KUB, TVA Honored for Transformative Work in Solar
October 9, 2020

Seven States Power member and board representative Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) and Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Chris Hansen join the ranks of Facebook, Google, Volkswagen and a host of local power companies as Solar Champions according to Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA). Both KUB and TVA, who are in good company with past recipients for their transformative work, were selected by TenneSEIA for the 2020 annual award which recognizes individuals or entities that demonstrate leadership in support of solar energy deployment in the region.

 

More than 250 people participated in TenneSEIA’s 3 rd Annual Tennessee Valley Solar Conference, which was held virtually this year, to hear insights and perspectives from a wide range of policymakers, industry participants, and utility leadership.

 

At the conclusion of the conference, TenneSEIA announced its selection of KUB and TVA’s Chris Hansen as winners of its 2020 Solar Champion Award. Both recipients were recognized for substantial contributions expanding solar in the region most recently through TVA’s Green Invest program, a renewable energy tariff that enables large customers to access renewable energy from new projects in the Valley.

KUB was recognized for participating in the program to secure 212 megawatts of new-to-the-grid solar power for its customers. KUB’s new investment in solar will generate an anticipated 465 million kilowatt-hours per year, an amount equal to approximately 8 percent of KUB’s annual electric load, the equivalent of powering 35,000 average homes.

 

“KUB’s meaningful commitment to the Green Invest program marked the first such agreement between TVA and a local power company,” said TenneSEIA Board Member Forrest Forster. “As other LPCs follow KUB’s leadership, TenneSEIA expects to see a substantial increase in solar demand across the Valley.”

 

“KUB is committed to sustainable practices that help ensure the well-being of our current and future customers,” said Gabriel Bolas, President and CEO of Knoxville Utilities Board. “As technologies advance, and the needs and desires of our customers change, we continue to listen and adapt. We appreciate TenneSEIA for recognizing that commitment and are happy to make solar energy more accessible to all of our customers.”

TVA’s Vice President of Origination and Renewables, Hansen was credited for his leadership role in the development of TVA’s portfolio of renewable options including the Green Invest program.  TenneSEIA credits his work with helping local power companies (LPCs) leverage low-cost solar energy to meet customer needs and recruit new business.

 

“We were so excited to see our member and partner on solar deployment in the Valley recognized this way,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, executive vice president of Seven States Power. “Seven States was honored to participate in a panel discussion about the LPC solar market and contract flexibility during this year’s conference. We were in good company speaking with members, vendors, solar industry leaders, and indeed Solar Champions.”

 

TenneSEIA is the state affiliate for the national Solar Energy Industries Association and represents the interests of the solar energy industry in Tennessee. The mission of TenneSEIA is to promote the development of solar energy and complementary technologies, including storage, positioning the Tennessee Valley’s residents and businesses as leaders in clean energy deployment and economic development.

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Seven States Power Corporation and Sevier County Electric System Unveil 14 EV Charging Ports at Dollywood

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 3, 2025
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — October 3, 2025 — Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States), in partnership with Sevier County Electric System (SCES), and Dollywood is proud to announce the ribbon cutting and official unveiling of 7 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with 14 charging ports, and 10 solar-powered umbrella charging units at Dollywood, one of the nation’s leading theme park destinations. The new EV charging stations mark another exciting step forward in advancing transportation infrastructure to support the growing demand for electric vehicles in East Tennessee. Designed, developed, and deployed by Seven States, the project reflects a commitment to innovation, community partnership, and serving Dollywood guests. The ten solar-powered umbrellas will be installed in the Country Fair area, providing guests with a convenient place to charge their devices while they enjoy watching ride goers from the comfort of the shade. “Dollywood is a treasured landmark for families and visitors from across the country,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States. “We are honored to partner with SCES and Dollywood to deliver technology that adds convenience for guests while enhancing innovation in the region.” The addition of the charging stations and umbrellas highlight the shared vision of Seven States Power and SCES to expand access to energy solutions across the region. SCES provides electric power to more than 61,000 customers across Sevier County, Tennessee. As a locally owned public power utility, SCES has served the community for over 80 years with a focus on reliability, affordability, customer service, and innovation. “These projects represent our commitment to supporting innovation to meet the needs of our community. By working together, we’re helping ensure that both residents and visitors have access to the energy solutions of tomorrow, right here in Sevier County," said Allen Robbins, CEO of SCES. The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates not only the completion of these projects, but also the growing collaboration between local utilities, community partners, and attractions to create a more modern energy future for Tennessee. “This partnership with Seven States and Sevier County Electric highlights the importance of regional collaboration to build infrastructure that supports both the local community and the millions of visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains each year. By investing in this technology, we are helping pave the way for a more sustainable future, while reinforcing our role as a leader in both the tourism industry and the community we call home," said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “These investments further enhance our guest experience by providing services to help meet two emerging needs of those who visit.”  The charging stations will be available for use to patrons in the Preferred Parking Lot of Dollywood Theme Park beginning October 6, 2025 while the umbrellas are available for use immediately.

