FPU cuts the ribbon on EV charging stations

Fayetteville, TN – It was a time of celebration Wednesday morning as Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) officially cut the ribbon on its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Representatives from FPU, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Seven States Power Corporation along with state and local officials gathered at 110 College Street West in downtown Fayetteville to celebrate the installation of 2 EV fast chargers.

FPU CEO/General Manager Britt Dye welcomed guests to the ribbon cutting to officially open the EV charging stations and to celebrate the utility’s entry into the Fast Charge Tennessee Network. As part of the network, the Fayetteville chargers will appear on maps EV drivers use to find nearby charging stations.

FPU partnered with TVA and TDEC as well as Seven States Power Corporation to install these charging stations and help ensure that Fayetteville is ready for the growth of electric transportation with public, fast charging infrastructure. Grant funding from TVA and TDEC made the charging stations possible with FPU contributing to the project as well.

When addressing the audience, FPU Chairman of the Board Russ Dixon commented, “I would like to thank TDEC and TVA for their partnership and vision in helping make the Fast Charge Network possible. I would also like to recognize the City of Fayetteville for their collaboration with FPU to secure this site and make this charging station a reality. I am proud of FPU for making this exciting addition to our city possible. Connecting Fayetteville to the Fast Charge Network is just one example of how the FPU team continues to keep our community at the forefront of innovation.”

“EVs are going to be around for a long time,” said Tennessee Speaker of the House Pro Tempore and Tennessee State Representative Pat Marsh. “I’m proud to see FPU, TDEC and TVA partner to do this in Fayetteville next to the square in such a wonderful location.”

Tennessee State Representative Clay Doggett remarked, “Owners of EVs plan their routes by where they can find places to charge. With this being on the map, it will be an exciting time for visitors that are coming into our communities. I guarantee that someone will enjoy a slaw burger for the first time because of this charging station. Congratulations to all involved who helped put this together.”

Seven States Power Corporation Director of Technology Alignment B.J. Bernard expressed his appreciation to those gathered, “Seven States is honored to be a part of this project with Fayetteville Public Utilities. We are excited about the TVA Fast Charge Network and congratulate FPU and local leaders who have helped support this project. This network is being deployed all over the Valley. There is a lot of work that goes into one of these projects . Thank you to the FPU team for your work here. This is a great looking site, and I commend you on that.”

According to TVA Community Relations Manager Chris Smith, “The Fast Charge Network will place public fast chargers like these at least every fifty miles across interstates and major highways in TVA’s 7 state area over the next 5 years. EVs will help move our local and regional economies forward in so many ways. This fast-charging site will serve local drivers and bring travelers into town to enjoy the amenities of Fayetteville while they refuel. EV chargers keep refueling dollars in our communities through local power companies like FPU. With projects like this one today, we are continuing in the spirit of innovation and our mission of service. Congratulations on this site.”

The station, capable of charging two vehicles at one time, is conveniently located in the public parking area near the square on College Street West. Designated EV-charging parking spaces denote the station and are clearly marked with signage.

“This new fast charging site does more than charge cars,” Dye commented. “It connects Fayetteville to the regional Fast Charge Network and plays an important role in preparing our region for the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation. The public chargers will be utilized by those traveling through Fayetteville and will draw motorists to visit downtown shops and restaurants while their vehicles charge. It will create opportunities for local tourism as EV owners plan their roads trips to visit new destinations and enjoy towns they might not visit otherwise. These stations represent another way FPU works to serve our community.”

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, visit https://energyright.com/ev/.

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Valley Update: Tennessee Valley Corridor & USDA

By Jessica Bradshaw • April 7, 2026

Seven States Power Corporation President and CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, attended the Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) Board of Directors meeting in Washington, DC on March 4, 2026, joining regional leaders to discuss economic development, infrastructure investment, and the TVC’s upcoming National Summit. The TVC brings together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to strengthen the region’s competitiveness and support long-term growth. McCall’s participation reinforced Seven States’ commitment to collaborating with regional partners to ensure the Valley’s energy systems continue to support economic expansion and community prosperity. During this visit, McCall also met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service staff to discuss additional federal financing opportunities that could support energy development across the Tennessee Valley. The conversation focused on Seven States’ request for nearly $6 billion in funding to acquire natural gas generation resources across the Valley. An additional $320 million could support distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), helping utilities strengthen grid reliability and modernization of the region’s power infrastructure. By strengthening relationships with federal leaders and advocating for policies that support growing energy demands in the Valley, McCall reinforced Seven States’ commitment to reliable, affordable and abundant power supply. McCall plans to attend the TVC's National Summit on May 28-29, 2026 in Chattanooga, TN to highlight the region's growth for economic prosperity.

State Update: Advocacy at the Tennessee State Capitol

By Jessica Bradshaw • April 7, 2026

Seven States President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, spent time at the Tennessee State Capitol on February 4, 2026, meeting with legislators including members of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and the House Commerce Committee. A central focus of the meetings was providing an update on Seven States’ Energy Express project, an initiative designed to support growth in the Tennessee Valley with 220MW of battery storage. This project will be funded with a $439 million award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (USDA RUS) New ERA program. McCall shared how Seven States will leverage federal financing opportunities, such as their USDA award of $439 million along with access to additional federal funds, to build or acquire generation and capacity to meet energy demand across the region, particularly as TVA navigates its debt constraints. She updated the legislators on how funding available to Seven States complements and amplifies TVA’s efforts to maintain a reliable energy system. By pairing federal financing with regional expertise in project deployment, Seven States can help utilities of all sizes move energy projects forward. The Seven States team also successfully engaged in state-level advocacy efforts to help stop proposed legislation that would have imposed an additional tax on electric vehicle (EV) charging. Working alongside partners and stakeholders, Seven States communicated to lawmakers how the proposed tax could create unnecessary barriers to EV infrastructure development and slow innovation within Tennessee’s evolving energy and transportation sectors. These advocacy efforts serve to refine and advance initiatives that impact a rapidly changing energy landscape. Together with partner LPCs, Seven States is building and energizing the grid of the future.

Federal Update: APPA Legislative Rally

By Jessica Bradshaw • April 7, 2026

Seven States Power Leadership traveled to Washington, D.C., February 23–25 to meet with members of the Tennessee Valley congressional delegation while attending the American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally with the nation’s public power electric utilities. Seven States Board Chair, Jeff Dykes, (CEO, BrightRidge) and President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall engaged with federal leaders to advocate for more power supply, educate on the flexible financing available to Seven States as a generation and transmission cooperative, and build relationships with federal representatives on key energy issues. A central focus of the meetings was providing an update on Seven States’ Energy Express project, an initiative designed to support growth in the Tennessee Valley with 220MW of additional capacity. This project will be funded with a $439 million award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service. McCall and Dykes also led discussions highlighting how Seven States serves as an in-Valley solution to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s current debt constraint challenges. Through its financing capabilities, Seven States can own utility-scale power plants and double the impact of TVA’s capital investments, thereby expanding production and modernizing grid infrastructure. McCall and Dykes worked to educate policymakers about how aligning objectives and encouraging the use of Seven States as a mechanism for short- and mid-term financing solutions can unleash American energy faster. McCall plans to attend the NRECA Legislative Conference April 26 – 28 in Washington D.C. to continue these efforts with the nation’s electric cooperatives.