Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Historical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Correspondence
- Clippings
- Certificates
- Publications
- Speeches and Writings
- Legislation
- National Rural Electric Co-Op Association
- U. S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Electric Administration
- Montana Associated Utilities
- Bonneville Power Company
- Breeder Reactor Corporation
- Northwest Intertie
- Washington Public Power Supply System
- Public Power Council
- Federal Power Commission
- Northwest Public Power Association
- Montana Power Company
- Montana State Rural Electric Co-Op Association
- Other Groups
- Names and Subjects
Missoula Electric Cooperative Records, 1950-1979
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Missoula Electric Cooperative
- Title
- Missoula Electric Cooperative Records
- Dates
- 1950-1979 (inclusive)19501979
- Quantity
- 5.5 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Mss 229 (collection)
- Summary
- The Missoula Electric Cooperative was formed in 1936 to supply power in and around Missoula, Montana. The collection includes general information about MEC including correspondence, history, and technical and financial reports.
- Repository
-
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The 1935 Montana legislature passed the State Electrification Authority Act, which tied Montana into contact with the state water development projects. In the same year, President Roosevelt formed the Rural Electric Administration in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Missoula Electric Cooperative, Inc., (MEC) was formed in Missoula, Montana, in 1936. It was one of several electric co-operatives formed because the Montana Power Company, the state's major provider, would not provide power in many rural areas because construction costs outweighed potential profits. Members of the co-op paid a fee, installation and consumption costs; the organization is non-profit. Electric cooperatives played an important role in rural electrification in Montana and many other states. Eugene Pike came to work for the co-op in 1937. Soon after it was formed, the MEC received a loan from the Rural Electrification Administration to build power lines from Missoula to Frenchtown, down the Bitterroot Valley, and out to Clinton, a project known as the "A" project. When World War II began, power line construction slowed considerably, and the company stopped construction in 1943. Pike returned from his shipyard job to become co-op manager in 1946.
There was no power supplier for Seeley Lake, Montana, at this time, and the co-op wished to begin line construction. They were unable to get a loan for this from the REA because the co-op purchased its power from Montana Power, and the rates they were being charged were too high. However, the REA agreed to lend the co-op the money for line construction if they bought their power from another supplier at a lower rate. Bonneville Power wished to do business in Montana, but the Montana Power Company did not welcome this competition. Senator James Murray helped pass legislation to allow Bonneville Power to come into Montana so that the co-op would be able to build its line to Seely Lake. The co-op remained hooked up to Montana Power lines, but would pay Bonneville Power for the electricity; Bonneville in turn paid Montana Power. The co-op also explored other power sources, including the fledgling nuclear power industry.
The co-op constantly clashed with the Montana Power Company over questions of competition in the state. In the late 1960s, the MEC clashed with Montana Power Company over territorial integrity, the question of whether the for-profit companies could begin to serve customers in territories formerly served only by the co-ops. The state legislature finally resolved some of these conflicts in 1970.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains information from 1957-1975. Most of the information was written by or sent to Eugene Pike. There is general information about MEC including correspondence, history, and technical and financial reports. The collection includes numerous training manuals from the Rural Electric Administration. There is information about co-operative utilities in Montana, the Pacific Northwest and the United States. There is detailed information regarding power generation in the northwest including nuclear, hydroelectric and hydrothermal.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], Missoula Electric Cooperative Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is divided into nineteen series:
