Volunteer Energy Cooperative: Powering Decatur and Southeast Tennessee Since 1935

Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) is an established electric and natural gas provider headquartered in Decatur, TN. Founded in 1935, it operates as a member-owned cooperative serving over 115,900 accounts across 17 counties. With nine local customer service centers, including its Decatur headquarters, VEC focuses on delivering reliable utilities to both residential and commercial members throughout its service territory while maintaining some of the lowest rates in the nation.

Key Services for Local Homes and Businesses

VEC provides essential utility services tailored to the needs of Southeast Tennessee. Its team of certified electricians handles electrical inspections, installations, and light fixture work, ensuring systems meet local codes. The cooperative is also a primary provider of propane services, a crucial fuel source for heating and cooking in many rural areas of Meigs and McMinn Counties.

Detailed Areas Served

VEC's primary service zone within its wider territory includes specific communities around Decatur and Athens. This encompasses neighborhoods like Egypt, Goodfield, and Coghill. Service extends along key corridors such as Highway 30 and Highway 58, reaching into unincorporated areas of Meigs County. The cooperative's operational familiarity with the infrastructure in these areas, from older farmhouses to newer developments, allows for efficient service delivery.

Company History and Deep Local Roots

Volunteer Energy Cooperative was founded to bring electricity to rural Southeast Tennessee. Its growth has mirrored the region's development. A key milestone in community support is the VECustomers Share program, which has awarded over $7.6 million in grants to local organizations. This long-term investment underscores VEC's role as a community partner, not just a utility provider.

Leadership, Team, and Local Ties

The cooperative is governed by a board of directors elected from its membership across the 17-county region. Its team includes locally hired technicians and customer service staff who hold the necessary state certifications for electrical and propane work. Their daily operations involve close coordination with local inspection departments and other utilities throughout the Tennessee Valley.

Community-Specific Specializations

VEC has developed expertise in several areas critical to its local members:

• Providing electrical upgrades for older homes common in historic areas, ensuring they meet modern safety standards.
• Managing increased propane demand during cold snaps, which are common in the Tennessee Valley's variable winters.
• Supporting the local agricultural and manufacturing economic base with reliable commercial-scale electrical and gas services.
• Navigating the specific permitting processes of municipalities like Athens and Decatur efficiently.
• Maintaining infrastructure resilience against seasonal thunderstorms and high winds prevalent in the region.

Local Reputation and Reliability

Volunteer Energy Cooperative's decades of service have established it as a reliable community institution. Its cooperative model ensures decisions are made locally for the benefit of members. The business maintains consistency in meeting Tennessee's electrical and safety codes. Its adaptation to the region's geography, serving both dense towns and spread-out rural routes, demonstrates a commitment to reliable service for all members in Decatur, TN, and the surrounding counties.