Around the regions: May 2024

North Region

Next Level 2024 Graduation

The North Region was proud to celebrate the third cohort of the Urban League’s Next Level as they graduated on May 1. Next Level Nashville is a program of the Tennessee Urban League Affiliates and the Urban League of Middle Tennessee, in collaboration with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Interise. The program is a highly acclaimed, hands-on executive education experience for small business owners. This “Streetwise MBA” provides business knowledge, management know-how and gives participants the ability to build networks needed to grow.

Butler County High School students Visit TVA substation

On May 1, the North Region hosted a group of 20 students from Butler County High School at a TVA substation in Bowling Green, Ky. as part of their field trip career day.

PowerPlay Scholarship Ceremony in Franklin, Tenn.

40 high school seniors were honored with scholarships valued at $4,000 each during the annual PowerPlay Scholarship Association awards luncheon on May 2 in Franklin, Tenn.

White County Food Bank

TVA, in partnership with Sparta Electric and Caney Fork EMC, volunteered at a Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry in White County, Tenn. on Friday, May 3.

May Board Meeting

The TVA Board of Directors held their quarterly meeting in Nashville. The public listening session and quarterly board business meeting took place at Lipscomb University’s beautiful campus on May 8 and 9.

Week of Service events

In celebration of TVA’s 91st Anniversary on May 18, the North Region team spread out across Middle Tenn. and Kentucky to volunteer at local food banks and perform service projects for families in need.

East Region

Be Pro Be Proud visits East Region

During the first week of May, the TVA-sponsored Be Pro Be Proud mobile classroom workshop capped its five-school tour of East Tennessee with a weeklong stop at McMinn County High School in Athens, Tenn.

Through strategic deployment of its state-of-the-art interactive mobile trailers, Be Pro Be Proud aims to change the perception of skilled trade career opportunities and give students a chance to explore diverse professions through innovative virtual and augmented reality. Career fields to explore in the interactive exhibit include electrician, welder, commercial truck driver, lineman, heavy equipment operator, CNC machinist, forestry worker and more.

During the workshop’s recent trek across East Tenn., manager Jason Lewis used the trailer’s interactive career monitor to show students who expressed interest in learning more about a particular field with numerous active job postings on TVA.com.

Ocoee whitewater rafting & fly-fishing experience

The extraordinary nature-based recreation and tourism opportunities in Fannin County, Ga., and Polk County, Tenn., took center stage on May 22 and 23 as the East Region team hosted its annual Ocoee Event.

To highlight the immense economic impact of recreation in that region, a fly-fishing clinic was held at Horseshoe Bend Park in Mineral Bluff, Ga. Simultaneously, an assembly of thrill seekers enjoyed the rush of whitewater rafting down the Ocoee River. Prior to the recreation activities, local officials, stakeholders, outfitters and business owners gathered for a networking reception at Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville, Ga.

The rafting outing on the Ocoee served as a timely primer for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympic Games, as the 1996 Olympics brought the world’s best slalom canoers to our region to compete for their countries on the whitewater of the Upper Ocoee.

Hibbs Island rehabilitation

TVA staff, anglers, local media outlets and representatives from key Trout Unlimited and TWRA gathered at the Norris Weir overlook on May 24 to mark the completion of the Hibbs Island Rehabilitation Project.

Hibbs Island occupies a small section of land sandwiched between the Norris weir and is essential to the weir’s operation. Hibbs Island is also vital to the surrounding community and ecosystem of the Clinch River.

Throughout the years, the high flow releases from Norris Dam resulted in high river currents, which caused part of the 10.6-acre island to erode and deteriorate. The deterioration of the island could have allowed water releases from the dam to pass through the area between the weir sections – thus destabilizing the weirs.

To combat the deterioration of the island, TVA embarked on an effort to stabilize the re-regulating weirs by building a 217-foot-long berm across Hibbs Island. The berm, constructed of approximately 3,200 tons of rock and 1,299 cubic yards of soil, now redirects the flow back over the two weirs. The weirs sustain river ecosystems and aquatic life for several miles. And healthy rivers and aquatic life are paramount for recreation such as kayaking and fishing.

South Region

Wheeler Dam: A dependable source among TVA’s power-generating dams

The experienced and knowledgeable team at Wheeler Dam welcomed local, state and federal elected officials and their representatives for a private tour. Organized by the South Region Government Relations team, the visit was an opportunity to learn more about Wheeler Dam, which is one of three hydroelectric facilities in Alabama and 29 power-generating dams in TVA’s fleet. It’s 72 feet high, stretches 6,342 feet across the Tennessee River, and has 11 generating units with a summer net dependable capacity of 402 megawatts.

Restoration project underway for transmission river towers near Browns Ferry

As our region grows, we’re making improvements to ensure our system can meet the demand. Work is currently underway to perform structural restoration of eight transmission river towers near Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. This restoration will strengthen the foundation piles at the base of the structures, improve the existing pile concrete encasements, and extend the life of the tower foundations.

Construction is scheduled to conclude Dec. 2025 and the project is a part of TVA’s investment of $2.8 billion in transmission system improvements across our service area through 2027.

