Lumbee River Electric Membership

What Lumbee River Electric Membership does

Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative organized on March 15, 1940 and incorporated on June 27, 1940 in North Carolina. It provides electricity distribution to over 58,000 member-owners across 66,475+ accounts in Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Moore, and Scotland counties in eastern North Carolina, operating 78,000+ power poles across more than 5,300 miles of electrical line, with a 5,900-mile vegetation-management cycle. Its core technology stack is conventional electric distribution infrastructure supplemented by a Customer-Owned Generation program enabling member interconnection of distributed generation, a GIS database of fiber assets, and the SmartHub member portal for billing, account management, and energy-usage analytics. The cooperative earns revenue primarily through usage-based residential and commercial electricity rates with a Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment of $0.0075/kWh effective May 1, 2026, plus one-time membership fees ($10), refundable security deposits, voluntary NC GreenPower contributions, and ElecTel Credit Union financing partnerships.

The business model is a regulated cost-of-service cooperative: margins are returned to members as capital credits ($3,500,000 retired in 2025 across vintages 2005, 2016, and 2021) rather than paid to shareholders. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer member acquisition combined with a community-engagement layer including scholarships (over $1M invested historically), Bright Ideas education grants, Washington Youth Tour, and Touchstone Energy Sports Camps. Adjacent revenue lines include the RIVR Tech broadband subsidiary offering fiber internet (with free service to the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center), energy-efficiency rebates (Connect to Save thermostat program, Energy Saver NC up to $16,000 per home), and renewable-energy interconnections. Three staffed offices (Pembroke HQ, Lumberton, Raeford), PaySite kiosks, and 24/7 phone services support a multi-channel member experience. The cooperative is governed by an elected Board of Directors and is a member of the Touchstone Energy alliance, sourcing power through NCEMC from a generation mix including nuclear, coal, hydro, and natural gas via agreements with Duke Energy.

Name

Lumbee River Electric Membership

Legal name

Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation

Website

https://lumbeeriver.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lumbee River EMC is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving over 58,000 member-owners and 66,475 accounts across five eastern North Carolina counties, operating 78,000+ power poles across 5,300+ miles of line, with adjacent broadband services via its RIVR Tech subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI), Retail Electric Providers / Competitive Distribution Utilities (where applicable) (EUADABAE)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Rural electric cooperative
• Member-owned utility
• Residential electricity service
• Energy efficiency programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pembroke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Service: Usage-based electricity distribution service to over 66,475 accounts. Revenue is generated through kilowatt-hour consumption with a Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPCA) of $0.0075 per kWh effective May 2026. Grid Access Fee supports infrastructure maintenance.
2. Membership Fees and Security Deposits: New members pay a $10 membership fee, security deposit ($300 to 2X average bill based on credit rating), and connection fees to establish service.
3. NC GreenPower Contributions: Voluntary member contributions starting at $4/month added to electric bills to support renewable energy. All contributions forwarded to NC GreenPower for purchasing green power and funding educational solar installations.
4. Capital Credits Allocation: Not-for-profit cooperative returns margins to members as capital credits based on proportional energy purchases. Credits are retired and distributed annually, with $3,500,000 returned in 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lumbee River EMC is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to over 58,000 member-owners across Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Moore, and Scotland counties in eastern North Carolina. The cooperative serves 66,475+ accounts through 5,300+ miles of distribution lines and 78,000+ power poles, and supports members with account management tools (SmartHub), flexible payment plans, capital credits retirement, rebates, and renewable energy interconnection programs.

