Eighty-five years ago, a group of determined, rural residents united in their cause to bring electricity to their homes and farms. Neighboring investor-owned utilities could see no profit in serving rural areas, so local farmers and rural residents banded together to form what today is known as Western Indiana Energy Rural Electric Membership Corporation (WIN Energy REMC).
WIN Energy REMC was formed October 1, 1997, with the merger of Knox and Sullivan County REMC's. The heritage of WIN Energy REMC dates back to 1939 when both Knox and Sullivan County REMC's were incorporated.
WIN Energy REMC is a distribution utility; we do not generate our own electricity. Our power is purchased from Hoosier Energy REC located in Bloomington, Indiana, which is also a cooperative. Hoosier Energy is a Generating and Transmission Supplier, which is owned and controlled by eighteen rural electric cooperatives; seventeen in the south and central parts of Indiana and one in southern Illinois.
The REMC has historically acted as an 'energy source' to spur economic growth in our communities and to create a better style of living. Our mission is to provide safe and reliable electric service to our members.
As a member of this cooperative, you have the right and responsibility to attend the annual meeting each year where business of the corporation is detailed and discussed. As a member, you have the right to vote and elect fellow members to the cooperative's board of directors at the yearly meeting. You also have the responsibility to protect REMC property and advise the office about any damage to cooperative property or dangerous conditions you may observe.
View the video below to find out more about how electric cooperatives were started and the principles that your cooperative was founded on.