Work Gets Underway On Project To Extend Electricity To Navajo Homes

April 4, 2022

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
April 4, 2022

Work got underway this week on Light Up Navajo III (LUN III), a joint effort between the American Public Power Association (APPA) and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) to extend electricity to Navajo homes.

The LUN III initiative began on April 3, 2022 and will last for 11 weeks. The goal is to connect 300 families’ homes to the electric grid for the first time.

NTUA will be welcoming workers from public power utilities and organizations from 11 states, including Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, California, Connecticut, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Washington, Texas, Utah, and Washington D.C.

There will be up to four crews working each week at different locations throughout the Navajo Nation.

“The Navajo Nation appreciates our partners in this collaborative effort to bring much-needed electricity to hundreds of homes this spring,” said Navajo Nation Speaker Seth Damon. “We commend the NTUA and the APPA for leading this project to help improve the standard of life for our families.”

Financing the cost to construct electric service “can be a burden for many, so the Light Up Navajo initiative will serve as the foundation to allow people to connect to the internet and modernize a way of living. The Navajo people are grateful for all the volunteer line workers and the utility companies involved to make this happen,” he said.

“Public power utilities have shown over the years that they are incredible at stepping up to help each other,” said APPA President and CEO Joy Ditto. “We are well practiced in sending aid in the wake of natural disasters, and we are leveraging these skills to help bring power to those who still don’t have it in our country in the year 2022, a situation that must be rectified.”

NTUA General Manager Walter Haase said the partnership embodies the true American spirit of helping one another. In its first year, the project connected more than 230 homes to electricity, reducing the total number of U.S. homes without electricity by one percent.

“We are grateful that outside communities are sending their electric crews to help,” said Haase. “These visiting crews are ready to help build and will be ready to celebrate with Light Up Navajo III families after they get connected. The project will not only make a positive life changing impact on our families, but it is also a powerful impression on the lineworkers and their communities who proudly volunteer their services.”

In 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the Light Up Navajo II project. The suspension was not an easy decision for NTUA, knowing there were families waiting years for electricity. There were 48 utility companies from 15 states that had signed up for the project.

Although the project was canceled for the health, safety, and well-being of everyone involved, preparation resulted in NTUA acquiring the necessary clearances and making 330 projects construction ready.

In August 2020, NTUA received funds from the Navajo Nation through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), and connected 330 Navajo homes initially identified and prepared for shovel-ready status through LUN II. Overall, 737 families received electricity through the CARES Act funding in 2020.

In 2021, NTUA spent most of the year preparing for LUN III, working with the Navajo Nation Land Department and with the families requesting electric service. NTUA had to secure Rights of Way, land clearances, permits and wire homes so that they will be ready to have their homes ready to be connected to the electric grid.

Earlier this year, Massachusetts public power utility Peabody Municipal Light Plant donated surplus equipment to help with electrification of Navajo Nation through the Light Up Navajo Project.

Wisconsin Public Power Utilities Rally To Help Stoughton, Wis., In Wake Of Tornado

March 31, 2022

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
March 31, 2022

Electric utility customers and officials in Stoughton, Wis., are thanking their local lineworkers, as well as those from many neighboring public power communities, for their quick response to safely restore service in the wake of a recent tornado traveling up to 95 miles per hour.

The tornado touched down for approximately five miles and was up to 50 yards wide.

“This is the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors when it’s needed most,” said Stoughton Utilities Director Jill Weiss. “That’s what our not-for-profit, community-owned utilities are all about.”

The severe storm struck the community March 5. High-speed, destructive winds — later classified as an F-1 tornado — damaged homes and buildings southeast of downtown and decimated a local family farm.

The tornado also downed nine poles on one of the American Transmission Co.’s high-voltage transmission lines that deliver bulk power to the utility, along with three poles belonging to Stoughton Utilities. More than 7,000 homes and businesses in Stoughton lost power as a result.

Through the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin’s mutual aid program, public power utilities across the state assist one another to restore local electric service in the wake of major storm events.

Responding to the call for help in Stoughton were the WPPI Energy member municipal electric utilities of Cedarburg, Hartford, Lake Mills, Mount Horeb, Prairie du Sac and Waunakee.

WPPI Energy is a member-owned, not-for-profit organization that serves 51 locally owned electric utilities in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Upper Michigan.  

“The support was overwhelming,” said Weiss. “I know that many other local utilities were ready and willing to jump in as well.”

