Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative (YVEC) is a private, non-profit electric cooperative supplying electricity to members/owners in Yellowstone, Stillwater, Carbon, Big Horn, Musselshell, and Treasure Counties in Montana. The cooperative is governed by a 7-member Board of Trustees, elected by our members.
Mission Statement
At Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative we provide our members with safe, reliable, affordable power and excellent service, with a focus on the success of our membership and communities we serve.
Fast Facts
23458
Meters
2706
Miles of Line
10000
square miles of service territory
7
Member Board of Trustees
CEO Welcome
“Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative is not just the place I work, it is a fiber in the fabric of who I am. I’ve spent my entire career at this amazing cooperative. From summer help, to groundman, apprentice, journeyman lineman, marketing, assistant manager, and finally CEO, I’ve not only learned the literal “nuts and bolts” of the business, I’ve grown up here.
None of this happens without the thoughtful, helping hand of so many great co-workers, both past and present. To say we have a family environment here is truly an understatement. We all know and appreciate being part of something bigger. Here to serve the members, stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and help ensure the communities we serve are bright, healthy, and thriving. We don’t just provide power; we empower our members to improve their lives.”
Brandon Wittman
CEO & General Manager
History
February 23, 1937
13 people gathered in Attorney G.C. Cisel’s office in Billings and formed Yellowstone Valley Electric Association (now Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative).
April 1, 1937
First loan with Rural Electrification Administration (REA) $155,000 at 3% to build 132 miles of line
December 24, 1937
First members in Lockwood receive electrical service from YVEC
January 11, 1938
First Annual Meeting held in Huntley; 87 members were present.
1948
Original office building in Huntley expanded and remodelled
1977 to 1978
Service Center built by Highway 312 and the Yellowstone River
1979
YVEC surpasses 100,000,000 kWh in sales
1992
YVEC grows to more than 10,000 meters
10,000+
2000
New headquarters building opens
2005
YVEC surpasses 15,000 meters and 200,000,000 kWh in sales
2018
YVEC grows to more than 20,000 meters
20,000+
2021
YVEC sells more than 300,000,000 kWh
2022
Service Center is expanded and remodelled including the pole yard
2024
YVEC surpasses 23,000 meters
23,000+
Member Owned & Operated
Those that receive electric service from YVEC become member/owners of this Cooperative.
The cooperative is equally owned by all the members it serves.
Each member has 1 vote in electing the Board of Trustees. The board meets monthly to govern co-op activities.
Day-to-day activities are overseen by a board-appointed general manager.
Rates are set for system operation and maintenance, not profit. Overages are allocated back to our members as capital credits.
We provide a variety of member services to help our members and the surrounding community.
Power Generation
Our Cooperative does not generate any power. All power requirements are purchased through the Western Area Power Administration and Basin Electric Power Cooperative and distributed through our G & T, Central Montana Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.