Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc. This page includes reports of major power outages. It is not monitored for member outage reports. The result was Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO).

Although most cities had electricity by the mid-1930s, rural Americans were still in the dark. The high cost of building electric distribution lines to serve sparsely populated rural areas was not economical. Then in 1941, with the support of the Rural Electric Administration's oversight and low interest loans, the people of Northwest Florida decided to band together to form a member-owned, not-fo

r-profit utility that would benefit its members. Later that same year, CHELCO members met with 10 other electric cooperatives and formed Alabama Electric Cooperative (now PowerSouth Energy Cooperative), a generation and transmission cooperative established to generate the electricity needed by its member co-ops. Today, CHELCO is headquartered in DeFuniak Springs, and our service territory encompasses mainly Walton and Okaloosa counties, in addition to portions of western Holmes and eastern Santa Rosa counties.

06/13/2026

When you run everything at once—like your washer, dryer, oven and A/C—demand for electricity spikes. The grid has to work harder and that impacts energy costs. To control your costs, try leveling the load by using major appliances one at a time. We’ll all reap the benefits.

If you operate heavy machinery, the danger around overhead power lines is real — and the numbers prove it. In 2023, 48%...
06/12/2026

If you operate heavy machinery, the danger around overhead power lines is real — and the numbers prove it. In 2023, 48% of all fatal electrical injuries occurred in the Construction industry, with 66 fatalities. Most involved accidental contact with energized lines.

Before you start the next job, take a moment to protect yourself, your crew, and your equipment. Follow these essential steps when working near overhead power lines:

⚠️ Locate all overhead power lines before work begins
⚠️ Keep yourself, tools, and equipment at least 10 feet away
⚠️ Never touch anything that’s in contact with a power line
⚠️ Watch for fencing that may be energized
⚠️ Carry ladders and long tools horizontally
⚠️ Lower booms, buckets, and attachments before driving
⚠️ Never spray water near power lines
⚠️ Stay at least 35 feet away from fallen lines — always assume they’re energized

These precautions aren’t optional — they’re lifesaving.

CHELCO also offers free Live Line Demonstrations to help crews understand electrical hazards up close.
Schedule a training for your team here: https://www.chelco.com/education-programs

Hurricane Season is officially here, and now is the time to make sure you and your family are prepared. A well‑stocked e...
06/11/2026

Hurricane Season is officially here, and now is the time to make sure you and your family are prepared. A well‑stocked evacuation kit can make all the difference if a storm threatens our area.

Stay connected to trusted local resources throughout the season:

Walton County Emergency Management
(850) 892‑8065
https://www.mywaltonfl.gov/1063/Emergency-Management

Okaloosa County Emergency Management
(850) 651‑7150
https://myokaloosa.com/emergency-management

Florida Division of Emergency Management
(850) 815‑4000
https://www.floridadisaster.org/

Ready.gov – Hurricane Preparedness
(800) 621‑3362
https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

CHELCO encourages all members to take steps now to stay safe, stay informed, and stay prepared throughout the 2026 Hurricane Season.

This week, we’re celebrating the hardworking right‑of‑way professionals at Southland Utility Services, Inc.! From trimmi...
06/09/2026

This week, we’re celebrating the hardworking right‑of‑way professionals at Southland Utility Services, Inc.! From trimming trees and field inspections to underground utility placement, their work keeps our power reliable and our crews safe — especially during Florida’s storm season.

Tree‑related outages caused more than 2.6 million member minutes interrupted in 2025, but proactive right‑of‑way maintenance helps prevent many of those interruptions before they happen.

Thank you, Southland Team, for the hot, dirty, essential work you do every day to keep our community powered.

Get ready to boost your savings! Join our DIY home energy audit challenge and tackle as many water heater steps as you c...
06/08/2026

Get ready to boost your savings! Join our DIY home energy audit challenge and tackle as many water heater steps as you can in one week. It’s about making your space comfy, efficient, and eco-friendly. Who’s up for the challenge? Let’s see who can make the biggest impact! 🏡 💵

06/06/2026

Accidents happen. But would you know what to do if your vehicle hit an electric utility pole? ⚡

It may sound unlikely, but thousands of crashes involving utility poles happen every year. Knowing how to respond could save your life. Watch this video to learn what to do and what to avoid if you’re ever in this situation. Your safety matters.

Spotlighted in the cover story of our June CHELCO News is CHELCO's hurricane preparedness efforts. 🌪️June 1 marked the o...
06/05/2026

Spotlighted in the cover story of our June CHELCO News is CHELCO's hurricane preparedness efforts. 🌪️

June 1 marked the official start of Hurricane Season for the Southeastern United States, lasting through November 30. 📅⚠️

At CHELCO, preparation isn’t just a plan—it’s a commitment to keeping our members and communities safe. 💙🏡

Watch now: https://qrco.de/bgqPWk ▶️

06/05/2026

Summer is here, which means our home cooling systems are working harder and we’ll likely see higher energy bills. The good news? Small steps to save energy can make a significant difference. via NRECA

💻 CHELCO is hiring an Information Technology Network Engineer! 📶 If you’re passionate about eliminating cybersecurity th...
06/03/2026

💻 CHELCO is hiring an Information Technology Network Engineer! 📶 If you’re passionate about eliminating cybersecurity threats, supporting internal customers, and collaborating across departments, this could be the career move you’ve been looking for. In this role, you’ll manage and secure our IT/OT networks while helping employees use our systems effectively and safely.

{Apply at https://www.chelco.com/careers. Applications will be accepted from 06/02/2026 through 3:00 p.m. on 06/16/2026. Resumes and cover letters are only accepted with a completed application. Questions? Call HR & Training at 850-307-1127. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified. Drug Free-EOE-M/F/Disability/Veteran.}

📰 The June issue of CHELCO News is here! 📰 Each month, we publish our member newsletter to keep you informed about elect...
06/03/2026

📰 The June issue of CHELCO News is here! 📰 Each month, we publish our member newsletter to keep you informed about electric industry updates, CHELCO events and services, and practical energy‑saving advice you can use at home. Check out what’s happening across your cooperative in this month’s edition. https://www.chelco.com/chelco-news

Address

655 U.S. Highway 331 North
Defuniak Springs, FL

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4pm
Friday 7:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+18508922111

Website

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