Third Meriwether Lewis Crew Assisting with Hurricane Relief

MLEC Shares Guidelines for Members

(January 21, 2025 – Centerville TN) —Extreme cold temperatures combined with energy demands across the Tennessee Valley Authority service territory have caused TVA to implement public curtailments effective January 21. Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative is taking steps in-house to conserve energy and asks members to follow TVA’s request to conserve energy and help maintain a stable power grid.

Residents are asked to reduce power consumption by delaying the use of large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and electric dryers until further notice. Also, turn off unnecessary devices and lights, and when possible, adjust thermostats down a degree or two.

MLEC is a local electric distribution cooperative that purchases its power from TVA. As part of the agreement, MLEC is required to support TVA in electric load curtailments to maintain reliability during rare circumstances such as winter weather events. Once TVA returns to normal operations, MLEC will communicate the changes to members.

“MLEC apologizes for this inconvenience to members,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We are taking every step in-house to comply with TVA and hope members follow as well to ensure a reliable power grid for all members.”

During frigid temperatures, MLEC also understands the importance of safety while following curtailment guidelines. We encourage members to check on elderly or disabled neighbors to ensure they remain warm throughout the night. For other safety tips and energy efficiency questions, visit mlec.com/safety/.

MLEC shares ways to prepare for the upcoming cold wave

(January 3, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – As freezing temperatures approach, Meriwether Lewis wants to help our members stay warm and safe while managing energy costs. Follow these simple tips to prepare your home for the cold:

1. Seal Those Leaks
   Stop heat loss and drafts by sealing gaps around doors and windows. Use folded towels, weatherstripping or caulk for a snug fit. Budget-friendly solutions like heavy-duty plastic sheeting or window film can make a big difference in keeping the cold out and the warmth in.
2. Maintain Your Heating System
   Check your heating filter before the cold snap and replace it if it is dirty. For all-electric heat pumps, set the thermostat to a consistent temperature to optimize efficiency. A clean filter and steady settings help reduce energy use and maintain comfort.
3. Use Space Heaters Wisely
   Space heaters are a helpful supplement but can drive up energy costs if overused. Heat only the rooms you’re using, keep heaters clear of flammable materials and choose energy-efficient models with automatic shutoff features for added safety.
4. Harness the Sun
   Open curtains during the day to let sunlight naturally warm your home and close them at night to retain heat. This simple step maximizes warmth without increasing energy use.
5. Dress for the Weather
   Layer up with cozy clothing and blankets to stay warm indoors. Lowering the thermostat slightly can lead to noticeable savings while keeping you comfortable.
6. Adjust Ceiling Fans
   Set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise at a low speed in the winter. This helps circulate warm air trapped near the ceiling into your living space.

By implementing these tips, you can keep your home cozy and energy-efficient throughout the freezing weather. See how MLEC is creating brighter, more connected futures by visiting www.mlec.com or contacting your local MLEC office.

If you experience a power outage, please contact your local MLEC office during regular business hours or call 1-888-879-6038 to report after hours. If you are an MLConnect customer and your power has returned but your Internet has not, please call your local office and section Option 3 for MLConnect, then Option 2 for technical support.

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MLEC shares TVA seasonal adjustments

(December 3, 2024 – 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 $3.07 more (1.84 percent increase) compared to November for the same amount of energy. The total residential per kilowatt-hour price is now $0.10461. A complete rate schedule is available at www.mlec.com.

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. Adjust your ceiling fans to run counterclockwise to evenly disperse heat throughout the room.
4. MLEC offers heat pump financing and rebates for home insulation, duct work, air sealing and windows. These measures keep heated air in and cold air out to make your home more comfortable and energy use more manageable to save energy dollars.

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

Parts of Lewis County to be impacted by work

(October 18, 2024 – Hohenwald, TN) – A planned power outage is set for portions of Lewis County on November 6. It will begin at 11 p.m., and the system will return to normal by 1 a.m. Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative will use this time to complete a service upgrade that has been ongoing near the Hohenwald Substation for several weeks.

