Founded in 1961, Basin Electric Power Cooperative is one of the largest, nonprofit electric generation and transmission companies in the United States. The company delivers electricity to wholesale customers that include more than 120 member systems. It owns and operates switchyards and substations and over 1,800 miles of high-voltage transmission lines. Basin Electric Power Cooperative also manages nearly 100 telecommunication sites. Its service area includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana and New Mexico. The company operates various subsidiaries, such as Dakota Gasification Company, Souris Valley Pipeline, Dakota Coal Company, Montana Limestone Company and Basin Telecommunications. Basin Electric Power Cooperative has a work force of more than 1,900 employees.