16 EV Chargers in 8 Weeks: LPCs Trust Seven States
July 18, 2023

What do Clarksville, Lawrenceburg, Bristol, Hohenwald, and Pontotoc, all have in common? They are all home to brand new EV fast chargers thanks to LPCs who trust Seven States to design, develop, and deploy innovative technology like charging infrastructure in their communities.

Tennessee’s Fast Charge Network is being built thanks to the collaboration of numerous public, private, and nonprofit entities all working together for the good of America’s current and future EV drivers. As the country – and especially the Tennessee Valley – continues to invest in the electrification of transportation, Seven States is perfectly positioned as the go-to partner for LPCs looking to make an impact in their community.

On May 17, Seven States and its partners, CDE Lightband, TVA, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), celebrated their work to install four EV fast charging stations in Clarksville. Seven States worked with CDE Lightband to secure the site, procure equipment, install, and commission the chargers.  It also prepared a financial analysis that showed the value of adding an additional 2 chargers at the site, allowing it to be the first four-charger site in the TN Fast Charge Network.

“We moved quickly to participate in Fast Charge TN because we want to make it easy for people to choose EVs so our community can enjoy the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation,” said Brian Taylor , general manager of CDE Lightband.

Three weeks later, on June 7, Seven States, Lawrenceburg Utility System (LUS), TVA, and TDEC cut the ribbon on two fast chargers in Lawrenceburg. Like all EV charging locations, this one was strategic:  it enables EV drivers to travel from Memphis to Monteagle on the Hwy 64 corridor. Until these partners completed this project, the distance between available chargers was nearly 300 miles — generally too far for an EV on a single charge.

“The funding from TVA and TDEC makes it possible to add fast chargers in our community by providing 80% of the project cost,” said LUS General Manager Vic Pusser.

One week later, on June 15, another ribbon was cut by Seven States and its partners: Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES), the City of Bristol, Sullivan County, and TVA. The region now benefits from four new EV fast chargers located at the Pinnacle Shopping Center near an existing Tesla Supercharger site at the I-81 gateway to the state of Tennessee. Thanks to this project, drivers of all types of EVs now have a great place to stop and recharge.

“It’s the first place as you cross into Tennessee along 81 from the north to have a standardized charger that works on nearly every EV that is out there today,” said Clayton Dowell , CEO of BTES. “[We are proud] to be part of this statewide, Tennessee Valley-wide initiative to eliminate or reduce range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers.”

On June 29, four more EV fast chargers were officially opened to the public in Hohenwald, TN, thanks to a partnership between Seven States, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative (MLEC), TVA, and TDEC. At the ribbon cutting , MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan praised the partners for coming together to benefit not only the residents of MLEC’s service territory but visitors who are driving through.

Lastly, on July 19, a ribbon-cutting event officially opened the first two EV fast chargers in Pontotoc, Mississippi, as part of the Fast Charge Network. The event was rescheduled due to inclement weather in June. Pontotoc Electric Power Association (PEPA), Seven States, and TVA were proud to partner on this project.

“This charging location does more than charge cars — it connects Pontotoc to the Fast Charge Network and plays an important role in putting our region on the leading edge of the new electric economy,” said PEPA General Manager Frankie Moorman.

It has been an exciting and busy two months, but Seven States is always ready for the challenge. The cooperative is proud to serve LPCs across the Valley by delivering innovative technologies like EV charging. Reach out to Lance Irwin or Joe Knox to learn more about how Seven States can support your LPC’s EV infrastructure projects.

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Driving Electric in Tennessee Just Got Easier

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 27, 2025
Cleveland Utilities connects Cleveland to Fast Charge TN and regional Fast Charge Network

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.”
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