Bill to Overhaul Local Power Boards Fails in Tennessee House

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A bill that would have overhauled the governance structures of several major municipal power companies in Tennessee, including Nashville Electric Service (NES), Knox Utility Board, and Chattanooga's EPB, has failed to pass the state House of Representatives. The proposed legislation sought to give more representation to ratepayers living outside city limits who are served by these utilities.

Why it matters

The failure of this bill is a setback for efforts to reform the oversight and accountability of Tennessee's municipally-owned power providers. These utilities serve hundreds of thousands of customers across the state, but their governing boards have historically been dominated by city officials, limiting the voice of suburban and rural ratepayers.

The details

The bill, introduced by a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, would have required the power boards to include members appointed by county governments in addition to city representatives. Supporters argued this would make the boards more representative of all customers. However, the legislation faced opposition from the utilities themselves and city leaders who wanted to maintain control.

• The bill was introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly in January 2026.
• It was voted down in the state House of Representatives on March 30, 2026.

What’s next

The failure of this bill means the governance structures of NES, Knox Utility Board, and Chattanooga's EPB will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future, maintaining the status quo of city-centric control over these regional power providers.