Plateau Electric Cooperative
Plateau Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving 12,000+ residential and commercial members across Scott and Morgan counties in Tennessee since 1939, operating an exclusive TVA-supplied service territory with smart metering and digital member self-service tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1939
- HeadquartersOneida, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Plateau Electric Cooperative does
Plateau Electric Cooperative (PEC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative incorporated in Tennessee and headquartered at 16200 Scott Highway in Oneida, with a second office at 825 Spring Street in Wartburg. Founded in 1939, it has continuously served the Cumberland Plateau for over 85 years, distributing electricity exclusively across Scott and Morgan counties to a base of 12,000+ residential and commercial/municipal members. As a regulated distribution utility, it holds an exclusive service territory and sources wholesale power from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which also supplies it with the EnergyRight efficiency and solar programs it resells to members.
The cooperative's core technology is a traditional electric power distribution network — poles, power lines, transformers, and advanced metering infrastructure (smart meters) — augmented by a vegetation management program covering right-of-way clearing and herbicide spraying, and field operations supported by bucket trucks and trained linemen. Mutual aid agreements with Holston Electric, Powell Valley Electric (PVEC), Dark Horse Electric, and Service Electric provide surge crew capacity during major storm events. Member-facing digital infrastructure consists of a UtilityNexus web portal and native iOS/Android applications that handle billing, payments, and service requests.
PEC's revenue model is fundamentally subscription/recurring: it sells metered electricity to members at regulated rates that vary by customer class and usage, with optional Budget Billing (Equal Payment Plan) that smooths monthly payments. Supplementary revenue streams include a one-time $205 new-member membership/deposit (plus $200 per additional meter), electrical inspection fees, reconnection and tampering penalties, outdoor/street lighting subscriptions by lamp type, water-heater rebates funded via TVA, and surge protection sales. Customer acquisition is community-led rather than sales-led, relying on local events, youth programs (Washington Youth Tour, Youth Leadership Summit), and word-of-mouth within the rural service area, with no meaningful churn risk because members cannot choose an alternative electricity provider. Governance is democratic — one-member-one-vote elections for an elected board of directors — and the cooperative is the largest taxpayer in Scott County and the second-largest in Morgan County.
Plateau Electric Cooperative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plateau Electric Cooperative
- Legal name
- Plateau Electric Cooperative
- Website
- https://plateauelectric.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1939
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Plateau Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving 12,000+ residential and commercial members across Scott and Morgan counties in Tennessee since 1939, operating an exclusive TVA-supplied service territory with smart metering and digital member self-service tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Plateau Electric Cooperative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Utility Distribution
- NAICS
- Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)
- 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
Where Plateau Electric Cooperative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oneida
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Plateau Electric Cooperative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electricity Distribution: The primary revenue stream comes from distributing electricity to member-customers. As a not-for-profit cooperative, revenues are used to cover operating costs and maintain infrastructure, with any excess being returned to members or reinvested in system improvements. Rates are regulated and vary by customer class (residential, commercial) and usage levels.
- Membership and Connection Fees: New members pay a $205 membership and deposit ($200 for each additional meter) for service connection. Additional fees include connection fees, reconnection charges ($40 collection + $40 reconnection, or $150 after-hours), and inspection fees.
- Service Fees and Rebates: Various ancillary fees including returned check fees, meter tampering penalties, and charges for right-of-way clearing. The cooperative also offers water heater rebates ($50-$100) and energy efficiency incentives funded through TVA programs.
- Outdoor Lighting Services: Street light and outdoor lighting services with various lamp types (LED, High Pressure Sodium, Mercury Vapor, Metal Halide). Pricing varies monthly based on days in the billing period.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | New Service Membership and Deposit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Electrical Inspection Fees |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Reconnection Fees |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Water Heater Rebates |
| Subscription | Monthly | Budget Billing (Equal Payment Plan) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Plateau Electric Cooperative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Plateau Electric Cooperative distributes electricity purchased wholesale from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to residential and commercial members across Scott and Morgan counties, Tennessee, operating as a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility since 1939. The cooperative provides electricity distribution, outdoor lighting, surge protection, energy efficiency rebates, tree trimming and right-of-way management, and digital account management through a member portal and mobile applications. Revenue is generated through regulated rates, membership and connection fees, and ancillary service charges, with surpluses reinvested or returned to members.
Product overview
Plateau Electric Cooperative operates as a not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric utility providing a unified platform of electricity distribution services alongside community-focused programs. The core product is electricity distribution service delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power across Scott and Morgan counties in Tennessee. The cooperative's product ecosystem includes service management tools (Member Portal, Mobile Application, Start/Stop Service), payment solutions (Payment Options, Online Bill Pay), and value-added services (Tree Trimming/Right-of-Way Management, Outdoor Lighting, Water Heater Rebates, TVA EnergyRight Efficiency Programs, Solar Information Services, Surge Protection). Community programs include the Washington Youth Tour and Youth Leadership Summit for high school students. The cooperative also maintains an Outage Center for real-time power restoration updates and partners with organizations for Financial Assistance Programs to support members in need.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Electricity Distribution Service Primary service providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity distribution to homes and businesses across Scott and Morgan counties in Tennessee, operating as a member-owned not-for-profit utility with TVA wholesale power supply.
- Tree Trimming / Right-of-Way Management
Quantifiable outcome
- Served since 1939 - over 85 years of continuous operation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Plateau Electric Cooperative
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Plateau Electric Cooperative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Plateau Electric Cooperative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)coreTVA is the wholesale power provider for Plateau Electric Cooperative, generating electricity from various sources including nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy. PEC purchases power from TVA and distributes it to members. TVA also provides programs including EnergyRight efficiency incentives and solar calculator tools.
