Cheatham County Residents Petition to Switch Power Providers After Outages

Neighbors launch campaign to move from Nashville Electric Service to Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation after extended ice storm blackouts.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Frustrated by frequent and extended power outages, residents in parts of Cheatham County, Tennessee have launched a petition urging county leaders to conduct a feasibility study on switching their electric service provider from Nashville Electric Service (NES) to Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC). The petition, which has over 160 verified signatures, was sparked by the community losing power for more than a week after a recent ice storm, while nearby CEMC customers had their power restored much faster.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges faced by some rural and exurban communities that are served by larger urban utility providers, rather than local electric cooperatives. Residents argue that CEMC would provide more reliable service and potentially expand broadband access, issues that have become increasingly important as extreme weather events become more common.

The details

According to the report, a small portion of Cheatham County residents receive power from NES, while most of the county is served by CEMC. Neighbors Deborah Doyle and Barney Demonbreun both lost power for over a week after the ice storm, while their CEMC-served neighbors across the street had power restored within 2-3 days. The extended outage forced many residents to pay for hotel stays and replace spoiled food. Doyle and Demonbreun, along with over 160 other verified signatories, are now petitioning county leaders to explore switching to CEMC or another provider.

  • The recent ice storm caused extended power outages lasting over a week for some NES customers in Cheatham County.
  • The petition was launched on change.org as of Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Deborah Doyle

A resident of Ashland City, Cheatham County, who lost power for over a week after the ice storm and is part of the petition effort.

Barney Demonbreun

A Cheatham County resident who also lost power for over a week after the ice storm, while his CEMC-served neighbors across the street had power restored much faster.

Nashville Electric Service (NES)

The electric utility that serves a small portion of Cheatham County residents, including Doyle and Demonbreun.

Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC)

The electric cooperative that serves the majority of Cheatham County, including some residents just across the street from NES customers.

Cheatham County

The county in Tennessee where the petition effort is taking place.

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What they’re saying

“We would like to be affiliated and customers of CEMC or another power service.”

— Deborah Doyle, Cheatham County Resident (newschannel5.com)

“Within 2 or 3 days they had it back.”

— Barney Demonbreun, Cheatham County Resident (newschannel5.com)

What’s next

County officials in Cheatham County are expected to review the petition and consider conducting a feasibility study on switching electric service providers in the affected areas.

The takeaway

This petition highlights the ongoing challenges faced by some rural and exurban communities that are served by larger urban utility providers, rather than local electric cooperatives. Reliable power and broadband access are increasingly important, and this case shows how communities are taking action to advocate for better service.