Nashville Electric Service (NES) has started its recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Winter Storm Fern, which affected over 230,000 customers. After restoring power to nearly all affected customers by February 6, NES leaders outlined their strategy for moving forward.
Nashville Electric Service Recovery Plans
Financial Aid and Support Measures
With storm damage estimates reaching between $110 million and $140 million, NES President and CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin emphasized the severity of the crisis at a special Electric Power Board meeting on February 9. Alongside restoration efforts, NES plans to:
- Conduct an independent after-action review to assess the storm’s impact on the utility.
- Make a $1 million donation to the United Way’s Winter Storm Recovery Fund.
- Provide financial relief by suspending disconnections and late fees until June.
- Offer unlimited payment arrangements for customers through the end of the year.
Improving Communication and Emergency Management
Acknowledging communication failures during the storm, Broyles-Aplin stated, “We did not meet the expectations of our customers.” NES will implement several changes to enhance information flow, including:
- Evaluating the utility’s emergency management structure.
- Improving communication regarding outages.
- Refining practices for estimating restoration timelines.
Community Support and Donations
As a testament to community support, donations to the Lawrence & Clarke Cacti Co., a local plant shop impacted by the storm, have surged. Thousands of individuals have rallied to contribute tens of thousands of dollars, further demonstrating the strong community spirit in the aftermath.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, NES aims to bolster the resilience of Nashville’s power grid through improved vegetation management and exploration of underground power lines. Board members also increased the CEO’s emergency spending authority, allowing for more rapid response to ongoing recovery needs.
NES acknowledges the hardships faced by its customers and reassures the community that steps are being taken to prevent similar issues in the future as they work towards a comprehensive recovery from Winter Storm Fern.
