Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) will implement a retail rate adjustment of 3.5 percent, effective August 1, 2024. This adjustment is necessary to address the rising costs associated with maintaining and improving reliable electric service, including essential services such as infrastructure upgrades like poles and transformers, tree trimming and other maintenance. These updates are crucial to meeting the growing demand from our customers across UCEMC’s service areas in Smith, Putnam, Jackson, Overton, and fringe areas of DeKalb, Macon, Wilson, White, Clay, Fentress, and Pickett counties.

Residential customers using an average of 1,500 kilowatt hours per month can expect their monthly bill to increase by approximately $5.61. This adjustment reflects the ongoing commitment to ensuring the highest quality of service despite the increasing equipment and operational costs.

Costs of distribution equipment has risen dramatically. For example: pole costs are up 65%; transformers – 25%-300%, and wire – 25%. The current adjustment is a necessary step to continue providing reliable and efficient service to our over 53,000 meters and 4,700 miles of power lines across our service area, primarily located in Smith, Putnam, Jackson, and Overton counties. UCEMC’s corporate headquarters is located in Carthage, Tennessee.

We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our members as we work to enhance and sustain the quality of service you rely on every day. UCEMC’s members enjoy some of the lowest electric rates in the country.

TVA partners with Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) to Award $10,000 grants to local schools in the cooperative service area through the School Uplift Program.

On May 2^nd TVA announced that the following UCEMC area schools each received a $10,000 Learning Environment grant through Tennessee Valley Authority’s School Uplift program:

• Defeated Elementary                    
• Gordonsville High School             
• Hilham Elementary                       
• Rickman Elementary                     
• Upper Middle School                   
• White Plains Academy                  

Tight budgets and aging buildings leave many schools facing a difficult decision between funding learning programs and making needed facility upgrades. Since 2021, TVA’s $7.87 million School Uplift program has helped 225 public schools in the seven-state region solve that problem.

School Uplift’s year-long energy management training program helps public school districts make smart energy choices that improve the classroom learning environment and save money through decreased energy use. Participating schools compete to earn grants by cutting their energy waste through behavioral changes and by engaging students, faculty, staff, and community.

“School Uplift is another way we’ve partnered with TVA to invest in our community,” said Wanda Geho. “We are so excited the schools were awarded the grant, which will enable administrators to improve facilities and make the school more efficient, healthy, and comfortable for teachers and students. The faculty, staff, and students committed to prioritizing energy efficiency over the last school year and earned this grant through their hard work.”

On average, participating schools have saved nearly 10% on their annual energy bills from behavior changes alone.  When savings from grant-funded energy upgrades are added, this year’s School Uplift participants have estimated total energy savings of 9 GWh or the amount of electricity used by 1,241 homes in one year.

“Every dollar invested in our schools helps districts allocate resources to where it matters most – educating our children,” said Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA’s Energy Services & Programs. “We’re inspired by the winners of this year’s School Uplift grants and proud of their dedication to reducing energy waste and building a sustainable future for us all.”

Recently, TVA’s School Uplift program was recognized as a 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by ENERGY STAR, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

TVA EnergyRight and UCEMC will continue to recruit public K-12 schools for the 2024-2025 program. Visit www.tva.com/EnergyRight.com/school-uplift  to express interest in participating in this exciting program.

TVA STEM Classroom Grants

The grant is sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., a TVA retiree organization, to develop science, technology, engineering, and math education projects to help spark student interest in future careers in STEM-related fields.

The grant program for 2023 opened in early August of 2023 and closed on September 15^th, 2023. TVA notified each county’s Director of Schools about the program.  Wanda shared, “I contacted each of our eligible schools by phone to explain the program opportunities. I’m proud of our local schools, and I knew they could compete for the $1.5 million grants awarded across the Tennessee Valley.”  Check were delivered to each school in March, 2024.

Highlights of the program:

• Teachers can apply for funding up to $5,000 for STEM projects with preference given to applications that explore TVA’s primary area of focus: environment, energy, economic and career development, and community problem-solving.
• Eligible applicants are teachers or school administrators in public or private schools, grades K-12.

Teachers across TVA’s seven-state region applied for funding and over 240 applications were selected in 2023 – 2024.

UCEMC CEO/GM Jennifer Brogdon said, “We are proud to serve all of these schools. I applaud their leadership and teaching staff for using this award to spark interest in STEM. Getting today’s boys and girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math careers is so important, and we hope some of them will work for UCEMC one day”.

The following schools were awarded STEM Grants:

$1,000 Award

A H Roberts Elementary        

$5,000 Award’s

Algood Middle                        

Allons Elementary                  

Jackson Co Middle                

Livingston Middle School       

New Middleton Elementary   

Rickman Elementary             

Vital School                            

ABOUT TVA

The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA was established 90 years ago to serve this region and the nation by developing innovative solutions to solve complex challenges. TVA’s unique mission focuses on energy, environmental stewardship, and economic development. With one of the largest, most diverse, and cleanest energy systems – including nuclear, hydro, solar, gas, and advanced technologies – TVA is a leader in our nation’s drive toward a clean energy future.

TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. Learn more at Energy System of the Future.

We are excited to partner with our friends at @TVAEnergyRight to recruit the next cohort of schools for 2024-2025.

Participating schools can expect to save an average of $13,000 in annual energy costs by engaging the entire school in energy efficiency practices. And all schools who complete the year-long program receive an award of a $10,000 to $25,000 Learning Environment Grant!

We’re helping members go solar every day. Homeowners and businesses can use UCEMC and TVA’s renewable expertise and programs to generate, install and claim solar energy. With any rapidly growing and evolving industry, there is a lot of information and misinformation. If you are interested in installing solar, let UCEMC and TVA use our resources to help you make the best informed decision. Visit www.tvagreenconnect.com  or contact UCEMC’s Member Service Advisor, Larry Fleming, at 615-281-8814.

Attention energy-savers!

Looking to get your budget and energy use back on track?

The State of Tennessee requires periodic renewal of the state’s recognition of an Agricultural tax-exempt status.  2023 is a renewal year. The current Agricultural Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption UCEMC has on file will expire 12/31/23.