The Nashville Electric Service (NES) told The Tennessee Star on Wednesday that the municipally owned utility had more than 3,100 power poles stored ahead of Winter Storm Fern, despite a report containing internal database images that appeared to show NES out of certain types, and the company ordering more than 800 to restore power for the 230,000 customers who lost service.
After WSMV 4 reported on Tuesday that NES at one point had zero poles in stock as it worked to restore service for customers, including the thousands who spent nearly two weeks without power, a spokesman told The Star in a late Wednesday email, “Prior to the storm we had more than 3,100 power poles in stock.”
NES reported on February 2 that about 800 poles were broken during the storm. The company spokesman did not clarify when the company last ordered poles prior to Winter Storm Fern when asked on Wednesday.
The company also appeared to indicate the discrepancy in the total number of linemen NES activated prior to Winter Storm Fern was not caused by the level of training for individual professionals, as the spokesman stated, “NES does employ apprentices across all operations functions. We did not track apprentice classification during Winter Storm Fern response staffing.”
NES also confirmed the WSMV 4 reporting claiming that Executive Vice President Brent Baker, the company’s Chief Operations and Innovation Officer, receives $471,000 in annual compensation, and that both he and CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin receive a $700-per-month vehicle allowance.
The company confirmed to The Star last month that Broyles-Aplin is paid more than $650,000 per year.
Broyles-Aplin remains under pressure over the company’s response more than a month after Winter Storm Fern struck, with the Metro Nashville Council on Tuesday deferring their vote on a resolution that would call on the NES board to fire her until June 2.
Already deferred once, the vote is now scheduled to occur shortly after a preliminary audit of the company’s performance is anticipated to be finished.
Republican leaders in the Tennessee General Assembly confirmed last month they were still considering legislation aimed at restructuring NES’ governance, but indicated they were waiting to see what actions would be taken by the Metro Nashville Council.
Under its current governance structure, board members are appointed by the Mayor of Nashville, and can only be removed by a super majority vote from the Metro Nashville Council, despite NES serving customers outside Davidson County.
– – –
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].
NES “Leadershitp” is unfit to run a taco truck.
Democrat-run city. That’s all one needs to know.