Holston Electric Cooperative: Powering Upper East Tennessee Since 1940

Holston Electric Cooperative Inc is a member-owned electric utility that has been an integral part of the Rogersville, TN, community for over eight decades. Headquartered in Rogersville, this non-profit cooperative provides reliable electric service across a 525 square-mile territory in Hawkins, Hamblen, and Greene Counties, serving more than 30,000 residential, commercial, and industrial members. Its operations are deeply rooted in the local landscape, from serving rural farms near Sneedville to supporting businesses along the Crockett Springs Road corridor.

Key Services for Local Members

Holston Electric Cooperative offers essential electrical services tailored to the needs of Upper East Tennessee. A core offering is electric inspection, a critical service for ensuring safety and compliance with local codes. This is particularly relevant for older homes in historic Rogersville neighborhoods and for new construction in developing areas like the Stanley Valley Road community. The cooperative also provides specialized resources for members interested in modern energy solutions.

• Energy Efficiency Guidance: Offers advice on managing energy use, which is valuable given the region's humid summers and cold winters that drive heating and cooling costs.
• Solar Energy Consultation: Provides guidance for members considering solar panel installation, helping navigate the process specific to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) interconnection requirements.

Detailed Areas Served

The cooperative's service territory is defined by its commitment to rural electrification and community support. Its team of 65 employees maintains over 2,600 miles of distribution lines and 12 substations, giving them intimate knowledge of the local grid's characteristics.

• Primary Service Zone: Specific neighborhoods and communities within its core counties, including the downtown Rogersville historic district, areas surrounding Cherokee Lake in Hawkins County, the industrial corridors of Morristown in Hamblen County, and the rural farmlands near Sneedville in Hancock County.
• Extended Service Area: The cooperative reliably serves the towns of Surgoinsville, Bulls Gap, and Mooresburg, along with unincorporated county areas throughout its three-county territory.

The operational team is familiar with the distinct infrastructure needs, from serving historic homes built in the early 1900s to supporting modern commercial developments.

Company History & Local Roots

The first board meeting of Holston Electric Cooperative was held on July 11, 1940, with the immediate mission of bringing electricity to rural residents who had never had it. This foundational response established a tradition of member-focused service that continues today. The cooperative operates under bylaws conforming to Tennessee's Cooperative Act and is governed by a seven-member board elected by the membership. Key milestones in its growth are tied directly to the community's expansion, evolving from eight initial employees to a team of 65 maintaining a 2,473-mile system. Members receive news through The Tennessee Magazine and participate in the annual meeting held on the second Tuesday of each October in Rogersville.

Leadership & Team

Holston Electric Cooperative is overseen by a general manager who handles daily operations, with policies set by the elected member-board. The team comprises local professionals who understand the region's specific electrical demands. Their expertise is built on decades of maintaining the distribution system that powers local landmarks like the Hawkins County Courthouse, Walters State Community College's operations in the area, and the commercial districts along Main Street in Rogersville. Their long-term residence within the community ensures a deep understanding of local needs.

Community-Specific Specializations

The cooperative has developed specializations directly relevant to its service area.

• Managing power reliability during severe weather common to the region, including summer thunderstorms and winter ice storms that can affect lines in hilly terrains.
• Navigating the specific interconnection processes required for distributed generation, like solar, under the TVA power supply framework.
• Supporting the agricultural and small industrial base of Hawkins, Hamblen, and Greene Counties with stable commercial power service.
• Providing energy management resources that help members cope with seasonal temperature extremes, from humid Appalachian summers to cold, damp winters.

Local Reputation & Reliability

Holston Electric Cooperative's standing in the community is built on an 80-year legacy of local ownership and operation. As a non-profit cooperative, its structure ensures that service decisions are made for the benefit of the member-owners it serves. Its longevity far exceeds that of many private market entrants, leading to strong patterns of long-term member relationships. The cooperative consistently meets the electrical code and safety standards enforced by local inspection departments across its three-county territory. Its operational protocols are adapted to the specific geography of Upper East Tennessee, ensuring a reliable response to outages and service needs across its widespread, rural service area.