Why We’re Different
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC) is consumer-owned and not-for-profit.
That means any revenue beyond our expenses is eventually returned to the member in the form of capital credit payments.
We are committed to providing the best possible service at the lowest possible cost.
We take pride in our cooperative — a grassroots system of service started by pioneers like those who settled this area. Keeping the cost of electricity affordable helps keep local businesses competitive, while preserving our rural heritage and standard of living.
Local Control
Plumas-Sierra is controlled by a seven-person board of directors elected on a rotating basis for 3 year terms.
We follow the Rochdale Principles.
Our goal is to provide utility services with a high level of reliability for fair and reasonable costs.
We are also dedicated to improving the quality of life of our member-owners and our local communities.
Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications
- Plumas-Sierra REC also owns Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications (PST), which offers high-speed internet services to the region.
- PST is run by a seven-person board, appointed by the electric cooperative board.
Our subsidiary has a dual role: it reduces the costs of electricity while providing vital services.
Our internet program was founded to bring high-speed, high-quality internet access to all of our members. Our goal is to ensure that no region is left behind.
Co-op Values & Principles
Electric cooperatives are private, member-owned utilities governed by the Cooperative or Rochdale Principles. These principles ensure democratic control, strong community ties, and accountability to member owners.
Cooperatives have a long history of supporting the communities they serve, and the information that follows highlights their origins, guiding principles, and ongoing efforts to create new co-ops. Rural cooperatives in the U.S. follow the Rochdale Principles, first established in 1844 by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England. These 7 cooperative principles continue to guide cooperative organizations around the world today.
Open & Voluntary Membership:
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
Democratic Member Control:
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (1 member, 1 vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Members’ Economic Participation:
Members contribute equally to, and democratically control the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any and all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, setting up reserves (at least part of which would be indivisible), benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative, and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Autonomy & Independence:
Cooperatives are autonomous organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreement with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
Education, Training, & Information:
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. They inform the general public — particularly young people and opinion leaders — about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives:
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structure.
Concern for Community:
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their community through policies accepted by their members.
History Highlights
Rural America Before Electrification
Life without power was the norm for most rural families.
- Prior to 1935, 9 out of 10 rural homes had no electric service.
- Electricity was technically possible but considered unnecessary and unprofitable by power companies.
- Rural residents near lines had to pay the full cost of connection—often nearly twice annual farm income.
- Rates were extremely high: 10 to 12¢ per kWh, sometimes up to 40¢.
- This left rural America quite literally “in the dark.”
Federal Action & the Rise of Cooperatives
The Rural Electrification Act reshaped rural life and created the cooperative movement.
- Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Act introduced federal low-interest loans.
- Most loan recipients were newly formed rural electric cooperatives.
Nearly 1000 co-ops now serve
35000000 people
in 46 states.
Co-ops own and maintain
2300000 miles
of distribution lines—
44% of the national total.
Cooperative assets exceed
$70 billion.
When the REA came into being, there was a provision that allowed Investor Owned Utilities to borrow 2% money and extend lines to rural areas. My father and several men from our area interested in power went to Sierra Pacific Power and Pacific Gas and Electric to try and interest them in taking advantage of these loans. At 1 of the offices they were told `no!’, with no reasons given. In the other president’s office, the president of the utility refused to even acknowledge their presence in the room. He wouldn’t even look at them. The utility boss was incredibly rude.
The Sierra Valley Grange helped organize Plumas-Sierra. My father was secretary of the Grange, and he spent many days going door-to-door trying to get people to sign up.
Ted Ramelli of Vinton remembers his father, Rudolph Ramelli, who was instrumental in the formation of Plumas-Sierra REC
Why Co-ops Were Needed
Investor-owned utilities refused to serve rural areas.
Utilities served only profitable and easy-to-reach communities.
Even with federal loans available, most IOUs still refused to extend service.
Rural Americans had to organize themselves to bring electricity to their communities.
Agricultural cooperatives provided a model for electric co-op formation.
Over time, more than 99% of rural residents gained access to electricity.
I first read about REA in a magazine. It seemed like a great opportunity to get power as we couldn’t get Sierra Pacific to come to Sierraville. I felt that the availability of power would have a great affect on our area, our lives and the economy of the region. I told my neighbors about the REA and tried to get people interested.
In the early meetings it took a lot of convincing for some of the people to believe that electricity was going to be safe.
Alden Johnson, original incorporator from Sierraville
Key Organizations That Made an Impact
National partners supported rural electrification efforts.
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC)
PSREC was created to power rural communities.
- Founded in 1937 to serve Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra counties.
- Dedicated to improving quality of life for member-owners and local communities.
History is shared through firsthand stories from members.
Word started spreading about electricity coming to Sierra Valley. I get nosy when new stuff comes along so I was convinced early that we should have it.
Mr. Ramelli was going door-to-door trying to enlist support and sign people up. I decided to help out. We got many a door slammed in our face. It was tough. I always felt like we were intruding. Some people just didn’t trust the government. Other people would think about it for a while and come around.
When the power came on, a cream separator was 1 of the most important additions. The separator saved hours and hours of hand cranking.
Josie Roberti of Sierra Valley
Member Memories: Life Before Electricity
Daily chores required labor-intensive, time-consuming work.
Gasoline-powered washing machines, stove-heated irons, and kerosene or Coleman lamps were common.
Water was carried from wells and heated on stoves for washing and bathing.
Wringer washers, lantern light for sewing, and wood-stove heated water defined early routines.
Families worked hard to “keep clean” and manage daily needs.
I remember trying to start the gasoline powered washing machine. I had to jump up and down on the start pedal like it was a motorcycle. It took forever to start. But, I really disliked the irons, we had the irons that were heated on the stove. We purchased a gas 1 that was easier to use but a little dangerous. The gas iron caught fire 1 day; I had to toss it into the driveway.
