TVA asks residents to conserve energy

MLEC shares guidelines for Thursday

(February 19, 2025– Centerville, TN) — In anticipation of frigid temperatures and high energy demands, TVA is asking the public to limit electric use starting at 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning. MLEC will also take steps in-house to conserve energy and request members to follow TVA’s guidelines to help maintain a stable power grid.

Residents are asked to reduce energy 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. Once TVA returns to normal operations, MLEC will communicate the changes to members.

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 appreciate our members’ efforts to conserve electricity as temperatures continue to drop. Small adjustments can make a big difference in maintaining reliability for everyone. MLEC is also doing its part, and we’ll continue to keep our members informed.”

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.