John Proffitt knows the energy business from the ground up. He began his career as a meter reader over 25 years ago with Duke Energy, the electric provider for the Cincinnati, Oh. area. He worked his way through the Duke organization to become their director of area operations in Ocala, Fla.

In the Ocala market, Proffitt oversaw more than 250 full-time employees and contractors. He also held two positions — NERC compliance analyst and distribution engineering manager — before earning the director position.

Proffitt has a diverse educational background, with a B.A. degree in Biblical studies from the School of the Scriptures, an A.A.S. degree in electro-mechanical engineering from Cincinnati State, a B.S. degree in applied management, and an M.B.A., from Franklin University in Columbus, Oh.

Proffitt and his wife, Hannah, have eight children with a daughter on the way. He enjoys fishing, boating and spending time with his family.

“I am very excited to be a part of the PEC family and I look forward to partnering with our employees and our members,” Proffitt said.

“We are very blessed to have John Proffitt as a part of our team,” said PEC director of communications Rachel Smarsh. “We know he will be a great asset not only to our cooperative, but this community. We welcome him and his family and all the experience he brings to our company.”

Beginning October 1, 2021 thru September 2022, all TVA wholesale customers will receive a 2.5% credit on non-fuel power cost.  “TVA was created to benefit the public good and has continued to build on that clear mission,” says Jeff Lyash, TVA president and CEO.  “Our financial results remain strong and we are in a good position to do the right thing for our customers, providing people with the help they need when they need it most, while we continue to deliver on our mission of service.”

“This is a savings that PEC will share with our members”, said Dave Cross, PEC CEO.  “With everything that has happened over the last year, we want to assist our members as much as possible and share this credit in the form of reduced rates.  This will be a tremendous help to our membership and goes along with our cooperative principles of concern for the community.”

This action is necessary to further the installation of switches and motor operated disconnects (MOD) at the Wartburg substation.  Once complete, the loop feed will be fully implemented and reduce restoration time since they are remotely operated, thereby allowing the substation to be fed from either side of the loop and the trouble area isolated.  

Those areas affected will include the City of Wartburg, Potter’s Falls, Catoosa, Gobey, Genesis Road, Montgomery Road, Hwy 62 to Napa Auto Parts, Hwy 27 South to the City of Wartburg waste water treatment plant, Lancing, and Hwy 27 North to Anna Del Rd.

*Outage may be postponed due to weather or unexpected issues.

This action is necessary to further the installation of switches and motor operated disconnects (MOD) at the Wartburg substation.  Once complete, the loop feed will be fully implemented and reduce restoration time since they are remotely operated, thereby allowing the substation to be fed from either side of the loop and the trouble area isolated.  

Those areas affected will include the City of Wartburg, Potter’s Falls, Catoosa, Gobey, Genesis Road, Montgomery Road, Hwy 62 to Napa Auto Parts, Hwy 27 South to the City of Wartburg waste water treatment plant, Lancing, and Hwy 27 North to Anna Del Rd.

*Outage may be postponed due to weather or unexpected issues.

Plateau Electric Cooperative will be closing our lobby effective Tuesday, July 14, 2020.  In an effort to comply with social distancing and to limit the amount of person to person contact during this time.  Our hours of operation will remain from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday.  

If you are requesting a transfer of service or turning on a new service, please call our office at 423-569-8591 for further instructions.  

We have several payment options for your convenience.

• By mail- P.O. Box 4669 Oneida, TN 37841 Include your account number and payment.
• Pay by phone- Call 423-569-8591 Scott County or 423-346-3699 Morgan County to make a payment. (No transactions fees)
• Online- go to www.beng101.sg-host.com ,  Pay your bill, select payment type, enter your account information (transaction fees apply).
• Toll free- 1-877-852-4284- must have your account number (transaction fees apply).
• Local banks- Take a current bill with you and make your payment at each of our local banks. 
• Drop box or walk-up payment option-bring your current bill and payment, drop in the secure drop box (in our drive-thru) or walk-up option (at each location).   

This remains a very fluid situation and information is being updated constantly.  We want to keep our members informed as best we can. 

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.  We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause and thank you for your patience and understand.  

Tennessee’s “Move Over” law was passed in 2006 to protect first responders like police officers, firefighters and paramedics. In 2011, Tennessee’s electric cooperatives led a coalition to revise the state’s move over law to include utility workers as well.

The requirements of Tennessee’s move over law are simple. On a four lane road, if safety and traffic conditions allow, a driver approaching a utility vehicle with flashing lights should move into the far lane. On a two lane road or when changing lanes is not possible, a driver should reduce their speed.

Electric co-op vehicles aren’t the only utility vehicles covered; service vehicles used by municipal electric systems, telephone companies and utility districts are also protected by the law.

Electric lineworkers face many dangers – high voltage, heights and extreme weather conditions. Despite these challenges, one of the most dangerous parts of their job is working alongside busy roadways, often only feet away from passing cars.

“We have had cars come through at high rates of speed, hitting the cones we have set up and clipping the outriggers that we have down to support the trucks,” says Greg Bryant, line foreman for Gibson Electric Membership Corporation in Trenton, Tenn. “I think people care, they just don’t pay attention like they should.”

“When we are in the bucket or up a pole, we can clearly see into passing cars, and it is shocking how many drivers are looking at their phones,” says Plateau Electric Cooperative’s Jacob Billingsley, who shares this important tip. “Put the phone down and pay attention. Lives are on the line.”

“July marked the 8^th anniversary of the expansion of the law, but too many drivers either don’t know about it or simply don’t care,” says Dave Cross, Plateau Electric’s CEO. “Our lineworkers perform an important job for our community. Changing lanes or slowing down to give them a little space is a simple courtesy that could save a life.”

More information about the law is available at moveovertennessee.org.