory risks of supplying power.

• The financial benefits of the cooperative business model are fully realized from membership in the association, from annually allocating margins and returning capital to our members to member governance of our costs and rates.
• Our multi-state, interconnected transmission network is specifically built and managed to serve the needs of our member systems, and we offer a wide range of transmission, ancillary services , planning, reliability, maintenance and repair services to members to ensure appropriate support.
• Our energy management function optimizes our resource mix with our members in mind, a constant focus on managing costs and options for both association- and member-generated renewable energy.
• Tri-State’s policy and compliance support helps members manage and reduce the regulatory and compliance costs associated with reliability standards, operation and transmission, and renewable energy standards. We also actively represent and protect member interests on a range of state and federal legislative and regulatory issues.
• We provide a variety of member relations, communications, purchasing, and education and training products and programs to members, and facilitate specific engagement through Member Advisory Councils on Communications, Distributed and Renewable Generation, and IT/Cybersecurity.
• Finally, our research and development program provides our members with information, access to experts and involvement in cutting-edge research programs, including the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Without these association benefits, members would need to self-provide or contract these necessary services, meaning higher costs and inconvenience. They continue to see that it’s smarter to take on these challenges as an association rather than individually.