Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative puts Co-op Principle Number 7, Concern for Community, in practice by supporting local organizations. A $3,000 contribution was presented to the Hickman County Economic and Community Development Association to help with the efforts in promoting and building a strong county. From left, MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan, MLEC Directors Johnnie Ruth Elrod and Dr. Zack Hutchens, HCECDA Executive Director Brenda Brock, MLEC Director Wayne Qualls and District Manager Matthew Chessor.
Archive for month: March, 2021
Nashville – Today the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced that five Tennessee electric co-ops will receive a total of $5.3 million to expand access to broadband in rural Tennessee. Now in its fourth year, the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant Fund has invested more than $100 million in state and federal dollars to bring fast and reliable internet access to all Tennesseans.
“Every Tennessean should have access to the same high-speed broadband, no matter what ZIP code they live in,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “Our continued investment in internet connectivity will help level the playing field for rural communities across our state, and I thank these 13 providers for partnering with us to help nearly 18,000 more Tennesseans get connected.”
Since the Broadband Accessibility Act passed in 2017, 14 of Tennessee’s 23 electric co-ops have launched broadband projects.
“Broadband access is an essential service for families and businesses alike, and that is just as true on the farm as it is on Main Street,” said Mike Knotts, vice president of government relations with the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “We appreciate Gov. Lee and ECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe’s commitment to bring high-speed connectivity to rural Tennessee, and we are honored that they have once again turned to co-ops to get the job done.”
Electric co-ops and their partners receiving grants are:
- Appalachian Electric Cooperative: $919,500 serving parts of Grainger County
- Gibson Electric Membership Corporation: $1,379,944 serving parts of Obion County
- Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Cooperative: $1,580,851 serving parts of Lauderdale County
- United Communications: $782,976 serving parts of Bedford and Marshall counties
- Volunteer Energy Cooperative: $647,890 serving parts of Meigs County
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Six major utilities today announced a plan to ensure that electric vehicle drivers have access to a seamless network of charging stations connecting major highway systems from the Atlantic Coast, through the Midwest and South, and into the Gulf and Central Plains regions.
The Electric Highway Coalition – made up of American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Entergy Corp., Southern Co., and the Tennessee Valley Authority – announced a plan to enable EV drivers seamless travel across major regions of the country through a network of DC fast chargers for EVs. The companies are each taking steps to provide EV charging solutions within their service territories. This represents an unprecedented effort to offer convenient EV charging options across different company territories and allow EV travel without interruption.
The Edison Electric Institute estimates 18 million EVs will be on U.S. roads by 2030. While many drivers recognize the benefits of driving an EV, such as the ease of low-cost home charging, some are concerned with the availability of charging stations during long road trips. With efforts like the Electric Highway Coalition, electric companies are demonstrating to customers that EVs are a smart choice for driving around town as well as traveling long distances.
This effort will provide drivers with effective, efficient, and convenient charging options that enable long distance EV travel. Sites along major highway routes with easy highway access and amenities for travelers are being considered as coalition members work to determine final charging station locations. Charging stations will provide DC fast chargers that are capable of getting drivers back on the road in approximately 20-30 minutes.
“TVA and the local power companies we serve are focused on being innovative transportation leaders, and we’re pleased to collaborate with neighboring utilities such as American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Entergy Corp. and Southern Company on this initiative,” said Jeff Lyash, TVA president and CEO. “Together, we can power the electric road trip of tomorrow by ensuring seamless travel across a large region of the U.S. This is one of many strategic partnerships that TVA is building to increase the number of electric vehicles to well over 200,000 in the Tennessee Valley by 2028.”
Lyash believes that electrifying transportation can spur the same innovative transformation that electrifying the Tennessee Valley did back when TVA was founded. He said, “EV adoption will spur jobs and economic investment in the region, keep refueling dollars in the local economy, reduce the region’s largest source of carbon emissions, and save drivers and businesses money.”
TVA is leading the charge to increase EV adoption in its seven-state service area with the recently announced EV Initiative, which is based on building partnerships with LPCs, state agencies and other organizations. TVA is making investments and coordinating partner funding that could bring up to $40 million in programs to support EV adoption in the next five years. This initiative is a multi-year plan to accelerate the electrification of transportation through programs to reduce or eliminate the market barriers that currently prevent more people from choosing EVs. By addressing the barriers to EV adoption, the anticipated outcome is:
- Well over 200,000 EVs on Valley roadways by 2028.
- $120 million reinvested in the local economy per year from electric refueling.
- $200 million in consumer fuel savings per year.
- Almost 1 million metric tons of CO2 saved per year (or the equivalent of the carbon sequestered by 1 million acres of U.S. forests in one year).
This announcement comes on the heels of the recently announced partnership between TVA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to develop and fund a fast charging network across the interstates and major highways of Tennessee. TVA plans to work with state agencies in other states to develop a fast charging network across the Tennessee Valley.
“Tennessee is on the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution thanks to its robust automotive manufacturing sector, supply chain capabilities, its highly trained workforce and its commitment to developing a reliable, fast-charging network,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “TVA’s participation in this coalition is a critical step in ensuring Tennessee’s fast charging network connects regionally and nationally, providing efficient transportation for future travelers while improving air quality in our state.”
The Electric Highway Coalition welcomes interested utilities to join as it seeks to extend the reach of network. Additionally, it supports, and looks forward to working with, other regional utility transportation corridor electrification initiatives.
Spring officially begins on Saturday, March 20. Along with warmer weather and longer days, spring often brings strong storms to Tennessee. Here are some tips from the American Red Cross to help your family be better prepared for spring weather.
