NASHVILLE – Today the White House delivered its 2020 budget proposal to Congress. Among the items included in this year’s budget was a proposal to sell federally-owned utility assets.
The Tennessee Valley Public Power Association released a joint statement today co-signed by David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.
The statement reads in part:
Congress has repeatedly voted against privatization of part or all of TVA assets, most recently in the FY19 appropriations process. We hope our elected representatives will once again reject this misguided proposal.
Local power companies that distribute TVA power strongly support the public power model, and divestiture of transmission assets would have a negative effect. TVA’s transmission assets have been paid for by the ratepayers of the Tennessee Valley, and we believe they should not be sold to interests who may not place a priority on public power or the Valley’s interests.
Our respective organizations will pursue all options to protect electric ratepayers and the TVA assets they have paid to build as well as the public power model, which is as relevant today as it was 80 years ago.
For more than 50 years electricity sales, not government appropriations, have paid for the operation and maintenance of TVA’s assets. According to 2013 study by the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, TVA has returned to the U.S. Treasury more than $3 billion on the government’s original investment of $1.4 billion.
NASHVILLE – Forty-six high school juniors from across the state are attending the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit this week in Nashville.
Delegates to the annual event get a hands-on look at state government, build networking and leadership skills and develop a better understanding of energy generation and their local electric cooperative.
Delegates visited the State Capitol Building today to meet members of the Tennessee General Assembly. A house staff member explained the process required to pass legislation, and students debated and voted on a mock bill. Delegates also had an opportunity to sit in on committee hearings.
In addition to lawmakers, students also heard from Tennessee leaders like Christine Williamson, Ms. Tennessee 2018; Adam Hammond, anchor for Nashville’s NewsChannel5; and Trooper Jeffrey Buchanan with the Tennessee Executive Protection Detail.
Delegates to the Youth Leadership Summit are encouraged to be leaders and use their talents to improve rural Tennessee. “Electric co-ops want to see the places we serve grow and prosper, and these young people are important to their communities,” says Todd Blocker, vice president of member relations for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and director of the Youth Leadership Summit. “Small towns and rural communities need talented and engaged young people who are invested, and that is what we are doing with our Youth Leadership Summit delegates. We want them to leave this experience with a new appreciation for where they live, prepared to be the leaders of their generation.”
Each of Tennessee’s 23 electric co-ops sponsored two delegates to participate in this year’s Youth Leadership Summit.
https://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/YLS2.jpg5571200Trent Scotthttps://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TECA-logo-full-light.pngTrent Scott2019-03-05 10:40:452019-03-05 10:56:21Co-ops host young leaders in Nashville
April 1 – It’s #AprilFoolsDay ! Don’t be fooled by these common #energyefficiency myths.
April 2 – April is National Kite Month. Fly them high, but watch for power lines. #everydaysafe
Click to download
April 3 – Share article from tnmagazine.org. [LINK]
April 4 – Tennessee’s electric co-ops work to make the communities we serve places where ideas take hold, products are crafted and opportunity is abundant. Learn more at http://tnelectric.org/cooportunity#cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
Click to download
April 5 – April is National Safe Digging Month. Know what’s below. Call 811 before you dig. [LINK TO http://www.tenn811.com/]
April 8 – Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day. Don’t forget to #thankalineworker [LINK TO LEADERSHIP COLUMN ABOVE]
Click to download
April 9 – [CO-OP NAME] has more than XXXXX security lights on our system. Contact your local office to have a security light installed at your home or business
April 10 – This is Work Zone Awareness Week. Tennessee law requires motorists to #moveover for utility workers. Learn more at moveovertennessee.org. [LINK TO MOVEOVERTENNESSEE.ORG]
April 11 – Share article from tnmagazine.org. [LINK]
April 12 – It pays to be safe. Visit everydaysafe.org for tips to keep your family safe around power lines.
April 15 – Opportunity isn’t found. It’s made. Electric co-ops support the creators, innovators, makers, dreamers and everyday Tennesseans who are redefining success. #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
Click to download
April 16 – What’s your eScore? Visit [CO-OP SITE OR 2ESCORE.COM] for information and incentives to make your home more efficient.
April 17 – Electric co-ops provide power and opportunity in the communities we serve. #cooportunity [SHARE VIDEO BELOW]
April 18 – Spring is in the air. Enjoy your weekend.
April 19 – Monday is #earthday. Teachers should look into the great Earth Day resources on Education.com [LINK TO https://www.education.com/activity/earth-day/ ]
April 22 – Today is #earthday. Learn more about the work TVA is doing to benefit the environment and the people of the Tennessee Valley. [LINK TO https://www.tva.gov/Environment ] OR Post a photo/video of your cooperative solar project and talk about how it impacts your co-op.
April 23 – Be #everydaysafe when swimming: Never swim near boat ramps or launching docks!
Click to download
April 24 – Each day, electric co-ops enable the communities we serve to prosper. Learn more about how co-ops help empower growth in rural and suburban Tennessee at http://www.tnelectric.org/cooportunity. #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
Click to download
April 25 – Post photo of crews behind the scenes. Explain how their work keeps the lights on. [PHOTO]
April 26 – Looking for plans for the weekend? Check out The Tennessee Magazine’s calendar of events. [LINK TO TNMAGAZINE.ORG/EVENTS]
April 29 – Share article from tnmagazine.org. [LINK]
MLConnect
making progress in project to service MLEC counties
Centerville, TN — Ultra-fast, affordable, reliable broadband is getting closer for those receiving electricity from Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative. The utility’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Meriwether Lewis Connect, LLC is preparing to serve its first customers.
Residents in and around
the city of Waverly will be hearing from MLConnect by the end of March about
firming orders and scheduling installations.
“We’re testing and
working on processes to put our best technology and customer-care foot forward.
We’re more interested in doing it right than hitting a deadline, so we aren’t announcing
a live date at this time,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “I can
tell you this, though, it is exciting to be this close.”
Construction on the $60 million
project began in Waverly in October 2018 and expects to be live with broadband
and phone for all MLEC members by late 2022. MLConnect’s Phase I includes more than 300
miles of main line fiber and helps secure a robust infrastructure is in place
to serve the rural areas.
Currently, construction continues
in Hohenwald for a potential “go live” date in April. By early March, construction crews will also
be working in Centerville. New Johnsonville,
Erin, Tennessee Ridge, McEwen, Linden and Lobelville (in this order) are on
schedule for service by the end of 2019.
When
designing Phase II, construction costs, existing infrastructure, time constraints,
etc. will be considered when selecting areas. Another factor is the amount of
interest in each neighborhood (number of online registrations). This is why
registering on www.mlconnect.com or at your
local MLEC office is so important.
“Just as electricity did in 1939, MLConnect offering GIG services in our rural hometowns will bring unprecedented potential for education, healthcare, economic development and more,” says Carnahan. “It’s proof you don’t have to live in a big city to be progressive. MLConnect will offer world class broadband with hometown service, and we’re proud of that.”
