What is Touchstone Energy? | Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative

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SIEC 75 YEAR ANNIVERSARY....The Cooperative Purpose

Imagine if you will, what it must have been like after dark in the farms and small towns of southern Illinois 75 years ago...before there was power...before there was electricity. But that was all about to change, and change it did, when farmers and rural families banded together to shine a light on the need to turn the on the lights in rural America. WATCH VIDEO HERE. (photo courtesy of NRECA)

2013 Youth Tour

Attention Local High School Juniors: Are you interested in receiving a $1,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. next summer? Details are coming soon to your school.

Click here for application.

Generator Safety

During long-term power outages, many rely on portable generators for emergency power. The growing popularity of portable electric generators has resulted in millions being placed in homes and small businesses across the nation. But, it's estimated only a small percentage is hooked up correctly. Safe Electricity and SIEC urge members to understand the proper safety steps that must be taken.

Read more by clicking the safety tab on the menu to the left.

(Photo courtesy of SIEC Dir. Admin & Finance Chris Bennett)

What is Touchstone Energy?

Remember Rural Electrification Administration (REA)? Sixty years ago, REA made such an impact on Rural America that co-ops are still known by the "REA" name. REA stood for service, good value, fairness and a caring way of doing business. Although the REA's involvement with the co-ops has decreased over the years, today we're building on the REA program with a modern brand, one that encompasses co-op values and traditions, yet communicates a vision for the future. The co-ops' new brand for today and beyond is Touchstone Energy.

alt Touchstone Energy encompasses an alliance of more than 720 electric cooperatives from across the country - co-ops that have united to educate today's members about co-ops and the benefits they offer.

The brand's tagline is "The Power of Human Connections," and it recognizes the strength of co-op employees' relationship to their members and their community.

Four values are the foundation of every Touchstone Energy© cooperative's service to its members:

Innovation
Accountability
Integrity
Commitment to Community

SIEC is associated with several Touchstone Energy Programs such as:

* TogetherWeSave.com (www.togetherwesave.com)

* Kids Super Energy Saver Classroom Kits (www.touchstoneenergykids.com)

* Online Kids Zone (www.touchstoneenergykids.com)

* Home Energy Savings Guide - click for pdf

* Commercial Energy Savings Guide - click for pdf

* Classroom Empowerment Grants (see Scholarships/Grants Programs link)

* Discovery Education Get Charged! Program

* Lite 4 Bite (Local Food Pantry Awareness) Click here for details

* Sites Across America (www.sitesacrossamerica.com)