The lineworkers responded immediately, opening up roads, repairing power lines and restoring service.

Power was returned to all but 25 percent of customers by 4 a.m. on March 6, and all service connections were restored within 25 hours of the storm hitting the area.

“Not only do we have a highly dedicated local crew, but we are also part of something bigger,” said Weiss.

“When the worst happens, and we know all too well that it sometimes does, we can lean on the shared strength of our highly dedicated Stoughton Utilities line crew, as well as our fellow public power communities, to get the lights back on for local customers safely and as quickly as possible.”

Lineworkers Rodeo Offers Unique Opportunity To Showcase Skills, Network With Peers

February 7, 2022

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 7, 2022

There are a wide range of reasons why public power utilities across the U.S. should participate in the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) lineworkers rodeo, which will take place next month in Texas, including the opportunity for lineworkers to network with peers, showcase their skills and knowledge and demonstrate the importance of teamwork, public power officials said.

The rodeo, which will be held March 25-26 in Austin, Texas, is the foremost showcase of public power lineworker skill and knowledge. At the rodeo, journeyman and apprentice lineworkers compete for professional recognition, attend training courses, and practice essential skills in a safe environment.

“The lineworkers rodeo brings public power linemen and apprentices from all over the nation together to showcase their technical and safety skills,” said Aaron Haderle, Manager of T&D Operations at Florida public power utility Kissimmee Utility Authority.

“It also gives them a platform to network with their peers and to share experiences from their respective regions. Over the years this has trickled into mutual aid in which the same individuals are working side by side in natural disaster events to restore services to our customers,” Haderle noted.

Haderle is chair of APPA’s executive rodeo committee.

The lineworkers rodeo “is the nation’s premier place to showcase and celebrate the unsung heroes of our communities,” said Jackie Sargent, General Manager of Austin Energy.

“Lineworkers do the hard and dangerous work that energizes all our lives,” she said. “The rodeo not only provides professional recognition in a friendly competition, but also educational courses, practical training in a safe environment and connections with peers nationwide, which is vital during disaster response across communities. Plus, there’s no better time to visit Austin than in the Spring,” Sargent said.

With respect to how Austin Energy is preparing to host the rodeo, Sargent said, “We have a team made up of every department within Austin Energy working closely with APPA to make this 20th anniversary the best Rodeo ever. We are already constructing the 30-acre event grounds with more than 100 power poles. We are recruiting about 200 volunteers to welcome the nation’s lineworkers to Austin. We also have five teams ready to go head-to-head with any team in the nation. So, bring your best and do your best because we are ready for you.”

“In the entirety of my career in public power, there are few things I have seen that more perfectly capture the spirit and values of the industry than the lineworkers rodeo,” said Danette Scudder, Executive Vice President of Member Services & Strategic Relations at The Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, Inc. (TVPPA). Along with her role at TVPPA, Scudder is also a member of the executive rodeo committee.

“The rodeo allows lineworkers to display the art and science of their craft, all while demonstrating the importance of teamwork,” she said. “The event provides a unique learning opportunity, encourages safe work practices all while rodeo participants build a camaraderie and life-long relationships.”

Additional details about the rodeo including how to register are available here.

Massachusetts Public Power Utility Donates Equipment For Light Up Navajo Project

February 5, 2022

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
February 5, 2022

Massachusetts public power utility Peabody Municipal Light Plant (PMLP) recently donated surplus equipment to help with electrification of Navajo Nation through the Light Up Navajo Project.

Light Up Navajo is a joint effort between the American Public Power Association (APPA) and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA).

Approximately 700 outdoor distribution fuse cutouts, at current prices and valued at over $70,000, will help bring power to families in Navajo Nation, PMLP said.

The cutouts donated by PMLP are made of porcelain which is less reliable in the New England climate with hot and cold seasons. The stable temperature in Navajo Nation is a better environment for this style cutout, PMLP said.

PMLP currently uses a similar cutout made from a polymer material. The Peabody Municipal Lighting Commission unanimously approved the move.

“PMLP has always been about reliable power in our service territory,” said Commission Chairman Thomas D’Amato. “The Commission is happy to help our counterparts on Navajo Nation enjoy the benefits of a stable energy supply.”

Srinivasa Venigalla, Deputy General Manager of NTUA said the cutouts “will make a difference for the families who have been waiting for electricity here on the Navajo Nation.”