NASHVILLE – The TVA board of directors today announced the appointment of Jeffrey “Jeff” Lyash as the utility’s new President and Chief Executive Officer.
Lyash, current President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation, will join TVA in April.
In response to today’s announcement, David Callis, executive Vice President and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, issued the following statement:
“Tennessee’s electric co-ops welcome Mr. Lyash to TVA. For more than seven decades co-ops have worked with TVA to bring energy, economic growth and abundant opportunity to Tennessee’s rural and suburban communities. We look forward to working with Mr. Lyash as we continue our mission to improve everyday life for the people and communities we serve.”
TVA is the wholesale energy provider for all 23 of Tennessee’s consumer-owned electric cooperatives. Tennessee’s co-ops serve more than 2.5 million consumers in 84 of the state’s 95 counties.
https://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/tva-policy.jpg6761140Trent Scotthttps://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TECA-logo-full-light.pngTrent Scott2019-02-14 13:46:422019-02-14 14:50:52Tennessee electric co-ops issue statement regarding new TVA CEO
NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Lee stressed the importance of rural Tennessee while speaking with electric co-op leaders during the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s 2019 Legislative Conference on Tuesday evening, Feb. 12.
“I grew up in rural Tennessee, so rural issues matter a lot,” said Lee, a resident of Fernvale and member of Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation. “I think what happens in rural Tennessee should matter to every Tennessean. That’s why our first executive order was in fact to strengthen our rural communities and to require every department of state government to give an impact statement on how they impact rural communities.”
Gov. Bill Lee at the 2019 TECA Legislative Conference
Lee spent nearly an hour with co-op members and staff discussing the administration’s plans and policy positions and the role that co-ops play in the communities they serve. Broadband was a popular topic of discussion.
“In my own home we don’t have broadband,” said Lee. “I have first-hand experience what a challenge that can be. I don’t run my business out of my home and I am not educating children there, but I have a taste of how difficult that would be. It is really important that we continue to expand broadband service so that Tennesseans all across the state have access to it.”
More than 150 electric co-op members from across the state were in Nashville for the 2019 Legislative Conference to deliver an important message to lawmakers: electric co-ops are important to Tennessee.
The 2018 election brought seven new senators and 26 new representatives to this year’s General Assembly. Co-op members, directors and staff met with familiar faces and with many new ones during 100 separate meetings with lawmakers.
“While many of these freshman legislators know about co-ops, some do not,” says David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “It is important for us to tell the story of electric co-ops, and the co-op members who are with us today in Nashville are delivering a powerful message – rural and suburban Tennessee matters and electric co-ops are a big part of their growth and prosperity.”
“State lawmakers are often asked to make tough decisions that can impact electric co-ops and the lives of the 2.5 million consumers they serve,” says Mike Knotts, vice president of government affairs for TECA. “Electric co-ops maintain a presence in Nashville and Washington, D.C., to help lawmakers understand how legislation will impact the people back home.”
During visits, co-op members spoke to legislators about local governance, tax issues, broadband and other regulatory concerns that affect the ability of electric co-ops to provide affordable and reliable energy and other services that matter to rural and suburban communities.
Electric co-ops are best known for energy, but they have far reaching impacts on rural and suburban areas of the state. From economic development to youth programs to broadband expansion, electric co-ops enable many Tennessee communities to grow and prosper. Learn more at tnelectric.org/cooportunity.
https://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/capitol.jpg8441500Trent Scotthttps://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TECA-logo-full-light.pngTrent Scott2019-02-12 10:38:382019-02-13 11:29:20Telling the co-op story on Capitol Hill
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Magazine, the official publication of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, was recently named Magazine of the Year by the Tennessee Music Awards.
The Tennessee Music Awards honors independent artists and music professionals from across the state and highlights those working to advance and protect Tennessee’s unique musical heritage.
“Each month we tell the story of Tennessee, and music is a big part of that story,” says Robin Conover, editor of The Tennessee Magazine. “We actively seek out Tennessee’s most talented musicians, artists, photographers and creators and share their talents with our readers. Our team is honored to receive this Tennessee Music Award.”
The Tennessee Magazine “Celebrates the Best of Tennessee” – highlighting the unique, remarkable and beautiful aspects of the Volunteer State. For more than 50 years, The Tennessee Magazine has been placed in mailboxes across rural and suburban Tennessee. Published by the state’s rural electric cooperatives, the magazine reaches more than 2.1 million Tennesseans. Learn more at tnmagazine.org.
https://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/TN-MUSIC-AWARD-2.jpg541961Trent Scotthttps://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TECA-logo-full-light.pngTrent Scott2019-02-06 13:37:282019-02-06 13:37:28The Tennessee Magazine honored with Tennessee Music Award
March 4 – Today we are taking young leaders to Nashville for the 2019 Youth Leadership Summit #2019YLS #cooportunity [LINK TO ARTICLE ON TNELECTRIC.ORG]
March 5 – Looking for Tennessee’s future leaders? They are at #2019YLS this week in Nashville, and the future looks bright. #cooportunity [PHOTO]
March 6 – Our #2019YLS students are learning about government and co-ops this week in Nashville. #cooportunity [PHOTO]
March 7 – Energy tip: Changing your air filter can save you energy and money
Click to download
March 8 – Don’t forget to spring forward on March 10. #DST
Click to download
March 11 – It pays to be safe. Visit everydaysafe.org for tips to keep your family safe around power lines
March 12 – Tennessee’s electric co-ops work to make the communities we serve places where ideas take hold, products are crafted and opportunity is abundant. Learn more at http://tnelectric.org/cooportunity#cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
Click to download
March 13 – Check out the talented winners of the latest #Shutterbug photo contest sponsored by The Tennessee Magazine [LINK TO WINNERS AT TNMAGAZINE.ORG].
March 14 – #DidYouKnow [CO-OP NAME] belongs to you? Because we are a co-op, we’re led by you – our members! [INSERT GRAPHIC BELOW]
Click to download
March 15 – The Tennessee General Assembly app – sponsored by the state’s electric co-ops – is your connection to your elected representatives. Get it for free at http://www.tnelectric.org/gaapp
March 18 – Each day, electric co-ops enable the communities we serve to prosper. Learn more about how co-ops help empower growth in rural and suburban Tennessee at http://www.tnelectric.org/cooportunity. #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
Click to download
March 19 – #Spring begins tomorrow. What do you enjoy most about the warmer weather?