Series I: Correspondence, 1.0 linear foot, 1956-1977
Series II: Clippings, 4 folders, 1953-1976
Series III: Certificates, 1 folder, 1966-1969
Series IV: Publications, 2 folders, 1960-1969
Series V: Speeches and Writings, 1 folder, 1958-1973
Series VI: Legislation, 0.25 linear feet, 1961-1976
Series VII: National Rural Electric Co-Op Association, 0.5 linear feet, 1960-1976
Series VIII: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Electric Administration, 1 folder, 1951-1959
Series IX: Montana Associated Utilities, 4 folders, 1962-1976
Series X: Bonneville Power Company, 0.25 linear feet, 1963-1976
Series XI: Breeder Reactor Corporation, 0.25 linear feet, 1971-1976
Series XII: Northwest Intertie, 0.25 linear feet, 1963-1975
Series XIII: Washington Public Power Supply System, 1.0 linear foot, 1962-1977
Series XIV: Public Power Council, 0.5 linar feet, 1966-1976
Series XV: Federal Power Commission, 2 folders,1963 and 1975
Series XVI: Northwest Public Power Association, 5 folders, 1968-1976
Series XVII: Montana Power Company, 2 folders, 1957-1966
Series XIX: Other Groups, 0.5 linear feet, 1962-1979
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Correspondence , 1956-1977Return to Top
Consists of correspondence between the MEC and other electric administration entities, including the Bonneville Power Administration, Rural Electric Administration, and other co-ops.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | General |
1956-1969 |
| 1/2 | General |
1970-1976 |
| 1/3 | Bonneville Power Administration,
all customers |
1969-1976 |
| 1/4 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1962-1963 |
| 1/5 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1966-1969 |
| 1/6 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1970 |
| 1/7 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1971 |
| 1/8 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1972 |
| 1/9 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1973 |
| 1/10 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1974 |
| 1/11 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1975 |
| 1/12 | Bonneville Power Administration,
general |
1976 |
| 1/13 | Federal Power Commission
|
1965 |
| 1/14 | Institute of Ecology |
1974 |
| 1/15 | Montana Associated Utilities
|
1964-1976 |
| 1/16 | Montana Power |
1965-1975 |
| 1/17 | National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association |
1963-1971 |
| 2/1 | Northwest Intertie |
1967-1975 |
| 2/2 | Northwest Public Power
Association |
1958-1977 |
| 2/3 | Northwest Public Power
Association, Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee |
1976 |
| 2/4 | Public Power Council |
1970 |
| 2/5 | Public Power Council |
1971 |
| 2/6 | Public Power Council |
1972 |
| 2/7 | Public Power Council |
1973 |
| 2/8 | Public Power Council |
1974 |
| 2/9 | Public Power Council |
1975 |
| 2/10 | Public Power Council, special
memoranda |
1975 |
| 2/11 | Public Power Council |
1976 |
| 2/12 | U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Rural Electrification Administration |
1952-1973 |
Series II: Clippings , 1953-1976 Return to Top
This series is composed of newspaper and magazine clippings collected by the MEC. Most concern territorial integrity and other matters specific to Montana.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/1 | 1953-1976 | |
| 3/2 | 1961-1975 | |
| 3/3 | Paradise Dam |
undated |
| 3/4 | Territorial Integrity
|
1971 |
Series III: Certificates , 1966-1969Return to Top
Consists of three certificates presented to the MEC from civic entities in Missoula like the Missoula County Fair Association.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/5 | 1966-1969 |
