Kyle Delk tweeted some must-see drone footage of the city at sunset last week. He said the clip had “movie-opener vibes.” He’s right.
Truly Scary
Posted to Facebook by Memphis Memes 901
Imagine your Memphis Light, Gas & Water bill showed up to your door on Halloween demanding candy and to be paid. Memphis nightmare fuel.
Fly Wiseacre
Posted to Facebook by Memphis International Airport
“There’s a new watering hole open at MEM!” Memphis International Airport officials announced on Facebook last week. “Passengers can now enjoy Wiseacre Brewing Co. beers for the first time at The Wise Omega Bodega, a new bar at MEM located between gates 21 and 23.”
The new 17-seat location opened last week and serves craft beer (natch), wine, and spirits. There’s also a takeout counter for salads, sandwiches, snacks, and — oh, hell yeah — to-go beverages to take to your gate.
While driving through the city in recent weeks, I’ve found myself being re-routed around fallen trees and/or limbs several times. There were at least four big ones restricting access to streets within 10 blocks of my Midtown home. Out east, and up north in the Bartlett area, things were much worse.
It’s becoming the new normal. Over the course of several storm systems this summer, the number of Memphians without power at various times was well over 100,000, often for days.
And if it’s not wind turning off our lights, it’s ice, as heavily coated trees and limbs fall on power lines and leave us in the cold and dark. After February’s ice storm, thousands of people were without power, some for up to 10 days. The winter before, it was the same thing — with the added bonus of making our water undrinkable for several days.
MLGW says its infrastructure is outdated and being upgraded, but there’s no getting around the fact that the magnificent trees that shade us through Memphis’ asphalt-melting summers also shut off our air conditioners (and furnaces). If you add up the number of people in the city who’ve lost power just this year as a result of various weather incidents, it’s well into six figures, certainly well above the 100,000 number I cited above.
This was a tweet from MLGW in response to criticism from city council members during the 2022 ice storm: “It took three years to get our budget with a rate increase to fund our five-year improvement plan approved by City Council. We are in the third year of the five-year plan, which has been hampered considerably by the pandemic.”
So, now they’re in the fourth year of the plan. Forgive me if I remain skeptical — and not because I don’t think they’re trying. MLGW workers have been magnificent, working long hours, doing their best to fix a system not built for the increasing frequency of severe weather. They’re trying to play Whac-A-Mole and the moles are winning — with a big assist from global climate change.
The outcry always arises that we need to put our power lines underground. The utility’s response, and I think it’s legitimate, is that it would take decades and cost several billion dollars. So maybe let’s think outside the Whac-A-Mole box.
Some people are already doing it, of course. This has mostly taken the form of buying a gas generator to provide power when storms strike. I get the appeal, but let me suggest another option that came to me when I drove through the back roads of Arkansas last week. I couldn’t help but notice the surprising number of solar panels on rural houses and businesses, many of them new, some even being installed as I drove by. These folks are likely taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s solar Investment Tax Credit, which reduces tax liability on solar installation by 30 percent of the cost. In addition, taxpayers will be able to claim a 30 percent bonus credit based on emission measurements, which requires zero or net-negative carbon emissions.
So, instead of getting a generator, maybe consider installing solar panels. The initial cost is higher, but the long-term advantage is significant. In addition to a tax credit, you can even get paid for selling electricity back to the grid. Not to mention, solar panels are quiet and don’t pollute.
And here’s another thought: Maybe the city and/or MLGW could divert some of those theoretical funds for burying power lines into incentives to Memphis home and business owners for going solar.
I’m under no illusion that thousands of Memphians will immediately begin installing solar panels, but some will, especially if the benefits are publicized. It beats snarky tweets between city council and MLGW. And there are similar federal tax incentives for businesses that have solar technology installed, so why not sweeten the pot with local funds? Maybe we could get solar panels on our grocery stores. Or our 10,000 Walgreens.
We have to start somewhere. Continuing to chainsaw ourselves out from under fallen debris and wait to be reattached to the grid after every major weather event is not a plan. It’s time to re-route our approach to keeping the lights on.
Memphis Light, Gas, & Water just can’t get a break.
On Friday morning, crews had restored power to 131,000 of the 141,000 customers affected by Tuesday’s storm. Then, a Friday-morning storm cut power to an additional 16,000 customers. And the utility is eyeing a thunderstorm that could develop this afternoon.
