Rutherford Elec Member Corp residential customers paid an average of 13.13¢/kWh in 2024 —
7% below the North Carolina average of 14.13¢/kWh (EIA-861).
It served 70,743 residential customers across 10 NC counties.
Territories are fixed by address, but the cheapest nearby utility, City of Morganton (10.67¢), works out about $265/yr less at 10,800 kWh/yr.
How Rutherford Elec Member compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Rutherford Elec Member, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Morganton | 10.67 | 7,055 | -2.46 | -$265 |
| EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | 11.54 | 121,995 | -1.59 | -$172 |
| City of Gastonia | 12.40 | 27,008 | -0.73 | -$79 |
| Mountain Electric Coop, Inc | 12.51 | 15,491 | -0.62 | -$67 |
| Rutherford Elec Member Corp (this page) | 13.13 | 70,743 | — | — |
| Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC | 13.94 | 1,919,372 | +0.81 | +$88 |
| Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp | 14.59 | 71,926 | +1.46 | +$158 |
| French Broad Elec Member Corp | 14.78 | 36,147 | +1.65 | +$178 |
| Duke Energy Progress | 15.54 | 1,356,079 | +2.41 | +$261 |
8 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Rutherford Elec Member. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Rutherford Elec Member customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, not options you can pick between.
Where Rutherford Elec Member customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Rutherford Elec Member premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burke | City of Morganton | 10.67 | +$265 |
| Caldwell | EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | 11.54 | +$172 |
| Catawba | EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | 11.54 | +$172 |
| Gaston | EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | 11.54 | +$172 |
| Lincoln | EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp | 11.54 | +$172 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 13.64 | 13.13 | -3.8% |
| Residential customers | 70,190 | 70,743 | +0.8% |
Ownership: Cooperative. Statewide context: North Carolina electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a Rutherford Elec Member bill
North Carolina is a regulated retail market — Rutherford Elec Member customers cannot choose a different supplier; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings. Official information: ncuc.gov.
Counties served (NC, EIA-861 2024)
Burke · Caldwell · Catawba · Cleveland · Gaston · Lincoln · McDowell · Mitchell · Polk · Rutherford
Head-to-head comparisons
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Rutherford Elec Member Corp
- Duke Energy Progress vs Rutherford Elec Member Corp
- EnergyUnited Elec Member Corp vs Rutherford Elec Member Corp
- Blue Ridge Elec Member Corp vs Rutherford Elec Member Corp
Questions people ask
- Is Rutherford Elec Member Corp more expensive than other North Carolina utilities?
- Rutherford Elec Member Corp customers paid an average 13.13 cents/kWh in 2024 — 7% below the North Carolina volume-weighted average of 14.13 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Rutherford Elec Member Corp?
- No — distribution territory is fixed by address and North Carolina has no residential supplier shopping. Rate changes go through the state utility commission (ncuc.gov).
- How many customers does Rutherford Elec Member Corp have?
- 70,743 residential customers in North Carolina in 2024 across 10 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: co-op.
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.