Blog

At Arab Electric Cooperative, General Manager Stacey White’s approach to serving members centers on investing in the future while addressing today’s needs. We asked her to elaborate on her LPC’s prioritized infrastructure improvements and technological advancements that are making a difference for her community. Modernizing our electrical infrastructure and giving our members better access to information has made the biggest difference. At Arab Electric, we've invested millions of dollars in upgrading substations, increasing capacity, and improving reliability. At the same time, technology has changed the way we communicate with our members. They can now monitor their daily electric usage, pay their bills through our app, report outages by text, and follow restoration progress through our outage map. For me, modernization isn't just about having the latest technology. It's about making life easier for our members, keeping the lights on, and making sure our system is ready for future growth. When I became General Manager, we had some aging infrastructure that needed significant attention. We made the decision to invest in the future of our system, even though those investments came with a substantial price tag. Our Brashears Chapel project more than doubled capacity, and we've continued that progress with Sundown, Brindlee Mountain, and our other system improvements. What makes me most proud isn't just the technology or the equipment. It's our employees. Our team has worked incredibly hard to make these improvements while continuing to provide reliable service every day. We aren't just building a stronger electric system for today. We're building one that will serve our community for the next generation. White also shared about the value of Seven States as a trusted partner to help LPCs explore new opportunities and ideas, no matter the size or scope of the project or technology. One of the things I appreciate about Seven States is their willingness to help local power companies look ahead and explore opportunities that we may not have the resources or expertise to pursue on our own. As a smaller utility, we have to be very intentional about where we invest our time and money. Having partners who understand our industry, help us evaluate new technologies, and bring innovative ideas to the table is extremely valuable. Innovation doesn't always mean being the first to try something. Sometimes it's about having the right partners to help you make the right decisions for your members. Even as utilities embrace new technologies and digital tools, White knows that people are still and will always be the heartbeat of the Valley.  Good old-fashioned customer service and the personal relationships we build with our members will always be the most important part of what we do. Technology can help us identify outages faster, improve communication, and make our operations more efficient. But at the end of the day, when someone's power is out or they have a concern, they still want to know there's a real person who cares and is willing to help. And no matter how advanced our technology becomes, we're still going to need dedicated linemen willing to go out in the middle of the night, in the rain, cold, and storms, to restore power. Technology may change how we do our jobs, but it will never replace the people or the heart behind what we do. In an industry built on serving communities and staying connected to the people behind the meters, White appreciates those who use their influence to make a difference. So, when we asked who she’d most like to share a dinner with, one iconic name came to mind. I think I would have chosen Dolly Parton. She was a successful businesswoman who stayed true to her roots and never forgot where she came from. I always admired how she used her success to help others. And honestly, I think she would have been a whole lot of fun to have dinner with!

Serving as Duck River Electric Membership Corporation’s President and CEO, James Wright has focused on innovative efforts that improve reliability, efficiency, and customer service. We asked him to elaborate on the technology and modernization efforts that have helped change his members’ lives, in addition to describing some of his team’s wins for their community. One of the biggest modernization needs has been giving people better access to information. Members expect timely updates and greater visibility into their electric service, whether that's understanding energy use, reporting an outage or staying informed during restoration efforts. Meeting those expectations has required investments in technologies that provide real-time visibility and communication, helping utilities operate more efficiently while delivering a better member experience. Here at DREMC, we're especially proud of the continued modernization of our electric system through advanced metering and outage management technologies. These tools help us identify outages more quickly, improve communication with members and give our team better visibility into the system. Innovation is most meaningful when it improves everyday service, and this investment has helped us deliver a more reliable and responsive experience for the people we serve. Wright also credits Seven States with serving as a valuable partner and creating opportunities for collaboration among LPCs as the Valley’s needs continue to evolve. Innovation can be challenging to tackle in isolation, and Seven States has been a valuable partner in helping utilities share ideas and learn from one another. Through events, peer networks and collaborative discussions, they've helped us explore new ideas, learn from the experiences of other local power companies and evaluate solutions that can improve service for our members. Innovation doesn't always start with a new technology. Often, it starts with a conversation, and Seven States does an excellent job of bringing people together to share knowledge, explore emerging trends and learn from one another's successes.  Despite the rapidly changing technology in the Valley, the utility business remains rooted in personal relationships and customer service. Wright knows that people will always be the most valuable part of the model. No matter how much technology changes, there will never be a substitute for people serving people. We can automate processes, improve system visibility and communicate faster than ever before, but at the end of the day our members still want to know there's a knowledgeable person ready to help when they have a question or concern. That personal connection has always been important to the cooperative model, and I believe it always will be. Stepping outside the utility world for a more lighthearted question, Wright was quick to name the person he’d most like to have dinner with. Elon Musk is one of the first names that comes to mind, as there are few people that have had more of an impact on our industry. Whether it be electric vehicles, solar panels, batteries, demand response, data centers, or even space-based solar power, there is no doubt that we would have plenty to talk about at dinner!