Here’s how MLGW is handling the situation:
MLGW has a full complement of MLGW and contract crews working today through the weekend. There are 98 repair crews, 89 tree crews, 23 troubleshooters, and 34 damage assessment teams identifying damage and repairing the system. They are supported by hundreds of logistics, administrative, safety and system operations personnel.
Full restoration is expected Sunday night to customers who can take power.
Downtown Mobility Center
(Credit: Downtown Memphis Commission)
The Downtown Mobility Center is set to open for vehicle traffic on August 3rd.
The $42-million project at Beale Street and Main Street will have a 960-stall parking garage, an area for ride share pickup and drop-off, and space for bicycle storage, showers, lockers, and electric scooter stalls.
Help is (finally) on the way
Anna Traverse Fogle
Remember the ice storm? Not that one. The one from February…2022.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency just announced it will give the state of Tennessee $12.1 million for costs incurred by the Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) to deal with the situation. The state is expected to reimburse the utility for repairs to transmission lines and distribution facilities and the replacement of 119 wooden utility poles and 89 transformers.
After the storm, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen said he wrote to Governor Bill Lee asking that he formally request FEMA assistance. President Joe Biden granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the storm on March 11.
Help is (finally) on the way
(Credit: MLGW via Facebook)
Remember the wind storm? Not that one. The one from June 25th.
After the storm, Shellby County Mayor Lee Harris declared a local state of emergency. Harris said Friday he expects the Biden Administration to declare it a federal disaster. If so, (and if the pace of the ice storm funding is an indication) the county should expect to get reimbursed around Christmas next year.
To request a pick up, call the Shelby County Roads, Bridges, and Engineering Department at 901-222-7705.
Marsha Beefin’ With Biden
Senator Marsha Blackburn is, like, super mad at Joe Biden.
First off, she was super glad the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his decision to forgive a bunch of student loans. But then she got super mad that Biden sidestepped the decision with some executive maneuver to wipe out about $31 billion in debt to more than 800,000 people.
On that move, Blackburn tweeted:
Joe Biden is pushing back on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling by forgiving $39 billion of student loan debt.
This administration has no respect for our institutions.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) July 14, 2023
Then, the White House tweeted back:
16,970 of Senator Blackburn’s constituents are eligible for automatic loan relief under this Administration’s fixes to the Income-Driven Repayment plan.https://t.co/UGIzHQf2bS
Blackburn hit back with the old socialism haymaker and then finished the thing with a sick pivot burn:
Tennesseans do not support socialism and do not want to pay for their neighbors debt.
What they do support is Biden coming clean about how he allegedly used his power as Vice President to help his family make millions. https://t.co/FeP3ve9nQk
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) July 21, 2023
Here’s one response to her tweet:
Classic far right politician response:
"If you support this program, 17,000 of your constituents will have a better life and be able to make ends meet"
"I refuse to support this! What we should talk about is the conspiracies we've been unable to prove for 3 years!"
The National Association for Gun Rights (with the unfortunate and probably-should-change-that acronym NAGR) called on Tennessee Republicans Thursday to oppose any gun control in a special session called by Lee next month.
Colorado-based NAGR claims “Lee and Republican lawmakers are working secretly behind the scenes to attempt to cut a deal on a gun control bill with the establishment gun lobby.” Which makes total sense if you think about it.
State Capitol (Credit: Tennessee State Government)
“Gun owners want to know, what are they hiding?” NAGR president Dudley Brown said in a statement. “We have seen this song and dance before. Republican politicians get so caught up with ‘doing something’ for political points, they completely sell out the Second Amendment and gun owners who voted for them.”
“We expect Tennessee Republicans to stand firm in their defense of the Second Amendment and vote to adjourn the special session upon its start in August. Gun owners will be well informed of any members that vote against gun rights during Lee’s special session on gun control,” concluded Brown.
NAGR claims it is the nation’s largest “no compromise” pro-gun organization, with 4.5 million members nationwide.
“I don’t know about y’all but my number one election issue is going to be that everyone loses power if there’s a stiff breeze in Memphis,” Allie Mounce said on Twitter.
Thousands here were left in the dark last week after a storm pushed through the county. Mounce’s tweet brought a discussion on the issue of power, what Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) could and should do when bad weather hits, and what political candidate could best solve the issue.
