Pontotoc Electric Power Association

What Pontotoc Electric Power Association does

Pontotoc Electric Power Association (PEPA) is a not-for-profit, member-owned rural electric cooperative organized under Mississippi state law and incorporated on February 23, 1934. On February 28, 1935, the Tennessee Valley Authority officially transferred its distribution assets to PEPA, making it the second oldest rural electric cooperative in the United States. PEPA distributes TVA-generated electricity across 1,786 miles of owned infrastructure to 20,770 meters (16,439 residential and 4,331 commercial) across five North Mississippi counties — Pontotoc, Calhoun, Union, Lafayette, and Chickasaw, plus portions of Lee County — serving the incorporated municipalities of Pontotoc, Bruce, Ecru, Pittsboro, Algoma, and Toccopola. The cooperative employs 82 full-time staff as of 2023 and operates from a headquarters in Pontotoc with a satellite office in Bruce.

Core operations span electric distribution through owned substations, transformers, poles, wires, and metering assets, supplemented by electronic power system mapping (since 2007) and a UtilityNexus-based customer portal with mobile app for billing, autopay, and usage monitoring. PEPA offers a structured product set: residential and business/industrial electricity service, EnergyRight Solutions energy efficiency programs (DIY home assessments, virtual home energy evaluations, Quality Contractor Network for residential; Standard Rebates and Custom Incentives for commercial/industrial customers up to 5,000 kW), a Comprehensive Services Program (energy audits, HVAC studies, infrared scans, ultrasonic testing, lighting design, power quality analysis), outdoor lighting programs, and a planned Tombigbee Fiber broadband JV. Member-facing add-ons include a $1,000-per-recipient scholarship program, a Helping Hands on-bill charitable contribution program, and used-equipment sales by sealed bid.

PEPA's business model is a regulated distribution-fee model: members pay usage-based monthly bills on a seasonal rate structure (Summer: June-September; Winter: December-February; Transition: April-May, October-November), pass-through TVA wholesale rates, customer charges, and connection/deposit fees ($50 membership, $200-$400 deposits, $15 connection fee). Revenue streams include recurring distribution charges, one-time membership/deposit fees, outdoor lighting subscriptions, used-equipment sales, and engineering service revenue from the Comprehensive Services Program. Distribution partners include TVA (wholesale supplier and rate regulator), Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, Mississippi Development Authority, NMIDA, and Three Rivers Planning and Development District. Governance is democratic: members elect a 9-area board of directors (including President Terry Chunn and Vice-President Randy Heard) that oversees General Manager Frankie Moorman (succeeded Chuck Howell in March 2020).

Name

Pontotoc Electric Power Association

Legal name

Pontotoc Electric Power Association

Website

https://pepa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Pontotoc Electric Power Association (PEPA) is a not-for-profit, member-owned rural electric cooperative that distributes Tennessee Valley Authority-generated electricity to approximately 20,770 residential and commercial meters across 1,786 miles of owned infrastructure in five North Mississippi counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Electric Cooperative Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI)

Keywords

• Rural electric distribution
• Electric cooperative services
• Power distribution services
• Residential electricity supply
• Commercial electricity supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Pontotoc

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Services: PEPA distributes electricity generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, revenues cover operational costs and maintain affordable rates. Income comes from monthly electricity charges based on usage (kWh) with seasonal rate structures, customer charges, and connection fees.
2. Membership Fees and Deposits: New residential customers pay a $50 membership fee and deposits ranging from $200 to $400 based on credit check. Service connection fees of $15 are added to first bills. These fees provide initial capital and help mitigate risk from new accounts.
3. Outdoor Lighting Programs: Residential and commercial outdoor lighting programs provide additional monthly revenue streams for specialized lighting services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pontotoc Electric Power Association distributes electricity generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to residential, commercial, and industrial members across five North Mississippi counties through its own power distribution infrastructure. As a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative, PEPA sells electricity service billed monthly based on kWh consumption under a seasonal rate structure, supplemented by TVA-partnered EnergyRight energy efficiency programs, a Comprehensive Services Program offering engineering assistance, and a planned Tombigbee Fiber gigabit internet service.

