Touchstone Energy®

Columbia REA is proud to be a Touchstone Energy member. 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.

As of 2008, the Touchstone Energy alliance of more than 640 electric cooperatives in 46 states collectively delivers power and energy solutions to more than 30 million customers every day. It 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.

Touchstone Cooperatives are:

• Active members of their communities.
• Committed to their customers because their customers own them.
• Communicating the unique characteristics of electric cooperatives in a changing marketplace where cooperative values and differences matter more and more each day.
• A nationwide network that brings added value and benefits to all customers while emphasizing the significance of each electric cooperative’s local presence and unique ties to the community.

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives adhere to seven cooperative principles:

1. Voluntary and open membership without discrimination
2. Democratic member control
3. Members’ economic participation
4. Cooperative autonomy and independence
5. Member education and training, and information to the general public
6. Cooperation among cooperatives
7. Concern for community

To learn more about your Touchstone Energy Cooperative go to: www.touchstoneenergy.com