Birch Energy Co-op, "A Pioneer Species!"


Mission Statement


Birch Energy Co-operative aims to achieve the highest degree of environmental responsibility through its business practices. Continued research demonstrates that our world's energy must be created from clean and renewable sources in order to obtain a healthy and prosperous future.
Birch Energy Co-op firmly believes that our energy must be directly owned by the people in order to most effectively empower citizens to make responsible and ethical choices. The co-operative business model best matches this vision and thus is reason that this Co-op was created in this manner. The reason that co-operatives are so well-matched for an energy company is because all members have an equal share, equal vote, and own an equal share in revenues generated. See below for more information on the co-operative business model.

Co-operative Business Model

Birch Energy Co-op is proudly guided, like other co-operatives, by seven key principles (CCAa 2009):
    1. Voluntary and open membership
    2. Democratic member control
    3. Member economic participation
    4. Autonomy and independence
    5. Education, training, and information
    6. Co-operation among co-operatives
    7. Concern for community

If you would like to know even more about the co-operative business model please feel free to read an informative PDF produced by the Canadian Co-operative Association.

References
CCAa. (2009). http://www.coopscanada.coop/en/about_co-operative/about_co-ops