The Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) is an electric power distribution cooperative. UCEMC is owned and operated by its members and distributes electric power through more than 4,735 miles of lines to more than 52,000 members located primarily in Jackson, Overton, Putnam and Smith Counties and northern DeKalb County. Several members are served in “fringe” areas of Clay, Fentress, Macon, Pickett, White, and Wilson Counties.
Above: UCEMC employees Wanda Geho and Jessica Reed serve members at the 2021 Annual Meeting Registration Event. 299 members were registered and we shared 575 picnic boxes of fish and chicken. Thank you for driving by!
You weren’t able to join us? Enjoy this webcast of the 83rd Annual Meeting of the Members.
Due to safety concerns for cooperative members and Upper Cumberland Electric Membership employees, the traditional format has changed for the UCEMC Annual Meeting of the Members set for tomorrow, September 11.
Members may come to the Smith County Ag Center, 159 Ag Center Lane in South Carthage tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., as planned, but, instead of parking and entering the building, they will be directed to “drive-through” the Ag Center to be registered.UCEMC Consumer Service Representatives will register each member, and members will receive gift bags, and a picnic box of food at that time.
Members must register to be eligible for one of our 90 door prizes to be given away.
The Annual Meeting, the door prize drawing results, along with videos Local People, Local Power and What a Year! will be up on the co-op’s website, ucemc.com, Monday, September 13, at 6 p.m. The names of the prize winners and instructions on how to pick up those prizes will appear on the screen throughout the webcast on Monday evening..
Hundreds of Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation members turned out at district office polls on Friday and Saturday, voting to fill seats on the UCEMC Board of Directors in districts one, two, and three.
In District One, consisting of Smith, DeKalb, Wilson, and Macon counties, Bradley West defeated Joey Harper for the seat vacated by Mike Scudder.
Incumbent Board member Rony Myers defeated Mike Bowman to retain his seat in District Two consisting of Putnam and White counties.
Tim Sells was the victor against James Scarlett for the seat vacated by Glenn Honeycutt in District Three, comprising Overton, Clay, Fentress, and Pickett counties.
One of the guiding principles of an electric cooperative is that it is a democratic organization controlled by its members who actively participate. This year, Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation is counting on its eligible members to get out and vote to fill the seats of three board members whose terms are expiring.
Before UCEMC holds the in-person 83rd Annual Meeting of the Members on September 11, voters must fill these three impending vacancies on the Cooperative’s Board of Directors. The board comprises nine members, and each year, at least three seats are up for election on a rotational basis.
The term of the incumbent director in District One, serving DeKalb, Macon, Smith, and Wilson counties, will expire, as will the term of the incumbent in District Two, serving Putnam and White Counties. In addition, the term of the incumbent in District Three serving Clay, Fentress, Overton, and Pickett counties is expiring.
Qualifying candidates had a deadline of June 13 to file their petitions with UCEMC’s General Manager, Jennifer Brogdon, or Board secretary Alan Pippin. To keep this process separate from the Board of Directors, UCEMC has a Credentials Committee, which is appointed and acts under the Cooperative’s Bylaws. The Credentials Committee worked independently of the Board and has determined the eligibility of each petitioner to become a qualified candidate. This represents a continuous effort to be transparent and to encourage member participation. See the complete list of candidates at the bottom of this page.
Members may cast their ballots at any of the cooperative’s district offices.
*Due to ongoing construction at the Carthage District One office, members will vote at the UCEMC Corporate office this year.
Polls open Friday, August 27, and Saturday, August 28, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
*Carthage – UCEMC Corporate office – 907 Main Street, Carthage, TN. 37030
Cookeville – 1794 West Broad Street, Cookeville, TN. 38503
Livingston – 320 Celina Highway, Livingston, TN. 38570
Gainesboro – 1085 North Grundy Quarles Highway, Gainesboro, TN. 38562
This month, we’re introducing convenient new ways to pay your electric bill in-person, online, and at your favorite stores!
Watch our Introduction Video:
UCEMC CheckOut
UCEMC CheckOut is our newest bill payment option that allows you to pay your UCEMC power bill where you shop.
AutoPay and E-Check
AutoPay is a recurring payment system that you may set up through ucemc.com>MyUCEMC, our mobile app or our Consumer Services Representatives at any UCEMC District Office location. AutoPay automatically charges your credit card, debit card, or E-check that you have on file with us on the date you specify. This date needs to be on or before your due date.
E-Check
This digital check is drafted from the bank account you have registered with us on the date you specify. This method is ideal for our members who don’t use credit cards. Additional fees may apply for a failed payment or insufficient funds.