For the problem, some pointed to MLGW’s outsourcing of cutting trees and such. For a solution, some suggested burying power lines. As for politics, one suggested asking the current mayoral and Memphis City Council candidates how they’d handle the situation and who they’d put on the MLGW board.
Thirst Trap
Posted to Facebook by MLGW
Hot, bored, and powerless MLGW customers might have paused a bit on the utility’s Facebook post last week for the truest object of their desire: a row of electric repair trucks.
Power is back, but …
Posted to Reddit by u/NotFeelingItOrThat
Lots of frustration and hilarity about the outages on the Memphis subreddit, including the meme above. A video over there shows just how strong the storm’s winds were. Another shows what happens when He-Man turns the power back on.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water’s (MLGW) “Comparative Rates Survey” showed that the company’s combined rates are among the lowest in the country.
“Providing our customers great value through affordable rates, along with immediate improvements to reliability and customer service are important parts of earning our customers’ business.” said MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen
According to MLGW, this survey compares Memphis’ combined electric, gas, and water utility rates to 39 other cities in the country that were “geographically close to Memphis, as well as utilities that are similar in size to MLGW.” Among those cities were Atlanta, Georgia, Jackson, Mississippi, Nashville, Tennessee, and Houston, Texas.
The survey stated that some of the guidelines used in providing utility figures were calculations based on monthly consumption and seasonal rates when applicable. Factors such as special early payment discounts and time differentiated rates were excluded.
Memphis ranked number-one in “typical residential winter bills,” which measured what a homeowner would pay for 1,000 kWh of electricity, 200 CCF of natural gas, and 10 CCF, which came in at $253.83. The second ranked city, St. Louis, Missouri had a cost of $356.49.
For residential electric bills, MLGW ranked eighth among the other cities surveyed. This was measured in kilowatts per hour, which equals ten 100-watt light bulbs staying on for an hour. The cost of 1,000 kWh for MLGW was totaled at $115.98, with the number-one ranking, St. Louis’ Ameren Missouri costing $95.96.
In terms of natural gas, Memphis and MLGW ranked first in residential gas bills and general service gas bills. The company ranked third for residential water bills.
Memphis Light, Gas & Water is once again readying for rolling blackouts.
The plan was announced Friday morning and rescinded within an hour. The blackouts are to drop electricity demand throughout the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) service area due to cold winter temperatures. MLGW said this is necessary to avoid major outages.
#MLGW is preparing for the possibility for TVA to re-issue a Step 50 Curtailment. As early as 6 p.m., MLGW may have to reinstitute system wide "rolling blackouts". pic.twitter.com/mqeTcNsvjW
If needed, the blackouts here could have begun as early as 6 p.m., according to MLGW. Power to certain areas could go out for 30 minutes two to three times per day on average, MLGW said.
The blackouts will only stop when TVA says it is safe to end them. MLGW said it will notify customers and restore power when they get word from TVA.
Here is the plan from MLGW:
When ordered, temporary outages will begin in the areas of North of Downtown in the vicinity of Ben Hooks Library, and North Germantown.
If necessary, the next areas affected will be areas near Central Gardens/Midtown, Getwell and 240, South Germantown/Winchester and East Germantown/West Collierville.
As needed, we will rotate in 30-minute intervals throughout the rest of the service area.
MLGW said residents in Southeastern Memphis and southeastern unincorporated Shelby County are currently experiencing low water pressure. Customers in these areas are asked to limit water usage to essential use only until further notice.
UPDATE: Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) paused a series of rolling blackouts Friday, less than an hour after starting them.
Step 50 rolling black outs have been paused. Please continue to conserve power. #MLGW#MLGWNews
#MLGW customers are asked to cooperate in reducing power usage during this critical situation. Consumers postpone using electric appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, and cooking equipment and turn off non-essential lights, appliances, and other electrical equipment. pic.twitter.com/Z3TbzsylbU
Rolling blackouts are expected in Memphis Friday as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) struggles to meet electricity demand in winter conditions.
Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) said rolling blackouts will begin at 11:30 a.m. Service to effected areas will last 30 minutes and customers can average two outages per day. Critical facilities like water hospitals, pumping stations, and airports won’t be effected.
