business
Could NES restore power sooner in deadly January winter storm? A new independent report says yes
By Brendan Tierney at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 24, 2026
· 5 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) — Nashville Electric Service leaders could have restored power two to five days earlier after January’s deadly ice storm if they had moved faster to bring in outside help, according to a 130-page after-action report by an independent consulting group.The report said reques...
Key takeaway The consulting group presented 58 recommendations to the Electric Power Board, outlining what it said were major issues with storm response and restoration.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The independent report's findings that Nashville Electric Service could have restored power sooner after January's deadly ice storm raises questions about the company's preparedness for large-scale disasters. The report's recommendation for broader contracting and geographic diversity in storm response is particularly relevant for Nashville, given its location in a region prone to severe weather events. By approving $10 million in new contracts with a wider group of companies, NES is taking a step towards addressing the issues identified in the report. However, the fact that the company's systems and processes were not set up to handle large numbers of outside crews is a concern that needs to be addressed. As NES moves forward with implementing the report's 58 recommendations, it will be important to monitor how the company's emergency response framework is revised and whether it can effectively scale to meet the needs of a storm of this size.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) — Nashville Electric Service leaders could have restored power two to five days earlier after January’s deadly ice storm if they had moved faster to bring in outside help, according to a 130-page after-action report by an independent consulting group.The report said reques...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brendan Tierney at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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