Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) CEO Bill Johnson in an exclusive interview with POWER suggested that the power industry continues to face an uncertain future. Johnson said that during his 40-year career, he has seen more change in the last five years than in the previous 35 combined. Several indicators imply that will continue going forward. In this podcast, Johnson sat down with POWER Executive Editor Aaron Larson to offer some insight on happenings at TVA.

Solar power accounted for more than a third of all net new power capacity added worldwide in 2017, a larger share than any other new source, and solar power is becoming much more affordable. The cost of electricity from large-scale solar projects has dropped by 72 percent since 2009, according to the study. But even as solar and its renewable energy cousins — like wind, biomass and geothermal power; but not counting big hydropower projects — expand, they still account for barely 12 percent of all the electricity that the world consumes.

Interest in residential energy storage is rising in the U.S., especially when combined with rooftop solar. A new report by EnergySage found that in 2017, 74% of solar shoppers surveyed said they were also considering a home battery system. While acknowledging that interest has yet to translate into an equivalent sales volume, the EnergySage report said, "batteries present a massive new market opportunity for installers, manufacturers, lenders, and utilities to capitalize on in coming years."

TVA's purchase of an $11.2 million corporate jet nearly four years ago has not been cost effective, and the sole-source method used to buy the jet and a $6.5 million King Air turboprop plane may have violated federal rules, according to TVA auditors. The Tennessee Valley Authority inspector general said Thursday that TVA did not justify buying a Citation jet to replace its turboprop planes in 2015 and has since frequently used its aircraft to transport TVA directors around the Tennessee Valley and CEO Bill Johnson to his second home in Raleigh, N.C., where his wife Sally still lives. Some of those trips and other use of the aircraft were not adequately documented and may have broken federal travel rules, inspectors found.

Pruitt has taken aim at just about every major Obama-era EPA rule, which has made him a pariah on the left, a hero on the right and the bureaucratic face of Trump’s vocal advocacy for fossil-fuel interests and other industrial polluters. But so far he’s only managed to delay a few rules that hadn’t yet taken effect. His supporters, critics and boss have all promoted the perception that he’s repealed Obama’s environmental legacy and shredded America’s environmental rulebook. Nevertheless, that perception is wrong. Pruitt’s problem is that major federal regulations are extremely difficult and time-consuming to enact, and just as difficult and time-consuming to reverse.

You have a story to tell, information to pass along, important news and updates to share. But you’re not communicating if no one sees your message. You need to be talking where most of your people are listening. I love this old adage: "Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does." The same can be said for communicating in general. If no one is seeing your communication efforts, you’re just making noise.

In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, the Tennessee Public Utility Commission today announced results from a recent national survey. The results revealed that 36 percent of homeowners who plan to dig this year for projects like landscaping, installing a fence or mailbox, or building a deck, pond or patio and other DIY projects, will put themselves and their communities at risk by not calling 811 a few days beforehand to learn the approximate location of underground utilities.

The filing deadline for state candidates passed earlier this month, so we thought we'd share one last update on who is in and who is out in what will be one of the most active election seasons in the state's history.

The General Assembly is working on its last big assignment for the year: the budget. Nearly all the committees are closed, except of course the House and Senate Finance Committees. The budget is the biggest item every year, and when it starts to move, it means the end of session is just a few days away. The House and Senate should take up the budget as this week, with many other small and big bills to still work through. The hope is the legislature will adjourn for the year next week.

Knoxville, TN—The Spring E & O conference had an action packed agenda with many great presentations and tours. This year over 110 people gathered at the Holiday Inn, World’s Fair Park, in Knoxville to engage on a wide array of topics. The exhibit hall was buzzing with 22 exhibitors from across the region and created many networking opportunities.

APPA and TMEPA are proud to present a 4 hour Webinar on Thursday April 26, 10:00 am (ET) until 3:00 pm (lunch break will be included) . Cost per connection $100, and there is no additional charge for multiple people using the same connection.

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.

Electric Area Specialist: The City of Oak Ridge is looking for an experienced individual to work in a matrix environment inside of the Electric Department. The candidate must have hands-on experience in the design and deployment of hard wired and I.P. infrastructure and relaying in electric distribution systems.

Rockwood Electric Utility is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Electrical 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.

The Etowah Utilities Board has a new general manager. Masengil was previously Water and Wastewater Superintendent. Current GM John Goins announced his intent to retire on January 4, 2018.

Vannasdale to lead Harriman Utility Board. Harriman Utility Board approved its first female manager in March when board members unanimously voted for the hiring of Candace Vannasdale. Vannasdale, manager of the gas water and sewer administration and engineering will start May 2, contingent on approval of the finalization of her contract.

Employees worked to restore power to 43,000 Knoxville Utilities Board customers earlier this month after a raccoon entered a substation despite "wildlife protective equipment."

The rollout continues for NU Connect, the new fiber broadband internet project at Newport Utilities. This month's marketing focus features the service which will bring internet, voice and video services to all of Newport Utilities customers.