Product overview

Pontotoc Electric Power Association (PEPA) is a rural electric cooperative providing electricity distribution services. The company operates as a single unified offering—the distribution of TVA-generated electricity to residential and commercial customers—with various add-on modules and programs. Core services include residential and business electricity service, supplemented by the Customer Portal and Mobile App for account management, EnergyRight Solutions programs (home and business) for energy efficiency, the Comprehensive Services Program offering engineering assistance, Automatic Bank Draft and Pay-by-Phone payment options, and planned Tombigbee Fiber internet service. Additional programs include outdoor lighting, payment assistance through the Helping Hands program, a scholarship program, and used equipment sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Electricity Service
• Business/Industrial Electricity Service
• Outdoor Lighting
• EnergyRight Solutions for Home
• EnergyRight Solutions for Business
• Comprehensive Services Program (CSP)
• Tombigbee Fiber
• Used Equipment Sales

Quantifiable outcome

• Among the lowest electric rates in the nation due to not-for-profit structure and TVA partnership
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tombigbee Fiber, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2021Tombigbee Fiber plans to build fiber optic infrastructure in the eastern portion of Pontotoc County, Mississippi and southeastern Union County to offer gigabit speed internet service. PEPA announced this initiative as part of bringing high-speed internet to portions of its service area.
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTVA generates the electricity that PEPA distributes to end customers. TVA is PEPA's wholesale power supplier and rate regulator. In April 2011, TVA implemented seasonal rate structure affecting how distributors are billed for wholesale power. TVA also provides EnergyRight Solutions programs through PEPA, including financial assistance, rebates, and custom incentives for energy efficiency. TVA holds board meetings at PEPA facilities and provides economic development support.
• Electric Cooperatives of MississippicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association representing 69 of Mississippi's 82 counties through electric power associations. Publishes 'Today in Mississippi' magazine featuring PEPA content since 1991. Provides economic development resources and advocacy for rural electric cooperatives.
• Mississippi Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic and community development agency with approximately 300 employees serving businesses, communities, and workers throughout Mississippi. PEPA partners to support economic development in its service area.
• North Mississippi Industrial Development Association (NMIDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded by North Mississippi Electrical Power Distributors and TVA, NMIDA works directly with industries and supports regional, state, and local agencies to connect prospective and existing industries with opportunities and resources in the region.
• Three Rivers Planning and Development DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate non-profit organization formed by local government entities and business leaders to promote overall economic development, foster responsible planning, and aid civic, social, and economic development in the region.
• TVA EnergyRight SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership program offering energy efficiency solutions for residential and business customers. Includes free DIY home energy assessments, virtual home energy evaluations, Quality Contractor Network, rebates and incentives for commercial and industrial customers, and demand response programs. Commercial customers with demand of 5,000 kilowatts or less are eligible for Standard Rebates and Custom Incentives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Pedernales Electric Cooperative: Largest distribution electric cooperative in the United States, serving central Texas with the same member-owned cooperative distribution model as PEPA but at materially greater scale; useful as a high-end same-model comparable.

Direct peers

• Southern Pine Electric Cooperative: Rural electric distribution cooperative operating across east-central Mississippi and west Alabama with the same TVA-served or comparable wholesale power model and member-owned cooperative structure as PEPA.
• Dixie Electric Power Association: Mississippi electric distribution association serving residential and commercial members in central Mississippi with the same cooperative distribution model and TVA-area customer profile as PEPA.
• Alcorn County Electric Power Association: Mississippi electric distribution cooperative serving commercial, industrial, and residential loads in North Mississippi under the same TVA-distributor framework as PEPA.
• Tippah County Electric Power Association: Mississippi rural electric distribution cooperative in North Mississippi distributing TVA power to residential and commercial members on essentially the same business model as PEPA.
• Chickasaw Electric Cooperative: Neighbor Mississippi electric distribution cooperative also serving rural North Mississippi counties with TVA-supplied power; directly comparable business model, customer base, and regulatory regime to PEPA.
• Pickwick Electric Cooperative: Tennessee-based rural electric distribution cooperative distributing TVA power to residential and commercial members in a similar rural footprint; directly comparable in scale and business model to PEPA.
• Prentiss County Electric Power Association: Adjacent Mississippi TVA-distributing cooperative serving a similar rural customer mix in neighboring counties; directly comparable in scale, revenue model, and cooperative governance.
• 4-County Electric Power Association: Mississippi distribution cooperative providing TVA-supplied electricity and EnergyRight programs; operationally and demographically very similar to PEPA across its rural service territory.
• Tombigbee Electric Cooperative (Alabama): Alabama rural electric distribution cooperative with comparable scale, mission, and member-owned structure; operationally analogous despite being across the state line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pontotoc_epa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pontotoc-electric-power-co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Pontotoc Electric Power Association