2025 SCECEP Scorecard Methodology

Electric cooperatives fundamentally differ from other utility providers because they are owned by the members they serve. This means there is great potential for member-owners to engage their cooperatives in ways that encourage increased affordability, and access to clean energy and energy efficiency programs in their communities. However, the extent to which these member-owners truly influence cooperative decisions is often unclear. Evaluating the governance practices of electric cooperatives is crucial to ensuring that they operate transparently, democratically, and in the best interest of their members. One of the purposes of SCECEP’s Electric Cooperative scorecard is to do just that.

The primary, or most often used avenue for member participation in cooperative governance is through voting for board directors. However, many cooperatives face challenges such as uncontested elections, and limited access to the voting process, resulting in long-term incumbents who may or may not work to serve and prioritize the best interest of members or the environment. These factors can hinder democratic participation and limit opportunities for new candidates to bring fresh perspectives to the board. Beyond voting, member-owners often encounter barriers to meaningful involvement, such as restricted access to co-op bylaws, limited communication with board members, or a lack of transparency around board meetings and financial information.

To address these issues, a scoring system was developed to assess the governance practices and financial transparency of electric cooperatives in the region.* The methodology focuses on criteria that reflect how accessible, open, and democratic the cooperatives are. If bylaws or key information were unavailable or withheld, the cooperative received a score of zero for related questions. Points were awarded for the satisfaction of listed criteria based on the information we could access.  As a rule, governance questions were scored on a binary “Yes” (full points) or “No” (zero points) basis to ensure objectivity. *In the exceptional instance that only partial credit is justified, there are notes that clearly explain why and how points were assigned.

Scoring Criteria and Methodology:

  1. Board Meeting Transparency (10 points)
    • Are board meetings open to members with clear information on dates, location, and agenda?
    • Do the bylaws grant members the right to attend and speak at board meetings?
    • Are meeting minutes or recordings available online?
  2. Member Communication (10 points)
    • Are there additional avenues for communication, such as town hall meetings, online forums, etc., for members to engage with the board?
    • Is direct contact information for board directors provided online?
  3. Access to Bylaws (10  points)
    • Are the cooperative’s bylaws readily available on the co-op’s website?
  4. Democratic Control of Bylaws (10 points)
    • Do the bylaws allow members to propose amendments?
    • Are bylaw amendments subject to a membership vote?
  5. Election Fairness and Accessibility (10 points)
    • Are multiple voting methods allowed (e.g., in-person, early)?
    • Are election results verified by an independent third party or a designated committee?

By assessing these categories, the scoring system highlights the strengths and opportunities for growth within each cooperative’s governance. This approach not only fosters accountability but also equips member-owners with critical insights into how their cooperative operates. Ultimately, such evaluations aim to promote more democratic, transparent, and member-driven cooperatives across South Carolina.

Electric cooperatives play a vital role in rural areas by creating jobs, attracting new businesses, and investing heavily in energy infrastructure, cooperative programs, and local charities. With access to significant federal and state funding, cooperatives have the potential to implement programs that can substantially improve the quality of life for their members.

Key Member Services and Challenges

  1. Energy Efficiency Programs
    Energy Efficiency opportunities like the Help My House Program may offer members the chance to improve their homes’ energy efficiency without upfront costs. Members repay the investment through their monthly electric bill, with energy savings exceeding repayment costs, leading to a net reduction in bills. Community solar programs provide rural households access to clean, renewable energy without the financial burden of installation, reducing energy costs and waste. These programs are critical for addressing the higher energy burden—defined as the percentage of income spent on energy bills—that rural and low-income households often face.
    However, barriers such as high “fixed fees” (basic utility charges) can reduce the financial incentive for members to adopt energy-saving measures or solar energy. These fees are often not clearly displayed on bills, leaving members unaware of how much they are paying or when fees increase.
  2. Emission Reduction Goals
    Emission reduction goals are vital for South Carolina’s electric cooperatives as they address the state’s significant greenhouse gas emissions from power generation, which accounted for 31% of total emissions in 2020 . By investing in clean energy projects—such as solar, and battery storage—cooperatives can lower emissions, meet growing energy demands, and provide cost-effective power to their members .

Scoring Criteria and Evaluation Methodology

To assess how well cooperatives serve their members, a detailed scoring system was developed, focusing on the following categories:

  1. Energy Efficiency Efforts (10 points)
    • Does the cooperative have a robust energy efficiency program whether it includes services, resources, or financing programs?
  2. Community Solar (10 points)
    • Does the cooperative offer a community solar program?
  3. Residential Rooftop Solar (10 points)
    • Does the cooperative offer a distributed energy program?
    • Is the compensation rate clear?
  4. Fixed Fees (Base Charges) (10 points)
    • Are monthly fixed fees determined on a basis that is clearly communicated to members and aligned with energy usage?
  5. Emission Reduction Goal (10 points)
    • Does the cooperative have an emission reduction goal?

*Energy Democracy Y’all created and used a methodology to score electric cooperatives across the southeastern US, with the exception of South Carolina. After determining that this methodology is consistent with our values and the priorities we have heard member-owners across the state share, we used it to help shape our own scoring process. Find the original methodology here: https://energydemocracyyall.org/

All scores are based upon what we were able to access in terms of bylaws meetings and program information publicly available.

This scoring framework provides a comprehensive evaluation of how cooperatives meet the needs of their members, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and programs designed to improve energy affordability, increase access to clean energy, and ensure quality of life in rural areas.