Annual Meeting Underscores Renewable Energy Mission
October 21, 2020

Our members celebrated the Seven States Power’s achievements over the past year during the annual meeting at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., on Thursday, October 1. The annual meeting offered both in-person and virtual attendance, with more than 100 members and their families and guests coming together in person in Huntsville. Seven States Power President & CEO, Doug Peters opened the meeting which was then led by Seven States’ vice chair, Jim Farrell of Jackson, Tenn., Energy Authority.

Astronaut Dr. Don Thomas, who served on four shuttle missions, was the keynote speaker. He spoke about the perseverance required to accomplish goals and also shared the important role energy, in particular solar energy, has played in space flight and exploration.

Following Thomas’s inspiring speech, members voted on business items including approval of a bylaw change that clarifies a quorum of the membership as a whole shall be present for all Director elections. The change also streamlines and consolidates the provisions relating to the Board election process. The members elected two new board members and re-elected six. Erik Brinke was selected to replace Jeremy Nelms in the Southeastern District and Terry Wimberley will replace Jim Ferrell as the Western District representative. Ferrell served six years on the board (two full terms) and served in various leadership positions through the transition and growth of Seven States.

The real highlights of the meeting came when Seven States team members Betsey Kirk McCall, Clint Wilson, Steve Noe, and Brad Rains discussed how the team has carried out the Seven States Power mission to deliver innovative technology solutions and establish sustainable resources that aid in the economic viability of member-owned – and Seven States Power enabled – distributed generation and renewable energy projects across the Tennessee Valley.

The Seven States Power team has doubled the number of projects completed each year since 2018. In the past year, they logged more than 31,000 miles on the company’s hybrid Chevy Bolt travelling throughout the Valley to work on projects for 26 different local power companies. A total of 72 projects were completed with an additional 31 under contract and 48 more in the evaluation phase. Six local power companies have begun implementing solar generation projects with Seven States Power under TVA’s flexibility option. One of those projects is a unique shared solar array being brought online in a partnership between Appalachian EC, New Market, Tenn., and Morristown, Tenn., Utilities. Two additional LPCs are evaluating potential projects with Seven States. Project Liftoff, which was dedicated at the end of the meeting represents Seven States’ first completed solar installation.

Other successes include 64 completed EV charger installations including two DC-Fast Chargers with another 69 either under contract or in negotiation; two DER management systems being installed; and, three backup generator systems purchased for Volunteer Energy Cooperative, Decatur, Tenn.

The Seven States Power team also shared news about emerging products in their portfolio like battery storage, a middle-mile fiber network, cybersecurity and Electric Ride-Thru technology. The team discussed their role in a number of unique research projects with Tennessee Tech, the University of Tennessee and ORNL, and highlighted partnerships with the Tennessee Valley Corridor, Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, TenneSEIA and TVA.

The day closed out with the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the successful launch of Project Liftoff.