Click to download
March 20 – Today is the first day of #Spring! Here are some tips to save energy this spring. [LINK TO https://www.energy.gov/articles/10-energy-saving-tips-spring]
March 21 – Here’s a tip for #spring #landscaping: Plant efficiently today and save for years to come! [INSERT IMAGES BELOW]
Click to downloadClick to download
March 22 – Opportunity isn’t found. It’s made. Electric co-ops support the creators, innovators, makers, dreamers and everyday Tennesseans who are redefining success. #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
Click to download
March 25 – Tennessee law requires motorists to #moveover for utility workers. Learn more at moveovertennessee.org. [LINK TO MOVEOVERTENNESSEE.ORG]
March 26 – Monthly electric bills go up and down based on how much energy you use. Our [LEVELIZED/BUDGET] billing option can take the guess work out of your monthly bill. Sign up today. [LINK OR NUMBER TO CALL
March 27 – Share article from tnmagazine.org. [LINK]
March 28 – What’s your eScore? Visit [CO-OP SITE OR 2ESCORE.COM] for information and incentives to make your home more efficient.
NASHVILLE – On Wednesday, Gov. Bill Lee, in his first executive order, instructed all state agencies to examine and improve the way they serve Tennessee’s rural communities. The order emphasizes the need to coordinate efforts to better serve the state’s rural and economically disadvantaged counties.
In response to the executive order, David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, made the following statement:
“Tennessee’s rural and suburban communities matter. Thirty-seven percent of the state’s population – some 2.4 million people – call rural Tennessee home, and these residents account for nearly 30 percent of personal incomes for the state. The contributions these families make to the overall success of Tennessee are significant. A healthy and vibrant rural economy is critical to the state’s overall growth and prosperity. Electric co-ops have deep roots in these communities, and we support the governor’s focus on issues that impact rural Tennessee.”
According to a release from the governor’s office, the executive order is the first step by the administration to accelerate plans to address 15 distressed counties, which are all rural. The order requires each executive department to submit, no later than May 31, 2019, a statement of rural impact explaining how the department serves rural Tennesseans. Departments must then provide recommendations for improving that service by June 30, 2019.
Tennessee’s electric cooperatives serve 71 percent of the state and more than 2.5 million consumers. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides leadership, advocacy and support for Tennessee’s 23 electric cooperatives. The association also publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely circulated periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more.
Last week, the 111th General Assembly of the state of Tennessee began its two-year session, and operative word for all Capitol-watchers is “new.” With so many first time members of the Legislature who are still learning about the legislative process and how best to represent their districts, Tennessee’s electric co-ops have work to do.
The upcoming TECA legislative conference, day on the hill, and legislative reception offer co-op Boards and staff a great opportunity to interact with legislators, both new and old, and engage in important public policy discussions. If your cooperative has not yet registered to attend, please do so. We look forward to seeing you there.
With the new session comes change not seen in Tennessee government in recent history, as over 30 new lawmakers were sworn in on the first day. Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) was again elected as Speaker of the Senate, and Glen Casada (R-Franklin) was elected to replace outgoing House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville). Harwell served as Speaker of the House for eight years.
Governor-elect Bill Lee (R-Franklin) will be sworn in on January 19, 2019. Lee’s first major task of the start of his first year will be to finalize his commissioner appointments and present his budget. Lee is expected to give his first State of the State address and release his budget on March 4, 2019.
Tennessee House Committee Updates
As Lee begins his work he will be working with all new leadership in the House. In addition to the new Speaker, Majority Leader and Caucus Leader, the House has brand new committees and committee chairs. There is sure to be an extended learning curve this session with so many new legislators and committee chairs. The list of committees and committee chairs for the House can be found here.
Tennessee Senate Committee Updates
In the Senate, there were fewer changes. No new committees were created in the Senate, but there are five new chairs of committees. The list of committees and committee chairs for the Senate can be found here.
After the inauguration, the Senate will take an additional week to organize before returning to business on January 28, 2019. The House will return sooner to resume its business on January 23, 2019. The bill filing deadline will be the first week of February. House members will continue to have 15 bills unless they chair a committee. In that instance, a chairman will have an additional five bills that must be related to the subject matter of his or her committee.
111th General Assembly App
General Assembly App
The 111th Tennessee General Assembly app features a continually updated, searchable database of contact, staff and committee information as well as district maps, photos, leadership roles and social media profiles for members of the Tennessee House and Senate. The app also contains information on the governor and his cabinet and the Tennessee congressional delegation. The app was developed through a partnership between the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
The free app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices and can be found by searching for “Tennessee General Assembly” in the Apple App Store or Google PLAY Marketplace.
https://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Tennessee_State_Capitol_Nighttime.jpg5631000Trent Scotthttps://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TECA-logo-full-light.pngTrent Scott2019-01-15 16:23:552019-01-15 16:25:09New Year, New General Assembly, New Legislators
The Board of Directors of Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) today has accepted the retirement request of Michael Watson, President and CEO. Watson will relinquish his duties as CEO and President on Jan. 11; he will serve in an advisory capacity for the cooperative until June 30, 2019.
Watson also served as president of the board of directors for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.
“We are grateful for the 27 years of service that Michael has dedicated to Duck River Electric,” said Barry Cooper, Chairman of the Board. “He has led DREMC through an important period of change in the cooperative business, including implementing an advanced meter infrastructure and installing a fiber backbone that is preparing the cooperative for broadband options.”
He has also demonstrated valuable leadership within the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, Cooper said, as well as with the TVA Rates and Contracts process.
Cooper said that the board has taken action to employ Charles McDonald as an interim CEO. McDonald retired from DREMC in 2011 as Director of Member Services after 37 years of service with the cooperative. McDonald will begin his interim service effective Jan. 11, 2019.
The board will begin a thorough search for a CEO as soon as is feasible.
[NASHVILLE] – Tennessee lawmakers will return to Nashville on Jan. 8 for the 111th Tennessee General Assembly. During the four to five-month session, they will consider legislation that can have an impact on Tennessee families and businesses. That makes it important to stay informed and, at times, reach out to your elected officials. Tennesseans interested in government and politics now have a powerful tool for connecting with lawmakers.
The 111th Tennessee General Assembly app features a continually updated, searchable database of contact, staff and committee information as well as district maps, photos, leadership roles and social media profiles for members of the Tennessee House and Senate. The app also contains information on the governor and his cabinet and the Tennessee congressional delegation.
The app was developed through a partnership between the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and Bass, Berry & Sims PLC. TECA has published an annual directory of the General Assembly for more than 50 years. “Each year, we collect lots of information on legislators, and we want that to be available to as many people as possible,” says David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “The app makes it easier than ever to connect with your elected representatives.”
The free app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices and can be found by searching for “Tennessee General Assembly” in the Apple App Store or Google PLAY Marketplace.
Michael Watson serves as president and CEO of Duck River Electric Membership Corporation in Shelbyville, Tenn., and as the board chairman of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.
Amazon recently announced that it will build a new operations center
in Nashville. This is big news for the entire state as the project will
bring more than 5,000 jobs and millions of dollars in investment to the
region. Chattanooga, Knoxville and Memphis have recently made headlines
for industry announcements as well.
This attention on the state’s urban centers makes it easy to think
that you can only find opportunity in a big city. We shouldn’t think
that, though, because opportunity is all around us.
