Power Outage – December 1, 2023

Upgrade work continues for MLEC crews.

(April 2, 2024) — As follow-up to the March 6, maintenance outage, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative has additional work set for April 10, in the Hilltop Substation. The job will take approximately 14 hours, but MLEC will attempt to keep the power on as crews work by shifting electric load for impacted homes and businesses.

As work begins at 4 a.m. on April 10, certain areas will see a brief interruption, or blink, as MLEC shifts the load. Some of these include Universal Drive, Murphree Avenue North, Defeated Creek, Puckett Hollow, Maryfield Avenue, Huddleston Road, Skyview, Grays Bend Road South, Camp Meribah area, Green Hill Drive, Highway 100 North out of Centerville, Rivers Road.

At the same time, everyone receiving power from the Hilltop Substation will see their power interrupted at 4 a.m. for approximately one hour as their power load is redirected. Some affected areas are:  

• Highway 100 East from Johnson Mine Road to Fantasy Drive, Brown Hollow Road, Highway 7, Primm Springs, Fairfield, Johnson Mine Road, Mill Creek Road, Bell Branch Road, Keys Branch and Hidden Valley
• Little Lot Road, Hassell Creek Road, Little Lot, Leatherwood Road, Highway 50 East from Gordon Road to Hickman/Maury County line, Duck River, Mobley Ridge Road, Sheboss Road.
• Nunnelly, Highway 48 North from Fairfield to I-40, Garners Creek Road, Pinewood, White House, Pretty Creek, Piney Road, Taylor Creek Road, Vernon, Dodd Hollow, etc.

MLEC estimates work will finish around 6 p.m. on April 10. As load shifts back, the impacted areas will experience the same interruption (blink or hour-long outage) as they did at the beginning. If conditions are not favorable, the load shift will take place closer to midnight or early the next morning.

“Before switching everything back, we’ll evaluate temperatures and load,” says MLEC District Manager Matthew Chessor. “Conditions must be ‘just right’ to power all these areas from one substation. If temperatures are too hot or cold, power demand will increase, so we’ll hold shifting load back until late night or early morning.”

MLEC will watch the forecast closely leading up to April 10, and work will be postponed to April 11, if load shifting is not an option. Any changes to the schedule will be shared with local media and on MLEC’s social media platforms.

For MLConnect broadband subscribers, if internet does not return when power is restored, unplug the router for a few minutes instead of pressing the “Reset” button. Reach out to technical support by calling 931-729-3558, and selecting Option 3, then Option 2, if needed.

Should anyone have concerns, please contact call MLEC at 931-729-3558.

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MLConnect schedules network maintenance

(March 8, 2024) —  In efforts to continue a high quality of service, Meriwether Lewis Connect will conduct system maintenance between the hours of 11:50 p.m. on March 12, and 2:00 a.m. on March 13.  Connectivity will go out and come back on for all broadband and phone subscribers at some point during the two-hour service window.

“We will keep the outage window as brief as possible,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We hope the advanced notice allows everyone to prepare and keep the inconvenience to a minimum.”

If service does not return to normal after the allotted outage time, subscribers should disconnect power to their modem for a few minutes to reset. If this does not fix the issues, subscribers should call their local MLEC office and choose Option 3, then Option 2, for technical assistance.

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TECA Hosts 2024 Legislative Conference in Nashville

(March 8, 2024) —Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative Board of Directors and President and CEO Keith Carnahan joined more than 175 electric cooperative leaders from across the state in Nashville on Feb. 20 and 21, for the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association’s 2024 Legislative Conference.

“The Legislative Conference is a time where our Board Directors spend time with legislators to share local needs and discuss issues impacting our industry and communities,” Carnahan said. “The General Assembly is a great partner with Tennessee Electric Cooperatives, and we appreciate their time to hear what matters to MLEC.”

MLEC leaders heard from political strategists and policy advisors as well as Tennessee leaders, including advisors to Gov. Bill Lee and Secretary of State Tre Hargett. Reliability, new policies and industry challenges were the main discussion points with legislators. From cybersecurity to EPA regulations, MLEC co-op leaders advocated for specific legislation that supports rural electric cooperatives and protects the energy supply.