Meanwhile, planning for Light Up Navajo III, which will connect Navajo Nation families to the power grid, is underway. Public power utilities are encouraged to consider participating in Light Up Navajo III, which will start in the spring of this year.

APPA is working with NTUA, based in Fort Defiance, Ariz., to help volunteers continue to bring electricity to families in need.

Light Up Navajo III is scheduled to take place from April through June of 2022.

Interested public power utilities should contact lightup-navajoproject@ntua.com for more information on this important event.

LADWP Line Crews Complete Navajo Nation Mutual Aid Training Exercise

January 12, 2022

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
January 12, 2022

Electric line crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) recently completed work on the Navajo Nation for a mutual aid training exercise that included extending electricity to Navajo homes.

More than 40 LADWP crew members volunteered to travel to the Navajo Nation to train in challenging conditions, such as adverse weather and isolated locations where dirt roads are the only access. The training exercise ended after 41 days and resulted in 80 homes being connected to the electric grid before the Christmas holiday.

“LADWP teamed up with the NTUA for this Mutual Aid Training exercise and the benefits far exceeded our expectations,” said Brian Wilbur, Senior Assistant General Manager of Power System Construction, Maintenance, & Operations, at LADWP. “In this simulation we were able to deploy vehicles, personnel, and equipment to a remote location to preform restoration and infrastructure work over rugged terrain in harsh conditions. The challenges, pitfalls, and victories of this complete deployment is something we have not been able to examine when we do our typical tabletop training simulations,” he said in a statement.

“Everyone from our executive leadership to our transmission and distribution crews were involved including our Office of Emergency Management, Fleet personnel, Procurement, and Communication groups.”

The combined crews worked and trained 10-hours a day to finish projects in 28 communities located across the Navajo Nation. The most extensive project, which extended over nine miles, was the Chilchinbeto community powerline project. Once the crews completed their work, 20 Navajo homes were powered up. It had been a project that was more than 10 years in the making, following years of acquiring rights of way and securing the land use permits.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez stopped by Chilchinbeto to personally thank LADWP crew members for volunteering to be part of the training project.

As the Chilchinbeto project was underway, the community watched daily as the power line was being built. Some residents drove by the powerline route daily to measure its progress. The project was completed in 15 days after which the community leaders and residents cooked and hosted a “thank-you” meal for the LADWP crew members.

“With heartfelt tears, family members told LADWP crews this was the best Christmas present they could ever receive,” said Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) General Manager Walter Haase. “We are very happy this mutual aid training exercise was a success. LADWP completed its training and families are now enjoying the benefits of electricity. We are thankful that LADWP chose the Navajo Nation as the location for its rural mutual-aid field training exercise. We hope this is the first of future partnership projects.”

Planning Is Underway For Project That Will Bring Power To Navajo Nation Residents

Meanwhile, planning for Light Up Navajo III, which will connect Navajo Nation families to the power grid, is underway. Public power utilities are encouraged to consider participating in Light Up Navajo III, which will start in the spring of this year.

The American Public Power Association (APPA) is working with NTUA, based in Fort Defiance, Ariz., to help volunteers continue to bring electricity to families in need.

Light Up Navajo III is scheduled to take place from April through June of 2022.

Interested public power utilities should contact lightup-navajoproject@ntua.com for more information on this important event.

KYMEA And Partners Send Relief To Western Kentucky In Wake Of Tornadoes

January 5, 2022

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
January 5, 2022

The Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (KYMEA) and a number of partners have provided $30,000 in direct relief and contributions to a Kentucky tornado relief fund in the wake of tornadoes that hit the western part of the state on December 10, 2021.

KYMEA has partnered with nFront Consulting, Spiegel & McDiarmid, BKD, Rubin & Hays, and LightChange Technologies to provide the funds to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.

KYMEA noted that it is also working with its members, the American Public Power Association, and the Kentucky Municipal Utility Association to provide storm restoration to the hardest-hit areas. 

In September of 2015, ten municipal electric utilities entered into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement creating KYMEA, a joint public agency.

Additional information about the tornado relief efforts is available here.

Lansing Board of Water & Light Restores Power After Train Incident, High Winds

December 17, 2021

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 17, 2021

Michigan public power utility Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) recently completed power restoration efforts after an incident with a train and high winds knocked out electric service to customers of BWL.

On the morning of Dec. 11, a train crossing a road near Michigan State University’s campus entangled with a wire, causing approximately 30 BWL power poles to break and causing more than 4,000 customers to lose power.