Product overview

Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation is a not-for-profit electric cooperative providing electricity distribution to over 58,000 member-owners across five eastern North Carolina counties. The core offering is electric service and distribution, supported by the SmartHub member portal for account management and payments. The cooperative operates a multi-channel payment system including Budget Billing, FlexPay, and Senior Citizen Pay Plan for member flexibility. Energy efficiency offerings include residential rebates for heating/cooling and weatherization, the Connect to Save smart thermostat demand response program, and the statewide Energy Saver NC program. Member generation programs cover Customer-Owned Generation (COG) for standby generators and Renewable Energy/Member Generation for solar/wind interconnections using a Buy All, Sell All model. Financing is available through the ElecTel Cooperative Federal Credit Union partnership for energy-efficient upgrades and electric vehicles. The cooperative invests in communities through scholarship programs (over $1,000,000 invested), Bright Ideas education grants for K-12 teachers, the Washington Youth Tour leadership program, Touchstone Energy Sports Camps, Career Days, and Safety Demos. Vegetation Management and electric rate schedules round out the core operational services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartHub: Online member portal and mobile application for account management, bill payment, outage reporting, and energy usage tracking
• RIVR Tech
• LREMC Cares Energy Assistance Program

Products and services

• Electric Service & Distribution Core electricity distribution service providing safe, reliable, and affordable power to over 58,000 member-owners across Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Moore, and Scotland counties in eastern North Carolina.
• SmartHub Online and mobile self-service platform enabling members to view and pay bills, access account history, manage multiple accounts, analyze energy usage patterns, enroll in Auto Pay, and report outages.
• Payment Options Suite Multi-channel bill payment system offering phone services (24/7), online SmartHub payments, PaySite Kiosks, Western Union, MoneyGram, Auto Pay/Bank Draft, mail, FlexPay prepay, Budget Billing averaging, and Senior Citizen Pay Plan.
• Capital Credits Annual capital credit retirement program returning margins to member-owners based on proportional electricity purchases; credits issued in October each year.
• Residential Rebate Programs Rebates for energy-efficient upgrades covering Windows, Heating & Cooling heat pumps, Weatherization, Heat Pump Water Heaters, Pool Pumps, and Smart Thermostats.
• Connect to Save Smart Thermostat Program Demand response program providing bill incentives in exchange for allowing the cooperative to make small smart thermostat adjustments during peak demand periods for grid stability.
• Energy Saver NC Statewide rebate program (HOMES and HEAR) offering up to $16,000 in home efficiency improvements (insulation, HVAC, heat pump water heaters, electric stoves) and up to $14,000 for electric appliances for qualifying households.
• Customer-Owned Generation (COG) Program Demand response program allowing the cooperative to control member-owned standby generators for short periods during high-demand periods in exchange for monthly financial bill credits.
• Renewable Energy / Member Generation Interconnection program for member-owned solar and wind generation systems using a 'Buy All, Sell All' two-meter arrangement; requires application, agreement, equipment specifications, insurance, and a $400 interconnection fee.
• NC GreenPower Voluntary member contribution program (starting at $4/month) added to electric bills to support renewable energy purchases and educational solar installations at K-12 schools through NC GreenPower.
• ElecTel Energy Efficient Loans Fixed-rate loans (as low as 4.9%) with up to 100% financing and a $35,000 maximum ($5,000 max for mobile homes) for energy efficiency upgrades including windows, HVAC, generators, solar, water heaters, insulation, and ENERGY STAR appliances.
• Electric Vehicle Loans Electric vehicle financing offered through ElecTel Cooperative Federal Credit Union partnership.
• Vegetation Management Three-year tree-trimming and herbicide treatment cycle maintaining over 5,900 miles of electrical lines across the service territory; includes the Trade A Tree replacement program for property owners.
• HomeServe Emergency Repair Plans Member-benefit emergency repair plans helping protect members against costly covered repairs for home systems and appliances, provided through a partnership with HomeServe.
• RIVR Tech Broadband Wholly-owned subsidiary of Lumbee River EMC offering broadband and fiber internet services to residential and commercial customers within and beyond the cooperative's service territory.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1,000,000 invested in scholarships since program inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RIVR TechcoreOthers · 12 July 2024RIVR Tech is a subsidiary/internet service provider affiliated with Lumbee River EMC, providing fiber internet services to the community. RIVR Tech partnered with Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center to provide free high-speed internet access and has a fiber GIS database maintained by cooperative specialists.
