Tennessee Electric Cooperative

Tennessee Electric Cooperative is a non-profit electric cooperative that provides electricity to its members in Tennessee, United States. The cooperative is a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and is affiliated with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Duck River Electric Membership Corporation. As a member-owned cooperative, it operates on a not-for-profit basis, with excess revenues returned to members in the form of capital credits. The cooperative also participates in the Cooperative Research Network and the National Electric Cooperative Association.

● History

The history of the cooperative dates back to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, which provided federal funding for the establishment of electric cooperatives in rural areas. The cooperative was formed in the 1940s, with the help of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the United States Department of Agriculture. The cooperative's early years were marked by significant growth, with the help of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, including the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The cooperative has also been influenced by the work of Gifford Pinchot, a pioneer in the field of forestry and conservation, and David Lilienthal, the first chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

● Organization

The cooperative is governed by a board of directors, which is elected by the members. The board is responsible for setting the cooperative's policies and overseeing its operations. The cooperative is also a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. The cooperative's management team includes experienced professionals with backgrounds in engineering, finance, and customer service, including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers certified engineers and Certified Public Accountants. The cooperative has partnerships with organizations such as the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

● Service Area

The cooperative serves a large area of Tennessee, including parts of Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee. The service area includes several counties, including Bedford County, Coffee County, and Franklin County. The cooperative also serves several cities, including Shelbyville, Tullahoma, and Winchester. The cooperative's service area is near several major United States highways, including Interstate 24 and U.S. Route 231. The cooperative is also close to several major rivers, including the Duck River and the Tennessee River, and is near several major lakes, including Normandy Lake and Tim's Ford Lake.

● Generation and Transmission

The cooperative generates and transmits electricity using a combination of fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable energy sources. The cooperative has partnerships with several power generation companies, including the Tennessee Valley Authority and Duck River Electric Membership Corporation. The cooperative's transmission system includes several high-voltage transmission lines, including the 500 kV line that connects the cooperative to the Southeastern Power Administration grid. The cooperative also has a substation in Bedford County and a switching station in Coffee County. The cooperative is connected to the Eastern Interconnect and the Southeastern Regional Transmission Planning grid.

● Programs and Services

The cooperative offers several programs and services to its members, including energy efficiency programs, outage management systems, and customer service programs. The cooperative also offers economic development programs, including business loans and grant writing services. The cooperative has partnerships with several organizations, including the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services. The cooperative is a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Cooperative Research Network and the American Public Power Association.

● Environmental Impact

The cooperative has made significant efforts to reduce its environmental impact, including the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency programs. The cooperative has also implemented several conservation programs, including tree planting and wildlife habitat restoration. The cooperative is a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Environmental Committee and the Tennessee Environmental Council. The cooperative has partnerships with several organizations, including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The cooperative is also involved in the Tennessee Valley Authority's Environmental Stewardship program and the Southeastern Power Administration's Environmental Policy.

Category:Electric cooperatives in the United States