Touchstone Energy® is an alliance of local, consumer-owned electric and energy utilities across the country, committed to providing superior service at affordable rates to all customers, large and small. Touchstone Energy was launched by electric cooperatives in 1998. Touchstone Energy cooperatives are dedicated to serving their customers with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.

Touchstone Energy --

• Is an alliance of more than 550 cooperatives in 38 states that collectively deliver power and energy solutions to more than 16 million customers every day.
  
  
• Is a brand that stands for the cooperative difference and the commitment cooperatives have made to provide superior customer service. This alliance helps unify these high standards among all participating cooperatives.
  
  
• Are cooperatives that are local, active members of their communities. Cooperatives are uniquely committed to their customers because they are owned by the consumers in their communities.
  
  
• Communicates the unique characteristics of electric cooperatives in a changing marketplace where cooperative values and differences matter more and more each day.
  
  
• Is a nationwide network that brings added value to and benefits for all customers while emphasizing the significance of each electric cooperative’s local presence and unique ties to the community.
  
  
• Is "The power of human connections® ."

Touchstone Energy cooperatives adhere to seven cooperative principles:

• Voluntary and open membership without discrimination
  
  
• Democratic member control
  
  
• Members’ economic participation
  
  
• Cooperative autonomy and independence
  
  
• Member education and training, and information to the general public
  
  
• Cooperation among cooperatives
  
  
• Concern for community

Touchstone Energy cooperatives actively promote their alliance. Among the nationwide sponsorships are:

• Touchstone Energy® 300 NASCAR race, Talladega, Ala., held at the Talladega SuperSpeedway, the world’s largest and most competitive racetrack.
  
  
• Touchstone Energy® Tucson Open PGA Golf Tournament, Tucson, Ariz. For this event, Touchstone Energy cooperatives have teamed up with the Tucson Conquistadores, a non-profit organization that promotes athletics among disadvantaged and disabled children, to raise money in support of hundreds of youth charities.
  
  
• Touchstone Energy® Heritage Center at the Norsk Høstfest, Minot, N.D. The Norsk Høstfest is an annual showcase of Scandinavian history and heritage that brings more than 60,000 people together from around the world.
  
  
• Touchstone Energy® Place at RiverCentre, St. Paul, Minn. This facility, named in 1999, attracts major national and international conferences.

Touchstone Energy cooperatives are committed to the development and well-being of their communities. Highlights from recent community efforts include:

• Touchstone Energy cooperatives of Minnesota have signed a 3-year contract with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to donate volunteer hours to spruce up state parks, produce a state park guide and build ten new information kiosks.

• Indiana's Daviess-Martin County REMC and its power supplier, Hoosier Energy, worked with state and local officials to bring a $271 million grain-milling plant to the southern region of the state. The Grain Processing Corporation created 140 new jobs and a market for locally grown corn. It also attracted new commercial businesses from related industries to the area, resulting in additional jobs.

• North Central Missouri Electric Cooperative (NCMEC) helped bring more than 2,200 jobs to Milan, Mo., and surrounding areas within two years, creating a competitive employment environment. For a growing community with a pre-existing housing shortage, NCMEC developed the Auburn Hills Subdivision project to address the single family housing needs, making it the first truly rural subdivision nationwide.

Touchstone Energy cooperatives’ commitment to community is also reflected in its involvement in philanthropic efforts:

• Colorado’s electric cooperatives sponsored the "Country Cares Radio-thon" in June 2000. The radio-thon raised over $106 million to benefit the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
  
  
• Over $500,000 was raised the February 2000 Touchstone Energy® Tucson Open, benefiting thousands of disadvantaged and disabled children.
  
  
• In conjunction with this year’s Touchstone Energy® 300, Touchstone Energy cooperatives supported efforts to raise $200,000 for the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.
  
  
• At every appearance of the Touchstone Energy® Hot Air Balloon at cooperative and community events across the country, a portion of the fees are donated to a local charity.