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.
When the winter temps drop into the teens and twenties, many UCEMC members will bring the space heater out of storage to supplement their home heating unit. Some advertisements indicate that portable electric heaters are highly efficient, and the truth is, they are designed to provide adequate short-term heat for a bathroom or other small area. Long-term use may be cost-prohibitive because, with a space heater, it’s that constant flow of electricity that causes that wire to glow red-hot and produce heat.
There are many different types of portable electric heaters. Some are displayed in attractive, designer cases which can escalate the price to a hundred dollars or more. But whether they’re oil-filled, infrared, ceramic, designer, or primary, they all do the same thing – they provide costly resistance heat.
Other heaters cost as little as $30 and may have only two settings: 750 and 1,500 watts, and one with dial settings can cost more. If you plan to purchase a portable electric heater and cost is a concern, compare the wattage and whether it has a fan or oscillates. Regardless of the cost, here’s the kicker: all 750-watt or 1,500-watt heaters produce the same amount of heat!
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!