Last year, nearly half of all new jobs in Tennessee — more than 9,700
— were created in the state’s rural and suburban counties. These
communities may not be growing as fast as Nashville or Knoxville, but
you don’t have to look too hard to see good things happening right here.
Tennessee’s electric cooperatives provide energy to rural Tennessee,
but our interest in the communities we serve goes far beyond power. We
are working to be sure that our part of the state is strong and well
prepared to compete in the modern economy.
In November, I attended the Tennessee Electric Cooperative
Association’s annual meeting in Nashville. The theme for the event was
“Power and Opportunity,” and it was a good reminder of the impact our
cooperatives have on the communities we serve.
We provide more than power. We provide power and opportunity.
Our economic development efforts help bring new jobs to our service area.
The things that happen in rural areas may not get as much attention
as those in Nashville, but what goes on in our service areas matters.
Our youth programs help young people develop important leadership
skills. In 2018, Tennessee cooperatives sent more than 130 young people
to Washington, D.C., to learn about government and public policy. Each
co-op also sent two high school students to Nashville for the Tennessee
Electric Co-op Youth Leadership Summit to strengthen their leadership
and networking skills.
The things that happen in rural areas may not get as much attention
as those in Nashville, but what goes on in our service areas matters. It
matters to the people who live there, and it matters to our co-ops.
Tennessee’s electric cooperatives want to see the communities we
serve succeed. We want them to be places where businesses thrive,
families prosper and opportunities are abundant.
Last month, our nation did what we’ve only done a
handful of times — said a final goodbye to a president. In ceremonies
public and private, coupled with a national day of mourning, we
celebrated the life of President George H.W. Bush.
Reflecting on someone’s life provides a perspective that levels
things out. It’s not that we forget their shortcomings; it’s more that
we forgive them as we consider the whole of their time with us.
President Bush lived quite a life. Any one of his positions would
serve as the crowning achievement for most of us. That he attained the
presidency, however, wasn’t his most cherished goal. He served in many
other roles: naval aviator, congressman, CIA director and vice
president. How he wanted to be remembered was more important than the
position — whether as father, grandfather or even president of the
United States. It was to be a decent and honorable man in every
situation or vocation.
The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association invited presidential
historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham to speak at our
annual meeting in November. You can view the highlights of that event
below.
Meacham is a close friend of the Bush family, and he was one of four
people asked to deliver eulogies at President Bush’s funeral. In
eulogizing him, Meacham said that Bush’s “life code,” as the former
president described, was, “Tell the truth. Don’t blame people. Be
strong. Do your best. Try hard. Forgive. Stay the course.”
If you don’t think that’s how a leader should act, you’re doing it wrong.
As we enter a new year, we still face the same challenges with which
we ended 2018. Politically, we have new leaders who will have to deal
with economic, budgetary and social issues that impact us all — and each
other. There is no indication that dealing with any of these issues is
going to be easy or dealt with quickly. The problems might not be as
challenging as how we approach them.
Let’s hope our current leaders have the wisdom to follow Bush’s example: the nation over politics, people over party.
Once again, quoting Meacham, “Abraham Lincoln’s ‘better angels of our
nature’ and George H.W. Bush’s ‘thousand points of light’ are companion
verses in America’s national hymn. For Lincoln and Bush both called on
us to choose the right over the convenient, to hope rather than to fear
and to heed not our worst impulses but our best instincts.”
You don’t have to be president to have an impact. In everything you
do, you can have an impact on someone else. In fact, if you do as Bush
did and “tell the truth, be strong, do your best and forgive,” I
guarantee it will have an impact on everyone with whom you come in
touch.
I’ve said it before — we can disagree without being disagreeable.
Let’s at least begin 2019 with that attitude. Go with your best
instinct, and let that instinct be one of kindness.
Scenes from the 2018 TECA Annual Meeting
The 2018 annual meeting of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative
Association was held Sunday, Nov. 18, through Tuesday, Nov. 20, in
Nashville. The event brings community and co-op leaders together to
discuss energy, broadband, community development, technology and other
issues important to Tennessee’s electric cooperatives. This event is
designed to help local co-op leaders better serve their co-ops and their
communities, and we applaud their investment in education and training.
Presidential historian Jon Meacham talks about the strength of our nation and the dangers of partisanship.
A panel of community leaders help co-ops understand how to better support the areas they serve.
TECA CEO David Callis, left, and Board President Michael Watson discuss opportunities during the business meeting.A panel of co-op directors describe their decisions to invest in broadband.
Dr. Peter Muhoro with the Cooperative Finance Corporation highlights new technologies that will impact electric co-ops.
TECA Board President Michael Watson challenges co-op leaders to engage with their communities.
Co-op directors and staff network and share ideas during the annual meeting.
Washington Youth Tour delegate Maria Howard talks about the impact the trip had on her life.
Tennessee’s electric co-ops work very hard to build strong and resilient power distribution systems, but winter storms can cause widespread damage for even the most prepared utilities. These tips from ready.gov can help your family be safe and better prepared for winter storms.
Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly. A power outage may:
Disrupt communications, water, and transportation.
Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other services.
Cause food spoilage and water contamination.
Prevent use of medical devices.
Protect yourself during power outages
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling.
Check on neighbors.
How to stay safe when power outages are predicted
Prepare NOW
Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity.
Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.
Review the supplies that are available in case of a power outage. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.
Survive DURING
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer.
Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.
Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.
Be Safe AFTER
When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.
https://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ICE01.jpg10001500Trent Scotthttps://www.tnelectric.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TECA-logo-full-light.pngTrent Scott2018-12-19 13:08:462021-02-09 15:13:55Tips to prepare for winter storms
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, a trade association representing the state’s 23 electric cooperatives, announced recently that Shelby Vannoy is joining the association as political affairs coordinator.
Vannoy will assist with the association’s legislative and grassroots efforts. “I am honored to join the staff at TECA,” says Vannoy. “Their advocacy efforts give a voice to 2.5 million co-op consumers across the state. I look forward to working with co-ops to ensure that rural and suburban issues are heard on the state and federal level.”
Vannoy is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee Martin with a degree in agricultural business.
“The decisions made in Nashville and Washington, D.C., can have a significant impact on the consumers we serve,” says Mike Knotts, vice president of government affairs for TECA. “It is important for co-ops to be engaged with lawmakers, and we are excited that Shelby is joining our team.”
State’s electric cooperatives gather in Nashville to explore the opportunities facing co-ops
NASHVILLE – “Power and Opportunity” was the theme of the 77th annual meeting of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, held Sunday, Nov. 18, through Tuesday, Nov. 20, in Nashville. More than 350 electric cooperative leaders from across the state attended the event where they explored the impact of co-ops and challenged one another to meet the needs of their communities.
“Each day, electric co-ops enable the communities we serve to prosper,” says David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “Rural and suburban Tennessee is well positioned to grow, and our role in that success has been and continues to be significant. The powerlines we build carry more than power. They deliver power and opportunity.”