By Jessica Bradshaw June 25, 2025
Seven States Power Corporation’s Board Chairman, Jeff Dykes, and President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, met with Congressional leaders earlier this summer as part of a strategic initiative to advance funding to install technologies that make power more efficient, reliable, and abundant. Dykes and McCall sought to amplify the need for greater federal support to Tennessee Valley LPCs for increasing America’s energy infrastructure during a time where creative options are needed against the backdrop of unprecedented growth. A primary objective of the trip was to listen to legislators’ areas of focus and educate the leaders on how Seven States supports the Valley through times of transition. Many LPCs have voiced concerns over the volume of requests they are receiving to supply energy to data centers. Dykes and McCall emphasized the opportunities Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and alternative financing provide for accelerating large-scale projects that can supply this growing demand for energy. To date, more than 1200 data centers are in development across the U.S. that will consume an estimated 149.6 -239.3 TWH annually. That represents the equivalent of 15-25 large nuclear plants running continuously to supply the need. Dykes and McCall stressed how cooperatives like Seven States can leverage funding models that alleviate the capital outlays for and accelerate construction of projects that can accommodate the expected growth in the Valley over the next decade from these data centers. “It will take LPCs, TVA, communities, companies, and developers working together on such projects to meet the need and keep the lights on,” said Dykes. “We understand that these data centers represent an opportunity for investment in the region. These dollars will improve communities and attract high quality economic development prospects. We want to ensure our member LPCs and TVA are supported and prepared to deliver this opportunity to the Valley,” said McCall. Dykes and McCall also underscored that Seven States was created by LPCs, in partnership with TVA, as a strategic solution to TVA’s debt ceiling limitations—without amending the TVA Act. From 2007 to 2013, Seven States became the first —and remains the only— LPC-led organization to successfully negotiate a sale/leaseback agreement with TVA to co-own a utility-scale generation asset: the Southaven 800MW Combined Cycle Gas Plant. This makes Seven States uniquely qualified as an in-Valley solution to finance and co-own generation assets with TVA.  “Seven States was created for moments like this. We often serve as the designer or developer, deploying capital and project management expertise to build reliable or advanced energy infrastructure on behalf of LPCs. This allows LPCs to avoid the burden of raising capital or navigating complex regulatory issues,” said McCall. Another key focus of the trip was to share project updates on the $439 million in funding secured earlier this year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s New ERA program. Dykes and McCall outlined how this investment will be used to deliver 250MWs of additional power—aligning with national priorities on energy dominance and security. While in Washington, the team also met directly with USDA officials to provide a progress report on the project. “We are at a pivotal moment where federal partnerships can accelerate the progress our members are already making,” McCall said. “Our goal is to ensure their contributions—and their challenges—are clearly understood as Congress shapes the future of energy policy.” More recently, McCall was also in the area conducting meetings during President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill event where Zach Stewart of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative was among those recognized for their service to the nation in the energy industry. McCall was on site as the new Rural Utilities Services Administrator at USDA, Karl Elmshaeuser, was announced. McCall met with Christopher McClean, former Acting RUS Administrator as part of a series of meetings to further map project details related to the $439 million awarded to Seven States by USDA. By engaging directly with lawmakers and federal agencies, Dykes and McCall are working to ensure that regulatory frameworks reflect on-the-ground realities. These Washington outreach efforts reinforce Seven States’ commitment to building an energy system that is affordable, reliable, and future-focused. Dykes and McCall expect continued conversations throughout the year as the Valley’s energy future takes shape.
By Jessica Bradshaw June 25, 2025
Seven States recently had the privilege of partnering with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank to provide consulting support for energy efficiency upgrades at their main distribution facility. Serving 20 counties across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, the Food Bank distributed over 15 million pounds of food last year—equivalent to more than 12 million meals for families in need. With such a vital and energy-intensive operation, improving energy performance means more resources can go directly toward feeding the region. Our team conducted a comprehensive energy assessment, identifying key opportunities to reduce utility costs through more efficient lighting, refrigeration, and HVAC systems. These recommendations are expected to cut energy use by up to 25%, translating into substantial cost savings over time. By optimizing energy performance, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank can reinvest those savings into expanding food access, enhancing logistics, and continuing their mission to eliminate hunger and promote healthier communities.  This collaboration not only underscores the connection between energy efficiency and social good, but also highlights how thoughtful upgrades can deliver lasting value for mission-driven organizations. We're proud to support the Food Bank’s critical work and look forward to seeing the positive ripple effects of this project across the communities they serve.
June 19, 2025
Leading Forked Deer Electric Cooperative as General Manager & CEO, Jeff Newman has firsthand knowledge of how vital technology is to the Valley and what a difference it has made in his community. “In our footprint, two of the most critical technology developments were broadband expansion and system automation. Bringing our system up-to-date has been a top priority, and that started with implementing SCADA across the network—a process that’s still ongoing. SCADA has already made a significant difference by improving our ability to detect and respond to outages quickly, which greatly reduces downtime for our members. On the broadband side, we now serve over 6,800 folks, which represents a substantial portion of our total meters. In a rural area like ours, access to high-speed internet isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity. It’s been a game changer, and the revenue from broadband has helped stabilize our electric rates by offsetting the need for larger increases. So, these technology developments haven’t just modernized our infrastructure—they’ve directly improved quality of life and economic resilience for the people we serve.” As the Valley continues to evolve and technology changes, Jeff views Seven States as a trusted partner that can help LPCs find the best fit for their community. “The biggest thing for us, as a rural utility, was having someone to help us get connected with the right people—whether that’s suppliers, vendors, or experts. We really leaned on Seven States for that support because, honestly, we didn’t even know where to begin. Every utility is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You have to do what makes sense for your system and your community. A cookie-cutter approach just doesn’t work in this industry, and Seven States knows how to tailor a project or service to fit your exact needs.” Jeff’s advice to GMs who want to bring innovation to their communities is to stay open to progress by listening, learning, and ensuring new ideas truly serve the needs of the ratepayers. “I don’t take credit for the changes we’ve made, but progress happens when you don’t stand in its way. It’s important to evaluate new ideas carefully, make sure they align with your system’s needs, and support what makes sense. The key is to always consider what’s best for your LPC or co-op—and not become an obstacle to improvement.” ###
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