Mrs. D. W. Roberts of Sierraville
The REA Arrives (May 11, 1935)
REA loans sparked local organizing and cautious optimism.
- IOUs refused loans despite federal incentives.
- Sierra Valley Grange played a key role in forming Plumas-Sierra.
- Early advocates faced skepticism, mistrust, and many doors slammed.
- Supporters persisted, believing electricity would transform the region.
Forming the Cooperative
Early organization required determination and local commitment.
Blairsden Power and Light Company helped survey and sign up members.
Meetings required $25 sign-ups, with reactions ranging from disbelief to generosity.
Community support ultimately made the cooperative viable.
The coop was short of members in Sierra Valley and Blairsden to form a viable cooperative. My father talked with Mr. Laughlin and some of the others who wanted to know if the Lassen County ranchers would be interested. Of course they were.
We held a meeting at the Lake school. Mr. Laughlin wanted to go to Washington to talk to the REA people. They wanted us to sign up and pay $25 to raise the funds.
In the meeting, 1 guy got up and walked out, saying it will never work. He was the first 1 ready with power. Another guy, miles off of the proposed lines, volunteered 2 memberships. He said, “I’ll do it if it will help the rest of you out.”
Claude Harwood of Susanville remembers his father, Roy Harwood, 1 of the original incorporators
Early PSREC Milestones
PSREC’s foundation was built through key actions and approvals.
August 8, 1937
Incorporation
August 12, 1937
First Meeting
August 24 and September 1, 1937
REA loan authorized and approved
October 4, 1937
Power contract with PG&E
May 25, 1938
Construction contract executed
July 11, 1938
Rate schedule adopted
September 4, 1938
System first energized
The day the lines were to be energized, someone came up with the idea to have a kid throw the switch. So my father came and got me, and Mr. Laughlin brought his daughter down to Quincy. We were going to throw the switch together. But the switch was near the top of the pole, so 1 of the linemen had to start the system up.
Ted Ramelli
The lines got to Lassen County last. We had gone that day to the cinema in Susanville. My father, mother, my wife and I were driving back when we saw what looked like a fire at our house. It was our home, lit up from the new lights, on for the first time.
Claude Harwood
Nov. 22. This end of the REA power line energized today. We were the only ones ready, had working electric lights for first time. A big event in our lives.
From the diary of Mrs. Roy Harwood
I did the wiring myself. Mr. Shelly came by to inspect the wiring, and said, “This is the best wiring in Sierraville.” They stuck up the power lines down our street and then came back a week later to install a meter and give us power for the first time.
Dave Roberts
Early Success & Expansion
Growth accelerated as wiring became accessible and affordable.
Lines expanded through the late 1930s and 1940s.
Some waited years due to wiring costs or rental restrictions.
Early leadership faced strong opinions from residents.
Stories include melted rings from electrical mishaps and selling old generators to afford membership.
We were renting at the time and our landlord wouldn’t pay to have the house wired. My relatives near Omaha, Nebraska, had REA power since early 1938 and it was frustrating to have to wait so long. We finally received power in the summer of 1940. Mr. Kreps, who had been a director of Plumas-Sierra, did our wiring. We already had a refrigerator and an electric iron so we were ready to go.
Mrs. Inez Nelson of Beckwourth
In the early years, it seemed like most everybody had an opinion on how it should be run. And lots of people wanted to run it, some by being on the board and some by being the manager. I remember when Louie D’Armond was manager. He was in a substation, being very careful to stay away from the big wires. He overlooked 1 of the small wires—got stung pretty good. His ring melted off of his finger.
Phil Hall of Susanville
My father was on the board starting in 1939 but I still didn’t have power until 1940 because I couldn’t afford the $40 it would cost for my wife and I to join. We had a 32-volt colared electric generator plant that worked fairly well so we could wait. I finally sold the generator plant for $40, and used that money to get REA to come in.
“Brothers and Sisters, I want to tell you this. The greatest thing on earth is to have the love of God in your heart, and the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your house.” —Farmer giving witness in a rural Tennessee church in the early 1940’s.
Gene Rowland of Johnstonville
The men from Plumas-Sierra have worked day and night in the worst weather to get the power back on. Even when all the poles went down a few years ago, the power was only off a week. You couldn’t ask for better service than we have had with Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric.
Mrs. D. W. Roberts of Sierraville
It was the biggest labor saver that came into our lives of any of the changes in the last 50 years. Roads were big, yes, but electricity was the biggest change.
Mrs. Inez Nelson
After we got electricity we gradually got all the comforts that go along with it. Made it much easier on all of us. I have thanked God many times for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and our Rural Electrification Program.
There has been an electric line across Sierra Valley for quite a few years and on some of the ranchers’ property. But it was just something to look at. It didn’t do them a bit of good. The rural people never had a chance before REA.
Mrs. France
I can’t even begin to explain what REA and electricity mean to me. If people had carried buckets and pumped the well, then they would really appreciate it.
Josie Roberti
1 of the greatest things was that the women had freezers and refrigerators for the preservation of food. Rural Electrification was the turning point in many people’s lives. We went from backwoods to modern living.
Gene Rowland
The Impact of Rural Electrification
REA loans sparked local organizing and cautious optimism.
- Electricity transformed work, comfort, safety, and daily life.
- Described as “the biggest labor saver” and “a turning point.”
- Families gained freezers, refrigerators, and dependable service.
- Members praised the dedication of Plumas-Sierra crews.
- Many expressed lifelong gratitude for Roosevelt and the REA.
Rural residents noted they “never had a chance before REA.”
Rural residents