MLConnect Planned Broadband Outage – Sept. 22

TVA transitions to seasonal rates

(December 9, 2025 – Centerville, TN) — Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative members will see changes on their December statements that equal a slight increase in electricity costs.

The changes include the Tennessee Valley Authority moving to higher seasonal (winter) pricing and their Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) slightly increasing. As a result, electric rates will increase to reflect the transition. For example, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative residential members using 1200 kilowatt-hours will pay $2.85 more (1.72 percent increase) compared to November for the same amount of energy. The total residential per kilowatt-hour price is now $0.10266, which is slightly less than it was this same time last year. A complete rate schedule is available at www.mlec.com/rates.

To help members better control energy costs, MLEC offers free guidance and resources to reduce energy consumption.

1. Turn off unnecessary lights, equipment and appliances when not in use.
2. Set your thermostat to the appropriate temperature. TVA recommends 68 degrees during the winter.
3. MLEC offers heat pump financing and rebates for home insulation, duct work and air sealing. These measures keep heated air in and cold air out to make your home more energy efficient.

MLEC also offers free online and professional in-home energy audits to help members’ energy use. Learn more by contacting your local office or visiting www.mlec.com/ways-to-save.

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MLEC supports community through donations and volunteer efforts

(December 2, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Employees of Meriwether Lewis joined cooperatives across the state in giving back to their communities during the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Day of Service on October 16. This year, MLEC employees volunteered their time and donated goods across all five counties served by the cooperative:

• Hickman County:
  • Hosted a blood drive collecting donations from 25 donors.
  • Donated 150 pounds of pet food to the Hickman County Humane Society.
  • Collected donations to purchase sports drinks for those working in response to the AES tragedy.
  • Prepared 300 “cups of appreciation” for local emergency responders.
• Houston County:
  • Provided donations and volunteer support at Rosie’s Thrift Store/Mission, which assists community members in need.
• Humphreys County:
  • Donated 240 pounds of food to the local food pantry.
  • Participated in a litter cleanup project in downtown Waverly.
• Lewis County:
  • Assembled and packed 20 bags filled with necessities and fun items for youth in the care of the Child Help Task Force.
• Perry County:
  • Collected and distributed food bank donations to support local families facing food insecurity.

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Day of Service is an annual event that encourages cooperative employees to live out the cooperative principle of “concern for community” by volunteering and supporting local initiatives.

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More than 1200 members attend local meetings

(November 20, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis wrapped up a full month of district meetings and membership events on October 30 with the 86th Annual Meeting, celebrating strong community engagement, board elections, service milestones, student achievements, and cooperative business.

Across all five meetings—Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lewis and Perry counties—more than 1,200 members attended, marking MLEC’s highest participation since 2014.

In Houston County, members voted for a new board member to a four-year term. Raymond H. Fussell, Jr. was elected with 117 votes. Candidates Wesley Mitchum (106) and Robert Sugg (46) also received member support. Humphreys County incumbent Larry Mayberry was re-elected with 162 votes. Candidate John Herbert Curtis received 142 votes. In Lewis County and Hickman County, board members Bill Webb and Wayne Qualls ran unopposed.

Throughout the month, several directors and cooperative leaders were also honored for their years of service:

• 45 years: Board Member Larry Mayberry; General Counsel John Lee Williams
• 32 years: Board Member Sam Fussell (retiring from the board)
• 30 years: Board Member Dr. Jeff Peery
• 15 years: Board Member Dr. Zack Hutchens
• 10 years: Board Member Jesse Wallace

During the Hickman County meeting, MLEC presented a special board resolution recognizing the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department for their response to the Hilltop Substation fire earlier this year. A bylaw revision clarifying that MLEC board members may not be employed by MLConnect was shared.

At each meeting, MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan shared updates on reliability, electric system improvements, broadband expansion, community involvement, and played the 2025 Annual Report video for members.

Local students across all five counties were recognized for outstanding achievements, including Washington Youth Tour short story winners and MLEC Poster Contest award recipients.

Each gathering concluded with a series of door prizes, including DeWalt tool sets, Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker, nugget ice makers, robot vacuums, fire pits, Ring camera sets, and Apple iPads donated by MLConnect. Each member in attendance went home with a MLEC power cord.