 

 

For a video that includes footage of the train incident, restoration efforts and additional details on BWL’s response, click here.

At the same time, BWL was responding to other outages in its service territory following high winds.

The utility called in mutual aid crews to help restore power to customers quickly. Crews from the following public power utilities and communities helped BWL:

• City of Sturgis, Mich.
• Board of Light and Power Grand Haven, Mich.
• City of Niles, Mich.
• Lowell Light and Power, Mich.

LBW also received assistance from Asplundh, a utility contractor.

Public Power Utilities Make Progress In Power Restoration In Wake Of Tornadoes

December 15, 2021

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 15, 2021

Public power utilities this week made steady progress in restoring power to public power communities affected by tornadoes that recently swept through a number of states.

The tornadoes cut a destructive path through Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Utilities in the regions affected by the destructive storms have sent utility crews to help restore power where electric infrastructure was damaged and are working with others in the electric sector to identify unmet needs.

“Although full restoration may take over a week, we do not anticipate it taking months. After power is restored, we will make more permanent fixes on the system,” Kentucky public power utility Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (BGMU) reported on Dec. 14.

On Dec. 13, BGMU noted that it started with about 24,000 customers out of power. “We are down to about these 4,000, and those will be the most difficult due to the destruction in the area,” it said.

A large number of crews from public power utilities in Georgia and Tennessee have been sent to help BGMU with its restoration efforts.

Another Kentucky public power utility, Princeton Electric Plant Board, on Dec. 11 reported that approximately 80 poles and several miles of conductor were damaged from a tornado necessitating complete replacement in order to restore power to all affected customers.

Crews from Kentucky public power utilities Paducah Power System, Frankfort Plant Board, Owensboro Municipal Utilities, and Groves Construction have deployed to assist Princeton with its restoration efforts.

“We believe that all individual customers who can be restored have been restored,” Princeton EPB reported on Dec. 15.

In Mayfield, Ky., public power utility Mayfield Electric & Water Systems (MEWS) reported that its electric substation took a direct hit.

On Dec. 14, the utility reported that after evaluating the substation, the damage is worse than initially expected and that energizing transmission lines may not occur for 7-10 days. MEWS engineers are working with West Kentucky Rural Electric on an alternate solution to tie in MEWS circuits to the Ed Walker Substation.

President Joseph Biden on Wednesday traveled to Kentucky where he surveyed storm damage in Mayfield.

“What I’ve seen so far is a group of incredible people pulling together, helping each other,” Biden said. “And they’re hopeful. And we’re going to stay until this gets finished and totally reconstructed.”

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and local power company personnel have restored power to more than 226,000 consumers since weekend storms caused outages across a wide area of northwest Tennessee and western Kentucky, TVA reported on Dec. 14.

On Tuesday, crews restored another customer connection point — the interface between TVA’s transmission system and local power company distribution system — serving Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, as well as a connection point for one of TVA’s direct-served industrial customers. Since Saturday, 18 of the 21 impacted connection points serving seven different local power companies have been restored.

TVA on Dec. 14 said its crews were focused on returning the final three connection points to service, which impact areas near Mayfield, Ky., and Lexington, Tenn. In both areas, storms damaged transmission towers that must be cleared and rebuilt before power lines can be safely re-energized. In addition, extensive damage to the MEWS’ own distribution network may slow restoration effort to residents in that area, TVA said.

TVA on Dec. 15 reported that more than 8,000 additional consumers impacted by weekend storms now had electric power restored to their homes and businesses over the past 24-hours through the combined efforts of TVA and local power company personnel working in northwest Tennessee and western Kentucky.

As of noon on Wednesday, about 19,000 remained without power in the region, down from more than 254,000 that lost service in the storms’ wake.

More than 160 TVA line workers, additional contractor crews and TVA Aviation Services helicopter crews remain in the field working to restore power. Hundreds of additional TVA employees are working across the region to support the field teams’ efforts.

The region’s public power system is a partnership between TVA and local power companies. TVA’s transmission system delivers power to connection points with local power companies, whose own distribution systems supply power directly to homes and businesses. Both systems must be operational to safely provide reliable electricity.

TVA has noted that the storms were the most destructive to impact the region since the April 2011 tornado outbreak.

Due to the extent of the damage in some areas, TVA is unable to provide any specific time for full restoration. The need to repair both TVA’s transmission system and local power company distribution systems may lead to longer restoration times.

