North Region
Justin Maierhofer appointed to Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority
North Region Executive Justin Maierhofer was appointed by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority to serve a four-year term. As a member, Justin will help to inform the strategic direction of nuclear development within the Commonwealth on behalf of TVA.
Remembering 9/11 through Service
On Sept. 11, roughly 25 TVA employees in the North Region took part in the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance Meal Pack event in Nashville. This event, hosted by Belmont University, allowed corporations around Middle Tennessee to come in and pack healthy, non-perishable meals that were distributed through our friends at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee to combat food insecurity in the area.
Kentucky County Judge Executive’s Association Fall Conference
The Kentucky County Judge Executive’s Association Fall Conference took place in Paducah, Ky., and included a visit to Kentucky Dam for a tour and remarks by Josh Tubbs, North Region Government Relations Specialist.
Hispanic Heritage Month event
TVA partnered with Western Kentucky University to host Pulitzer-winning playwright, author and Tony-winning musician Quiara Alegría Hudes in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Walking for heart health
On Saturday, Sept. 21, North Region team members participated in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk at GEODIS Park in Nashville.
North Region sponsors inaugural Eco Explorers Camp in Warren County, Ky.
The North Region team partnered with the Warren County Conservation District to provide funding to support 120 fifth grade students from Jennings Creek Elementary in attending the inaugural Eco Explorers Camp. The students visited Lost River Cave and learned about Kentucky wildlife, watersheds and forestry.
East Region
East Region Team quick to mobilize, assist post-Helene
Helene’s weather system entered the TVA service area on Sept. 27 and dropped close to 20 inches of rain on some parts of the Valley region. In many locations, the flood of record was approached or exceeded. The Nolichucky River watershed, for example, received rainfall that was equal to about a 1-in-5,000-year rain event.
East Region staff – alongside internal TVA partners enterprise-wide – quickly mobilized to support both the immediate needs of impacted communities and long-term restoration efforts. The first weekend, the East Region Customer Relations and Community & Government Relations teams coordinated tangible assistance in the form of meal service for Mountain Electric Cooperative line worker crews, pallets of bottled water trucked to Newport, Tenn., and portable pumps provided by Industrial Tool Services to help supply raw water to Newport’s water treatment facility.
The extraordinary, around-the-clock efforts of TVA’s River Management and Dam Safety staffs leading up to and throughout Helene significantly mitigated additional damage and reflect the well-earned, world-class reputation of those respective teams.
The hearts of the entire East Region team go out to each and every individual touched by Helene’s impacts, and we’re committed to walking alongside them as they rebound, recover and rebuild.
TVA’s Economic Development Team help Oak Ridge land transformational Uranium enrichment facility
Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter hosted a media event in Oak Ridge to announce that Orano USA selected a site in Oak Ridge to construct a centrifuge uranium enrichment facility. In addition to creating more than 300 jobs, Orano USA’s multi-billion-dollar investment stands as the largest independent capital investment in the state’s history.
TVA’s Economic Development team was a key economic development partner during the recruitment of Orano USA. Don Moul, TVA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, spoke at the event and highlighted the importance of public and private partnerships in transforming East Tennessee into a hub for nuclear technologies that benefit the entire region.
Anderson County EMA Crews to benefit from TVA, Bull Run donation
On Sept. 5, employees with TVA donated close to 600 MREs – ready-to-eat meals – to the Emergency Management Agency of Anderson County, Tenn.
There is often little notice or prep time when emergency crews receive the call to respond to an event, and this donation will enable Anderson Co. EMA to send crews into the field with sustenance.
Nathan Stanfield, TVA Senior Manager for Mobility & Investment Recovery, helped to process the donation and coordinate logistics, along with Manager of Bull Run Fossil Operations Wade Hawkins.
This recent MRE donation continues Bull Run’s recent history of giving back to organizations in Anderson and surrounding counties. In the last year, the plant has donated materials to the Anderson County Career and Technical Center, welding programs at area high schools and colleges, boilermaker apprenticeship programs and the Wartburg Volunteer Fire Department.
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Chattanooga hosts Southern States Energy Board annual meeting
Gig City served as host for the Southern States Energy Board’s 64th annual meeting Sept. 22-24. TVA was a sponsor of the event, and East Region Executive Bert Robinson delivered welcome remarks during Monday’s breakfast session.
