Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC), based in Decatur, TN, serves about 111,000 customers in 17 east Tennessee counties including Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, McMinn, Megis, Rhea, Roane, Loudon, Cumberland, White, Morgan, Putnam, Overton, Fentress, Pickett, Scott and Bledsoe.

VEC’s mostly rural customer base is about one-fourth of MLGW’s and all of the utility’s residential customers have automated or smart meters. The transition for VEC’s commercial customers to automated meters is currently underway.

As a result, VEC reduced gasoline consumption by 5,400 gallons per year and cut carbon emissions by approximately 47.41 metric tons per year — a significant financial and environmental savings.

VEC customers are taking advantage of enhanced service options like Pay-My-Way (prepaid billing). Pay-My-Way customers can schedule payments that are convenient for them and receive courtesy low balance notifications by phone or e-mail. Additionally, phone and web access provides customers daily information on their energy consumption. All of these options give VEC customers more control and empowers them to make better energy decisions.

Utility customers in Tennessee’s largest county should have the same choices available to them.

To learn more about options smart meters can offer utility customers, visit www.mlgw.com/smartgrid.