- Tennessee Electric Co-opscoreStatewide association connecting Tennessee's electric cooperatives for shared resources, advocacy, youth programs including Youth Leadership Summit, and cooperative education. Affiliation provides access to collective buying power and industry representation.
- Holston ElectricminorMutual aid partner providing crew assistance during major outage events. Holston Electric crews have assisted PEC during storm damage restoration efforts.
- Powell Valley Electric (PVEC)minorMutual aid partner providing crew assistance during major outage events and storm restoration efforts.
- Dark Horse ElectricminorContracted line crew assistance during major outage events for tree trimming, clearing roadways, and rebuilding power lines.
- Service ElectricminorMutual aid partner providing crew assistance during major outage events including storm damage restoration.
- NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)coreNational organization representing America's electric cooperatives. PEC participates in Washington Youth Tour and connects with other co-ops nationwide through NRECA events and educational programs.
- East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA)minorReferral partner for financial assistance programs helping members with rent costs, home utilities, and heating/cooling costs. Located in Knoxville with local contacts for Scott and Morgan counties.
- Morgan Scott ProjectminorNon-profit referral partner serving elderly, disabled, and unemployed residents in Scott and Morgan counties with utility assistance.
- Unicorn FundminorCharitable nonprofit serving Morgan and Scott Counties for over 40 years, providing utility bill assistance to those in need.
- Salvation ArmyminorReferral partner providing rent assistance and utility bill help for Scott County residents through local and Knoxville offices.
- St. Jude Catholic ChurchminorLocal church that assists with utility bills for those in need in the Helenwood, TN area on occasion.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Plateau Electric Cooperative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative: Member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative in the TVA service region of southeast Tennessee. Operates under the same cooperative model, regulatory framework, and wholesale supply arrangement, making it a structural peer to Plateau Electric.
- Pedernales Electric Cooperative: Large member-owned electric distribution cooperative in Texas Hill Country. Comparable cooperative governance model, rural distribution profile, and member-focused service ethos, though materially larger in scale and operating in a different generation-supply context.
- Volunteer Energy Cooperative: Tennessee-based member-owned electric (and historically multi-utility) cooperative. Operates as a rural electric distributor under TVA supply with comparable governance and member service model, though somewhat larger and more diversified in geography.
- Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation: Tennessee electric distribution cooperative serving multiple rural counties. Direct peer in cooperative structure, TVA wholesale supply, and member-focused service delivery, though with a materially larger member base and service territory.
- Holston Electric Cooperative: Tennessee-based electric distribution cooperative providing member-owned electric service in a rural Tennessee service territory. Direct operational peer with similar cooperative governance, TVA wholesale supply, mutual aid relationships, and rural distribution profile.
- Powell Valley Electric Cooperative (PVEC): Rural Tennessee electric distribution cooperative serving neighboring counties. Comparable in member-owned structure, TVA supply, mutual aid participation with Plateau Electric, and small-scale rural distribution operations.
- Caney Fork Electric Cooperative: Tennessee rural electric distribution cooperative serving members on the Cumberland Plateau with member-owned cooperative structure and TVA supply — directly comparable in scale, terrain, and operating model to Plateau Electric.
Others
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Federal wholesale power supplier and generation owner that supplies Plateau Electric Cooperative and other distributors. Not a direct competitor but the principal upstream partner whose rates and programs directly shape PEC's economics and energy service offerings.
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA): National trade association for electric cooperatives that provides advocacy, shared services, and youth programs (e.g., Washington Youth Tour) to Plateau Electric. Industry association peer rather than a commercial competitor, but materially shapes operating environment.
Broad incumbents
- Middle Tennessee Electric: Larger Tennessee electric distribution cooperative serving multiple counties around the Nashville region. Operates under the same cooperative/TVA framework but at significantly greater scale with broader service territory and more diversified customer mix.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Plateau Electric Cooperative social profiles
Digital presencePlateau Electric Cooperative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plateau Electric Cooperative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Plateau Electric Cooperative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Plateau Electric Cooperative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Plateau Electric Cooperative
What does Plateau Electric Cooperative do?
Plateau Electric Cooperative distributes electricity purchased wholesale from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to residential and commercial members across Scott and Morgan counties, Tennessee, operating as a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility since 1939. The cooperative provides electricity distribution, outdoor lighting, surge protection, energy efficiency rebates, tree trimming and right-of-way management, and digital account management through a member portal and mobile applications. Revenue is generated through regulated rates, membership and connection fees, and ancillary service charges, with surpluses reinvested or returned to members.
Is Plateau Electric Cooperative a public or private company?
Plateau Electric Cooperative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Plateau Electric Cooperative founded?
Plateau Electric Cooperative was founded in 1939. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Plateau Electric Cooperative based?
Plateau Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Oneida, United States, in the North America region.
How does Plateau Electric Cooperative make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electricity Distribution is the primary driver. The others are membership and Connection Fees, service Fees and Rebates and outdoor Lighting Services.
Who are Plateau Electric Cooperative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Volunteer Energy Cooperative, Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Holston Electric Cooperative, Powell Valley Electric Cooperative (PVEC) and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative. Others are Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Middle Tennessee Electric is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Plateau Electric Cooperative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Plateau Electric Cooperative.
What industry is Plateau Electric Cooperative in?
Plateau Electric Cooperative's product category is Electric Utility Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities), with a secondary code of EUADABAI, Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies). Its NAICS code is 221122 and its SIC code is 4911.