Kendall Bear

By Jessica Bradshaw • September 29, 2025
With his extensive experience in the industry, Kendall Bear’s leadership as General Manager of Rockwood Electric Utility has given him the opportunity to ensure his community is prepared for the future. “Although we’ve had many of the following systems implemented for a few years now, looking back, I would say that building a fiber network between our main office and our substations has been beneficial in a variety of ways for Rockwood Electric. This opened the door for additional technology developments such as AMI, SCADA, distribution automation, Dispatchable Voltage Regulation, a 900 Mhz radio system, and a Meter Data Management System. Implementing a GIS system was extremely valuable as well, as we are now able to export that information to other systems such as Outage Management. We have a business and customer portal from CSA that is used extensively by our employees and customers—everyone really benefits from it.” Kendall knows his LPC is responsible for both the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his community to know that he is always looking for ways to better their lives. “We are working very hard to provide a reliable power supply to all our customers and using these different technologies helps us manage the power system. We want to be able to provide real-time information to our customers; something they would not normally have access to without these technologies. I would also want our community to know that we are their ‘trusted energy advisor’ and every employee at Rockwood Electric is committed to helping them make good decisions about the power they use.” With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Kendall encourages fellow leaders to make a strategic plan and collaborate with their peers.  “The possibilities for innovation are almost endless, and there are a variety of products that are offered by many vendors. It is more than a little overwhelming! I would encourage a new GM to develop a strategic plan if the utility doesn’t already have one that is up-to-date. This may involve getting input from the many stakeholders in the community. After prioritizing your goals, get to work. Finally, I would tell a new GM to talk to his or her peers and colleagues a LOT. They will tell you what they have done that has been a colossal flop so you’ll know to avoid it, or they will tell you what they have been successful with. I guarantee every manager will share their story if you ask.”

Marty Ivy

By Jessica Bradshaw • September 29, 2025
Marty Ivy knows that when it comes to the energy industry, innovative partnerships and technology help prepare everyone for the unexpected. Leading Mayfield Electric and Water System as General Superintendent, Marty has overcome his community’s fair share of devastating weather events. His experienced leadership has allowed him to place an emphasis on technological diversity and preparedness. We asked him to share his experience with various projects with Seven States: “Most recently, Seven States helped us develop an RFP and select a 1.3-megawatt solar installation that we’re preparing to deploy. Projects like this take time, but once it’s in place, it will serve as our generation to help offset TVA’s requirement. Seven States has also been a major supporter for us in mutual aid during disasters. We’ve had three FEMA events — the remnants of Hurricane Ike in 2008, the ice storm in 2009, and the tornadoes in 2021. So, between disaster recovery and now helping us with solar, Seven States has really been there for us. That’s what makes partnership so valuable — you all make things easier, and we see you not just as partners but as friends who help keep our communities strong. We’re grateful for that support and excited about the projects still to come.” To Marty, the most important thing he wants his members to know is that every decision is made with their needs in mind. “Mayfield Electric and Water System strives to be an efficient and innovative utility while managing both reliability and rates. That’s really what it comes down to — being reliable and keeping costs low for our customers. We’ve already seen how innovation can transform our operations. For example, our customer service representatives have been amazed at how much new technology has improved our outage management system. It’s made responding to customers easier, faster, and far more efficient, especially during storms. There’s so much potential we haven’t even discovered yet in the Valley.” With 34 years of industry experience, Marty knows that change is inevitable. He offered this advice to general managers who might be wondering where to start when it comes to bringing innovation to their LPC. “The best advice I can give anyone is this: you can’t effectively manage what you don’t know. That’s why technology is so important — it puts knowledge of your system right at your fingertips. My advice is, don’t be afraid of change. I’ve been with Mayfield Electric and Water System for 34 years, serving as manager since 2001. Over that time, I’ve seen the industry cycle and evolve about every five years. The one constant is that change always comes, and if you’re afraid of it, you’ll get left behind. So, for future managers and anyone in this industry, my advice is to dive in, get your feet wet, and embrace the changes that move us forward.”
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