Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative

In 1940 concerned citizens and farmers met to discuss ways and means of providing electricity to the rural of sections of Monroe, Blount and Loudon Counties. Initially, the Loudon County Electric Membership Corporation was formed. In August of 1940 the Board of Directors approved the Articles of conversion and the Loudon County Electric Membership Corporation became Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative, with its main office in Vonore, TN. Operations of the cooperative began on September 1, 1940.

In the middle 1930's nine out of ten rural farms were without electric service. Power companies served most of the cities and some farms close to the cities. Property along the main highway had electricity, but most farms could not afford it. Rural customers were required to pay for connecting electricity and the price ranged from $2,000 to $3,000 per mile of line. In addition to the connection fee, the cost for kWh ranged from ten to twelve cents per kWh. In some places the cost was as high as twenty five to forty cents per kWh. There were very few rural families who could afford this in the years when wheat sold eighty cents a bushel and the gross farm income averaged $1,800 a year.

The creation of the Rural Utilities Service (an agency of USDA) made possible the formation of FLEC and similar electric co-ops throughout the United States. RUS funds have been loaned to FLEC to extend electric service to its consumer-members. The establishment of TVA in 1933 in our region made low-cost electricity available to FLEC and other power distributors in this area.

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative serves portions of a three-county area including Blount, Loudon, and Monroe counties. The cooperative is a private, non-profit organization; owned by the members it serves. The service area is divided into eight districts and a director is elected from each district every three years. The cooperative's main office is located in Vonore.

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative has grown far beyond the most optimistic early planning. Currently FLEC serves approximately 32,000 customers with over 2,700 miles of distribution lines. FLEC is growing with the area and as a result it has become a thriving, dynamic organization and a very vital part of the communities in the area served.

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative (FLEC) is a non-profit member owned utility providing electricity to Blount, Loudon, and Monroe Counties. FLEC currently provides service to approximately 32,000 residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.

Our goal is to provide you with the best possible service available. Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative provides services such as cash rebate programs, Tennessee Valley Authority's eScore® Program, security lights, levelized billing program, bank drafts, and surge protection products.

New Service 

Establishing Service

Each prospective member requesting electric service will be required to:

1. Sign an application for service contract
2. Pay a $5.00 membership fee
3. Pay a $10.00 service fee
4. Provide adequate identification – driver’s license
5. Provide social security number
6. Complete credit assessment to determine deposit options
7. Provide proof of ownership or lease agreement

Service will not be supplied if prospective member is indebted to Fort Loudoun Electric Coop, until indebtedness is paid. 

Deposits

Residential

Home owners and renters will undergo a credit assessment to determine the deposit options as listed below:

1. Based on credit assessment the deposit may be waived. 
2. If a deposit is required, the minimum deposit shall be twice the average amount of the bill at the location.
3. The credit check will determine the deposit amount required.

When paying any deposits/fees over $500, please be prepared to pay by cash, check or money order in our office. FLEC cannot accept credit or debit card charges over $500.

A member with 24 months good credit history will be eligible to receive the deposit back in the form of a credit to them on their bill, including members on/in rental agreements. (Good credit means having no more than two late payments in a 24 month history.)
FLEC is now required to accrue interest on deposits held over 12 months. This amount will be applied as a credit on the account.

Upon termination of service, any deposit will be applied against unpaid bill and if any balance remains after such application, said balance will be refunded to member.