Independent Review Examines NES' Winter Storm Response

Report highlights communication issues and need for infrastructure improvements after thousands lost power.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:57pm

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A vast, frozen landscape painting in muted tones of gray, white, and blue, with a lone power line pole or transformer barely visible in the distance, dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the natural scene, conceptually representing the impact of a major winter storm on a utility's infrastructure.The sweeping, atmospheric grandeur of a winter storm serves as a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the need for utilities to fortify their infrastructure.Today in Nashville

Months after a winter storm left over 230,000 Nashville Electric Service (NES) customers without power for more than a week, an independent review has been released examining the utility's response. The report, commissioned by NES' Electric Power Board, found communication delays were a key issue and recommended improvements to infrastructure and customer service.

Why it matters

The prolonged power outages during the winter storm sparked criticism from state legislators, the Nashville mayor, and frustrated customers. The independent review provides a third-party assessment of NES' performance and identifies areas for the utility to focus on improving, particularly around communication with the public during major service disruptions.

The details

At the peak of the winter storm, approximately 230,000 NES customers lost power. It took over a week for the utility to announce 'full restoration,' leading to calls for accountability. Much of the criticism centered on communication delays from NES. The independent review, which will be discussed at NES' April 22 board meeting, found communication improvements are among the key recommendations.

  • The winter storm that caused the widespread outages occurred in January 2026.
  • The independent review was released in April 2026, several months after the storm.

The players

Nashville Electric Service (NES)

The public electric utility that provides power to the Nashville, Tennessee metropolitan area.

Anne Davis

Chair of NES' Electric Power Board, which commissioned the independent review of the utility's response to the winter storm.

Freddie O'Connell

The Mayor of Nashville, who was critical of NES' handling of the winter storm outages.

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What they’re saying

“The scale of Winter Storm Fern tested every aspect of NES operations. This independent, interim report provides a third-party assessment of where improvements are needed, and we are committed to ensuring the appropriate actions are taken to improve our infrastructure and customer service.”

— Anne Davis, Chair, NES Electric Power Board

What’s next

The NES Electric Power Board will discuss the findings of the independent review at their April 22 meeting, where they are expected to outline plans for implementing the report's recommendations.

The takeaway

The independent review of NES' response to the winter storm outages highlights the need for the utility to focus on improving communication with customers and strengthening its infrastructure to better withstand major weather events. The findings will guide NES' efforts to enhance its emergency preparedness and service reliability for the Nashville community.