Elections were held for three positions on the association’s board of trustees. John Roberts, a director for Pickwick Electric Cooperative in Selmer; Jimmy Gregory, manager for Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation in Carthage; and Dave Cross, manager for Plateau Electric Cooperative in Oneida, were elected to four-year terms.
“We congratulate those selected to serve on the TECA board of trustees,” says Callis. “Their talents and ideas will be valuable as we work to serve Tennessee’s electric cooperatives and their consumers.”
The fourth annual TECA Top Tenn Communications Awards were presented during the event. Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative received an award for Best External Newsletter or Magazine Section; Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Best Internal Newsletter; Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, Best Website; Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, Best Use of Social Media. Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation and Gibson Electric Membership Corporation each received Awards of Excellence in the Wild Card category, with Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative and Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative earning Awards of Merit.
“It is important for electric cooperative consumer-owners to be educated and informed,” says Robin Conover, TECA’s vice president of communications and editor of The Tennessee Magazine. “We honor these winners for telling the electric cooperative story in a professional way.”
Co-ops respond to administration’s 2020 budget
NASHVILLE – Today the White House delivered its 2020 budget proposal to Congress. Among the items included in this year’s budget was a proposal to sell federally-owned utility assets.
The Tennessee Valley Public Power Association released a joint statement today co-signed by David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.
The statement reads in part:
For more than 50 years electricity sales, not government appropriations, have paid for the operation and maintenance of TVA’s assets. According to 2013 study by the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, TVA has returned to the U.S. Treasury more than $3 billion on the government’s original investment of $1.4 billion.
Co-ops host young leaders in Nashville
NASHVILLE – Forty-six high school juniors from across the state are attending the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Summit this week in Nashville.
Delegates to the annual event get a hands-on look at state government, build networking and leadership skills and develop a better understanding of energy generation and their local electric cooperative.
Delegates visited the State Capitol Building today to meet members of the Tennessee General Assembly. A house staff member explained the process required to pass legislation, and students debated and voted on a mock bill. Delegates also had an opportunity to sit in on committee hearings.
In addition to lawmakers, students also heard from Tennessee leaders like Christine Williamson, Ms. Tennessee 2018; Adam Hammond, anchor for Nashville’s NewsChannel5; and Trooper Jeffrey Buchanan with the Tennessee Executive Protection Detail.
Delegates to the Youth Leadership Summit are encouraged to be leaders and use their talents to improve rural Tennessee. “Electric co-ops want to see the places we serve grow and prosper, and these young people are important to their communities,” says Todd Blocker, vice president of member relations for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and director of the Youth Leadership Summit. “Small towns and rural communities need talented and engaged young people who are invested, and that is what we are doing with our Youth Leadership Summit delegates. We want them to leave this experience with a new appreciation for where they live, prepared to be the leaders of their generation.”
Each of Tennessee’s 23 electric co-ops sponsored two delegates to participate in this year’s Youth Leadership Summit.
April 2019 CommKit
The following resources are available for use in April.
Other Resources
Social Media
Posts for April
April 1 – It’s #AprilFoolsDay ! Don’t be fooled by these common #energyefficiency myths.
April 2 – April is National Kite Month. Fly them high, but watch for power lines. #everydaysafe
April 3 – Share article from tnmagazine.org. [LINK]
April 4 – Tennessee’s electric co-ops work to make the communities we serve places where ideas take hold, products are crafted and opportunity is abundant. Learn more at http://tnelectric.org/cooportunity#cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
April 5 – April is National Safe Digging Month. Know what’s below. Call 811 before you dig. [LINK TO http://www.tenn811.com/]
April 8 – Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day. Don’t forget to #thankalineworker [LINK TO LEADERSHIP COLUMN ABOVE]
April 9 – [CO-OP NAME] has more than XXXXX security lights on our system. Contact your local office to have a security light installed at your home or business
April 10 – This is Work Zone Awareness Week. Tennessee law requires motorists to #moveover for utility workers. Learn more at moveovertennessee.org. [LINK TO MOVEOVERTENNESSEE.ORG]
April 11 – Share article from tnmagazine.org. [LINK]
April 12 – It pays to be safe. Visit everydaysafe.org for tips to keep your family safe around power lines.
April 15 – Opportunity isn’t found. It’s made. Electric co-ops support the creators, innovators, makers, dreamers and everyday Tennesseans who are redefining success. #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
April 16 – What’s your eScore? Visit [CO-OP SITE OR 2ESCORE.COM] for information and incentives to make your home more efficient.
April 17 – Electric co-ops provide power and opportunity in the communities we serve. #cooportunity [SHARE VIDEO BELOW]
April 18 – Spring is in the air. Enjoy your weekend.
April 19 – Monday is #earthday. Teachers should look into the great Earth Day resources on Education.com [LINK TO https://www.education.com/activity/earth-day/ ]
April 22 – Today is #earthday. Learn more about the work TVA is doing to benefit the environment and the people of the Tennessee Valley. [LINK TO https://www.tva.gov/Environment ] OR Post a photo/video of your cooperative solar project and talk about how it impacts your co-op.
April 23 – Be #everydaysafe when swimming: Never swim near boat ramps or launching docks!
April 24 – Each day, electric co-ops enable the communities we serve to prosper. Learn more about how co-ops help empower growth in rural and suburban Tennessee at http://www.tnelectric.org/cooportunity. #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
April 25 – Post photo of crews behind the scenes. Explain how their work keeps the lights on. [PHOTO]
April 26 – Looking for plans for the weekend? Check out The Tennessee Magazine’s calendar of events. [LINK TO TNMAGAZINE.ORG/EVENTS]
April 29 – Share article from tnmagazine.org. [LINK]
ML Connect project moves ahead
MLConnect making progress in project to service MLEC counties
Centerville, TN — Ultra-fast, affordable, reliable broadband is getting closer for those receiving electricity from Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative. The utility’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Meriwether Lewis Connect, LLC is preparing to serve its first customers.
Residents in and around the city of Waverly will be hearing from MLConnect by the end of March about firming orders and scheduling installations.
“We’re testing and working on processes to put our best technology and customer-care foot forward. We’re more interested in doing it right than hitting a deadline, so we aren’t announcing a live date at this time,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “I can tell you this, though, it is exciting to be this close.”
Construction on the $60 million project began in Waverly in October 2018 and expects to be live with broadband and phone for all MLEC members by late 2022. MLConnect’s Phase I includes more than 300 miles of main line fiber and helps secure a robust infrastructure is in place to serve the rural areas.
Currently, construction continues in Hohenwald for a potential “go live” date in April. By early March, construction crews will also be working in Centerville. New Johnsonville, Erin, Tennessee Ridge, McEwen, Linden and Lobelville (in this order) are on schedule for service by the end of 2019.
