MAY 2017

When the Power Board asked me to serve as interim general manager for Murfreesboro Electric Department, I was humbled that they trusted me with such responsibility. I have served this department and the city of Murfreesboro for 27 years, and I am both truly proud of what we have accomplished together and excited about our future.

MED has been a fixture in Murfreesboro since 1939, when the city’s residents pulled together to establish their own electric utility under the Rural Electrification Act. Since then, electricity has only become more essential to everyday life, and the department has continually provided affordable and reliable service to the city.

While I was happy in my role as chief financial officer and wasn’t looking to change my career path, I was also aware of MED’s important role in this community. Ultimately, I decided to accept the general manager position because I wanted to provide the leadership needed for this utility to continue to serve the people of Murfreesboro at the high level our ratepayers have come to expect.

I believe that MED’s future is incredibly bright. As Murfreesboro’s rapid growth continues, your electric system is expanding alongside it to meet those increasing needs. All of this has been accomplished while maintaining a strong financial footing that has allowed us to absorb multiple TVA rate increases without passing them on to customers. I feel privileged to be a part of an organization like MED and look forward to everything we will achieve together in the future.

P.D. Mynatt, General Manager

At MED, May is not only National Electric Safety Month, it’s also an opportunity to sharpen the skills we hope employees will never have to use.

Our crews are trained annually on pole-top and bucket truck rescues. In the event that someone working on a line is injured, each lineman must demonstrate that they can use a hand line to get the injured person safely to the ground within five minutes.

It’s just one of the ways MED is constantly working to make sure employees have the training they need to stay safe on the job.

“Safety is something that we are very aware of and take into consideration year-round,” says Brian Sharp, MED’s assistant safety director. “Working with an energy source like electricity can be dangerous if you aren’t careful, and we want to make sure everyone gets home safe at the end of the day.”

Line crews, metering and warehouse personnel, meet at least once a month to review training based on the American Public Power Association safety manual and the latest OSHA regulations. In addition, all employees receive training on how to respond to emergency situations in the office.

MED also works in the community to educate customers about the importance of electric safety in their own lives. The department participates in several career days and safety demonstrations at local schools to teach young children safe habits.

“Even simple things like not landscaping near a transformer are very important,” says Sharp. “They not only make our job less dangerous, but they also

keep the customer safe.”

Avoid shocking surprises around the house

Electric safety isn’t just for MED employees. It’s also something customers should always be aware of in their own homes. Here are a few electric safety tips to keep you and your family safe around the house.

» Check any electric cords for damage on a regular basis. If you find any damage, repair or replace the cord immediately as wear can cause shocks, short circuiting or even fires.

» When removing an electric cord, always pull on the plastic housing rather than the cord itself to avoid damaging it.

» Don’t overload electrical outlets by plugging in too many devices at once.

» Water and electricity are a bad combination. Keep devices like radios or hair dryers away from bathtubs or sinks full of water. Don't operate any electrical appliance with wet hands.

» If an appliance is sparking or not working correctly, unplug it immediately before cleaning or repairing it.

» Never stick your fingers or other objects into an electric outlet. If an outlet is unused, block it with a solid cover plate or childproof caps.

» Make sure you use light bulbs that are the correct wattage for each fixture. A higher wattage bulb can cause fixtures to overheat.

Make safety a priority during National Electric Safety Month

A bright future

TO REPORT APOWER OUTAGE:615-893-5515

PHONE: 615-893-5514

EMAIL: customerservice@murfreesboroelectric.com

MAIL: PO Box 9 • Murfreesboro, TN 37133-0009

WALK-IN/DRIVE-THRU: 205 North Walnut Street, Murfreesboro, TN

ONLINE: www.MurfreesboroElectric.com

FACEBOOK: Search “Murfreesboro Electric Department”

TWITTER: @mboroelectric

INSTAGRAM: @murfreesboroelectric

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CONNECT WITH US!

MED was recently presented with an award from TVA in recognition of the department’s performance as part of the EnergyRight Solutions program.

EnergyRight Solutions gives both homeowners and businesses the opportunity to take advantage of rebates on energy-efficient equipment and upgrades. In 2016, the program helped homeowners invest more than $106 million in energy-efficiency measures, while Renewable Energy Solutions created over 400 new installations generating over 20 MW of power.

“With our partners’ help, the Valley saved 381 GWh in energy

efficiency this year, enough to power 24,600 homes,” TVA VP of EnergyRight Solutions Cynthia L. Herron said of the program.

As a TVA local power provider, MED has worked with both residential and commercial customers to help them better understand the options available for saving money on energy-efficient upgrades as part of the EnergyRight program. Over the course of the last year, the department was a top performer for the Tennessee Valley in several areas.

MED worked with businesses to help them save nearly 10.6 GWh

of energy through the EnergyRight Solutions for Businesses program. MED also sold 6,078 MWh of electricity through the Green Power Switch program, which gives customers the opportunity to purchase $4 blocks of renewable energy to support sources like wind, solar, low-impact hydro and biomass.

In fact, MED was among TVA’s top 10 local power providers in terms of energy saved as a result of EnergyRight programs, reducing electricity usage by 4.01 percent for the year.

“It’s a great honor for us to be recognized by TVA and to be part

of a program like EnergyRight Solutions that does so much to help our customers and our city save money and energy,” says Amy Byers, MED’s director of marketing. “Credit for these accomplishments has to be shared with our customers, who have embraced energy-efficient technology and the EnergyRight program.”

To learn more about the EnergyRight Solutions program, available rebates, or how to get started with a fast and easy self audit, visit energyright.com.

MED awarded for excellence in energy savings

Have you ever thought about becoming a foster parent?

Become a foster parent.

Each May, National Foster Care Awareness Month shines a light on the experiences of the more than 400,000 children under 18 in the foster care system. Youth Villages’ goal is to give children the chance to be part of a

loving foster family until they can reunify with their birth families.

youthvillages.org/foster | 1-888-MY-YV-KID

MED was among the top performers recognized by TVA. Pictured left to right are Jimmy Allen, TVA; Jordan Warren, MED; P. D. Mynatt, MED; Katie McKee, MED; Bonnie Latta, TVA; and Megan Keen, TVA.