MLEC Board Directors Ronny Averett, Johnnie Ruth Elrod, Sam Fussell, Tommy Graham, Dr. Zack Hutchens, Jessie Wallace and Dr. Jeff Peery attended this year’s conference. Visits with Senator Kerry Roberts, Representative Jody Barrett, Senator John Stevens, Senator Joey Hensley and Representative Kirk Haston were scheduled while they were at the Capitol.

 “The partnerships formed at the state level allow MLEC to better serve our members and keep the cooperative prepared for future obstacles,” Carnahan said. “The decisions made by local lawmakers are of great importance to all Tennessee electric cooperatives, and MLEC is proud to have a seat at the table when discussing the future of the industry.”

MLEC Members in Parts of Hickman County Affected

(February 28, 2024) — Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative is planning a power interruption at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, to conduct time-sensitive upgrades. The outage, which will also affect MLConnect broadband service, is expected to take about three hours and affect those receiving power from the Hilltop Substation.

Some of the impacted areas include:

• Highway 100 East from Johnson Mine Road to Fantasy Drive, Brown Hollow Road, Highway 7, Primm Springs.
• Little Lot Road, Hassell Creek Road, Little Lot, Leatherwood Road, Highway 50 East from Gordon Road to Hickman/Maury County line, Duck River, Mobley Ridge Road, Sheboss Road.
• Fairfield, Johnson Mine Road, Mill Branch Road, Bell Branch Road, Keys Branch and Hidden Valley.
• Nunnelly, Highway 48 North from Fairfield to I-40, Garners Creek Road, Pinewood, White House, Pretty Creek, Piney Road, Taylor Creek Road, Vernon, Dodd Hollow, etc.

In the event of inclement weather, the outage will take place the next night (March 7) at the same time. Any changes to the schedule will be shared with local media and on MLEC’s social media platforms.

Should broadband not return when power is restored, unplug the router for a few minutes instead of pressing the “Reset” button. Reach out to technical support by calling 931-729-3558, and selecting Option 3, then Option 2, if needed.

“We are working to increase capacity for growth, as well as improve efficiency and reliability,” says MLEC District Manager Matthew Chessor. “This is the first of two outages needed for the work being done.”

Should anyone have concerns, please contact call MLEC at 931-729-3558.

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MLEC begins project to upgrade meters in Humphreys County

(February 20, 2024) — In ongoing efforts to serve its members more efficiently and reliably, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative is upgrading meters across its service area. Work in Humphreys County is expected to begin in early March and finish in June.

“Like any technology, meter upgrades come along as older equipment becomes unreliable and has less manufacturer support if something goes wrong,” says MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “We are replacing the unsupported meters with an upgraded model and combining its technology with MLConnect broadband to provide safe, affordable, reliable power to our members.”

The advanced meters improve reliability by pinpointing and responding to power outages more effectively, creating opportunities for grid improvements, and diagnosing and resolving issues before they occur. Ultimately, it saves outage time and the costs associated with unexpected power interruptions.

The installation only takes a few minutes, creates a momentary outage, and only involves outside equipment. The property owner does not need to be present. MLEC understands members might question someone unfamiliar on their property, so employees are always in clearly marked vehicles and have photo id badges.

For additional details, contact your local MLEC office or visit the “Services” tab on www.mlec.com/mlec-meters/. 

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MLEC Contributes Funds to Local Football Program

(February 9, 2024) — MLEC put Co-op Principle Number 7, Concern for Community, into practice by giving $2,250 to the McEwen High School football team. MLEC Board Directors David Daniel, Larry Mayberry, Andy Porch and Jessie Wallace made the contribution to purchase gym equipment for the football program.

Pictured above: MLEC Board Director Andy Porch (left) presented the funds to team representative Charlie Gill (right).