• Thomas Built BusesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Hosted electric school bus tour at High Point, NC facilities. Representatives from Robeson County Schools, Moore County Schools, and Lumbee Tribe participated in discussions about administrative, funding, and technical aspects of electric bus transition.
• United WayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2024LREMC received Presidential Award recognizing outstanding employee giving campaign participation.
• NC GreenPowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Independent nonprofit partnering since 2004 to expand cleaner energy technologies through local, community-based initiatives. Program adds renewable energy to NC power grid and funds educational solar installations at K-12 schools.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational alliance of consumer-owned electric cooperatives dedicated to providing reliable, high-quality service at competitive prices. Member of the largest electric utility network in the nation serving 30.5+ million member-owners across 700+ local systems.
• ElecTel Cooperative Federal Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember benefit allowing LREMC members to join for $1 and finance energy efficiency and sustainability home improvements at low interest rates (as low as 4.9%). Provides loans up to $35,000 for windows, HVAC, generators, solar, insulation, and ENERGY STAR appliances.
• NCEMC (North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation)coreOthersPower generation and transmission cooperative providing electricity to NC's 26 electric distribution cooperatives. LREMC sources electricity through NCEMC from diverse mix including nuclear, coal, hydro, and natural gas through agreements with Duke Energy.
• North Carolina 2-1-1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerReferral resource for utility assistance, basic human needs, child care, elder care, housing assistance. Available 24/7 by dialing 211.
• HomeServeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmergency repair plans helping protect against costly covered repairs for home systems and appliances. Offered as member benefit through LREMC.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EnergyUnited: Larger NC electric cooperative serving members across multiple counties with a member-owned model, NCEMC sourcing, and Touchstone Energy affiliation. Comparable business model, governance, and rural distribution focus.
• Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative: Eastern NC electric cooperative serving coastal Carteret and Craven counties. Comparable member-owned cooperative model, NCEMC power supply, and rural distribution focus with similar member engagement programs.
• Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation: North Carolina electric cooperative serving a multi-county territory with similar member-owned governance, capital credit retirements, and energy efficiency rebate programs. Directly comparable in scale, regulatory framework, and service offering mix.
• Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation: NC coastal electric cooperative with comparable member-ownership structure, NCEMC power sourcing, and Touchstone Energy branding. Similar rural distribution focus and member programs (capital credits, youth programs, broadband initiatives).
• Wake Electric Membership Corporation: NC electric cooperative operating in the rapidly growing Triangle region with similar member-owned cooperative model, capital credit structure, and energy efficiency programs. Comparable governance and customer engagement approach.
• Four County EMC: North Carolina electric membership cooperative serving members across multiple eastern NC counties via distribution-only operations and Touchstone Energy membership. Directly comparable member-owned cooperative model, service territory structure, and capital credit program.
• Jones-Onslow EMC: Eastern NC electric cooperative serving Jacksonville and surrounding counties with similar residential/commercial distribution focus, Touchstone Energy affiliation, and member-owned governance. Comparable scale, regulatory environment, and customer profile.
• South River EMC: Central-eastern NC electric cooperative with directly comparable member-owned structure, NCEMC power sourcing, and Touchstone Energy affiliation. Similar scale (sub-100K accounts) and customer programs.

Broad incumbents

• Duke Energy: Investor-owned utility serving North and South Carolina as the dominant regional electric provider and LREMC's indirect wholesale power supplier (via NCEMC agreements). Comparable electric distribution business at massive scale but for-profit investor-owned model versus LREMC's cooperative structure.

Regional players

• Roanoke Electric Cooperative: Electric cooperative serving rural northeastern North Carolina with similar member-owned model, NCEMC power sourcing, and community development focus. Comparable scale and customer demographics though operating in an adjacent service territory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLEoh80_YbmliercZx4qWJe1vEfnYMchjE
• Xx.com/lremc
• Facebookfacebook.com/LumbeeRiverEMC

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lumbee River Electric Membership