About Us
Founded in 1938, Salem Electric (SE) is a not-for-profit electric cooperative. Unlike investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives provide electricity to their consumer-members at cost. Reliable, renewable, electricity is distributed to members throughout our 17.5 square mile service territory.
Strength in Reliability & Sustainability
We are proud to report that in 2024, our average outage time per member was just 19.66 minutes, compared to the state and national medians of over 200 minutes.
Our verified carbon-free purchases for 2024 were an impressive 88.6%, with the majority sourced from hydropower. Beneficial electrification is especially effective in the Pacific Northwest, thanks to the hydropower system that energizes the grid with clean, carbon-free electricity.
Our Goals
5 key goals guide our business decisions.
1
Reliable Service
2
Good Customer Relations
3
Good Employee Relations
4
Financial Integrity
5
Low Rates
41.48
minutes
Average outage time per member in 2025
88.7%
Verified carbon-free purchases in 2025
Help advocate for affordable rates and reliable service.
Together we can make a difference – learn how your voice can be heard and visit our Your Cooperative – Your Voice page.
Community Focused
Salem Electric is committed to the communities we serve by providing scholarships, member assistance, donations, and electrical safety education. SE employees are members of your community who volunteer hundreds of hours annually to local organizations. To learn more about our community initiatives and how we’re making a difference, visit our Community section.
Board of Directors for Salem Electric
Board members play an important role in the cooperative. They serve on behalf of the membership to provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Board meetings are held monthly and members are welcome to attend.
Board InformationBusiness Operations
Salem Electric, a 501(c)(12) not-for-profit cooperative, provides detailed insights into its financial and operational status through its Annual Report & Statistical Information.
Salem Electric operates under the 501(c)(12) not-for-profit status.
The cooperative’s rates are set by a 7-member board of directors, elected by its membership.
Rates are designed to cover operational costs, loan payments, and maintain an emergency reserve.
At year-end, operating expenses are deducted from the operating revenue to determine the operating margin.
Operating margins are allocated to members as capital credits, based on their purchases from the cooperative.
For more details on how our cooperative functions, please refer to the following corporate documents:
Employment Opportunities
Salem Electric is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis, including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual preference. Visit our Careers page for Salem Electric job openings.
All Cooperative Businesses Adhere to 7 Guiding Principles
1. Open and Voluntary Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Members’ Economic Participation
4. Autonomy and Independence
5. Education, Training, and Information
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community
About Electric Cooperatives
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association provided the following educational videos to help co-op members learn more about how co-ops began and what it means to be part of the grid.
The Electric Cooperative Story
This entertaining video features a fast-action, hand-drawn guide to the history, structure, and purpose of rural electric cooperatives.
The Electric Grid Connects Us All
The electric grid is a complex system of power plants, transmission lines, substations, and distribution lines that transmit electric power from the place where it’s generated all the way to electric co-op members at the end of the line.