How the Co-Op Works
Knox Energy Cooperative Association, Inc. is a member-owned, not-for-profit natural gas provider run by a nine-member board of trustees who meet on a regular basis as directed by the code of regulations. The co-op is non-regulated in that it is not under the operational control of the State Public Utility Commissions. It is, however, subject to all federal and state safety regulations, operational provisions, and supporting documentation.
Any member in good standing within the co-op is eligible to run for the board. Elections are held annually. All members in good standing are permitted to vote by mail during the annual election. Board members serve five-year terms. Trustee terms are staggered so that no more than two trustees are elected in any one year.
An annual meeting of the membership is held once per year, currently in the fall, as directed by the code of regulations. Exact dates and times for the annual meetings as well as board meetings are set by the board of trustees. Currently, only the time and date for the annual meetings are published. Presently, the annual meeting is held in Knox County, Ohio at the Apple Valley Clubhouse.
Knox Energy Important Dates
Knox Energy has extended its operations throughout many communities in Ohio and western Pennsylvania by partnering with local public utilities, local gas producers, and interstate pipeline companies. The cooperative grew from the initial target of 400 members to more than 15,000 in its first 10 years of existence.
- April 21, 1998: Knox Energy Cooperative Association, Inc. is formed for the purpose of providing gas service to the Apple Valley Lake community in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Construction begins on a new gas distribution system with almost 300,000 feet of piping.
- March 24, 2004: Ohio Public Utilities Commission requests assistance in resolving significant issues with the public utility company providing service to the town of West Portsmouth, Ohio. Knox Energy assumes control over this system, fixes problems, and expands service to new customers.
- November 1, 2004: Knox Energy agrees to purchase an existing gas distribution system located near Caldwell, Ohio, serving nearly 3,000 customers.
- October 7, 2005: Knox Energy signs an agreement to purchase all of the pipeline assets serving the town of Claysville, Pennsylvania.
- January 1, 2006: Knox Energy agrees to purchase Northern Industrial Energy Development, Inc. (NIED), a fully regulated gas utility operating throughout Ohio.
- May 15, 2006: Ohio Public Utilities Commission requests Knox Energy takes over and replaces an existing defective gas system serving two small communities in Columbiana County, Ohio.
- March 22, 2007: Knox Energy is approved by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission to purchase all of the pipeline assets serving the area in and around the town of Kane, Pennsylvania. Knox assumes operational control in May.
Continued Growth and Operational Excellence
From the earliest inception of Knox Energy to the present, we have taken great pride in our well-established reputation for the quality of the work we provide at each and every step of supplying service to our members. From the installation of pipelines through reclamation, we provide a timely and orderly construction schedule. Once installed, we ensure that the system is operated and maintained to the highest standards available today. That level of performance is evident based on our continuing safety and compliance record with every state and federal organization. Today, more than 10 years after its formation, Knox Energy continues to actively seek opportunities for membership growth in the non-profit natural gas distribution markets in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and more.