GUNTERSVILLE, AL — October 2, 2026 — Electric Board of Guntersville and the City of Guntersville, in partnership with Seven States Power Corporation, today celebrated the ribbon cutting and official unveiling of a new battery energy storage system (BESS) and two electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at the Guntersville Senior Center. The project represents an investment in reliability, emergency preparedness and modern energy infrastructure for the Guntersville community. The battery system is designed to provide backup power to the Senior Center during outages, helping the facility continue serving residents when reliable electricity is needed most. The addition of battery storage will also enable the Senior Center to meet critical emergency preparedness requirements for designation as a FEMA shelter, strengthening its ability to serve residents during severe weather and other emergency events. “This project is about putting innovative technology to work in a way that directly benefits the people we serve,” said Jason Kirkland, General Manager of Electric Board of Guntersville. “By adding battery storage and EV charging at the Senior Center, we are investing in infrastructure that supports reliability today while preparing our community for the needs of tomorrow.” The City of Guntersville partnered with Electric Board of Guntersville and Seven States to bring a 261kWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to the Senior Center, supporting an investment that strengthens the facility’s role as a vital community resource and enhances its ability to serve residents during emergencies. The battery unit will store energy during off-peak hours and be used as necessary to supply power to the facility during an outage or to deploy power for up to 2 hours back onto the Guntersville electric grid. The two new EV charging ports complement the battery installation by expanding access to charging infrastructure for residents and visitors. Together, the technologies demonstrate how community-scale energy projects can provide practical benefits while helping local power companies modernize infrastructure. “What makes this project special is its purpose. This battery is more than a piece of energy infrastructure, it provides another tool to help Guntersville care for its residents and keep an important community facility powered when it matters most,” said Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar. “Seven States was created to help local power companies turn opportunities like this into projects that deliver meaningful benefits in their communities,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. The Guntersville project is part of Seven States’ broader work with local power companies across the Tennessee Valley to develop and finance energy infrastructure tailored to local needs.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — September 02, 2026 — Seven States Power Corporation has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified provider to supply battery energy storage systems and a 20-year long-term service agreement for the Energy Express Project, a 220-megawatt battery storage initiative being developed in partnership with Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), Nashville Electric Service (NES), and BrightRidge. The competitive procurement represents another major milestone as Seven States advances one of the Tennessee Valley’s most significant investments in distribution-connected battery storage. The Energy Express Project will deploy battery energy storage across multiple locations in west, middle, and east Tennessee, including 100MW in partnership with MLGW, 100MW with NES, and 20MW with BrightRidge. Seven States will own and operate the assets, which will be interconnected with the local utilities’ distribution systems and designed to charge during lower-demand periods and discharge when demand is highest. The systems will provide the utility partners with greater operational flexibility while helping manage peak demand, strengthen reliability, and make more efficient use of existing grid infrastructure. “Moving into procurement marks an important step toward delivering these assets for our local power company partners and the communities they serve,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Through Energy Express, we are combining federal financing, local partnerships and innovative energy technology to make a long-term investment in the Tennessee Valley’s electric infrastructure. This RFP will help us identify a partner capable not only of delivering the technology, but of supporting its performance and reliability throughout the life of the project.” The Energy Express Project is backed by Seven States’ $439 million award through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service New Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the battery assets targeted for commissioning in late 2028. Interested respondents can access the RFP and additional procurement information at https://www.sevenstatespower.com/rfp-inquiry.

