M & A Electric Power Cooperative is a vital part of many Southeast Missouri communities.
Farms, homes and businesses across eighteen counties receive energy from one of the four distribution cooperatives we serve. The member-owners of the distribution cooperatives create the demand for safe, reliable and affordable energy.
Our energy is produced in many different ways. Cooperatives work very hard and have made significant investments to provide power from cleaner burning coal, natural gas and also from renewable energy sources like wind and hydroelectric.
Voluntary and 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.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Autonomy and 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.
Education, Training, and 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.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national, and international structures.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
May 14, 1948
Twenty-seven Cooperative members from Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas recognized the need for Generation and Transmission of electrical power and met to organize M & A Electric Power Cooperative on May 14, 1948, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The State of Missouri issued the Certificate of Incorporation on May 17, 1948.
1970
M & A Electric Power Cooperative built 58 miles of the first REA financed 345 kV line in the United States.
1980
M & A Electric Power Cooperative acted as agent to AECI in the construction of 52 miles of the first 500 kV line built by an electric cooperative in the United States.
1993
M & A Electric Power Cooperative acted as agent for AECI in the construction of an interconnecting Tennesseee Valley Authority (TVA) 161 kV line across the Mississippi River. This line is suspended from two 350 foot towers, one on each bank of the river, supporting a free span of 3,588 feet.
2025
M & A Electric Power Cooperative partners with Associated Electric Cooperative Inc (AECI) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to add a second 161 kV line, spanning the Mississippi River. This additional line will allow energy flow to support members and maintain strategic ties to neighboring utilities, strengthening the grid.
Founding & Organization
M & A Electric Power Cooperative was organized on May 14, 1948 by twenty-seven incorporators representing Distribution Cooperatives in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. This is how the "M & A" (Missouri & Arkansas) name was chosen for this new Generation and Transmission Cooperative. None of the Arkansas Cooperatives ever received power from M & A and some of the Missouri Cooperatives did not receive power either. Today, M & A serves four Distribution Cooperatives energizing all or parts of eighteen counties across Southeastern Missouri.
Board of Directors Membership
M & A's Board of Directors is made up of two members from each Distribution Cooperative and two members representing Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI), Springfield, Missouri. All M & A Board Members come from Distribution Cooperatives where they also serve as Member Directors. The Board is the Governing Body, setting rates, as well as, setting Policy for all aspects of cooperative operations.
Service Area
M & A serves four Member Distribution Cooperatives in all or parts of eighteen Counties across Southeast Missouri. M & A provides service in two geographically notable areas of Missouri. Service is provided in the area of the highest point in Missouri, Taum Sauk Mountain (elev. 1,772 ft), and the lowest point in Missouri (elev. 230 feet) which is located in the Bootheel region along the St. Francis River border with Arkansas.
Power Supply
M & A is an "all requirements" Member/Owner of Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.(AECI),. This agreement is effective through May 31, 2050. AECI was organized in 1961 by M & A in cooperation with five other Missouri Generation and Transmission (G & T) Cooperatives. AECI was created to supply the power generation needs of the six G & T Cooperatives.
Transmission Line
M & A owns and operates 773 miles of energized 69 kV line, 149 miles of 161 kV line, 47.5 miles of 34.5 kV line and 58 miles of 345 kV line. We also operate and maintain 125 miles of 345 kV line and 46 miles of 500 kV line for Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.,(AECI). We own and operate 84 substations and also operate and maintain a 161 kV/345 kV/500 kV substation for AECI at the New Madrid Power Plant.
AECI reimburses M & A for all expenses relating to 161 kV, 345 kV and 500 kV facilities through the M & A/AECI Joint Facility Agreement. In this manner, all AECI Member/Owners share the expenses of operating the high voltage transmission system, regardless of the location of the facility.
Mailing:
PO Box 670
Poplar Bluff, MO 63902-0670
Shipping:
4169 Highway PP
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
(Shipping Address Map)
Email: webmaster@maelectric.com
Phone: (573) 785-9651
Fax: (573) 785-9653
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