When designing Phase II, construction costs, existing infrastructure, time constraints, etc. will be considered when selecting areas. Another factor is the amount of interest in each neighborhood (number of online registrations). This is why registering on www.mlconnect.com or at your local MLEC office is so important.
“Just as electricity did in 1939, MLConnect offering GIG services in our rural hometowns will bring unprecedented potential for education, healthcare, economic development and more,” says Carnahan. “It’s proof you don’t have to live in a big city to be progressive. MLConnect will offer world class broadband with hometown service, and we’re proud of that.”
To learn more, visit www.mlconnect.com or email [email protected].
Tennessee electric co-ops issue statement regarding new TVA CEO
NASHVILLE – The TVA board of directors today announced the appointment of Jeffrey “Jeff” Lyash as the utility’s new President and Chief Executive Officer.
Lyash, current President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation, will join TVA in April.
In response to today’s announcement, David Callis, executive Vice President and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, issued the following statement:
“Tennessee’s electric co-ops welcome Mr. Lyash to TVA. For more than seven decades co-ops have worked with TVA to bring energy, economic growth and abundant opportunity to Tennessee’s rural and suburban communities. We look forward to working with Mr. Lyash as we continue our mission to improve everyday life for the people and communities we serve.”
TVA is the wholesale energy provider for all 23 of Tennessee’s consumer-owned electric cooperatives. Tennessee’s co-ops serve more than 2.5 million consumers in 84 of the state’s 95 counties.
Telling the co-op story on Capitol Hill
NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Lee stressed the importance of rural Tennessee while speaking with electric co-op leaders during the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s 2019 Legislative Conference on Tuesday evening, Feb. 12.
“I grew up in rural Tennessee, so rural issues matter a lot,” said Lee, a resident of Fernvale and member of Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation. “I think what happens in rural Tennessee should matter to every Tennessean. That’s why our first executive order was in fact to strengthen our rural communities and to require every department of state government to give an impact statement on how they impact rural communities.”
Lee spent nearly an hour with co-op members and staff discussing the administration’s plans and policy positions and the role that co-ops play in the communities they serve. Broadband was a popular topic of discussion.
“In my own home we don’t have broadband,” said Lee. “I have first-hand experience what a challenge that can be. I don’t run my business out of my home and I am not educating children there, but I have a taste of how difficult that would be. It is really important that we continue to expand broadband service so that Tennesseans all across the state have access to it.”
More than 150 electric co-op members from across the state were in Nashville for the 2019 Legislative Conference to deliver an important message to lawmakers: electric co-ops are important to Tennessee.
The 2018 election brought seven new senators and 26 new representatives to this year’s General Assembly. Co-op members, directors and staff met with familiar faces and with many new ones during 100 separate meetings with lawmakers.
“While many of these freshman legislators know about co-ops, some do not,” says David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “It is important for us to tell the story of electric co-ops, and the co-op members who are with us today in Nashville are delivering a powerful message – rural and suburban Tennessee matters and electric co-ops are a big part of their growth and prosperity.”
“State lawmakers are often asked to make tough decisions that can impact electric co-ops and the lives of the 2.5 million consumers they serve,” says Mike Knotts, vice president of government affairs for TECA. “Electric co-ops maintain a presence in Nashville and Washington, D.C., to help lawmakers understand how legislation will impact the people back home.”
During visits, co-op members spoke to legislators about local governance, tax issues, broadband and other regulatory concerns that affect the ability of electric co-ops to provide affordable and reliable energy and other services that matter to rural and suburban communities.
Electric co-ops are best known for energy, but they have far reaching impacts on rural and suburban areas of the state. From economic development to youth programs to broadband expansion, electric co-ops enable many Tennessee communities to grow and prosper. Learn more at tnelectric.org/cooportunity.
The Tennessee Magazine honored with Tennessee Music Award
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Magazine, the official publication of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, was recently named Magazine of the Year by the Tennessee Music Awards.
The Tennessee Music Awards honors independent artists and music professionals from across the state and highlights those working to advance and protect Tennessee’s unique musical heritage.
“Each month we tell the story of Tennessee, and music is a big part of that story,” says Robin Conover, editor of The Tennessee Magazine. “We actively seek out Tennessee’s most talented musicians, artists, photographers and creators and share their talents with our readers. Our team is honored to receive this Tennessee Music Award.”
The Tennessee Magazine “Celebrates the Best of Tennessee” – highlighting the unique, remarkable and beautiful aspects of the Volunteer State. For more than 50 years, The Tennessee Magazine has been placed in mailboxes across rural and suburban Tennessee. Published by the state’s rural electric cooperatives, the magazine reaches more than 2.1 million Tennesseans. Learn more at tnmagazine.org.
March 2019 CommKit
The following resources are available for use in March.
Other Resources
Social Media
Posts for March
March 1 –Electric co-ops provide power and opportunity for Tennessee. #cooportunity [LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4sNfj4oRko&t=4s]
March 4 – Today we are taking young leaders to Nashville for the 2019 Youth Leadership Summit #2019YLS #cooportunity [LINK TO ARTICLE ON TNELECTRIC.ORG]
March 5 – Looking for Tennessee’s future leaders? They are at #2019YLS this week in Nashville, and the future looks bright. #cooportunity [PHOTO]
March 6 – Our #2019YLS students are learning about government and co-ops this week in Nashville. #cooportunity [PHOTO]
March 7 – Energy tip: Changing your air filter can save you energy and money
March 8 – Don’t forget to spring forward on March 10. #DST
March 11 – It pays to be safe. Visit everydaysafe.org for tips to keep your family safe around power lines
March 12 – Tennessee’s electric co-ops work to make the communities we serve places where ideas take hold, products are crafted and opportunity is abundant. Learn more at http://tnelectric.org/cooportunity #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
March 13 – Check out the talented winners of the latest #Shutterbug photo contest sponsored by The Tennessee Magazine [LINK TO WINNERS AT TNMAGAZINE.ORG].
March 14 – #DidYouKnow [CO-OP NAME] belongs to you? Because we are a co-op, we’re led by you – our members! [INSERT GRAPHIC BELOW]
March 15 – The Tennessee General Assembly app – sponsored by the state’s electric co-ops – is your connection to your elected representatives. Get it for free at http://www.tnelectric.org/gaapp
March 18 – Each day, electric co-ops enable the communities we serve to prosper. Learn more about how co-ops help empower growth in rural and suburban Tennessee at http://www.tnelectric.org/cooportunity. #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
March 19 – #Spring begins tomorrow. What do you enjoy most about the warmer weather?