CEO Jeff Lyash and Vice President for Innovation & Research Joe Hoagland were among the TVA leaders who participated in panel discussions during the event.
Facilities Transformation’s Clean & Clear initiative benefits Clay County, N.C. schools
TVA team members continue to champion the mission of serving the community with a successful office supply collection for Clay County Community for Students. Thanks to the hard work from Power Operations, Generation Projects and Fleet Services, TVA Nuclear, T&I, Facilities Management, and Customer and Community Relations teams during Clean and Clear, teachers and students in Hayesville and Clay County, North Carolina were able to benefit immediately from over 50 boxes of office supplies from TVA facilities.
South Region
South Region steps up to support Hurricane Helene recovery
While Helene’s path was contained to TVA’s East Region, employees and partners throughout the Valley region stepped up to assist in relief efforts. Many thanks to our local power companies from the South Region, who stepped up to provide mutual aid in Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Learn more about TVA’s priorities moving forward in supporting recovery and restoration efforts.
First Solar inaugurates new $1.1 billion facility in Alabama
First Solar held its inauguration ceremony in Trinity, Ala. The new facility in Lawrence County represents an investment of approximately $1.1 billion by First Solar and will add 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of new solar panel manufacturing capacity in the United States. The center will create more than 800 new jobs and establishes Alabama as a producer of American-made clean energy technology.
TVA was proud to have played a role in this economic development project, while partnering with Joe Wheeler EMC, the Alabama Department of Commerce, and the Lawrence County Industrial Development Board. Read more on tva.com.
North Alabama company to expand operations in Dekalb County
Supporting economic and community development through jobs and investment is fundamental to TVA’s mission. Builders Supply Co. Inc., a building materials and supply manufacturer, announced plans to expand operations in Dekalb County, Ala.
Plans for the project, featured in Business Alabama, include investing $10.6 million in a new Fort Payne facility and creating an additional 10 jobs. Economic development and local power company partners include Fort Payne Improvement Authority, City of Fort Payne, Alabama Department of Commerce, and the Dekalb County Economic Development Authority.
Maintenance completed at Browns Ferry and ongoing inspections at Wilson Lock
Browns Ferry’s Unit 1 is back on the grid following a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage that prepares the unit to supply the Tennessee Valley with safe, carbon-free energy for years to come. TVA employees and contracting partners completed more than 11,000 activities, including the replacement of two condensate pumps, six main steam relief valves and main steam inlet valves and panels. Additionally, numerous refurbishments and equipment inspections took place to strengthen the performance of Unit 1.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, after consultation with TVA, closed Wilson Lock to conduct inspections and possible repairs on the main lock chamber. The auxiliary lock, comprised of two 60’ x 300’ chambers in a stair stepped configuration, remains open and available for navigational use. The closure is a precaution to prevent further damage to the gates and any possible loss of the lock’s functionality. The USACE and TVA have a longstanding partnership to operate and maintain navigation facilities on the Tennessee River. More than 11.4M tons of goods make their way to and from the Ohio River every year through USACE managed locks on the Tennessee River.
100,000 cubic yards and counting – Eelgrass removal efforts continue this fall
Even as the seasons change, the joint effort to manage invasive eelgrass in Guntersville Reservoir will keep moving forward in public use areas. TVA’s Aquatic Plant Management team and its contractors have treated approximately 1,500 acres using EPA-approved herbicide and cut and harvested more than 250 acres of aquatic plants. Our partners, My Lake Guntersville and the W.E.T. Foundation, also treated nearly 900 acres on private residential and commercial areas along the shoreline of Lake Guntersville. As the harvester program continues through October, TVA expects to remove well over 100,000 cubic yards of floating eelgrass from the water.
This fall, researchers from Mississippi State University will begin herbicide trials on plant samples collected from Guntersville to see which ingredients are most effective at stopping the invasive species from spreading, a process that is expected to take three to four years.
Learning about public power and clean energy
What better way to see how TVA makes clean energy and supports the Valley’s population of more than 10 million people than getting up close and personal. In September, our Government and Community Relations Team hosted tours at two of our power-generating facilities.
Members of the Bessemer Public Power Committee visited the training center at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant and learned about the consistent and rigorous training our operators complete to safely operate the plant’s three nuclear reactors.
