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As winter storm response inquiry begins, Nashville utility promises increased preparation for spring

The Nashville Electric Service headquarters is on Church Street. The utility has hired two attorneys to conduct a review of its response to January's winter storm that left more than 230,000 of its customers without power, some for more than a week. (Martin B. Cherry/Nashville Banner file)
The Nashville Electric Service headquarters is on Church Street. The utility has hired two attorneys to conduct a review of its response to January's winter storm that left more than 230,000 of its customers without power, some for more than a week. (Martin B. Cherry/Nashville Banner file) The Nashville Electric Service headquarters is on Church Street. The utility has hired two attorneys to conduct a review of its response to January's winter storm that left more than 230,000 of its customers without power, some for more than a week. (Martin B. Cherry/Nashville Banner file)

By Steven Hale 4 min read

This story was originally published by the Nashville Banner. Sign up for their newsletter at nashvillebanner.com/newsletters.

Nashville Electric Service officials said they are increasing mitigation efforts ahead of the spring storm season, including more aggressive tree trimming and aerial mapping. At the same time, an independent review of the utility’s response to January’s historic winter storm is underway.

The Electric Power Board, which oversees the utility, has retained Nashville attorneys Aubrey Harwell and Bill Harbison to lead the inquiry and deliver a report within 90 days. Both men spoke at Wednesday’s board meeting and promised a quick but thorough and independent, process.

The snow-and-ice storm left more than 230,000 Nashville Electric customers without power in below-freezing temperatures, in some cases for more than a week. Metro officials have confirmed five related deaths. Nashville Electric CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin has kept her job, and her reported $650,000 salary, despite initial political pressure for her to be fired over “systemic leadership failures.”

As part of a report to the board Wednesday, Broyles-Aplin detailed new measures aimed at better preparing the city and its power grid for spring storms.