Tennessee public power utility Nashville Electric Service (NES) on Dec. 15 noted that tornadoes and severe weather greatly impacted the service area of NES on Dec. 11, knocking out power to nearly 95,000 customers at its peak. Crews worked around the clock to restore power to those customers and to replace more than 130 broken power poles that were damaged as a result of storms.

Within five days, NES repaired all major infrastructure circuits and restored power to every customer. “NES was prepared to handle this storm given recent events that caused massive outages in the service area, like the 2020 Tornado, Derecho windstorm and downtown Christmas bombing,” the utility said.

Public Power Utilities Work To Restore Power In Wake Of Tornadoes

December 13, 2021

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 13, 2021

Public power utilities in several states are working to restore power in the wake of a string of deadly tornadoes that hit communities on the evening of Friday, Dec. 10.

“The devastation caused by tornadoes in several states last night is heartbreaking,” said Joy Ditto, President and CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA), on Dec. 11. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. I also greatly appreciate the work of the first responders still helping to rescue those in need.”

The tornadoes cut a destructive path through Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Utilities in the regions affected by the destructive storms have started to send utility crews to help restore power where electric infrastructure was damaged and are working with others in the electric sector to identify unmet needs.

President Biden on Dec. 11 noted that he had already spoken several times with the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and that FEMA has deployed emergency response personnel to these states, search-and-rescue teams, water and other supplies.

“FEMA is on the ground working with each of the states to assess the damages and focus on federal support where it is needed most and how we can get there most rapidly,” Biden said.

Biden has approved the emergency declaration that was requested by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “That’s going to accelerate federal emergency assistance for Kentucky right now, when it’s urgently needed,” the President said.

In Mayfield, Ky., public power utility Mayfield Electric & Water Systems reported that its electric substation took a direct hit. “We do not have transmission to the substation. The restoration time frame is unknown, however we do expect outages to last days and possibly even week.”

On Monday, Dec. 13, Mayfield Electric & Water Systems reported that repairs to the substation were ongoing. “Crews are clearing lines, repairing poles, and hope to have 3 circuits ready by 12/15,” the utility said on its Facebook page.

A candle factory in Mayfield that collapsed with workers inside will likely lead to the most fatalities of the severe weather event, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the Louisville Courier Journal reported.

On Sunday, Dec. 12, Kentucky public power utility Bowling Green Municipal Utilities reported that crews were “already hard at work for what will be another very long day.” The utility also gave thanks to a number of public power utilities and communities for helping it with restoration efforts:

• Gallatin Department of Electricity (Gallatin, Tenn.)
• Glasgow EPB (Glasgow, Ky.)
• City of Franklin, Tenn.
• City of Springfield, Tenn.

Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG), which serves as state coordinator in the American Public Power Association’s mutual aid network, sent personnel to Bowling Green to assist in restoration efforts, along with the following public power communities in Georgia that sent crews to help Bowling Green:

• Calhoun
• Marietta
• Acworth
• Thomasville
• Cartersville
• Covington
• Dalton
• East Point
• Griffin
• LaGrange
• Newnan
• Cairo
• West Point

All of the communities are members of ECG, which is a non-profit organization providing strategic and technical services to 52 public power communities with utility operations.

Meanwhile, The Frankfort Plant Board (FPB), a public power utility located in Frankfort, Ky., reported that it was sending a crew to help restore power to the city of Princeton, Ky.

An FPB crew of eight electric linemen is loading up an auger truck, two bucket trucks and a foreman’s pickup truck with food, water and as many materials as they can haul, FBP reported Dec. 11.

“As our hearts break to see the devastation that is unfolding in west Kentucky, our FPB crews are going to do what we do best – get the lights back on,” said FPB Communications Director Cathy Lindsey. “This is what we can do today to help.”

FPB is part of a mutual aid network through the Kentucky Municipal Utilities Association (KMUA). KMUA coordinates with APPA, which organizes crews from the more than 2,000 public power utilities members to send to areas in need.

“This network makes resources rapidly available during a disaster and ensures that power is restored to those in need as quickly as possible while keeping outside entities from price gouging for labor and materials,” FPB noted.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on Dec. 12 reported that early Sunday morning, crews restored power to local power company connection points near Glasgow, Ky., and Lexington, Tenn. “Devastating tornados caused widespread damage in portions of western Kentucky, and middle Tennessee early Saturday morning,” TVA reported.

