​Electric cooperatives work hard to meet today's energy needs and plan for the future, but often are handcuffed by the tax code and the high costs associated with implementing new technologies. Developing clean energy resources and innovative technologies carries significant capital expense. As non-profit businesses, electric co-ops pay state and local taxes, but most are tax exempt for federal income tax purposes. Because of this, electric cooperatives do not have access to the same federal tax incentives as for-profit businesses and are disadvantaged when implementing innovative technologies.​