About BEC

Barron Electric, formed in 1936, is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative that purchases all of its power from Dairyland Power. Most of the areas we serve are located in Barron and Washburn counties; however, we also serve portions of Sawyer, Dunn, Chippewa, Rusk, Polk, and Burnett counties. To maintain reliability, we annually clear over 200 miles of right-of-way and replace 150-200 poles. Safety is a priority at Barron Electric. We have presented more than 100 high voltage demonstrations to over 12,000 students. We are committed to the communities we serve and donate and actively participate in several local organizations.

Our Mission Statement

"Barron Electric Cooperative is a member-owned business that provides energy, products, and services to improve the quality of life in the area we serve."

Our Environmental Statement

Barron Electric Cooperative is committed to improving the quality of the environment and contributing to the overall economic and social health of its service territory. The cooperative is dedicated to continued stewardship, as well as investing in technology that protects the environment, adheres to sound management practices, and ensures the health and safety of its employees and members.

Facts about Barron Electric

Square Miles	2,052
Miles of line	3,055
Townships	61
Counties	8
Members	17,600+
Substations	15
Miles of ROW cleared in 2007	240
New services in 2007	294

Our History

December 16, 1935: First Barron County mass meeting was held to explore the feasibility of organizing an electric co-op

January 16, 1936: First preliminary work plan, with 186 miles of line mapped and 608 signed members, was submitted to state office

April 17, 1936: First application was submitted to REA for loan funds in the amount of $195,000

August 5, 1936: First REA loan was approved for Barron Electric

August 17, 1936: Barron County Electric Cooperative was formally organized

November 22, 1937: First section of line energized, consisting of 86 miles of line to 125 connected members

1949: Barron Electric became first Wisconsin REC to gain 5,000 members

1964: Membership reached 7,500

1980: Average farm and residential member used 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month for the first time

1985: Golden Anniversary of Rural Electrification

1992: Barron Electric sponsored the first annual Tour de Color Bike Ride

1998: Barron Electric hosted the first district meeting to help improve levels of electrical and customer service.

1999: Utilities worked together on the potential Year 2000 computer issue, also known as Y2K.

2000:

Barron Electric connected service to the 15,000th member
Barron Electric and Country Pride formed Country Comfort, a limited liability company offering propane. In December, Goldstar and Shell Lake Cooperative joined Country Comfort.

2003: Barron Electric has record number of new services (478)

2005: Groundbreaking started for the new headquarters, located just north of the Barron County Justice Center

2006: The new headquarters was completed April 1.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Even though Barron Electric Cooperative is no longer a recipient of federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we do abide by Wisconsin law, the federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture Policy. The Department of Agriculture Policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and other factors. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).

The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts in regard to the Department of Agriculture policies is Kenneth A. Petersen, General Manager of Barron Electric Cooperative. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination, contrary to the rules of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, may file a written complaint with this organization or the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Such complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discriminatory action, or by such later date to which the Secretary of Agriculture extends the time for filing. Identity of complainants will be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Additionally, Barron Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer, as defined under other federal and state laws, for all employees and candidates for employment. We support and are committed to fully cooperating in the implementation of applicable laws and executive orders in all of our employment policies, practices and decisions.

Pursuant to federal and state anti-discrimination laws, there shall be no discrimination against any person based upon race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, arrest or conviction record, ancestry, membership in the national guard, state defense force or reserves, age, disability, or status as a special disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era or in any other manner prohibited under federal or state law, in any personnel action including recruitment, selection, placement, training, compensation, or terms and conditions of employment.

All employees are expected to comply with this policy. All managers and/or supervisors who are responsible for meeting business objectives are expected to cooperate fully in meeting our equal opportunity objectives.

It is the special commitment of Barron Electric Cooperative to comply with all equal opportunity laws and principals.

Questions or concerns in regard to our affirmative action programs may be referred to Barron Electric Cooperative’s General Manager, Kenneth A. Petersen, who has also been designated as the Cooperative’s Compliance Officer.