Getting Ready for Electric Service

Becoming A Member 
MLEC is not-for profit and member-owned. When applying for service, please bring:

  • Proof of property ownership, i.e. closing papers, deed, property tax documents, etc.
  • If renting or leasing, a signed rental agreement from the property owner.
  • To protect your privacy and identity, MLEC follows Federal Trade Commission Red Flag guidelines. When applying for service, you must bring a government issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and your social security card, or a W2 with your number listed. (If filling a joint spouse membership application, both persons need to be present with required documents.) If applying for a business bring tax exempt/federal id if applicable.
  • Deposit may be required. Check with use for current fee schedule. (In lieu of a deposit, residential accounts may be eligible to provide a letter of credit from your previous electric utility or choose our pre-paid energy option.)

State of Tennessee Requirements
The state of Tennessee requires a temporary, rough-in, service release and final inspection and septic permit. Some or all these inspections may apply. To check and schedule these inspections, visit https://core.tn.gov. 

Site Requirements Before Cost Sheet Is To Be Paid

  • Member needs to obtain all easements for MLEC necessary from your property to the existing power line.
  • Must have a 911 address
  • Member will need 40-foot right of way (20 feet on each side of the line) must be cleared for all new primary lines. This clearing and associated costs are the member's responsibility.
  • Member will need to contact MLEC Engineering Technician two weeks prior to service release for final job cost sheet.
  • Due to demand, material availability, weather and other factors, it is not possible to estimate how long it will be before service is connected.

Other Notes

  • All fees and charges must be paid**, easements obtained, electrical inspections approved, and right-of-way requirements met before any MLEC work will begin.
  • Non-Residential power contracts, outlining service details, security deposit, minimum bill requirements, etc...may be created and execution required before service starts.
  • Sub-Divisions & Mobile Home Parks require an acceptable plat or drawing for cost estimation. A blanket right-of-way easement must be obtained and submitted by the contractor/developer.
  • **Credit card payments are strictly limited to a $1500 maximum.

Download and Print: Getting Ready for Electric Service

Residential Deposits and Partial Fee List: Deposit $275.00. Meter Fee $25.00. Membership $5.00

Prepay: Initial Start-up Payment $50.00. Meter Fee $25.00. Membership $5.00

Non-Residential: Contact MLEC for personal assistance

Contact your local office for additional fees and information.

Ever wonder who owns what when it comes to electric service?

Electrical Permits & Inspections 

New construction requires purchase of an electrical permit and inspections through the State of Tennessee at their website Comprehensive Online Regulatory & Enforcement System (CORE): core.tn.gov.

Who can purchase permit and schedule inspections?

  1. Individual or company that is a licensed contractor.
  2. Property owner that will be performing their own electrical work on property they own.
  3. Rental property requires a licensed electrician to obtain the permit.

Information you will need to purchase the permit:

  1. Type of permit:
    a. Non-Standard Electrical Proposal
    b. Residential-Single Family
    c. Residential-THDA Rehab
    d. Residential-Townhouse
    e. Residential-Two Family
    f. Standard Electrical (for all electrical work)
     
  2. Organize and/or homeowner name and contact (mail, phone, email, fax, website) for the permit purchaser, construction location, and owner. Information may be duplicated between addresses:
    Main Address:
    a. Contractor or homeowner purchasing the permit
    b. Construction Address: Location where electrical services will be performed
    c. Owner Address: Contractor or homeowner purchasing the permit
     
  3. Permit type:
    a. Structure type: Single family, multi family, industrial/commercial, mobile home, other
    b. Service size - amperes
    c. Permit type: Final, rough-in, temporary, HVAC, service release, or re-inspect
    d. Occupancy Type
     
  4. Contractor name and license number if work not performed by property owner.
     
  5. Payment method: debit/credit card or eCheck account.
     

Where to purchase and manage permits, inspections, and view detailed instructions for using the online system:
View printed guides and CORE Definition, includes link to login page: Click here.
Login page to purchase permits, inspections, and view video tutorials: Click here.

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT ELECTRICAL PERMITS & INSPECTIONS AS PDF

MLEC Meters

Increased Reliability

The new meters help us deliver better service, control rising operating expenses, and improve system reliability through improved outage management. Advanced meters provide data on our electric system equipment which can diagnose issues and prevent outages from happening and shorten them when they do. 

Other Benefits

Advanced meters also offer benefits our members have been requesting:

  • Outage maps.
  • Less need to access property behind secure gates. 
  • More information about the amount of energy you are using for greater efficiency opportunities.
  • Environmental benefits through the interconnectivity of renewable energy sources and demand response.
MLEC Meter Technician changing out a meter

Residential meters have a white sticker, while non-residential meters are blue.

Common Questions

How does the advanced meter work? It works on a wireless technology, much like your cellular phone. Advanced metering technology leverages low amounts of radio frequency (RF) to enhance wireless communications.

Are they safe? We are committed to member safety. Several agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), have verified the safety and security of RF technology used in advanced meters. Like your microwave, cellphone, laptop, and other wireless devices like baby monitors, advanced meters do use radio frequency – but at much lower levels. The typical cellphone, for example, uses RF at levels thousands of times higher than an advanced meter. Additionally, many water, gas and electric utilities surrounding the MLEC territory, across the state, and across the country already use advanced meters.

What are you learning about me? MLEC respects our members privacy and has strong security measures in place for protecting data. The meters used by MLEC only record the amount of energy used and when it is consumed. Data is used for monthly billing and to help you understand ways you can save energy based on your readings. How the energy is used is not recorded.

Data Privacy   Myths vs. Facts   Radio Frequency   Download MLEC METERS: What You Need to Know