Also, a group of elected officials traveled from north Alabama to Tennessee to learn about how Raccoon Mountain, TVA’s largest hydroelectric facility, harnesses the power of water to make electricity when demand is high.
2024 Women Honoring Women Honoree working to help TVA reach energy efficiency goals
Ruchi Singhal, a Senior Program Manager for TVA’s Commercial Energy Solutions, is one of this year’s Women Honoring Women Honorees. In her role at TVA, she pursues federal funding opportunities and connects groups across the Valley to resources that help TVA reach our energy efficiency goals. We were proud to join the celebration of her contributions to our community at the Women’s Economic Development Council Foundation’s Women Honoring Women Gala in Huntsville.
Southwest Region
Philadelphia Make-a-Wish Golf tournament
The Southwest Region recently supported the third “Wish Upon A Par” golf tournament in Philadelphia, Miss. benefitting Make-A-Wish Mississippi. Thanks to the donors, volunteers, wish families and committee members who helped raise over $30,000 to grant even more wishes. It was truly a special day!
Power Play Golf Tournament
The Southwest Region participated in the Power Play Golf Tournament at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss. Proceeds from the event fund scholarships awarded to children of public power company employees in the Tennessee Valley. Power Play Scholarship Association aims to recognize deserving students who demonstrate a commitment to academics and community service by providing scholarships to an accredited institution of their choice.
Thunder Over Columbus
The Southwest Region sponsored Thunder Over Columbus; an air show performed by the team at Columbus Airforce Base. The free event is free gave attendees the opportunity to tour aircrafts and meet the service men and women.
Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Annual Meeting
This year’s conference was hosted in Biloxi, Miss. and included presentations from ECM leadership, Mississippi cooperatives and various TVA/Cooperative Energy partners. Josh Wooten and Beth Hurst supported the event for TVA. All 14 Southwest Region cooperatives had leadership, board members, and staff attend the annual meeting for their organizations – along with some retired leaders – including Eddie Howard (ACE), Paul Long, (CEPA), Wayne Henson (EMEPA), and Ronnie Rowland (Prentiss Co. EPA).
Mississippi Senate Energy Committee
Dan Pratt, Senior Vice President of Customer and Community Relations, presented a TVA capacity and asset update to the Mississippi Senate Energy Committee. Other hearing speakers included Entergy, Mississippi Power and Cooperative Energy representatives and topics included growth, economic development, capacity and potential new nuclear.
West Region
Fast Charge growth
The West Region joined Benton County Electric System to celebrate the newest addition to the TVA Fast Charge Network in Camden, Tenn.
Union City High School College and Career Fair
The West Region, along with Union City Electric System, recently supported Union City High School’s College and Career Fair.
Southern Heritage Classic College and Career Fair
In coordination with TVA’s support of the Southern Heritage Classic, the West Region participated in the Southern Heritage Classic College and Career Fair. Roughly 3,000 students were invited to attend and learn more exciting job opportunities in their community.
Southern Heritage Classic Community Engagement Event
The annual Southern Heritage Classic unites the Memphis community through sports, entertainment, and outreach, inspiring positive change and economic growth. TVA utilizes Memphis’ second largest annual event as an opportunity to retain and cultivate established relationships, build new relationships, become a part of the fabric of Memphis as well as team build.
A Taste of Memphis
The West Region supported the 10th anniversary celebration of a Taste of Memphis. This event is designed to highlight local neighborhoods, community development corporations, faith-based organizations and many others.
Beyond the Reach Quarterly Serve Day
The Allen Restoration team supported the Beyond the Reach quarterly serve day. Beyond the Reach is a Memphis-based organization that meets at Morris Park to provide ongoing support and assistance to service Memphis’ homeless population.
MSCS School Supply Deliveries with School Board Commissioner Sable Otey
The Allen Restoration team recently partnered with Memphis-Shelby County School Board Commissioner Sable Otey to fulfill the immediate need for school supplies and hygiene items for the school district’s eight schools in Cordova.
Supplier Diversity Matchmaking Dinner
Our Supplier Diversity team traveled from Chattanooga to Memphis to celebrate success with 32 business owners and partners. Their innovation and dedication are inspiring!