Series IV: Publications , 1960-1969Return to Top
This series contains MEC rate schedules and copies of the company's report, A Look to the Past and a Plan for the Future.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/6 |
A Look at the Past and Plan for the
Future
|
1966 and 1969 |
| 3/7 | Rate schedules |
1960-1969 |
Series V: Speeches and Writings , 1958-1973Return to Top
Composed of statements of Eugene Pike, mostly before the Montana state legislature on territorial integrity.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/8 | Statements of Eugene Pike
|
1958-1973 |
Series VI: Legislation , 1961-1976Return to Top
This series represents the MEC's involvement with state and federal legislation governing electric generation and delivery. It includes information on the MEC's lobby for Paradise Dam and numerous folders of materials on territorial integrity.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/9 | General |
1965-1976 |
| 3/10 | Federal legislation, s. 3362
|
1974 |
| 3/11 | Paradise Dam |
1957-1965 and undated |
| 3/12 | State Electrification Authority
Act |
undated |
| 3/13 | State legislation |
1968-1974 |
| 3/14 | State: House legislation
|
1969-1975 |
| 3/15 | State: Senate legislation
|
1971-1975 |
| 3/16 | Territorial integrity
|
1961-1966 |
| 3/17 | Territorial integrity,
correspondence |
1966-1970 |
| 3/18 | Territorial integrity bills
|
1961-1966 |
| 3/19 | Territorial integrity: House Bill
#5 |
1971-1975 |
| 3/20 | Territorial integrity: House Bill
#180 |
1969 |
| 3/21 | Territorial integrity: statement
of Eugene Pike |
1967 |
Series VII: National Rural Electric Co-Op Association , 1960-1976Return to Top
Materials in this series were produced by the NRECA and include reports and workshop materials.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/22 | Publication: Rural Electric
Minuteman |
1963 |
| 3/23 | Report: Excess Earning and Your
Light Bill |
1963 |
| 3/24 | Report: Irrigation study
|
1969 |
| 3/25 | Report: Clean Air Act
|
1975-1976 |
| 3/26 | Report: Contribution to
Electrical Power Research Institute |
1975 |
| 3/27 | Workshop: Workshop III,
Developing a Better Understanding of Retail Electric Rates |
1959 |
| 4/1 | Workshop: Management Workshop V-B
|
1960 |
| 4/2 | Workshop: Management Workshop V-I
|
1960 |
| 4/3 | Workshop: Good for All Americans
|
1963 |
| 4/4 | Workshop: Legal Seminar III
|
1963 |
| 4/5 | Workshop: Suggested Plan of
Training Programs |
1965 |
| 4/6 | Workshop: Good for All Americans
II |
1965 |
| 4/7 | Workshop: Good for All Americans
II |
1966 |
| 4/8 | Workshop: Legal Seminar XI
|
1971 |
Series VIII: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Electric Administration , 1951-1959Return to Top
Consists of training materials made available to co-ops like the MEC.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/9 | Training materials |
1951-1959 and undated |
Series IX: Montana Associated Utilities , 1962-1976Return to Top
Consists of reports, policy manuals, newsletter, and records of meetings.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 5/1 | Advertising Committee Report
|
1968 |
| 5/2 | Board of Directors, regular and
committee meetings |
1971-1976 |
| 5/3 | District meetings |
1969 |
| 5/4 | Newsletter |
1966 |
| 5/5 | Publication committee financial
information |
1974-1976 |
| 5/6 | Policy manual and report
|
1962 and 1976 |
Series X: Bonneville Power Company , 1963-1976Return to Top
This series contains financial and legal information, numerous publications, reports, and speeches.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 5/7 | Financial information and
schedules |
1970-1973 and undated |
| 5/8 | Legal, Contracts, WPPSS
|
1972 and 1975 |
| 5/9 | Legal, Contracts, Department of
the Interior |
1972-1975 |
| 5/10 | Legal, Contract, Grays Harbor
Nuclear Project |
1970 |
| 5/11 | Legal |
1974-1975 and undated |
| 5/12 | Minutes |
1972-1975 |
| 5/13 | Publications, "Fact Sheets"
|
1972-1976 |
| 5/14 | Publications, Pacific Northwest
Power Transmission Map |
undated |
| 5/15 | Reports, Appaloosa Dam Project
