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Public Power

Public Power Works for YOU!

From small towns to big cities, wherever public power exists, it is an expression of the American ideal of local people working together to meet local needs.  Utility infrastructure must meet community needs now and in the future.  It takes billions of investment dollars to build infrastructure to serve communities.  

BrightRidge is Your Public Power Provider!

As your not-for-profit, locally owned utility, BrightRidge is committed to providing you safe, reliable service at the lowest possible cost, while protecting the environment. 

  • Electric rates within the Tennessee Valley are about 70% lower than other areas within the US. This is partly due to public power and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). 
  • BrightRidge is the largest taxpayer for both the City of Johnson City and Washington County. In 2018, BrightRidge paid over $5.2 million tax dollars to the local cities, counties and towns it serves.
  • BrightRidge is your locally-owned energy authority.  In the ever-changing energy market, the ability to respond quickly to new challenges and opportunities positions us for future growth.  This means more potential service options all customers.  (BrightRidge became an energy authority in March 2017.)
  • The overall BrightRidge service reliability rate is 99.992% (as of 07/2018).  Our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) allows us to respond quickly when power outages occur.  In addition, our tree trimming and maintenance program further increases our ability to provide safe, reliable electric service to you.
  

Public Power - The Big Picture!

Each time you flip the switch or spend time relaxing in the comfort of conditioned air space inside your home or business, consider the many benefits public power provides; such as:
 
  • Safe, reliable electric service
  • Efficient service – lowest cost consistent with reliability, community goals and sound business practices
  • Responsiveness to customer concerns – every citizen is an owner
  • Works with key stakeholders regarding long-term community goals
  • Not-for-profit status – lower costs and no split allegiance between customers and stockholders
  • Greater portion of revenues stay in community
  • Utility purchases from local establishments, including use of local financial institutions
  • Local employment
  • Economic development – not-for-profit electricity attracts and keeps businesses
  • Tax payments, payments-in-lieu-of-taxes, and / or transfers to the community's general fund
  • Access to tax-exempt financing for capital projects
  • Opportunity for efficiency through integrated utility operations 
  • Local management and operations bring added community leadership for innovation and development
  • Recognized commitment to conservation, safety and the environment
  • Local control over the electric distribution system aesthetics and design
  • Local control that allows matching local resources to local needs
  • No economic bias toward high cost, capital intensive techniques or technologies
  • Innovative techniques and technology to meet energy needs
  • Primary mission of providing least-cost, reliable service over maximizing profit
  • A competitive standard against which the service of all utilities may be measured