DICKSON, Tenn. — August 4, 2026 — Dickson Electric System, in partnership with Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States), on Tuesday celebrated the official opening of 2 new DC Fast Charge electric vehicle (EV) charging ports that will expand charging access for residents and travelers while supporting continued economic growth throughout the region. Community leaders, elected officials, utility representatives, and project partners gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the investment. The new DC Fast Charge EV charging ports mark another exciting step forward in advancing regional transportation infrastructure that will expand convenient charging options for residents and visitors throughout the community. “This project represents our commitment to providing reliable, forward-looking infrastructure that serves our customers both today and in the future,” said Darrell Gillespie, General Manager of Dickson Electric System. “As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, investments like these help ensure our communities remain connected and ready for what’s next.” The charging ports are part of broader efforts to expand EV infrastructure throughout the Tennessee Valley, providing drivers with increased confidence and accessibility as electric transportation continues to grow. The project was made possible through funds supplied through the TN Fast Charge Network which is a statewide EV charging initiative developed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to place chargers every 50 miles along major highways. “Seven States is proud to partner with Dickson Electric to bring this project to life,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States. “Together, we’re helping local utilities meet evolving energy needs while creating lasting value for the communities they serve.”  The charging stations will be available for use beginning August 4, 2026. They are located at 210 East College Street, Dickson, TN.

Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press | 2 August 2026 | BY DANIEL DASSOW Nearly 20 years ago, the Tennessee Valley Authority and its main customers -- local electric utilities -- formed a new power company with a specific and unprecedented goal. Seven States Power Corp. , a cooperative owned by the region's local utilities, like EPB in Chattanooga , would co-own power plants with TVA. The cooperative would put ownership of power plants in local hands rather than with the U.S. government, which owns TVA and its assets. Seven States would help the federal agency stay below its $30 billion legal debt limit. From 2008 to 2013, Chattanooga-based Seven States owned a 90% stake in TVA's Southaven gas plant in Mississippi. After TVA lowered its debt and bought Seven States out of the plant, the cooperative pivoted to being a development partner for local utilities as they installed solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations and grid-level batteries. Now, Seven States leadership and members say the group is ready to return to its full founding mission of owning a stake in TVA power plants as the federal utility faces many of the same challenges from two decades ago. (READ MORE: Trump budget does not propose privatizing TVA as utility's debt rises) In a video interview, several managers of utilities in the region said Seven States had an opportunity to help TVA stay under its debt limit and meet higher power demand while keeping assets in local hands. "That original intent has never gone away," said Jeff Dykes, CEO of Johnson City-based utility BrightRidge and chair of the Seven States board. "Even though not a lot of action has happened over the years, it's always come back to that hope and desire and intent. We want TVA to be successful at the end of the day. We need TVA to be successful." Seven States is a generation and transmission cooperative , a model in which utilities band together to form a group that can own power plants. While the model is common in other parts of the U.S., TVA's central authority over its seven-state domain is its own model. "TVA is unique in that it owns the generation, it owns the transmission, it's self-regulating and it regulates its own customers," Wes Kelley, CEO at Huntsville Utilities, said in a video interview. "There's nothing else in the country that fits that paradigm." TVA customers have benefited