|
1968 and undated |
| 5/16 | Reports |
1963-1974 |
| 5/17 | Reports, generation and sales
statistics |
1967 |
| 5/18 | Reports, generation and sales
statistics |
1974 |
| 5/19 | Reports |
1972-1974 |
| 5/20 | Reports, purchase proposal
|
1976 |
| 5/21 | Reports,
Ten-Year Hydro-Thermal Power Program for the Pacific
Northwest
|
1967-1968 |
| 5/22 | Speeches |
1962-1976 |
Series XI: Breeder Reactor Corporation , 1971-1976 Return to Top
These materials are largely reports concerning the construction and feasibility of breeder reactors, but also include some legal agreements.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/1 | 1973-1975 | |
| 6/2 | Legal |
1972-1975 |
| 6/3 | Legal |
1974-1976 |
| 6/4 | Publications |
undated |
| 6/5 | Report,
An Introduction to the Breeder Reactor
|
1972 |
| 6/6 | Report,
Background of AEC Development
|
1972 |
| 6/7 | Report,
Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor Project
|
1972 |
| 6/8 | Report,
Testimony Concerning the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder
Reactor
|
undated |
| 6/9 | Speech,
Nuclear Power Considerations and Breeder Reactor
|
1971 and undated |
Series XII: Northwest Intertie , 1963-1975Return to Top
This series consists of materials from Northwest Intertie, an organization in which the MEC was apparently involved. Contents include records of meetings, articles of incorporation, and reports.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/10 | Articles of Incorporation,
Amendments, By-Laws |
1963-1969 |
| 6/11 | Financial statements |
1964 |
| 6/12 | Financial statements |
1971-1974 |
| 6/13 | Financial outlook |
1975 |
| 6/14 | Meetings, Public Power Council
|
1966 |
| 6/15 | Meeting programs and agendas
|
1972-1973 |
| 6/16 | Minutes |
1966-1975 |
| 6/17 | Reports |
1975-1976 |
| 6/18 | Report, Pacific
Northwest-Southwest intertie |
1964 |
| 6/19 | Report, Rate review |
undated |
Series XIII: Washington Public Power Supply System , 1962-1977Return to Top
This series contains extensive information on the WPPSS, particularly on its Hanford-area operations in southeastern Washington state and on its dealings with the Bonneville Power Administration. Includes reports, financial information, legal agreements.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 6/20 | Correspondence and memos
|
1962-1977 |
| 6/21 | Press releases |
1971-1974 |
| 6/22 | Financial statements, Hanford
|
1971-1975 |
| 6/23 | Financial, balance sheets,
Hanford |
1971-1976 |
| 7/1 | Financial, balance sheets,
Hanford |
1974-1976 |
| 7/2 | Financial, balance sheets,
Hanford |
1975-1976 |
| 7/3 | Financial, future generating
facility |
1976 |
| 7/4 | Financial, Hanford |
1971-1975 |
| 7/5 | Financial, net billing analysis
|
1972-1973 |
| 7/6 | Financial, Hanford operating
budget |
1976 |
| 7/7 | Financial, Hanford |
1971-1975 |
| 7/8 | Financial, Hanford operating
budget |
1973 |
| 7/9 | Financial, Hanford operating
budget |
1974 |
| 7/10 | Legal, contract 1962 |
|
| 7/11 | Legal, Bonneville/WPPSS
|
1962 |
| 7/12 | Legal, agreement between
WPPSS/Bonneville |
1973 |
| 7/13 | Legal, agreements Hanford
|
1974 |
| 7/14 | Legal, agreements for projects #4
and #5 and Skagit project |
1975 |
| 7/15 | Legal, Hanford |
1962 |
| 7/16 | Legal, resolutions |
1970 |
| 7/17 | Legal, resolution revenue bonds
|
1973 |
| 8/1 | Legal, resolutions |
1975 |
| 8/2 | Minutes |
1971-1976 |
| 8/3 | Publications, Hanford History and
Q & A |
1962-1974 |
| 8/4 | Publications, Information Kit
|
1977 |
| 8/5 | Reports, Hanford |
1966-1976 |
| 8/6 | Reports, status |
1974 |
| 8/7 | Reports, status |
1974 |
| 8/8 | Reports, status |
1975 |
| 9/1 | Reports, status |
1975 |
| 9/2 | Reports, status |
1976 |
| 9/3 | Reports, status |
1977 |
| 9/4 | Reports, status |
1978 |
| 9/5 | Reports, supply system activities
reports |
1972-1974 |
| 9/6 | Reports, nuclear project
construction cost summary reports |
1976 |
| 9/7 | Reports, Regional hydro-thermal
Power integration |
1968 |
| 9/8 | Reports, report to participants
|
1975 |
Series XIV: Public Power Council , 1966-1976Return to Top
