Three members of Republican leadership on Thursday confirmed the Tennessee General Assembly is still considering new legislation over the Nashville Electric Service (NES) response to Winter Storm Fern.
Though the state lawmakers did not reveal details of potentially forthcoming legislation, they expressed interest in seeing the termination of NES CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin, as well as representation for NES’ customers outside Nashville, who currently have no say over the municipally owned utility’s board.
Both State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and State House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) ranked among leadership who confirmed they would like to see new members added to the NES board.
“I certainly would like to look into getting diversity in representation on the board,” Johnson told the press. He stated, “There are a number of counties around that are served by NES yet they have no say on who the appointing authority is.”
Lamberth similarly said, “I’m not going to be satisfied this session until my constituents have a voice on the NES board so that they have a board member at least that they can talk to, that they can reach out to when they have a concern with NES.”
After comparing the company’s performance to the Three Stooges, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) told reporters, “I think the [CEO] of NES needs to go.”
He also stated he would like to see changes made to the NES board, or for a new board to be created entirely. He ultimately said lawmakers were waiting to see how the Metro Nashville Council responds.
State House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), who previously confirmed the General Assembly considered potential steps shortly after the storm, also said that lawmakers were not “going to play our cards just yet.”
The Metro Council is considering a resolution calling on the NES board to fire Broyles-Aplin, citing the company’s $7 million cut to tree trimming and vegetation management expenses in 2024, as well as its communication shortcomings during the storm. Action was deferred this week so members could learn more.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell also unveiled the members of his commission to investigate the response to Winter Storm Fern this week, including his decision to name former Governor Phil Bredesen as the board’s chair.
When The Tennessee Star contacted O’Connell’s office on Thursday to ask whether Bredesen’s position as the co-founder of a green energy company that works with NES posed a conflict, the mayor said the commission would not have authority over NES.
“While NES matters may be reviewed by the commission, the commission has no formal authority over NES, so there cannot be any material conflict, just as having the vice mayor or a Council member does not present a conflict to Metro,” O’Connell told The Star.
At the federal level, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) also called for Broyles-Aplin to resign, while Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) called on the General Assembly to reshape NES’ governance to include representation for customers outside Nashville.
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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 “Nashville Electric Service Worker” by Nashville Electric Service.
The State needs to do something Fast Freddie and his CON THE PEOPLE COMMISSION on NES will do nothing. It is a disgrace the shape METRO Nashville is in because of democratic leadership. A plea for help!