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As late as the mid-1930s, nine out of 10 rural homes were without electric service. The farmer milked his cows by hand in the dim light of a kerosene lantern. His wife was a slave to the wood range and washboard.

The unavailability of electricity in rural areas kept their economies entirely and exclusively dependent on agriculture. Factories and businesses, of course, preferred to locate in cities where electric power was easily acquired. For many years, power companies ignored the rural areas of the nation.

The first official action of the federal government pointing the way to the present rural electrification program came with the passage of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Act in May 1933. This act authorized the TVA Board to construct transmission lines to serve “farms and small villages that are not otherwise supplied with electricity at reasonable rates.”

Rural Electrification Administration

The idea of providing federal assistance to accomplish rural electrification gained ground rapidly when President Roosevelt took office in 1933. On May 11, 1935, Roosevelt signed Executive Order No. 7037 establishing the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). It was not until a year later that the Rural Electrification Act was passed and the lending program that became the REA got underway.

Within months, it became evident to REA officials that established investor-owned utilities were not interested in using federal loan funds to serve sparely populated rural areas. But loan applications from farmer-based cooperatives poured in, and REA soon realized electric cooperatives would be the entities to make rural electrification a reality.

In 1937, the REA drafted the Electric Cooperative Corporation Act, a model law that states could adopt to enable the formation and operation of not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives.

That is where Tri-County Electric Cooperative's story begins!  Click here to learn more about our cooperative's story!

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To pay your bill you may visit our office, pay over the phone at (800)244-5151 or click here to pay online using our convenient SmartHub app!

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If you have a tree that is close to the line, please notify us so that we can safely trim or remove the hazard tree.

Tree Trim/Removal Request

There are so many convenient ways to sign up for service!  Sign up online, in the office or over the phone by calling (800) 244-5151.  

Apply for Service Online

Contact us if you would like to have a security light installed, repaired or removed.  You can submit your request online or call (800)244-5151.

Security Light Request
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Mt. Vernon Office 
Tri-County Electric Cooperative
3906 W. Broadway
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

Salem Office 
1631 E. Main St. 
Salem, IL 62881

Phone: 1-800-244-5151
Fax: 618-244-1496

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©2022 Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. Your Touchstone Energy Partner

  • My Cooperative
    • About My Cooperative
    • How Did Cooperatives Begin?
    • Member Information Guide
    • Your Board of Directors
  • My Electric Service
    • Apply For Service
    • Budget Billing
    • FAQ's
    • Meter Loop Specifications
    • Pay Your Bill Online
    • Payment Options
    • Solar Energy
    • Understanding Your Bill
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Security Lights
  • Member Services
    • Member Services & Programs
      • Co-ops Vote
    • $1 Water Heater Program
    • Energy Audits
    • Capital Credits
    • Equipment Financing Program
    • Geothermal Financing Program
    • Swap-A-Tree
    • Air Evac
    • Building the Home of Your Dreams
    • Energy Efficiency Resources
    • Co-op Connections
  • Meter Loops/Security Lights
    • Meter Loop Pricing
    • Security Lighting
  • Hi-Lites Newsletter
  • Annual Meeting
  • My Community
    • Touchstone Energy Classroom Empowerment Grants
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Tour
  • Safety
    • Outage Safety
    • Forestry Clearance
    • Safety Luncheon
    • Electrical Safety
  • Contact Us