This series consists largely of meeting minutes from the PPC, but also includes legal materials and reports.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9/9 | Financial |
1971-1972 |
| 9/10 | Legal, resolutions |
1971-1973 |
| 9/11 | Membership lists |
1970-1976 |
| 9/12 | Minutes |
1970 |
| 9/13 | Minutes |
1971 |
| 10/1 | Minutes |
1972 |
| 10/2 | Minutes |
1973 |
| 10/3 | Minutes |
1974 |
| 10/4 | Minutes |
1976 |
| 10/5 | Policy statements |
1971 |
| 10/6 | Reports |
1966-1974 |
| 10/7 | Report,
Review of Power Planning in the Pacific Northwest
|
1972 |
| 10/8 | Speeches |
1971-1973 |
Series XV: Federal Power Commission , 1963 and 1975Return to Top
This series contains legal materials and a report from the Federal Power Commission.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 10/9 | Legal, Department of
Interior/Bonneville Power Administration |
1975 |
| 10/10 | Report, List of Power Suppliers
|
1963 |
Series XVI: Northwest Public Power Association , 1968-1976Return to Top
This series contains meeting records, reports, and a speech associated with the NPPA.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 10/11 | Legal, resolutions |
1970 and undated |
| 10/12 | Minutes, board of trustees
meetings |
1971-1976 |
| 10/13 | Newsletters |
1971-1974 |
| 10/14 | Report, consumer power policy
|
undated |
| 10/15 | Reports, proposals |
1968 and undated |
| 10/16 | Speeches, Henry Curtis
|
1969-1976 |
Series XVII: Montana Power Company , 1957-1966Return to Top
This series contains two reports from the MPC, on rates and its annual statistical report.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 10/17 | Reports, annual statistical
report |
1957-1966 |
| 10/18 | Reports, rates |
1950-1965 |
Series XVIII: Montana State Rural Electric Co-Op Association , 1958-1975Return to Top
Consists of the Montana Rural Electric News 1958-1975.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 10/19 | Publication,
Montana Rural Electric News
|
1958-1975 |
Series XIX: Other Groups , 1962-1979Return to Top
This series contains materials from the Columbia Storage Power Exchange, the Committee for Paradise Dam, the Edison Electric Institute, the Mecklenberg Electric Cooperative, member services, Oregonians for Nuclear Safeguards, the State of Montana, Washington State University, and Westinghouse. The Washington State University materials are concerned with the Power Professorship and with a program for students in which the MEC provided some internship opportunities. There is also a Reports and Rate schedule.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 11/1 | Columbia Storage Power Exchange
|
1973-1979 |
| 11/2 | Committee for Paradise Dam
|
1962 and undated |
| 11/3 | Edison Electric Institute
|
1973 |
| 11/4 | Mecklenberg Electric Cooperative,
member services |
1967-1968 |
| 11/5 | Oregonians for Nuclear Safeguards
|
ca. 1974 |
| 11/6 | State of Montana, Minimum Safety
Standards for Powerline Construction in Montana |
1970 |
| 11/7 | State of Montana, environmental
impact statement for Missoula and Hamilton transmission line |
1972 |
| 11/8 | Washington State University
|
1971-1975 |
| 11/9 | Westinghouse |
1974-1975 |
| 11/10 | Reports and Rate schedules
|
1965-1971 and undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Consumer cooperatives--Montana
- Consumer cooperatives--Montana--Missoula
- Electric power--Montana
- Electric power--Northwest, Pacific
- Hydroelectric power plants--Northwest, Pacific
- Hydrothermal electric power systems
- Nuclear power plants--Northwest, Pacific
- Rural electrification--Montana
Corporate Names
- Breeder Reactor Corporation
- Montana Associated Utilities
- Montana Electric Cooperatives' Association
- Montana Power Company
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- Northwest Public Power Association
- United States. Bonneville Power Administration
- United States. Federal Power Commission
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Pike, Eugene
Corporate Names
- United States. Rural Electrification Administration
Finding aid prepared by Jodi
Allison-Bunnell
1997
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