Make a Plan
Develop a plan to help your family respond to disasters. Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play. Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team. Know where you and your family will shelter during severe weather. Identify a basement, storm shelter or an inner hallway or closet that can provide protection during storms.
Get Educated
Know the difference between storm watches and warnings. A watch means that bad weather is possible. A warning means that bad weather is occurring, and you should seek shelter. Conditions following a storm can be hazardous. Stay away from downed power lines and call your local co-op or 911.
Have a Kit
Take time now to organize the basic supplies you will need during a disaster. Basic kits should include food, water, medicine, a flashlight, battery powered radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, medicine, cell phone and charger. A full list of items to include in your kit can be found at redcross.org.
Prepare for Power Outages
Despite our best efforts, strong storms can create extended power outages. Battery-operated flashlights and lanterns can provide light and are safer than candles. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. If you plan to use a generator, have an electrician properly install it to keep you, your family and first responders safe.
In the 30 years that I’ve worked in the electric utility industry, I’ve seen a lot of changes — advancements in technologies, breakthroughs in science and trends that drive our decision-making. The electric utility industry is extremely complex. It’s also “capital intensive,” which is a fancy way of saying it takes a lot of money to build substations and transformers and maintain operations. We are constantly planning and revising those plans.
As we maintain what we’ve built, we are also at the forefront of research and development. Keeping up with the direction that science and technology are taking us isn’t easy and requires constant attention. And as Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Let’s look at one trend that is driving the changes tomorrow will bring. Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for more than 100 years. With each new model, battery life and distance increase. As technology improves, EVs become more affordable.
Though we quickly think of Tesla when it comes to electric vehicles, we’d be wrong to believe it’s the only player in the game.
General Motors plans to end production of all diesel- and gasoline-powered cars, trucks and SUVs by 2035. Ford is producing an electric F-150 truck in 2022 and planning to invest $22 billion in electric vehicle development in the next five years.
Toyota recently announced that by 2025, 40 percent of new U.S. vehicle sales will be electric models (hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs). By 2030, Toyota expects that nearly 70 percent of its sales will be electric.
Closer to home is Volkswagen’s investment here in Tennessee. The worldwide automaker plans to expand its Chattanooga plant to build the next generation of its electric vehicles. The investment of about $800 million will allow VW to produce a low-cost electric vehicle for the U.S. market beginning next year.
The importance of this trend: Those manufacturers account for 50 percent of all North American new car sales.
Powering those electric vehicles will require a network of convenient fueling locations. “Range anxiety” is a real concern, and knowing that a charging station is nearby will help spur acceptance of electric vehicles, making them more viable options.
Our state is meeting that challenge head on. Last month, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced they are developing a statewide electric vehicle fast-charging network.
With other sources, TVA and TDEC will lead the way in funding the $20 million cost. The project will create a network of fast-charging stations every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways, tripling the existing network.
“Innovative partnerships with state agencies like TDEC and our local power companies are essential in developing one of the nation’s most comprehensive EV fast-charging networks, starting in Tennessee,” TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash said.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said, “This investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a monumental step forward, and I’m proud that Tennessee is leading in this important effort.”
All of these changes happening today will require adjustment by your electric cooperative to meet this new use of electricity tomorrow — on the road and at your home. And it’s a good change. Electric vehicle adoption will lead to a cleaner environment by lowering carbon emissions. It will keep refueling dollars in the local economy and create jobs and economic investment.
That’s a win for all of us.
Whether your oven and stove top are powered by gas or electricity, it’s no secret that they consume more energy than smaller countertop appliances, like slow cookers and toaster ovens. In addition to efficiency, smaller kitchen appliances can provide faster cooking times and less hassle with cleanup.
If you’re looking for convenient cooking methods with the added bonus of energy efficiency, here are three electrifying appliances for your kitchen:
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Air fryers circulate hot air (convection) to cook the food. This means little to no oil is required, resulting in healthier meals than those from traditional fryers. Photo Credit: Hamilton Beach (Attribution required.)
Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular, and consumers have a lot of good things to say about these handy little appliances. Air fryers use convection to circulate hot air and cook the food––this means little to no oil is required, resulting in healthier meals than those from traditional fryers. Air fryers are fairly small, so they won’t take up much of your counter space, and with everything cooked in the fryer, cleanup will be a breeze. Air fryers are available in a variety of sizes, and prices range from $40 to $200+.
- Electric griddles have certainly been around for a while, and they offer several benefits for any home chef (beyond bacon and eggs!). Griddles are convenient because you can cook everything at once––like a “one-pan” meal, and the possibilities are endless. From fajitas to sandwiches to French toast, griddles can help satisfy any taste buds. They consume small amounts of energy and provide quick cooking times, so your energy bill will thank you. Prices and sizes for griddles vary, but you can typically find one for about $30 at your local retail stores.
- Pizza brings people together, so why not consider a pizza maker for your kitchen? These compact, countertop machines are an inexpensive alternative to a costly brick oven, and they use less energy than your traditional oven. Choose your own fresh ingredients to whip up a faster, healthier pizza at home. Plus, most pizza makers are multifunctional and can be used to cook flatbreads, frittatas, quesadillas and more. You can purchase a pizza maker for about $30 to $150+ online or at your local retailer.
These are just a few electrifying appliance options for your kitchen. Remember, when you’re cooking a smaller meal, countertop appliances can save time and energy. To learn about additional ways to save energy at home, contact your local co-op.
