Is Volunteer Electric Coop cheaper than City of Lenoir?

No — in 2024 Volunteer Electric Coop customers averaged 12.19 cents/kWh versus 11.95 for City of Lenoir (EIA-861). City of Lenoir was cheaper by 0.24 cents, about $26 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Volunteer Electric Coop to City of Lenoir?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Tennessee has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.

Why is Volunteer Electric Coop more expensive than City of Lenoir?

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 Volunteer Electric Coop and City of Lenoir territory all feed the 0.24-cent gap.

Volunteer Electric Coop vs City of Lenoir: Which Is Cheaper? (Tennessee, 2024)

City of Lenoir customers paid less: an average 11.95¢/kWh in 2024 versus 12.19¢/kWh at Volunteer Electric Coop (EIA-861) — a gap of 0.24¢/kWh, worth about $26 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 1 TN county (Roane). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (TN, EIA-861)

Volunteer Electric Coop vs City of Lenoir — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Volunteer Electric Coop	City of Lenoir
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	12.19	11.95
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	11.80	11.85
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,317	$1,291
Residential customers (2024)	104,387	62,455
Ownership	Co-op	Municipal
Counties served in TN	15	3

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Volunteer Electric Coop · City of Lenoir · Tennessee overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Roane county (TN, 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; Volunteer Electric Coop and City of Lenoir do not compete for the same meters. Tennessee is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (tn.gov/tpuc.html). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Volunteer Electric Coop cheaper than City of Lenoir?: No — in 2024 Volunteer Electric Coop customers averaged 12.19 cents/kWh versus 11.95 for City of Lenoir (EIA-861). City of Lenoir was cheaper by 0.24 cents, about $26 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Volunteer Electric Coop to City of Lenoir?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Tennessee has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Volunteer Electric Coop more expensive than City of Lenoir?: 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 Volunteer Electric Coop and City of Lenoir territory all feed the 0.24-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.