Bill > HJR0597

This resolution honors Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative (FLEC) on its 85th anniversary by recognizing its historical significance and contributions to rural electrification in East Tennessee. The resolution provides context about the cooperative's origins in the 1930s, when most rural farms lacked electricity, and highlights how concerned citizens from six counties came together in 1940 to establish the electric cooperative under state legislation. FLEC, a private, nonprofit organization owned by its members, has grown from serving 364 members with 30 miles of electric lines in 1941 to now serving over 36,350 members across 3,100 miles of distribution lines in Blount, Loudon, and Monroe counties. The resolution emphasizes FLEC's role in delivering power to 72% of Tennessee's landmass at rates 37% below the national average and its service territory's unique geographic features, including portions of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. The Tennessee General Assembly resolves to recognize and honor FLEC, thanking its board of directors, management, and employees for their commitment to providing quality, low-cost electric service to East Tennessee residents.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HJR0597&ga=114