NRECA is the national trade organization representing the nation's more than 900 private customer-owned electric cooperatives providing electric service to 39 million people in 47 states. Electric cooperatives own and maintain nearly half the nation's power lines, spanning three quarters of the United States. Electric co-op consumers live in 2,600 of the nation's 3,136 counties. NRECA provides programs and services to ensure that electric cooperatives remain a vital segment of the electric utility industry.