"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my  career. I've lost almost 300  games.  26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot...and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."  Michael Jordan

Our article today is a little different than our regular format. This article is a brief look at the way one of our clients, Murfreesboro Electric Department, solved a problem.

As House and Senate committees complete their business for the year and begin shutting down, the legislature is moving toward focusing on the state budget, and many bills that would be harmful to municipal electric utilities were killed in recent weeks. As other committees finish their work, the House and Senate Finance Committees are getting ready to make final changes to the state budget. Those committees are also seeing long calendars with bills approved by other committees that have costs to the state. The legislature is moving along with adjournment anticipated for early April.

With the the legislature wanting to finish its work in early April, we continue our summary of who is in and who is out in this year's elections across the state. Next month who is and isn't a candidate will be locked in as the filing deadline for candidates to be on the ballot in the fall elections is also in early April. Let's update our monthly tally of the newest developments in Tennessee politics, setting up this year to be one of the most active election seasons in the state's history.

TMEPA was well represented at the APPA Rally last month. Our delegation included representatives from Athens Utilities Board, Bolivar Energy Authority, BrightRidge, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, Dickson Electric System, EPB of Chattanooga, Gallatin Dept of Electricity, Greeneville Light and Power System, Milan Dept of Public Utilities, Nashville Electric Service, Paris Board of Public Utilities, Springfield Electric Dept, Tullahoma Utilities Authority, TMEPA, TVPPA, TVA, and Meguire Whitney.

Effective January 1st, 2018, Union City Electric System officially became the Union City Energy Authority. Although we still have the same employees, buildings, rates and board, we are a new entity. We were created under the modified Energy Authority Act in the 2017 State legislature.

The Tennessee Comptroller's Office is pleased to offer Free Utility Training for board members of municipalities, counties and authorities who oversee a water and/or wastewater system. We are hosting a free training event at our Nashville office on May 18, 2018. The training is approved for 6 hours of municipal board member and Certified Municipal Finance Officer credit.

BrightRidge is actively seeking an experienced Chief Broadband Officer with the ability and experience to lead the implementation of a long-range business plan to bring high-speed fiber and wireless broadband services to the communities across its service area. Located in the beautiful mountains of Johnson City, Tennessee, BrightRidge has been serving the energy needs of Washington County as well as parts of Carter, Greene and Sullivan Counties since 1945. Position will direct the start up and manage the daily operations and employees of the Broadband Business unit to include, voice, data and video while maintaining our strong culture of customer service and teamwork.

Rockwood Electric Utility is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Engineer. This position requires (as a minimum) a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university and 5 years of work experience in the utility industry. Tennessee PE license is desired but not required. Responsibilities include a wide range of activities and key functions in power distribution systems including, but not limited to, staking, system coordination, mapping, substation maintenance, SCADA, fiber optics, and AMI.

ENGINEER – Dickson Electric System is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Engineer. This position requires (as a minimum) a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited university and 5 years experience in power system engineering. A valid Tennessee driver’s license is also required.