Nashville Electric Service under fire for alleged refusal of assistance during power crisis
NASHVILLE, TENN. (WZTV) -- Nashville Electric Service (NES) is facing a storm of criticism for allegedly turning away much-needed help during the recent power outages that have left thousands of customers in the dark. Two members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have come forward, claiming that NES did not reach out to their union or accept assistance from available crews, potentially prioritizing cost savings over timely service.
At the peak of the outages, NES reported over 109,000 customers without power in Nashville, affecting an estimated quarter of a million people in sub-freezing temperatures. One IBEW member, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that linemen from across the country attempted to lend a hand but were met with a 'no help needed' response.
"I've had numerous people offering their assistance to restore power in Nashville," the union member said. "But they keep getting told that NES is fully staffed and doesn't require additional help." The lineman added that he suspected NES's reluctance to pay union rates was a factor in their decision.
Another IBEW lineman, also requesting anonymity, shared that he and approximately 18,000 other linemen were initially staged in North Carolina. However, after the storm proved less severe, the crews were reassigned -- but not to Nashville. He expressed frustration, asking why they weren't sent to Nashville, where 215 broken poles needed urgent attention.
"We're just 10 minutes down the road, but we're dealing with 2,000 outages," he said. "If we were in Nashville, we could help with those 215 broken poles. It doesn't matter if they're union or non-union; they could bring in more people to get the job done faster."
During a press briefing, NES was directly asked about the refusal of help. Spokesperson Brent Baker denied the allegations, stating that the utility had not turned away any assistance.
"To our knowledge, no," Baker said. "We are committed to utilizing the crews we have partnered with and through mutual aid."
However, FOX 17 News, which has been investigating the claims, has yet to receive a response to an email inquiry about the specific crews turned away and the reasons for their rejection. Meanwhile, a petition has been launched, urging NES to hire any available linemen, emphasizing the need for more workers than the current 700 assigned.
"People's homes are in the 30s," Cecilia Prado from the Nashville People Power Committee said. "With temperatures dropping to single digits again, people's lives are at risk."
Social media is abuzz with comments from viewers echoing similar claims that NES declined help from contractors or union members. FOX 17 News promises to continue seeking answers and will provide updates as they receive responses from NES.