March 20 – Today is the first day of #Spring! Here are some tips to save energy this spring. [LINK TO https://www.energy.gov/articles/10-energy-saving-tips-spring]
March 21 – Here’s a tip for #spring #landscaping: Plant efficiently today and save for years to come! [INSERT IMAGES BELOW]
March 22 – Opportunity isn’t found. It’s made. Electric co-ops support the creators, innovators, makers, dreamers and everyday Tennesseans who are redefining success. #cooportunity [INSERT IMAGE BELOW]
March 25 – Tennessee law requires motorists to #moveover for utility workers. Learn more at moveovertennessee.org. [LINK TO MOVEOVERTENNESSEE.ORG]
March 26 – Monthly electric bills go up and down based on how much energy you use. Our [LEVELIZED/BUDGET] billing option can take the guess work out of your monthly bill. Sign up today. [LINK OR NUMBER TO CALL
March 27 – Share article from tnmagazine.org. [LINK]
March 28 – What’s your eScore? Visit [CO-OP SITE OR 2ESCORE.COM] for information and incentives to make your home more efficient.
Electric co-ops support Gov. Lee’s focus on rural communities
NASHVILLE – On Wednesday, Gov. Bill Lee, in his first executive order, instructed all state agencies to examine and improve the way they serve Tennessee’s rural communities. The order emphasizes the need to coordinate efforts to better serve the state’s rural and economically disadvantaged counties.
In response to the executive order, David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, made the following statement:
“Tennessee’s rural and suburban communities matter. Thirty-seven percent of the state’s population – some 2.4 million people – call rural Tennessee home, and these residents account for nearly 30 percent of personal incomes for the state. The contributions these families make to the overall success of Tennessee are significant. A healthy and vibrant rural economy is critical to the state’s overall growth and prosperity. Electric co-ops have deep roots in these communities, and we support the governor’s focus on issues that impact rural Tennessee.”
According to a release from the governor’s office, the executive order is the first step by the administration to accelerate plans to address 15 distressed counties, which are all rural. The order requires each executive department to submit, no later than May 31, 2019, a statement of rural impact explaining how the department serves rural Tennesseans. Departments must then provide recommendations for improving that service by June 30, 2019.
Tennessee’s electric cooperatives serve 71 percent of the state and more than 2.5 million consumers. The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides leadership, advocacy and support for Tennessee’s 23 electric cooperatives. The association also publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely circulated periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more.
New Year, New General Assembly, New Legislators
Last week, the 111th General Assembly of the state of Tennessee began its two-year session, and operative word for all Capitol-watchers is “new.” With so many first time members of the Legislature who are still learning about the legislative process and how best to represent their districts, Tennessee’s electric co-ops have work to do.
The upcoming TECA legislative conference, day on the hill, and legislative reception offer co-op Boards and staff a great opportunity to interact with legislators, both new and old, and engage in important public policy discussions. If your cooperative has not yet registered to attend, please do so. We look forward to seeing you there.
TECA’s public policy partner is the law firm of Bass, Berry, and Sims. They recently published a helpful and concise overview of the beginning of this General Assembly.
With the new session comes change not seen in Tennessee government in recent history, as over 30 new lawmakers were sworn in on the first day. Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) was again elected as Speaker of the Senate, and Glen Casada (R-Franklin) was elected to replace outgoing House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville). Harwell served as Speaker of the House for eight years.
Governor-elect Bill Lee (R-Franklin) will be sworn in on January 19, 2019. Lee’s first major task of the start of his first year will be to finalize his commissioner appointments and present his budget. Lee is expected to give his first State of the State address and release his budget on March 4, 2019.
Tennessee House Committee Updates
As Lee begins his work he will be working with all new leadership in the House. In addition to the new Speaker, Majority Leader and Caucus Leader, the House has brand new committees and committee chairs. There is sure to be an extended learning curve this session with so many new legislators and committee chairs. The list of committees and committee chairs for the House can be found here.
Tennessee Senate Committee Updates
In the Senate, there were fewer changes. No new committees were created in the Senate, but there are five new chairs of committees. The list of committees and committee chairs for the Senate can be found here.
After the inauguration, the Senate will take an additional week to organize before returning to business on January 28, 2019. The House will return sooner to resume its business on January 23, 2019. The bill filing deadline will be the first week of February. House members will continue to have 15 bills unless they chair a committee. In that instance, a chairman will have an additional five bills that must be related to the subject matter of his or her committee.
General Assembly App
The 111th Tennessee General Assembly app features a continually updated, searchable database of contact, staff and committee information as well as district maps, photos, leadership roles and social media profiles for members of the Tennessee House and Senate. The app also contains information on the governor and his cabinet and the Tennessee congressional delegation. The app was developed through a partnership between the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
The free app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices and can be found by searching for “Tennessee General Assembly” in the Apple App Store or Google PLAY Marketplace.
Michael Watson retires from DREMC
The Board of Directors of Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) today has accepted the retirement request of Michael Watson, President and CEO. Watson will relinquish his duties as CEO and President on Jan. 11; he will serve in an advisory capacity for the cooperative until June 30, 2019.
Watson also served as president of the board of directors for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association.
“We are grateful for the 27 years of service that Michael has dedicated to Duck River Electric,” said Barry Cooper, Chairman of the Board. “He has led DREMC through an important period of change in the cooperative business, including implementing an advanced meter infrastructure and installing a fiber backbone that is preparing the cooperative for broadband options.”
He has also demonstrated valuable leadership within the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, Cooper said, as well as with the TVA Rates and Contracts process.
Cooper said that the board has taken action to employ Charles McDonald as an interim CEO. McDonald retired from DREMC in 2011 as Director of Member Services after 37 years of service with the cooperative. McDonald will begin his interim service effective Jan. 11, 2019.
The board will begin a thorough search for a CEO as soon as is feasible.
Free mobile app brings Nashville lawmakers one click away
[NASHVILLE] – Tennessee lawmakers will return to Nashville on Jan. 8 for the 111th Tennessee General Assembly. During the four to five-month session, they will consider legislation that can have an impact on Tennessee families and businesses. That makes it important to stay informed and, at times, reach out to your elected officials. Tennesseans interested in government and politics now have a powerful tool for connecting with lawmakers.
The 111th Tennessee General Assembly app features a continually updated, searchable database of contact, staff and committee information as well as district maps, photos, leadership roles and social media profiles for members of the Tennessee House and Senate. The app also contains information on the governor and his cabinet and the Tennessee congressional delegation.
The app was developed through a partnership between the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and Bass, Berry & Sims PLC. TECA has published an annual directory of the General Assembly for more than 50 years. “Each year, we collect lots of information on legislators, and we want that to be available to as many people as possible,” says David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “The app makes it easier than ever to connect with your elected representatives.”
The free app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices and can be found by searching for “Tennessee General Assembly” in the Apple App Store or Google PLAY Marketplace.
Power and Opportunity
Amazon recently announced that it will build a new operations center in Nashville. This is big news for the entire state as the project will bring more than 5,000 jobs and millions of dollars in investment to the region. Chattanooga, Knoxville and Memphis have recently made headlines for industry announcements as well.
This attention on the state’s urban centers makes it easy to think that you can only find opportunity in a big city. We shouldn’t think that, though, because opportunity is all around us.