Frequently Asked Questions about AutoPay:
How will I know what day it goes through?
AutoPay automatically charges the credit card, debit card, or E-check that you have on file with us on the date you specify. This date needs to be on or before your due date.
Will I still receive my bill?
Yes. You will continue to receive a paper copy of your bill in the mail unless you have selected the “paperless billing” option in the MyUCEMC web portal at ucemc.com.
How can I enroll in AutoPay?
The easiest way to enroll in Autopay is through the MyUCEMC web portal. You may also set up AutoPay through our Consumer Service Representatives at any UCEMC office.
If I sign up, when will it start?
Autopay will begin on any new bills from the date you signed up. If you have an outstanding balance, you can not use Autopay to cover that previous balance. For example, you received a bill for $50 last month, and you enrolled in Autopay. After receiving that bill, you will need to pay that $50 bill with your usual method. Once you are current, next month’s bill will begin the recurring payment of your bill through Autopay.
Can I participate in AutoPay without logging into MyUCEMC?
Yes. We allow members to sign up by downloading the bank draft form on ucemc.com>MyUCEMC>Autopay and return it by mail or in-person to any of our district offices.
Now, paying your electric bill is as easy as 1-2-3!
As a member of Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, you know how to make smart energy choices that help you save money. But did you know that when you use electricity can be just as important as how much you use?
Throughout the day, energy use fluctuates based on consumer demand. Typically, most households use larger amounts of electricity in the morning when most people are getting ready for their day. In the evenings, people return from work, cook dinner, wash clothes, and watch television.
When people in our community are using more electricity at the same time is called “peak” hours. The cost for UCEMC to provide power is higher during these times because of the additional electricity demand.
By shifting some of your energy use to hours when demand is lower, also known as off-peak hours, you can save money on your energy bills and help keep rates lower for our community.
Here are a few easy ways you can shift energy use to off-peak hours:
There are just a few examples of ways to save energy and money by making a few minor adjustments to your daily routine.
Smith County Middle School recently received a $5,000 STEM grant from The Tennessee Valley Authority and Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation.
The school used that money to purchase model solar cars to teach the kids about science, technology, engineering, and math.
As SCMS Principal Kelly Bell explains, children can learn some of life’s most important lessons while playing, and that was the idea when the kids raced their solar cars on the last day of school:
Tree trimming improves service for all.
One of the things we love best about the Upper Cumberland is the natural beauty that surrounds us. We are fortunate to have so many trees that offer beauty, shade, and a habitat for all sorts of birds and other wildlife. We know that you appreciate our community for many of the same reasons.
At Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, we strive to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights of way (ROW). UCEMC has recently approved the largest ROW budget in the co-op’s history.
While we recognize and appreciate the beauty of trees, there are three main benefits to tree trimming in ROW areas. However, before touching on the main reasons, here’s what a “right of way” is and how it may impact you. A right of way is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Rights of way enable the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance, or operation. ROW areas are typically on public lands or located near a business or home. Regardless, UCEMC must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the ROW. The overall goal of our vegetation management program is to provide reliable power to our members while maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways.
Safety
First and foremost, we care about our members and put their safety and that of our lineworkers above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose a grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.
Reliability
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keep lines clear to promote reliability.
Affordability
As you know, UCEMC is a not-for-profit cooperative, and that means we strive to keep our costs in check to keep our rates affordable. This extends to our approach to vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone.
Our community is a special place. We appreciate the beauty trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to provide reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we are better able to keep the power lines clear, prepare for future weather events, and secure the grid’s reliability.
Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation is happy to announce the scholarship winners of the 2021 UCEMC Washington Youth Tour Essay Contest. Katie Ash of Smith County High School, and Katie Grandstaff of Gordonsville High, will be receiving a scholarship upon high school graduation next year. Ms. Ash, who plans on a medical career after college, and Ms. Grandstaff, who is currently taking dual-enrollment classes, will not be going to Washington D.C. on the annual Washington Youth Tour. The tour was canceled due to pandemic concerns. In lieu of that trip, The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association awarded $1,000 toward the UCEMC Scholarship, for a total of $2,000 for each student.
Graduating students who won the essay contest in 2020 received their $2,000 scholarships recently. Faith Pawloski of Jackson County High School, Sydney Griffin of Gordonsville High, Kobe Kitchen of Smith County High, and Kaylee Laycock of Livingston Academy, are all looking forward to a relaxing summer before hitting the books in college this fall. Congratulations to our 2020 and 2021 Scholarship winners!