Decatur Utilities, TVA, and Seven States Power Corporation team up to add new EV charging station to the Fast Charge Network

Another electric vehicle charging station in TVA’s Fast Charge Network is up and running in Decatur, Ala.

TVA is excited to partner with Decatur Utilities, Seven States Corporation, the City of Decatur, and ADECA to invest in charging infrastructure across north Ala. These investments save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism. Following this ribbon cutting, there are now five EV stations in the South Region – Decatur, Cullman, Fort Payne, Scottsboro and Tuscumbia.

TVA’s Chief External Relations Officer is staying connected with the South Region

Jeannette Mills, TVA’s Executive Vice President and Chief External Relations Officer, came to the South Region to connect with employees and community leaders. During her visit, Mills met with local power company representatives and government officials at the Alabama League of Municipalities annual conference in Huntsville. She also met with educational partners at Alabama A&M University and the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering.

Southwest Region

Celebrating through Service in the Southwest

The Southwest Team organized multiple events across Mississippi for TVA’s Celebrating Through Service, including teaming up with Habitat for Humanity in Starkville, Miss. and the St. Luke Food Pantry in Tupelo, Miss.

On May 7, Skills That Pay, an awareness campaign run by The Skills Foundation in partnership with TVA, presented graduating seniors at Itawamba Agricultural High School with grants to celebrate the students’ commitment to their future and their choice to enter essential, hands-on professions that contribute to the backbone of our communities.

Fast Charge Network grows

On May 1, the Southwest Region joined Columbus Light & Water and Seven States Power Coordination in Columbus, Miss. to officially open the latest fast chargers on the network.

West Region

Energy Right Workshop for STAARS (breast cancer survivors’ group)

On May 4, the West Region’s Regional Relations team partnered with Commercial Energy Solutions to host 40 Memphis homeowners, sharing tips on how to conserve energy in their homes. Each participant received energy kits with useful energy efficiency products.

West Region celebrates TVA’s anniversary through service

On May 14, the West Region team volunteered to pack snack backpacks for youth in the Jackson and Madison County area, celebrating TVA’s 91st anniversary.

Junior Achievement’s Annual JA Inspire Event

Another way TVA employees celebrated through service was by volunteering at the Junior Achievement Memphis Annual JA Inspire Event. The career fair event gives nearly 3,000 eighth grade students from the West and Southwest Regions the opportunity to engage in hands-on, interactive experiences, while hearing about STEM careers at TVA.

Community outreach at Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

On May 16, TVA employees and retirees joined Memphis leaders, including Memphis Light Gas and Water, the Mayor of Memphis, and the Memphis Police Chief, at the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest at Memphis in May.

The Boys & Girls Club of Jackson’s annual Steak N’ Burger dinner fundraiser

The West Region sponsored the 39th annual Steak N’ Burger dinner fundraiser benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson. The proceeds help provide a safe, fun and educational environment for the kids in the community. To make the event even more fun – the adults get the burgers, and the kids get the steaks!

Lake County High School and Atoka Elementary School receive STEM grant

On May 1, the West Region joined Gibson Electric to award Lake County High School with a $5,000 STEM check.

On May 2, the West Region joined Southwest Tennessee EMC to present Atoka Elementary School with a $5,000 STEM check.

Barret’s Chapel School recognized by School Uplift

On May 17, the West Region presented a plaque to Barret’s Chapel School to highlight their participation in TVA’ School Uplift Program.

Federal Affairs

Celebrating TVA’s Week of Service in DC

The Federal Affairs team gathered to mark TVA’s Week of Service, packing activity bags for Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. The team included coloring books, t-shirts and capes from TVA EnergyRight, crayons and more. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to honor TVA’s 91st anniversary and our mission of service.

Sharing TVA Knowledge at White House Summits

TVA had the opportunity to share our expertise this month in Washington D.C. at summits hosted by the White House Climate Policy Office and U.S. Department of Energy. On May 28, Vice President of Transmission Operations and Power Supply Greg Henrich participated in a summit on modernizing the power grid. This spotlighted opportunities to accelerate deployment of advanced conductors and grid enhancing technologies (GET) such as dynamic line ratings.

The next day, Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Tim Rausch and Vice President of the New Nuclear Program Scott Hunnewell, along with Federal Affairs staff, joined the nuclear summit. This event was an opportunity to share TVA’s nuclear leadership story and provide technical insights into deploying nuclear generation.

Meeting with Valley Leaders

On May 15, TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash joined Federal Affairs in Washington to meet with U.S. Senators and U.S. House of Representative members from the Valley delegation. Jeff was able to provide updates on TVA activities, including the Integrated Resource Plan in development, TVA’s ability to meet growing energy demand and the need for capacity expansion, the siting of proposed facilities, advanced nuclear energy and economic development. During his visit, Jeff met with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Representative Dale Strong of Alabama and Representative Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee.

The next week, TVA Executive Vice President and Chief External Relations Officer Jeannette Mills was in D.C. and had the opportunity to meet with Representative Steve Cohen from Memphis. She provided an update on TVA’s home energy efficiency programs, School Uplift and other ways TVA is helping lower energy costs for Valey residents.