N.Y. Rural Electric Cooperative Law § 16

§ 16. Members. Each incorporator of a cooperative shall be a member\nthereof, but no other person may become a member thereof unless such\nother person agrees to use electric energy or other services furnished\nby the cooperative when they are made available through its facilities.\nAny member of a cooperative who agrees to use electric energy shall\ncease to be a member if he does not use electric energy supplied by the\ncooperative within six months after it is made available to him or if\nelectric energy is not made available to him by the cooperative within\ntwo years after he becomes a member, or such lesser period as the\nby-laws of the cooperative may provide. A husband and wife may hold a\njoint membership in a cooperative. Membership in a cooperative shall not\nbe transferable, except as provided in the by-laws. The by-laws may\nprescribe additional qualifications and limitations in respect of\nmembership.\n