Areas affected include downtown Hohenwald south of Main Street, 48 South, Rockhouse Road and Buffalo Road to Wayne County, as well as all of Summertown Highway to just west of Summertown. Also, an interactive map is available on the “Services” tab of www.mlec.com where you can enter an address and see if it is affected area.

Should your Meriwether Lewis Connect broadband not return when power is restored, unplug the router for a few minutes instead of pressing the “Reset” button. If needed, contact technical support by calling 931-796-3116, and selecting Option 3, then Option 2.

If anyone has concerns, please call MLEC at 931-796-3116. In the event of inclement weather, the work will be postponed.

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Lewis County employees celebrate members with a free lunch and giveaways

(October 22, 2024 – Hohenwald, TN) – Some 250 Meriwether Lewis members participated in Membership Appreciation Day at the MLEC Lewis County office on October 16. Local employees prepared hot dog lunches while introducing the electric cooperative’s new brand to members. Each attendee registered for door prizes, received a koozie and tumbler with the MLEC logo and went home with free light bulbs while supplies lasted.

The door prize winners (listed below) were hand-drawn by MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan following the event:

• Nashville Zoo membership for two adults and up to six children: Cathey Roberson
  • Bird Feeder with Camera: Cody Mitchell
  • DeWalt Drill and Driver Kit: Melody Jackson
  • Outdoor Patio Heater: Ronnie Staggs
  • Turkey Fryer: Cassandra Griffin
  • KitchenAid Mixer: Keith Potter
  • iPad (donated by MLConnect): Bert Spann

“Thank you to all the members for participating in our Membership Appreciation Day,” Carnahan said. “This event was a way to give back to our local communities and show our gratitude for the residents who make us an electric cooperative. Our employees, staff and Board Directors are fortunate to serve you and provide access to a better tomorrow.”

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Perry County employees celebrate members with a free lunch and giveaways

(October 22, 2024 – Linden, TN) – Some 200 Meriwether Lewis members participated in Membership Appreciation Day at the MLEC Perry County office on October 15. Local employees prepared hot dog lunches while introducing the electric cooperative’s new brand to members. Each attendee registered for door prizes, received a koozie and tumbler with the new MLEC logo and went home with free light bulbs while supplies lasted. The door prize winners (listed below) were hand-drawn by MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan following the event:

• Nashville Zoo membership for two adults and up to six children: Cody Gilbert
  • Bird Feeder with Camera: Mike Southall
  • DeWalt Drill and Driver Kit: Brenda Byrd
  • Outdoor Patio Heater: Chris James
  • Turkey Fryer: James O. Garrison
  • KitchenAid Mixer: Valerie DePriest
  • iPad (donated by MLConnect): Janet Carroll

“Thank you to all the members for participating in our Membership Appreciation Day,” Carnahan said. “This event was a way to give back to our local communities and show our gratitude for the residents who make us an electric cooperative. Our employees, staff and Board Directors are fortunate to serve you and provide access to a better tomorrow.”

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Ensuring power stability in Perry and parts of Hickman and Humphreys

(October 21, 2024 – Linden, TN) – Starting October 28, Meriwether Lewis contractors will inspect power poles in Lobelville, Linden and a small section of Hickman and Humphreys County to identify any issues. In Linden, Main Street and Highway 13 North to Highway 438 are set for evaluation. Sections of Dyer Road in Hickman County and the Bucksnort area will also be included. In Humphreys County, Highway 13 North and the Buffalo area will need inspection, as well.

“By addressing weakened or broken poles before an outage occurs, Meriwether Lewis can ensure reliable power and manage costs,” MLEC System Engineer Brent Warf said. “This routine inspection does not interrupt service and allows MLEC to better serve members.”

