Powell Valley Electric Co-op Members Raise Their Voices

Over the last year, our Tennessee Energy Savings team has been meeting with member-owners of electric cooperatives in East Tennessee to share information and empower them to engage in the decision making of their electric co-ops.

Appalachian Voices has provided workshops on member rights and responsibilities, the basics of how co-ops operate and special programs they can offer, and trainings on how to facilitate meetings and use digital tools. We’ve also helped members research different topics of interest around co-op issues.

Recently, a group of members called “Powell Valley Electric Cooperative Member Voices” launched a campaign to make their cooperative more transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of its communities. The group has three candidates running for board seats and submitted a bylaw amendment to open the cooperative’s monthly board meetings to all members.

Our team is proud to offer our support to these members when needed. Check out their website, pvecmembervoices.wordpress.com and contact them at (423)724-8258.

If you are a member of Powell Valley Electric Cooperative, support the work of PVEC Member Voices by voting at the annual meeting on September 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hancock County High School in Sneedville, Tenn.

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Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Erwin, Tennessee. Photo by Abby Hassler

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