Ensuring you have access to reliable power remains one of the highest priorities at your local electric cooperative. It is a mission that is becoming increasingly challenging. Tennessee is growing. That is something we should celebrate, but growth brings with it an increased demand for energy and added strain on electrical infrastructure.
At the same time, our nation’s energy policy, including recently released power plant rules from the Environmental Protection Agency, will limit some of the resources on which we currently rely for the generation of power.
As we brace for the onset of summer storms, I feel it is important to share some of our efforts to ensure that you and your family have access to reliable energy.
Speaking out for realistic energy policies.
Implementing new EPA rules seems to ignore ongoing electric reliability challenges and is the wrong approach at a critical time for our nation. Current energy policies will mothball essential always-available power generation resources at a time when we need them most. Experts predict that demand for energy nationally will grow by 38 gigawatts in the next four years — that’s the equivalent of adding another California to the power grid. We are advocating for smart energy policy decisions that balance environmental stewardship with the very real need to keep the lights on. We will share more about these efforts in the near future.
Investing in the grid.
In the last year, Tennessee’s electric cooperatives have invested millions of dollars to strengthen and modernize our power distribution systems. We are confident that these are sound investments that will benefit the communities we serve far into the future.
Investing in tree trimming.
I have a profound appreciation for trees, but it might come as a surprise that trees and other vegetation contribute to about half of all power disruptions nationally. That’s why we work to maintain clearances along the rights-of-way near our power lines. These areas, essential for constructing and maintaining our infrastructure, afford us the space to mitigate potential obstructions from trees and other vegetation, thus safeguarding uninterrupted power distribution while preserving our scenic landscapes.
Investing in our people.
Few things have a greater impact on power reliability than the men and women at our co-ops. They shoulder the great responsibility of keeping the lights on and everyday life spinning for 2.5 million people in communities across Tennessee, and it is essential that they have the training and tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.
I encourage you to stay connected with you local electric cooperative’s latest developments by following its feeds on social media. Our teams are working to ensure a future where you still have full faith that the lights will come on when you flip the switch.