from the model for more than 90 years, Kelley said, though there is room to integrate best practices from other parts of the country. TVA's debt is expected to rise from $23.8 billion at the beginning of 2026 to $27.3 billion by the end of 2027, according to a recent White House budget. The utility has found ways to offload some of the debt, including by entering lease-purchase agreements. The deals allow TVA to receive payment from a third party in exchange for a master lease on a power plant. TVA continues to own the plant while making payments back to the third party, similar to a mortgage. TVA entered a $2 billion lease agreement in May for its Cumberland gas plant in Middle Tennessee, scheduled for completion by the end of the year. The value of the deals is even greater if Seven States is the third party, said Doug McGowen, CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water, TVA's largest customer. Because Seven States is owned by the end customers of the product, its interest in maintaining low power costs is the same as residents of the region. "If Seven States was to take ownership of some of the assets through alternative financing, now you have the customers of TVA who are de facto owners of the assets that are generating the electricity that they are ultimately buying," McGowen said. "For us, that means there is a built-in hedge of protection or inherent checks and balances." Seven States is prepared to finance deals on the magnitude of the Cumberland deal, said Betsey Kirk McCall, CEO of the cooperative. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Seven States $439 million in loans and grants last year, which the cooperative is using to build battery systems for its members. The award made Seven States eligible for greater financing, potentially up to the billions of dollars needed to take stake in a major gas plant, McCall said. Funding agencies include the USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy, she said. "None of them have shied away from numbers and volume of plants that we've put in front of the organizations we've been interacting with," McCall said. Seven States is a "force multiplier" for TVA that acts as an extension of its local power customers for the purpose of increasing power supply, McCall said in a later email. She told the TVA board of directors in May that Seven States had completed 222 projects with 80 utilities and received $475 million in state and federal funds since its founding. At its founding in 2007, the cooperative was designed to issue bonds backed by long-term contracts to purchase power. TVA was building gas plants at the time to meet power demand. The TVA board of directors, the members of which are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, approved negotiations with Seven States in 2008. The move was meant to provide stability in ownership if TVA assets were ever sold by the U.S. government. (READ MORE: Climate groups, senators criticize TVA for fossil gas expansion plans) In the process, Seven States would empower local distributors that operate in a power system where one entity has historically owned and operated all the power plants and transmission lines. "(TVA was) up against the same challenges we're up against today," said Edward Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities in Mississippi. "At that time, as well as today, all the local power companies really want to be a part of the solution. We want to help. We're not just depending upon TVA to do everything for us." In 2020, TVA granted its local power companies the ability to generate or buy up to 5% of their electricity. Seven States found a niche in helping local utilities develop their own generating sources, work it continues to do. But as TVA's power demand is rising again after a period in the 2010s marked by flat demand growth, Seven States sees a chance to go big again. The cooperative could once again become a major finance partner to TVA, said Chris Jones, president of the Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp. The move would only enhance the public power model that's characterized the region since Congress created TVA during the Great Depression. "It can be even better whenever local power companies are given more priority as a practical partner," Jones said. "I think we're seeing that day come, and Seven States is going to be part of it."

