How Volunteer Electric Coop compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Volunteer Electric Coop, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Cookeville | 11.29 | 15,946 | -0.90 | -$98 |
| Athens Utility Board | 11.77 | 11,651 | -0.42 | -$46 |
| City of Lenoir | 11.95 | 62,455 | -0.24 | -$26 |
| City of Dayton | 11.98 | 9,053 | -0.22 | -$23 |
| Volunteer Electric Coop (this page) | 12.19 | 104,387 | — | — |
| City of Chattanooga | 12.32 | 164,417 | +0.12 | +$13 |
| Tri-County Elec Member Corp | 12.33 | 24,824 | +0.14 | +$15 |
| City of Cleveland | 12.53 | 29,331 | +0.33 | +$36 |
| City of Rockwood | 12.71 | 12,042 | +0.52 | +$56 |
| Upper Cumberland E M C | 12.77 | 45,560 | +0.58 | +$62 |
| Caney Fork Electric Coop, Inc | 12.89 | 29,631 | +0.69 | +$75 |
| Sequachee Valley Electric Coop | 12.97 | 33,206 | +0.77 | +$84 |
14 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Volunteer Electric Coop. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Volunteer Electric Coop customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, not options you can pick between.
Where Volunteer Electric Coop customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Volunteer Electric Coop premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | City of Newbern | 10.34 | +$200 |
| Fentress | City of Newbern | 10.34 | +$200 |
| Meigs | City of Newbern | 10.34 | +$200 |
| Putnam | City of Cookeville | 11.29 | +$98 |
| McMinn | Athens Utility Board | 11.77 | +$46 |
| White | City of Sparta | 11.94 | +$28 |
| Roane | City of Lenoir | 11.95 | +$26 |
| Bledsoe | City of Dayton | 11.98 | +$23 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. Showing the 8 highest-premium counties of 15 served.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 11.80 | 12.19 | +3.3% |
| Residential customers | 103,320 | 104,387 | +1.0% |
Ownership: Cooperative. Statewide context: Tennessee electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a Volunteer Electric Coop bill
Tennessee is a regulated retail market — Volunteer Electric Coop customers cannot choose a different supplier; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings. Official information: tn.gov/tpuc.html.
Counties served (TN, EIA-861 2024)
Bledsoe · Bradley · Cumberland · Fentress · Hamilton · McMinn · Meigs · Overton · Pickett · Polk · Putnam · Rhea · Roane · Scott · White
Head-to-head comparisons
Questions people ask
- Is Volunteer Electric Coop more expensive than other Tennessee utilities?
- Volunteer Electric Coop customers paid an average 12.19 cents/kWh in 2024 — 2% below the Tennessee volume-weighted average of 12.42 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Volunteer Electric Coop?
- No — distribution territory is fixed by address and Tennessee has no residential supplier shopping. Rate changes go through the state utility commission (tn.gov/tpuc.html).
- How many customers does Volunteer Electric Coop have?
- 104,387 residential customers in Tennessee in 2024 across 15 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: co-op.