TVA has issued a Step 50 Curtailment which means that all local power companies are required to drop between 5 and 10 percent of their total electrical load. This is necessary to avoid major outages across the #MLGW and other local power companies service areas. #MLGWNewspic.twitter.com/fxIpp0MJUY
MLGW asks customers to not report outages unless they last longer than one hour. The utility said it will announce when the blackouts are over.
The blackouts come as TVA required all local power companies to drop between 5 percent to 10 percent of their total electrical load. MLGW said “this is necessary to avoid major outages.”
“We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience,” MLGW said in a statement.
TVA said this morning it is “keeping you and your family warm and the holiday lights on.”
Right now, our diverse power generating fleet is meeting the power demand across our 7 state service region during this cold air blast! Supplying your local power company with low-cost electricity, keeping you and your family warm and the holiday lights on. 🎄#ReliabilityMatterspic.twitter.com/GBpxi5IQgU
2021 was twice as deadly as 2020 for Covid-19 in Shelby County. In 2020, 903 died of Covid here. In 2021, 1,807 passed from the virus.
A consent decree forced Horn Lake leaders to approve the construction of a new mosque.
Family members wanted $20 million from the city of Memphis; Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW); and the Memphis Police Department (MPD) for the 2020 beating death of a man by an MLGW employee.
New DNA testing was requested in the West Memphis Three case for recently rediscovered evidence once claimed to be lost or burned.
February
An ice storm knocked out power to nearly 140,000 MLGW customers.
The new concourse — in the works since 2014 — opened at Memphis International Airport.
Paving on Peabody Avenue began after the project was approved in 2018.
Protect Our Aquifer teamed up with NASA for aquifer research.
A prosecutor moved to block DNA testing in the West Memphis Three case.
March
A bill before the Tennessee General Assembly would have banned the sale of hemp-derived products, like Delta-8 gummies, in the state. It ultimately provided regulation for the industry.
The project to fix the interchange at Crump Ave. and I-55 resurfaced. Bids on the project, which could cost up to $184.9 million, were returned. Work did not begin in 2022 but when it does, it could close the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge (the Old Bridge) for two weeks.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee temporarily cut sales taxes on groceries.
April
The Mississippi River ranked as one of the most endangered rivers in America in a report from the American Rivers group.
Critics lambasted decisions by Memphis in May and Africa in April to honor Ghana and Malawi, both of which outlaw basic LGBTQ+ rights.
The federal government announced a plan to possibly ban menthol cigarettes.
Lawmakers approved Gov. Lee’s plan to update the state’s 30-year-old education funding plan.
Tom Lee Park (Photo: Memphis River Parks Partnership)
May
Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi prepared for the likely overturn of the Roe v. Wade decision, ending legal abortions in the state.
The Greater Memphis Chamber pressed for a third bridge to be built here over the Mississippi River.
Cooper-Young landlords sued to evict the owners of Heaux House for “specializing in pornographic images.”
The Memphis City Council wanted another review of Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) plan to remove coal ash from the shuttered Allen Fossil Plant.
June
New research showed Memphis-area women earned 83 percent of their male counterparts income in the workplace from 2000-2019.
Gov. Lee ordered schools to double down on existing security measures in the wake of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
MPD arrested four drivers in an operation it called Infiniti War Car Take-Over.
A key piece of the Tom Lee Park renovation project won a $3.7 million federal grant, which was expected to trigger nearly $9 million in additional funds.
Tennessee Republican attorney general fought to keep gender identity discrimination in government food programs.
Jim Dean stepped down as president and CEO of the Memphis Zoo and was replaced by Matt Thompson, then the zoo’s executive director and vice president.
Locals reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
July
Memphian Brett Healey took the stage at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Eating Contest.
One Beale developers returned to Memphis City Hall for the fourth time asking for financial support of its luxury hotel plans.
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board placed Superintendent Joris Ray on paid leave as they investigated whether he violated district policies with relationships with co-workers and abused his power.
The project to forever eliminate parking on the Overton Park Greensward got $3 million in federal funding.
Tennessee’s attorney general celebrated a win after a federal judge blocked a move that would have allowed trans kids to play sports on a team of their gender.
Tennessee’s top Pornhub search was “interracial” in 2021, according to the site.