Over the weekend, TVA said that over 60 high-voltage transmission structures in Kentucky and Tennessee had been damaged, the most devastating storms since the 2011 tornado outbreak that affected Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. “Our crews are assessing damage and mobilizing for repairs,” TVA said.

On Monday, Dec. 13, TVA said its personnel continued to work to repair damaged power transmission equipment in the areas impacted by the recent severe weather. Power has been restored to more than half of those initially affected.

Initial damage assessments to TVA’s power system were completed on Sunday and confirmed that the weekend’s storms were the most destructive to impact the region since the April 2011 tornado outbreak, with at least 100 transmission towers and poles were damaged or destroyed and 29 TVA transmission lines were knocked out of service.

Immediately after the storms, more than 20 customer connection points – the interface between TVA’s system and local power companies – were offline and more than 250,000 electric users were without power.

The safety of TVA’s team members, emergency responders and the public remain the highest priority, TVA said.

Since deploying immediately after the storms passed, TVA and local power company repair crews have made significant progress:

• 12 customer connection points have been restored in northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky, reducing the number of individuals without power by more than 57% from Saturday’s peak.
• Nine TVA transmission lines that directly supply electricity to local power companies remain out of service and are the primary focus of TVA’s current restoration efforts.
• TVA helicopters have completed initial damage assessments of the impacted transmission system; engineers are working to finalize repair plans, and materials needed to restore the system are being transported to the area.
• More than 160 TVA line workers and additional contractor line crews are working 24/7 to repair damage.
• Portable transformers and additional equipment are already arriving in the hardest hit areas to temporarily restore service to severely damaged switchyards while more permanent repairs can be made.

The region’s public power system is a partnership between TVA and local power companies. TVA’s transmission system delivers power to connection points with local power companies, whose own distribution systems supply power directly to homes and businesses. Both systems must be operational to safely provide reliable electricity, it noted.

“Due to the extent of the damage in some areas, TVA is unable to provide any specific time for full restoration. The need to repair both TVA’s transmission system and local power company distribution systems may lead to longer restoration timing.”

Public power utility Nashville Electric Service (NES) on Sunday, Dec. 12, reported that its crews were continuing to restore power to the remaining 11,177 customers without power, down from the 95,000 outages at the start of its efforts.

On Monday, NES said that as of 8 a.m., about 2,000 NES customers remained without power, down from 4,000 Sunday night. NES crews will continue to work around the clock to restore power to everyone in the service area, it said.

NES launched a special website to assist customers affected by the storms (http://poweroutage.nespowerinfo.com), which includes the latest outage map, storm Q&A and other helpful resources.

Planning Is Underway For Project That Will Bring Power To Navajo Nation Residents

November 30, 2021

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
November 30, 2021

Planning for Light Up Navajo III, which will connect Navajo Nation families to the power grid, is underway. Public power utilities are encouraged to consider participating in Light Up Navajo III, which will start in the spring of next year.

The American Public Power Association (APPA) is working with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) to help volunteers continue to bring electricity to families in need.

Light Up Navajo III is scheduled to take place from April through June of 2022.

“This project has become a godsend for so many families that are waiting for the day to be able to store fresh food in a refrigerator, to be able to turn on the lights when the sun goes down and the young ones can do their homework without using a flashlight,” said NTUA General Manager Walter Haase. “It is our hope that our sister APPA companies will send their crews to help bring positive change. For every family we connect, there is another one waiting.”

In 2019, NTUA partnered with APPA to create an innovative, pioneer project called Light Up Navajo. The goal was to connect Navajo homes to the electric grid.  There were 138 visiting line workers who traveled to Navajo Nation for the six-week pilot project. Electricity was extended to 233 regional families. The success of the pilot project paved a path for future Light Up Navajo projects.

In August 2019, NTUA officials said there would be another year of “Light Up Navajo” based on the outcome of the pilot project. NTUA was preparing for Light Up Navajo II for spring 2020. However, citing growing uncertainty tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, NTUA ipostponed the Light Up Navajo II project in 2020.

In an August 2021 episode of APPA’s Public Power Now podcast, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation’s Kimberly Schlichting, Gary Johnston of the Lewes Board of Public Works in Delaware, and Joshua Little of the Town of Smyrna, Delaware, discussed the Light Up Navajo project.

Interested public power utilities should contact lightup-navajoproject@ntua.com for more information on this important event.