Tennessee’s electric co-ops
Tennessee’s consumer-owned electric cooperatives are not-for-profit utilities that bring energy and opportunity to more than 2.5 million homes, farms and businesses in rural and suburban Tennessee.
Co-ops are building a brighter Tennessee
Tennessee’s electric co-ops are building a brighter Tennessee, investing in a stronger, better prepared and more resilient future for the communities we serve.
CONSUMER OWNED
Electric co-ops are owned by the people they serve, not by government. Members elect directors to represent their interests and set policy andprocedures for the co-op.
NOT FOR PROFIT
Co-ops serve their communities instead of shareholders. We distribute and sell energy to our members at cost and invest excess revenues back into the electric system.
COMMUNITY FOCUSED
Electric co-ops work to improve everyday life in our rural and suburban communities. We do this through reliable energy and efforts in education and community development.
By the numbers
Electric co-ops have a meaningful impact on Tennessee. From energy and broadband to infrastructure and jobs, co-ops are investing in the future of Tennessee.
Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association
The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association is a trade association established to serve the needs of Tennessee’s electric cooperatives. The association represents 23 individual power distributors including Tennessee’s 22 electric cooperatives and one municipal system.
The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association exists to provide leadership, advocacy and support to unify and empower Tennessee’s consumer-owned electric co-ops.
The association empowers cooperatives to improve everyday life for their consumer-owners through the reliable delivery of safe and affordable energy and the advancement of Tennessee’s rural and suburban communities.
A career that counts
Electric co-ops have a mighty purpose – to provide an essential service to the communities we serve. The rewards of a co-op career go far beyond paychecks and vacation time.
The Seven Cooperative Principles
Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote), and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
Co-op History in Tennessee