The company, Power Pole Maintenance Company (PPMC), will conduct the work until early 2025. Workers will be in marked vehicles with an “MLEC contractor” logo, carry identification cards and wear yellow vests with the PPMC logo. Pole evaluations typically take a few minutes with occasional photography and documentation. The home or business owner does not need to be present, as all work is conducted outside.

“We want to inform members of this project since contracted workers may be on their property to evaluate a power pole,” MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan said. “We understand if you have concerns, but MLEC only chooses trusted contractors to safely complete the work.”

To view the exact locations set for inspection, members can view an interactive map available at mlec.com under the “Services,” tab.

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MLEC helps build brighter futures with $15,000 in Adopt-A-School Grants

(October 18, 2024– Centerville, TN) — Fifteen $1000 grants have been awarded to teachers through Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative’s 2024 Adopt-A-School Grant. The program is made possible by matching funds from MLEC and its partners at CoBank and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

• Hickman County: Nicolette Booth (East Hickman High School) fingerprinting and DNA lab set; Isabella Armstrong (East Hickman Elementary School) reading and comprehension center activities; and Kristin Carter (Hickman County High School) production and theater equipment.

• Houston County: Michelle Hastings (Houston County Middle School) Dyslexia and reading material; Sharlene Garringer (Houston County Middle School) clothing for students in need; and Ronnie Kinkennon (Houston County High School) outdoor classroom garden.

• Humphreys County: Kendra Mott (Waverly Central High School) sound system for theater; Monica Spann (Waverly Elementary School) communication materials for non-verbal students; and Kristin Burnette (Waverly Junior High School) tables for science room.

• Lewis County: Charity Couch (Lewis County Elementary School) reading lab program; Simone Hinson (Lewis County Elementary School) electric pencil sharpeners and books; and Chanda Reeves (Lewis County Elementary School) reading and book kits.

• Perry County: Marlana Nyholt (Perry County High School) classroom musical instrument; Cindy Rogers (Perry County High School) hog processing tools; and Reagan Dill (Linden Elementary School) 3 Ipads.

“Teachers excel at creating meaningful learning experiences on limited budgets, and our grants help bridge the gap by providing new materials that foster a love of learning in students,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We’re thankful to our partners, CoBank and the Tennessee Valley Authority, for joining us in supporting educators as they inspire brighter futures for their students.”

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Parts of Humphreys County to be impacted by work

(October 18, 2024 – Waverly, TN) – Meriwether Lewis members in the Humphreys County service area surrounding Waverly will experience a four-hour power interruption on Wednesday, October 23 from 11:59 p.m. until 4 a.m. Thursday, October 24. TVA has scheduled maintenance at the South Waverly Substation resulting in the interruption. MLEC will take advantage of the downtime to also conduct work that could avoid another planned outage.

Members west of Trace Creek Road towards Waverly, east of Waverly to Gorman, north of Waverly to the Houston County Line and south of the city limits to the Buffalo and Bakerville area will be impacted. Most of McEwen and New Johnsonville will be unaffected. For members who want exact locations, an interactive map will be available at mlec.com under the “Services,” tab to see if your service will be affected.

Should your Meriwether Lewis Connect broadband not return when power is restored, unplug the router for a few minutes instead of pressing the “Reset” button. If needed, contact technical support by calling 931-296-2581, and selecting Option 3, then Option 2.

If anyone has concerns, please call MLEC at 931-296-2581. In the event of inclement weather, the work will be postponed.

Lineworkers travel to Georgia to continue Hurricane Helene Restoration

(October 11, 2024 – Centerville, TN) – A crew of five Meriwether Lewis Lineworkers traveled to Wrens, Georgia on October 10 to join Jefferson Energy Cooperative as recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Helene.

Pictured from left to right: Humphreys County Journey Lineworker Blake Tarpy, Perry County Journey Lineworker Will Dunnebacke, Perry County Journey Lineworker Sawyer Ferrell, Houston County Journey Lineworker Jesse Singleton and Lewis County Lead Lineworker Shane Lowery.