East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Northeast Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. Announce Merger
Combined organization will enhance reliability, reduce costs, and strengthen service to more than 400,000 rural consumers across East Texas and Louisiana
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NACOGDOCHES, TX – June 2, 2026 – East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ETEC) and Northeast Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NTEC) today announced the completion of their merger, creating a stronger, more efficient generation and transmission cooperative serving nine member distribution cooperatives across East Texas and Louisiana.
Effective June 1, 2026, the merged organization will operate under the East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. name and serve the following member distribution cooperatives:
Bowie-Cass Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Deep East Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Cherokee County Electric Cooperative Association
Houston County Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Rusk County Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation
Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Delivering Greater Value Through Cooperation
The merger represents a strategic alliance designed to benefit rural electric consumers throughout the region by leveraging the combined strengths of both cooperatives. The consolidation will reduce administrative and general costs, helping to mitigate electric rates for member-consumers.
Additionally, the merger will help achieve improved diversification and reduction of load, power supply, and hedging risks, strengthening the cooperative's overall risk management profile.
Operational improvements include better coordination of power supply and transmission
"This merger represents the cooperative principle at its finest," said A.J. Goff, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of ETEC. "By combining our resources and expertise, we are creating a more resilient organization that can better serve our member-consumers in an ever-changing energy landscape. This is about doing what's right for the consumers we serve—keeping costs down while maintaining the reliable power our members depend on every day."
Goff continued, "For nearly 40 years, ETEC has been committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable power to East Texas. This merger strengthens that commitment and positions us to meet the energy challenges of tomorrow while staying true to our not-for-profit, member-focused mission."
Continuing a Legacy of Service
Since ETEC's founding in 1987 and NTEC's establishment in 1972, both cooperatives have shared a common goal: providing exceptional electric service to rural communities. The merger builds upon decades of cooperation and creates operational synergies that will benefit member-consumers for generations to come.
What This Means for You
Member-consumers can expect the same reliable service and local support from their distribution cooperative. The merger occurs at the wholesale power supply level.
As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, ETEC exists solely to serve the best interests of its member-consumers. The combined organization will continue to invest in modern, efficient thermal facilities, pursue practical renewable energy solutions, and maintain the quality of life improvements that have been hallmarks of both cooperatives.
About East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc.
East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a private, independent generation and transmission electric cooperative providing long-term, reliable, and affordable wholesale electric power to member-consumers across rural areas of East Texas and Louisiana. As a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative, ETEC is committed to environmental stewardship, innovative energy solutions, and improving quality of life throughout the communities it serves.
planning, which will enhance service reliability and efficiency. The merger also creates improved financial leverage and working capital efficiencies, positioning the cooperative for long-term stability. Finally, member-consumers will benefit from a more coordinated and consolidated rate and billing structure, simplifying the overall service experience while maintaining the cooperative's commitment to affordability and transparency.
For more information, contact your local distribution cooperative or visit etec.coop.
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