TMEPA Overlook

Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association

Electric Power Systems
Border States
Cox Industries Inc.
Industry News
 
   
At its quarterly board meeting on Thursday, the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors unanimously voted in favor of cutting its current power rate by a half-cent per kilowatt-hour. Instead, there will now be a half-cent fixed "grid access fee" per kWh.

Visit https://www.knoxnews.com/story/money/business/2018/05/10/tva-board-vote-today-new-fee/578196002/ to view the full article online.

 
 
   
According to recent research, the majority of utility customers will spend just 10 minutes each year thinking about their utility services. Using modern digital methods such as websites and social media, utility companies are working to keep their customers engaged and give them a stronger voice in decision-making situations.

Visit https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/community-seat-utility-table to view the full article online.

 
This Monday, the Department of Energy rolled out a new strategy to help reduce the potential for energy disruptions caused by increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. The five-year plan will focus on areas such as improved information sharing systems, more advanced prevention technology, and quicker recovery time after a disruption.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-unveils-integrated-strategy-to-reduce-utility-cyberthreats/523491/ to view the full article online.

 
 
   
The American Public Power Association is seeking to repeal the Clean Power Plan, which was implemented to reduce current power plants' carbon dioxide emissions. The association is urging the EPA to replace the plan with a rule that would allow states to set their own unit performance standards, based on each electric unit's useful life expectancy.

Visit https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/association-urges-repeal-replacement-clean-power-plan to view the full article online.

 
Association News
It’s not too late!!!
52nd Annual Meeting
The Chattanoogan Hotel
Chattanooga, Tennessee
July 11-13, 2018

This is The Annual Conference that provides a great chance to increase the effectiveness of your utility or your business by learning current trends, consulting with your peers, and networking with suppliers!


Register now to attend one of the most valuable and best-reviewed business meetings at one of the most family-friendly destinations in the South.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/TMEPA_Annual_Meeting_Update_for_Overlook_May.pdf to view the full article online.

 
 
   
The American Public Power Association has awarded the Reliable Public Power Provider designation to 118 of the 2,000-plus public power utilities in the United States. Now in its thirteenth year, the award recognizes plants that offer safe, reliable electric services to their customers, based on safety incidence records.

Six Tennessee municipal power companies were recognized this year:
Bolivar Energy Authority
Clinton Utilities Board
Jackson Energy Authority
Morristown Utility Systems
Ripley Power & Light Company
Tullahoma Utilities Authority

Visit https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/public-power-utilities-recognized-safety-reliability-efforts to view the full article online.

 
 
   
Automation can be a powerful tool for utility systems, as long as it is used correctly. Utilities need to take advantage of tools that can help them coordinate their effective software programs, to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

Visit https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/getting-utility-systems-play-well-with-each-other to view the full article online.

 
 
   
Public power utilities are increasingly providing not only electric services, but also a variety of other services such as Internet, gas, waste, cable and telecommunication. This approach offers greater opportunities for streamlining service effectiveness, and the benefits are passed down to community residents.

Visit https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/multiservice-utilities-one-stop-shop-communities to view the full article online.

 
Tomorrow’s Smart Grid. Today.
Tantalus Systems, Inc.
Tantalus provides TUNet® an award winning, multi-purpose platform that enables Smart Grid applications such as AMI, load management, and grid optimization for electric, water and gas Municipal & Cooperative utilities. TUNet utilizes IP and RF communications for a hybrid network that helps utilities improve reliability and reduce operational cost through applications that leverage distributed computing capability embedded at every endpoint.
www.tantalus.com
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Legislative Updates
 
   
Late last month, the General Assembly wrapped up its session for the year after a long last day of House and Senate floor sessions. There were tense moments with legislators working on yet another legislative fix to the TNReady testing fiasco, and the House and Senate tussling over a few remaining bills. TMEPA reminded engaged on a bill from the beginning of the day at 9am until the very end around 11pm. The bill, regarding municipal natural gas utilities and economic development, was the last bill the House and Senate voted on for the day and the year, and it’s detailed below. It was the end of an eventful day and eventful year for TMEPA.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=503419&issueID=60804 to view the full article online.