August
A panel of Tennessee judges did not give a new trial to Barry Jamal Martin, a Black man convicted in a Pulaski jury room decked out in Confederate portraits, flags, and memorabilia.
Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert caught flak from the Tennessee Comptroller after traveling to Jamaica while her offices were closed to catch up on the controversial backlog of license plate requests from citizens.
MSCS superintendent Joris Ray resigned with a severance package worth about $480,000. Finance chief Toni Williams was named interim superintendent.
Officials said the Memphis tourism sector had made a “full recovery” from the pandemic.
A new bail system unveiled here was touted by advocates to be “one of the fairest in the nation.”
Eliza Fletcher (Photo: Memphis Police Department)
September
Memphis kindergarten teacher Eliza Fletcher was abducted and murdered while on an early-morning run. Cleotha Abston, out of jail early on previous abduction charges, was arrested for the crimes.
MLGW’s board continues to mull the years-long decision to, possibly, find a new power provider.
Ezekiel Kelly, 19, was arrested on charges stemming from an alleged, hours-long shooting rampage across Memphis that ended with four dead and three injured.
A Drag March was planned for the “horrible mishandling” of a drag event at MoSH. Event organizers canceled the show there after a group of Proud Boys arrived armed to protest the event.
October
Workers at four Memphis restaurants, including Earnestine & Hazel’s, sued the owners to recover alleged unpaid minimum wage and overtime.
Shelby County was largely unfazed by an outbreak of monkeypox with only about 70 infected here as of October.
Animal welfare advocates called a University of Memphis research lab “the worst in America” after a site visit revealed it violated numerous federal protocols concerning the care of test animals.
While other states have outlawed the practice, Tennessee allows medical professionals and medical students to — without any kind of permission — stick their fingers and instruments inside a woman’s vagina and rectum while she is under anesthesia.
Joshua Smith, a co-defendant in the election finance case against former state Sen. Brian Kelsey, pleaded guilty in court.
The Environmental Protection Agency told South Memphis residents little could be done to protect them from toxic emissions from the nearby Sterilization Services facility.
West Tennessee farmers struggled to get crops to market because of the record-low level of the Mississippi River.
November
Groups asked state officials for a special investigator to review the “very real failures that led to [Eliza] Fletcher’s tragic murder.”
A group wanted state officials to change the name of Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park.
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles were unconstitutional.
A plan to forever end parking on the Overton Park Greensward was finalized by city leaders, the Memphis Zoo, and the Overton Park Conservancy.
December
The Commercial Appeal dodged layoffs in the latest round of news staff reductions by Gannett.
Federal clean-energy investments will further ingrain Tennessee in the Battery Belt and help develop a Southeast Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (H2Hubs).
The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee criticized Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH) for canceling gender affirmation surgery for a 19-year-old patient.
State and local officials investigated an alleged milk spill into Lick Creek.
MLGW rejected Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) 20-year rolling contract but will continue to be a TVA customer “for the foreseeable future.”
Former state Senator Brian Kelsey’s law license was suspended after he pled guilty to two felonies related to campaign finance laws last month.
Visit the News Blog at memphisflyer.com for fuller versions of these stories and more local news.
The most severe weather is projected to arrive here tomorrow afternoon and could continue through Wednesday morning.
“Damaging winds and long-track tornadoes will be possible with highly organized storms,” said NWSM. ”Large hail and flash flooding are also possible, though they are secondary threats.”
On Sunday, the threat raised the area to an Enhanced Risk (orange level, level three of five) for severe storms. On Monday, Memphis was raised to a Moderate Risk (four out of five).
“Moderate Risks are used sparingly and should not be taken lightly,” MNSW said in a tweet. “Take the time to plan and prepare now.”
In a tweet Sunday, NWSM said “damaging winds, tornadoes, flooding, and large hail are on the table” for Tuesday. “Long-track tornadoes will be possible, and some could be significant,” said the agency.
Read this tweet thread for detailed information about the storm from MNSW:
🚨Parts of the Mid-South have been upgraded to a MODERATE Risk (level 4 out of 5) of severe weather tomorrow, Tuesday Nov 29🚨
NWSM continued to raise the alarm about the threat on Monday.
