Tennessee Governor Urges Improved Efforts from Nashville Electric Service After Winter Storm

Thousands remain without power five days after historic storm struck the region.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:47pm

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With tens of thousands of Nashville Electric Service customers still without power five days after a major winter storm, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has urged the utility to improve communication and transparency around its power restoration efforts. Lee said people need a clear timeline for when power will be restored in their neighborhoods and information on the number of line workers deployed.

Why it matters

The extended power outages have drawn criticism of NES's response to the historic storm, with the utility facing questions about turning down some outside help due to its policies around line worker safety. The governor's intervention highlights the public pressure on NES to better coordinate its efforts and keep customers informed during the prolonged restoration process.

The details

NES says the storm caused the largest power outage in its history, with 230,000 customers losing power at the peak. The utility sustained 503 broken poles along with extensive tree and power line damage across its service area. NES has over 1,000 line workers in the field working 14-16 hour shifts, but has turned down some offers of outside assistance, saying it must ensure any new crews are properly qualified, trained, and integrated into its safety protocols.

  • The winter storm struck the Nashville region five days ago.
  • As of Friday, thousands of NES customers remained without power.

The players

Bill Lee

The Governor of Tennessee who has urged NES to improve its communication and power restoration efforts following the winter storm.

Freddie O'Connell

The Mayor of Nashville, who has been speaking daily with Governor Lee about the state's support for the city's recovery efforts.

Nashville Electric Service (NES)

The utility company serving the Nashville area that has faced criticism over its response to the historic winter storm that left tens of thousands without power.

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What they’re saying

“I have shared my strong concerns with NES leadership as well as my expectation that both communication with their customers and power restoration efforts must improve.”

— Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee

What’s next

The governor says he and the Nashville mayor will continue to track NES's progress and have further discussions about ensuring an efficient local response going forward.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges utilities face in coordinating large-scale power restoration efforts, especially when dealing with extreme weather events that cause widespread damage. The governor's intervention underscores the need for clear communication and transparency from NES to maintain public trust during this prolonged outage.