Source: Hoodline | 21 July 2026 | By Bob Norris Memphis Light, Gas & Water is gearing up for a massive battery play that could reshape how Shelby County keeps the lights on and the bills in check. Utility leaders say a new countywide battery storage network could cut pricey wholesale power purchases and help keep electric rates steady well into the next decade. The idea is simple enough, even if the hardware is anything but. MLGW wants large-scale batteries stationed at key substations around the county, ready to kick in when demand spikes and wholesale prices jump. What’s Being Proposed MLGW outlined a plan to install 125 megawatts of battery storage spread across nine substations in Shelby County. The systems would quietly charge up overnight when power is cheaper, then discharge during peak hours to reduce what the utility has to buy from the Tennessee Valley Authority at premium prices. Locations floated by officials include Cordova, Collierville, Whitehaven and North Memphis, according to Action News 5 . It is a far cry from a backup battery in your hallway closet. Project Partners And Funding Regional developer Seven States Power, which is leading the broader Energy Express initiative, is lining up the pieces behind the scenes. The MLGW portion is expected to account for roughly 100 megawatts of a 220-megawatt rollout across Tennessee, supported by about $439 million in zero-interest loans and grants from USDA’s Rural Utilities Service. Seven States Power says construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with a goal of having the full system up and running by December 2028. What City Leaders Were Told Speaking to the Memphis City Council, MLGW President Doug McGowen framed the storage push as a direct play to keep customer bills from climbing. He said the strategy is “designed to push rates downward, down, not up,” and MLGW told council members it does not expect an electric rate increase until after 2030, according to Action News 5 . How This Fits With MLGW’s Earlier Plans This battery push did not come out of nowhere. In March 2025, MLGW issued a request for proposals seeking roughly 100 megawatts of solar generation paired with about 80 megawatts of utility-scale battery storage, along with smaller distribution-level projects. According to MLGW , that RFP let vendors pitch either utility-owned projects or third-party power purchase deals as the utility began testing the waters on local generation and storage. Benefits And Outstanding Questions Seven States estimates the combined battery installations would support power needs for roughly 12,000 homes and create construction jobs along the way. The setup is also expected to limit MLGW’s exposure to the most expensive peak market purchases. But some big pieces still have to fall into place. Siting, permitting and contract details have not been finalized, and the partners say they plan public outreach and technical reviews before any shovels hit the ground, as outlined by Seven States Power . Next steps include more detailed technical studies, regulatory sign-offs, and public briefings before contracts are locked in and crews mobilize in 2027. If the schedule holds, the batteries would be online by December 2028, giving MLGW a new tool to shave peak costs and put continued downward pressure on rates across Shelby County.

Jason Reese, General Manager of Shelbyville Power, Water, and Sewer System, leads his LPC with a focus on the evolving technology that strengthens reliability, improves efficiency, and enhances service for his customers. He took a moment to highlight some of the innovation that is truly making a difference across his community. AMI technology has had the greatest impact on Shelbyville Power, Water, and Sewer Systems and our community. Our system converted to AMI meters nearly 14 years ago, and this technology has enabled us to streamline many manual utility processes and improve operational efficiency in our electric and water systems. AMI electric meters with remote disconnect capabilities have enabled us to remotely disconnect and reconnect customers on the collections list, reducing truck rolls, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing employee safety. AMI water meters allow us to identify water leaks much sooner than was previously possible, benefiting both our customers and our efforts to reduce water loss. Our team is also very proud of our recent pilot distribution automation project installed on three circuits, each served by a different substation, which provide power to Shelbyville's two main corridors. Implementing distribution automation on these circuits helps minimize the number of customers affected during outages or the loss of a power source, improving service reliability for the community. Building on its success, our long-term goal is to expand distribution automation across all eighteen circuits and all three substations to further enhance system reliability, resiliency, and service to our customers. As the Valley continues to evolve and change, Jason knows firsthand that Seven States is a trusted industry resource and a valuable partner in helping LPCs navigate the process of implementing new technology projects. In June 2026, we completed our first EV charger project as part of the TN Fast Charge Network, and I cannot say enough good things about how Seven States and Joe Knox helped guide us through that process. These chargers have already been a hit with our community and have also brought in travelers from out of town to our downtown square. Everything from start to finish went as smoothly as it possibly could, and that is due to Seven States.  While technology continues to transform the utility industry every day, Jason believes some aspects of the system will always depend on the knowledgeable workers who keep everything running behind the scenes. Hands-on infrastructure maintenance is one traditional utility practice that I believe will never completely disappear, regardless of how much technology advances. No matter how sophisticated our systems become, maintaining physical infrastructure will always require skilled workers to perform inspections, repairs, and upgrades in the field. Just as the utility industry is built on connections that span across communities, music has a way of bringing people together, even across generations. When asked which celebrity he would most like to meet for dinner, his choice was a musician who has stood the test of time. It would have to be Elvis Presley. As someone who has a love for all genres of music, to be able to sit down and talk with him about his career and experiences from gospel to rock-n-roll would be an absolute thrill!