MLEC Members May Continue Normal Practices

(January 17, 2024) — Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative members may resume regular routines as the Tennessee Valley Authority has ended voluntary curtailments for electricity use. With the help of members, TVA navigated a new all-time peak at 8:00 a.m. of approximately 34,500 MW during frigid temperatures.

“We greatly appreciate your assistance in managing demand through this extreme winter weather event,” said President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “TVA was able to maintain a reliable power system and provide electricity without disruption thanks to members limiting their load.”

MLEC will continue to monitor temperatures and loads throughout the day. However, the need for additional curtailment is considered low.

Since Tuesday, the TVA service area, which includes MLEC, was placed under guidelines to voluntarily limit electrical use. These included lowering thermostats, avoiding large appliance use during peak hours and unplugging or turning off unnecessary devices. As a customer of TVA power, MLEC was required to issue the guidelines to members, which have since been lifted.

As frigid temperatures continue, MLEC wants to remind members of safe and energy efficient practices. Visit www.mlec.com to learn more about keeping your home warm while managing your power bill.

MLEC Shares Guidelines for Members

(January 16, 2024– Centerville, TN) —Extreme cold temperatures combined with energy demands across the Tennessee Valley Authority service territory have caused TVA to implement public curtailments starting at 1:00 p.m. Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative is taking steps in-house to conserve energy and asks members to follow TVA’s request to help maintain a stable power grid.

Until further notice, residents are asked to reduce power consumption by delaying the use of large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and electric dryers during the peak hours (6 AM to 10 AM). 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.

“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 www.mlec.com.

MLEC Shares Tips on Staying Warm Efficiently

(January 15, 2024) — Several inches of snow and frigid temperatures have covered the Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative service area. The utility understands members are looking to stay warm but also concerned about energy bills and safety. From heat pump tips to simple practices around the home, MLEC has information to help:

1. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees to warm your home and better manage energy consumption, which has a direct impact on power bills. Also, make sure thermostat batteries are fresh or have replacements on hand.
   
2. Keep all doors and registers open inside the home. Closed areas make your unit work harder and can make your home colder.
   
3. Can you see daylight through the door threshold? Place a rolled-up towel in those cracks to keep cold air from sneaking inside.
   
4. With extremely cold temperatures, leave your indoor faucets dripping to help avoid busted pipes.
   
5. If the sun is shining, take advantage of the radiant heat and open your curtains or blinds. Once the sun goes down, close them for an insulation barrier.
   
6. Check the batteries of carbon monoxide detectors if utilizing gas heat.
   
7. If you need to do chores, try to avoid using large appliances (oven, stove, clothes dryer) during the coldest points of the day. This helps the reliability of the overall power grid.
   
8. If you have a heat pump and temperatures drop below 30 degrees, try switching from auxiliary heat to emergency heat mode. This will help limit extended unit run times and ensure warm air is pushed into the home.

Energy efficiency and safety remain a top priority for MLEC, especially during winter weather events. Stay warm by utilizing these tips in your home while also enjoying the snow. For more information on energy efficiency, visit www.mlec.com/ways-to-save.

If you are experiencing an outage, please contact your local MLEC office or call 1-888-879-6038 to report. 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.

All of Perry County and portions of Hickman and Humphreys Affected

(November 30, 2023) — All Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative members in Perry County, the Pleasantville area of Hickman County, and Cuba Landing in Humphreys County will experience a power interruption at 11 p.m. on Friday, December 1. Small, connected locations may also be involved. The outage is expected to last less than an hour but is crucial to service.

The outage is required quickly so that MLEC can conduct essential repairs and ensure reliability for the area. MLEC crews will work with the Tennessee Valley Authority to isolate the location for safety and efficiency.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and support in helping us maintain the power system to the highest standards,” says MLEC Vice President of Engineering and Operations Ed Greenwell. “Crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to keep the outage time to a minimum.”

Should anyone have concerns, please contact your local MLEC office for further information.

MLEC is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility serving more than 35,000 meters in Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lewis, and Perry counties. We connect our communities to a better quality of life through power, broadband, and committed service. Learn more at www.mlec.com/about-mlec.

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