🚨Mid-South: The Storm Prediction Center has EXPANDED the Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) to include more portions of north Mississippi. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/TH2jq45j3M
We know severe weather can cause a lot of anxiety, especially leading up to the event. We are often asked "what can I do now?". It is best for you and your family to have a plan. Here are some graphics that can help you decide where you will take shelter from severe storms. pic.twitter.com/m1BHfBY0Xu
Environmental groups and Memphis community activists continue to urge the city’s utility provider against signing a “never-ending contract” with the Tennessee Valley Authority, adding that TVA’s promise to provide better service stands in contrast with their past treatment of Memphis customers.
In September, the utility provider Memphis Gas Light and Water announced that it will likely continue using TVA as an energy provider, after months deliberating on whether to renew a contract. MLGW officials also announced intentions to sign a 20-year contract with TVA due to incentives and promises of lower costs to customers.
But community activists, who dubbed the proposal as a “never-ending contract,” criticized the plan, citing the TVA’s documented treatment of low-income communities and neglected appearance of facilities within the city.
TVA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Lyash promised the MLGW board that if they committed to a long-term contract, TVA would improve its admittedly neglected presence in Memphis by dedicating TVA staff in Memphis to energy-burden reduction.
Justin Pearson of Memphis Against Pollution. (Photo: John Partipilo)
After a public-comment period, which was extended from the original 30 days to 60 days, activists attended MLGW’s Wednesday board meeting to urge board members to vote against the contract, in anticipation of a Nov. 16 vote.
“This is the most attention we’ve gotten from TVA in years, but there’s a difference in getting attention and getting people to change behaviors,” said Justin J. Pearson, a community activist and co-founder of Memphis Community Against Pollution.
“But the behavior of the TVA has not changed in such a way that would be beneficial to all of the customers here,” he added.
Environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy have been critical of TVA’s plans to expand its natural gas production as a way to reach “zero carbon” energy infrastructure by 2050.
Community leaders also criticized TVA’s offer to provide Memphis with lower costs after customers saw higher monthly bills this summer. MLGW sent out notice to Memphis customers that TVA had increased pricing due after the war in Ukraine caused natural gas rates to rise.
This proved that natural gas was a volatile energy source, they said.
“This will make energy burdens worse in communities. Our customers are already struggling to pay their bills,” said Pearl Walker, the environmental climate and justice chair for the Memphis chapter of the NAACP.
Leaders with Protect Our Aquifer, MCAP and others instead urged the MLGW board to continue five-year contracts with TVA, which would allow Memphis to retain its ability to negotiate for better deals.
Activists also pointed out that the current proposed contract allows TVA to opt out of obligations to maintain infrastructure should MLGW leave.
“A generation from now will say, yes, let’s stop having TVA take care of the transmission lines because we found a better deal. It traps us, indefinitely, with them. And they’re saying they’re going to be punitive if you ever did say you were going to leave. This is not a deal you would ever sign for your business or for your family. Please don’t sign it for our city,” said Pearson.
Once the MLGW board votes, the final decision goes to the Memphis City Council for final approval.
Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com. Follow Tennessee Lookout on Facebook and Twitter.
Memphis Light, Gas & Water finds itself looking for a new leader. In a press release Friday, the public utility announced that president J.T. Young would be resigning his post, effective October 14th.
Young is leaving his current position to return to his hometown of Pensacola, Florida, where he will take up a position at Florida Power & Light.
“J.T. has led MLGW with integrity, humility, and strength, with examples being the process which culminated recently in a plan to strengthen the system to reduce major outages from severe storms and the RFP process for our power supply,” said Mayor Jim Strickland. “For all these reasons and many more, I’d like to thank J.T. for his service as the President of MLGW and to the citizens of Memphis. I know he and his family will do well back home in Pensacola.”
Young joined MLGW in March 2018, and served as MLGW’s 11th president. He has helmed the utility through several crises over the last couple of years, including 2021’s water boil advisory, infrastructure problems, and severe outages caused by ice storms.
“J.T. Young has thoughtfully led Memphis Light, Gas and Water through difficult times with a solid understanding of the crucial role MLGW plays in our economic growth,” said Greater Memphis Chamber president & CEO Beverly Robertson. “The Greater Memphis Chamber is grateful for his leadership as a member of our Board of Directors and our Chairman’s Circle and for his willingness to partner with the Chamber on critical issues affecting our businesses.”
As of publication, it is unclear who will lead MLGW following Young’s departure.
