Side by side (NC, EIA-861)
| Metric | EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 11.54 | 14.59 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 11.74 | 14.66 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,246 | $1,575 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 121,995 | 71,926 |
| Ownership | Co-op | Co-op |
| Counties served in NC | 19 | 7 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp · Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp · North Carolina overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Alexander · Caldwell · Wilkes counties (NC, 2024).
Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.
Can you actually choose between them?
No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp and Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp do not compete for the same meters. North Carolina is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (ncuc.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp cheaper than Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp?
- Yes — in 2024 EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp customers averaged 11.54 cents/kWh versus 14.59 for Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp (EIA-861). EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp was cheaper by 3.05 cents, about $329 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp to EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. North Carolina has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
- Why is Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp more expensive than EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp?
- EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Blue Ridge Elec Member and EnergyUnited Elec Member territory all feed the 3.05-cent gap.