 
The House of Representatives has passed a bill (H.R. 3053) to restart the creation of a permanent commercial nuclear waste repository. The new facility would be built in Yucca Mountain, Nev., and the Department of Energy (DOE) would also have the power to store its nuclear waste at the facility on a temporary basis. The bill was sponsored by Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., and passed 340-72, with strong opposition from Nevada delegation.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/house-hands-off-nuclear-waste-storage-bill-to-senate/523291/ to view the full article online.

 
Service Electric Company
Naylor Association Solutions
TMEPA Updates
Cities across the U.S. are continuing to add their own community power utilities whenever possible. Meanwhile, over 900 public power utilities have been in service for decades — and in some cases, more than a century. Here is a timeline illustrating the growth of public power utilities, along with some of the events that molded their development.

Visit https://www.publicpower.org/system/files/documents/Timeline-Public-Power.pdf to view the full article online.

 
Training & Education
The Tennessee Comptroller's Office is pleased to offer Free Utility Training for board members of municipalities, counties and authorities who oversee a water and/or wastewater system. We are hosting a free training event at our Nashville office on May 18, 2018. The training is approved for 6 hours of municipal board member and Certified Municipal Finance Officer credit.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/Utility_Training.pdf to view the full article online.

 
Jobs
Loudon Utility Board (LUB) in Loudon, Tennessee is seeking an Administrative Assistant to support the Directors of the Electric and the Gas, Water and Wastewater departments by performing a variety of administrative tasks.
This position will report to the Director of Electric. The individual awarded this position will be proficient in office computer systems and software applications, i.e. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/Loudon_Utilities,_AA_OP_Center_ad.pdf to view the full article online.

 
Loudon Utilities Board (LUB), located in Loudon, TN provides over 11,000 customers with electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services. LUB is seeking a Director of Finance. This position which reports directly to the General Manager will provide leadership to LUB’s Finance and Accounting Department to optimize our financial performance and strategic position.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/Loudon_Utilities,_DIRECTOR_OF_FINANCE_AD_(002).pdf to view the full article online.

 
Loudon Utility Board (LUB) in Loudon, Tennessee is seeking an I T Technician to serve the various departments of LUB and the city of Loudon.
This position reports to the Director of Support Services. The individual awarded this position will provide the first point of contact for LUB/City staff seeking information technology assistance.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/tmp-nwl/pdf/Loudon_Utilities,_I_T_Technician_ad_(002).pdf to view the full article online.

 
MuniNews
 
   
Demand for better, faster Internet increases every year. Some experts are predicting that homes of the future will have as many as a dozen devices connected to their central router. A city called Morristown has been getting attention for its exemplary broadband service, FiberNET, which is provided directly by Morristown Utility Systems. The locally-owned system offers a fast signal via light that is digitally pulsed over fiber optic glass, and it is affordable to residents because its prices have remained unchanged since it launched in 2006.

Visit http://www.citizentribune.com/news/business/mus-fibernet-meets-mounting-demand/article_9e8a899e-5664-11e8-9d41-4b9f0aed8689.html to view the full article online.

 
 
   
Senior citizens without air conditioning are especially vulnerable during the summertime, so Memphis, Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) is taking the initiative in keeping them cool. The utility service has partnered with The Neighborhood Christian Center to offer its annual Play It Cool" initiative, providing window A/C units to qualifying seniors at no cost.

Visit http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/38171983/mlgw-seeks-to-cool-off-seniors-with-free-ac to view the full article online.

 
 
   
Dickie Slack, 56, is now officially a journeyman lineman for Athens Utilities Board. He earned his certification through five challenging years of apprenticeship, classes and field training, and was AUB's oldest entrant into the lineman apprentice program. His career with AUB has spanned decades, starting with his first position as meter reader when he was in his teens.

Visit http://www.dailypostathenian.com/news/article_d3350dda-538b-11e8-8086-10604b9f0f42.html to view the full article online.

 
I am needing an inspection of my 14 year old roof so I called five roofing companies. Got no response or call back from any of them. Pass this along to your local roofing companies...

"Eighty percent of success is showing up."

Woody Allen 
 
Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association
212 Overlook Circle, Suite 205, Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: (615) 373-5738
Fax: (615) 373-1901