The Metro Nashville Council on Tuesday deferred action on the resolution that would call for the Nashville Electric Service (NES) board to fire their embattled chief executive, Teresa Broyles-Aplin, until June 2.
Originally introduced on February 10 with bipartisan support from Councilmembers Emily Benedict (District 7) and Courtney Johnston (District 26), the council previously opted to delay action during a February 17 meeting, citing their desire to learn more about NES’ response to the storm, which left about 230,000 people without power, including thousands who did not have service restored for almost two weeks.
Benedict said on Tuesday that delaying the vote for another three months would allow the council to review the independent audit commissioned by NES, which is set to be completed by a third party supervised by two Nashville law firms contracted by NES. A preliminary report is expected in late May.
“That’s just over 90 days from now, and the power board is doing their assessment,” said Benedict on Tuesday. “An interim assessment is expected within 30 days, so by March 27th, and a final report will be completed on or before May 26, about a week before this will be in front of us again.”
She told the council, “I’m looking forward to seeing those findings and then we’ll determine where to proceed from there with this.”
Republican leaders in the Tennessee General Assembly confirmed last month that lawmakers are still considering legislation to modify NES’ governance or remove Broyles-Aplin, but indicated no decision will be made until it is clear whether the Metro Nashville Council will act.
The company has faced calls to fire Broyles-Aplin, or else to change the utility company’s board to include members from communities outside Davidson County that purchase electricity from NES. Currently, NES board members are selected by the Mayor of Nashville and can only be removed by a supermajority vote of the Metro Nashville Council.
NES last month denied the existence of a conflict of interest with Sherrard Roe Voigt and Harbison, one of the legal teams hired to oversee the completion of its independent review, despite the son of NES board chair Anne Davis working at the firm.
– – –
Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Teresa Broyles-Aplin” by NES.
We need a new smaller council and new leadership for nes and this city
Metro Council is a farce.