Eighty four of Tennessee’s 95 counties benefit from safe and reliable energy from their electric co-ops, but they also benefit from our investments in economic development, youth leadership programs, community service and broadband.
POWER & OPPORTUNITY
Each day, electric co-ops enable the communities we serve to prosper. Rural and suburban Tennessee is well positioned to grow, and our role in that success has been and continues to be significant.
Co-ops lead the nation in operating safe, reliable and affordable energy distribution systems. We make significant investments in infrastructure, utilize cutting-edge technology and employ the most talented employees. This allows us to operate an efficient power system while keeping the lights on 99.96% of the time for the communities we serve.
Co-ops are passionate advocates for rural Tennessee. The decisions made in Nashville and Washington, D.C. can have significant impacts on our rural and suburban communities. We actively engage with our elected officials to help them fully understand how policy can impact co-ops and co-op-served areas. Whether it is energy, economic development or broadband, co-ops are fighting hard to protect and empower our rural and suburban communities.
Co-ops work with local communities to recruit jobs and capital investment to rural and suburban Tennessee. USDA rural economic development loan and grant programs offered by co-ops have awarded more than $39 million to their communities to recruit and retain jobs. This is an important resource that has saved or created hundreds of jobs in co-op service areas.
The future of rural and suburban Tennessee can be found in our schools. Co-ops actively prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities they will face. This year co-ops sent 139 young people to Washington, D.C. as a part of the Washington Youth Tour and brought 46 young people to Nashville through our Youth Leadership Summit. We are also working to let young people know about exciting co-op career opportunities right here in their home towns.
High-speed internet is a lifeline for rural and suburban Tennessee. Lack of connectivity has had a profound impact on healthcare, education and commerce in co-op served areas. That is why co-ops are working to close the digital divide – championing legislation, developing partnerships and making investments – all in an effort to create new opportunities for the communities we serve.
Co-op community solar projects make green energy more accessible. The cost of rooftop solar is decreasing, but it is still cost-prohibitive for most Tennesseans. Community solar allows co-op consumers to lease or purchase a percentage of a solar panel or panels that are owned and maintained by the co-op. Co-op consumers can benefit from solar ownership without a significant investment. Statewide, co-ops have built more than 2.5 megawatts of community solar.
WHERE WE SERVE
of the landmass
of the population
Tennesseans
Tennessee homes
Tennessee counties