“We are grateful to every member who took time to participate this year,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “Whether you voted, asked questions, recognized students, or simply showed up, your involvement strengthens the cooperative. We’re proud to serve you and look forward to building a brighter, more connected future together.”

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Contracted crews treating vegetation beginning October 27

(October 23, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis contracted crews will begin applying a tree growth regulator in select areas starting October 27 to help maintain reliable, efficient power for members. The effort will impact approximately 150 members along Primm Springs Road, Highway 230, Centerville city limits, and McEwen city limits. A map of the affected areas is available on the MLEC website under the Services tab at mlec.com. 

Click here to view map.

A contracted vegetation management crew named Growth Solutions will visit properties in these areas to treat compatible trees and vegetation near power lines. Crews will knock on homeowners’ doors before beginning work to make them aware of their presence. MLEC will also provide door hangers explaining what a tree growth regulator is, how it works, and the benefits it provides.

Example of the Tree Growth Door Hanger

“The growth regulator is completely safe for trees, plants, and surrounding vegetation,” said MLEC Right-of-Way Coordinator Matt Kirk. “It doesn’t harm the tree and slows regrowth so we can maintain reliability with less frequent trimming. It’s one more way we’re caring for the environment while keeping power reliable for our members.”

MLEC appreciates the community’s cooperation and understanding as this work is completed. Members with questions about the project or vegetation management practices may contact their local MLEC office or visit mlec.com for more information.

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All service issues from Bucksnort explosion are resolved

(October 10, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Meriwether Lewis has restored power and broadband service related to this morning’s Bucksnort explosion.

However, service interruptions continue in other areas due to a vehicle accident. Approximately 1,750 members in the Nunnelly, Hidden Valley, Sugar Creek, Dodd Hollow and Taylor’s Creek areas remain without power after a vehicle hit a power pole on Highway 48 N near the Centerville Municipal Airport in Hickman County. MLEC crews are on site and expect repairs to take approximately three more hours.

 “Safety remains our top priority, and we are working to restore power as quickly as possible,” President and CEO Keith Carnahan said. “We encourage our community to keep those impacted in your prayers.”

If you are an MLConnect subscriber and power has returned but Internet has not, unplug the router from the power source for a few minutes instead of using the reset button. If this does not restore service, submit a ticket online at www.mlec.com/mlconnect/. Or, call your local MLEC office; then press OPTION 3, then OPTION 2.

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October brings National Cooperative Month Celebration

(September 30, 2025) — October is National Cooperative Month, and as part of the nationwide observance, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative will celebrate its cooperative principles and commitment to members by hosting an event in each county.

The MLEC 86^th Annual Meeting will be in Hickman County along with a district meeting on October 30 at Hickman County High School. A district or informational meeting will also be held in Houston, Humphreys, Lewis and Perry counties, where members in that district can hear MLEC’s annual report, meet poster contest winners and win door prizes. Dates and locations are as follows:

• Perry County High School – Monday, Oct. 13
• Lewis County High School – Tuesday, Oct. 14 (the new Lewis County High School)
• Houston County High School – Monday, Oct. 27
• Waverly Central High School – Tuesday, Oct. 28

Members can also participate in board elections. While Hickman County Director David Wayne Qualls and Lewis County Director Bill Webb are running unopposed, voting will take place in two counties. Humphreys County candidates are incumbent Larry Douglas Mayberry and John Hubert Curtis. In Houston County, serving director Sam Fussell is retiring, and candidates for his board seat are Ray H. Fussell, Jr., Wesley Mitchum, and Robert Sugg. (No director’s term expires this year in Perry County.)

Voting and registration for Houston and Humphreys counties will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Registration for all other meetings begins at 6:30 p.m. All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

At each location, attendees will receive a Meriwether Lewis power strip and can register for the following door prizes to be given away:

• Smokeless Fire Pit
• Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
• Apple iPad 11^th Generation (donated by MLConnect)
• Ring Doorbell and Outdoor Camera (donated by MLConnect)
• Shark Robot Vacuum
• DeWalt Cordless Drill/Driver with bag, batteries and charger
• Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker

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