Last year, nearly half of all new jobs in Tennessee — more than 9,700 — were created in the state’s rural and suburban counties. These communities may not be growing as fast as Nashville or Knoxville, but you don’t have to look too hard to see good things happening right here.
Tennessee’s electric cooperatives provide energy to rural Tennessee, but our interest in the communities we serve goes far beyond power. We are working to be sure that our part of the state is strong and well prepared to compete in the modern economy.
In November, I attended the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s annual meeting in Nashville. The theme for the event was “Power and Opportunity,” and it was a good reminder of the impact our cooperatives have on the communities we serve.
We provide more than power. We provide power and opportunity.
Our economic development efforts help bring new jobs to our service area.
The things that happen in rural areas may not get as much attention as those in Nashville, but what goes on in our service areas matters.
Our youth programs help young people develop important leadership skills. In 2018, Tennessee cooperatives sent more than 130 young people to Washington, D.C., to learn about government and public policy. Each co-op also sent two high school students to Nashville for the Tennessee Electric Co-op Youth Leadership Summit to strengthen their leadership and networking skills.
The things that happen in rural areas may not get as much attention as those in Nashville, but what goes on in our service areas matters. It matters to the people who live there, and it matters to our co-ops.
Tennessee’s electric cooperatives want to see the communities we serve succeed. We want them to be places where businesses thrive, families prosper and opportunities are abundant.
A Kinder, Gentler 2019
Last month, our nation did what we’ve only done a handful of times — said a final goodbye to a president. In ceremonies public and private, coupled with a national day of mourning, we celebrated the life of President George H.W. Bush.
Reflecting on someone’s life provides a perspective that levels things out. It’s not that we forget their shortcomings; it’s more that we forgive them as we consider the whole of their time with us.
President Bush lived quite a life. Any one of his positions would serve as the crowning achievement for most of us. That he attained the presidency, however, wasn’t his most cherished goal. He served in many other roles: naval aviator, congressman, CIA director and vice president. How he wanted to be remembered was more important than the position — whether as father, grandfather or even president of the United States. It was to be a decent and honorable man in every situation or vocation.
The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association invited presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham to speak at our annual meeting in November. You can view the highlights of that event below.
Meacham is a close friend of the Bush family, and he was one of four people asked to deliver eulogies at President Bush’s funeral. In eulogizing him, Meacham said that Bush’s “life code,” as the former president described, was, “Tell the truth. Don’t blame people. Be strong. Do your best. Try hard. Forgive. Stay the course.”
If you don’t think that’s how a leader should act, you’re doing it wrong.
As we enter a new year, we still face the same challenges with which we ended 2018. Politically, we have new leaders who will have to deal with economic, budgetary and social issues that impact us all — and each other. There is no indication that dealing with any of these issues is going to be easy or dealt with quickly. The problems might not be as challenging as how we approach them.
Let’s hope our current leaders have the wisdom to follow Bush’s example: the nation over politics, people over party.
Once again, quoting Meacham, “Abraham Lincoln’s ‘better angels of our nature’ and George H.W. Bush’s ‘thousand points of light’ are companion verses in America’s national hymn. For Lincoln and Bush both called on us to choose the right over the convenient, to hope rather than to fear and to heed not our worst impulses but our best instincts.”
You don’t have to be president to have an impact. In everything you do, you can have an impact on someone else. In fact, if you do as Bush did and “tell the truth, be strong, do your best and forgive,” I guarantee it will have an impact on everyone with whom you come in touch.
I’ve said it before — we can disagree without being disagreeable. Let’s at least begin 2019 with that attitude. Go with your best instinct, and let that instinct be one of kindness.
Scenes from the 2018 TECA Annual Meeting
The 2018 annual meeting of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association was held Sunday, Nov. 18, through Tuesday, Nov. 20, in Nashville. The event brings community and co-op leaders together to discuss energy, broadband, community development, technology and other issues important to Tennessee’s electric cooperatives. This event is designed to help local co-op leaders better serve their co-ops and their communities, and we applaud their investment in education and training.
February 2019 Commkit
Tips to prepare for winter storms
Tennessee’s electric co-ops work very hard to build strong and resilient power distribution systems, but winter storms can cause widespread damage for even the most prepared utilities. These tips from ready.gov can help your family be safe and better prepared for winter storms.
Extended power outages may impact the whole community and the economy. A power outage is when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly. A power outage may:
Protect yourself during power outages
How to stay safe when power outages are predicted
Prepare NOW
Survive DURING
Be Safe AFTER
January 2019 Commkit
Vannoy joins TECA staff
Shelby Vannoy
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, a trade association representing the state’s 23 electric cooperatives, announced recently that Shelby Vannoy is joining the association as political affairs coordinator.
Vannoy will assist with the association’s legislative and grassroots efforts. “I am honored to join the staff at TECA,” says Vannoy. “Their advocacy efforts give a voice to 2.5 million co-op consumers across the state. I look forward to working with co-ops to ensure that rural and suburban issues are heard on the state and federal level.”
Vannoy is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee Martin with a degree in agricultural business.
“The decisions made in Nashville and Washington, D.C., can have a significant impact on the consumers we serve,” says Mike Knotts, vice president of government affairs for TECA. “It is important for co-ops to be engaged with lawmakers, and we are excited that Shelby is joining our team.”
TECA 2018 Annual Meeting concludes in Nashville
State’s electric cooperatives gather in Nashville to explore the opportunities facing co-ops
NASHVILLE – “Power and Opportunity” was the theme of the 77th annual meeting of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, held Sunday, Nov. 18, through Tuesday, Nov. 20, in Nashville. More than 350 electric cooperative leaders from across the state attended the event where they explored the impact of co-ops and challenged one another to meet the needs of their communities.
“Each day, electric co-ops enable the communities we serve to prosper,” says David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “Rural and suburban Tennessee is well positioned to grow, and our role in that success has been and continues to be significant. The powerlines we build carry more than power. They deliver power and opportunity.”
Elections were held for three positions on the association’s board of trustees. John Roberts, a director for Pickwick Electric Cooperative in Selmer; Jimmy Gregory, manager for Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation in Carthage; and Dave Cross, manager for Plateau Electric Cooperative in Oneida, were elected to four-year terms.
“We congratulate those selected to serve on the TECA board of trustees,” says Callis. “Their talents and ideas will be valuable as we work to serve Tennessee’s electric cooperatives and their consumers.”
The fourth annual TECA Top Tenn Communications Awards were presented during the event. Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative received an award for Best External Newsletter or Magazine Section; Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Best Internal Newsletter; Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, Best Website; Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, Best Use of Social Media. Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation and Gibson Electric Membership Corporation each received Awards of Excellence in the Wild Card category, with Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative and Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative earning Awards of Merit.
“It is important for electric cooperative consumer-owners to be educated and informed,” says Robin Conover, TECA’s vice president of communications and editor of The Tennessee Magazine. “We honor these winners for telling the electric cooperative story in a professional way.”
December CommKit 2018