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With over 30 years of industry experience, Dion Cooper’s transition to President & CEO of Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) in 2022 was an opportunity to ensure their system was prepared for the future with innovative solutions. “One area that we’ve worked to improve is to get more downline controls. We’ve got fiber to our substations and are actively working to implement more smart grid technologies. VEC has been awarded a DOE grant through the MG CARED program, as well as an additional battery grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). We partnered with North Georgia EMC and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC for a multi-state award, which was the first of its kind. In total, the three cooperatives will receive $10M to go toward the installation of additional battery storage systems in our service areas, and VEC plans to install an additional 4MW of batteries in Meigs County with our portion of the award. That battery piece is probably the biggest thing that we’re chasing right now—that will help improve our reliability even more.” Dion knows his LPC is responsible for the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his members to know that he strategically evaluates new technology with a long-term vision. “I want our members to know that we always look for opportunities that are going to benefit them in terms of reliability, cost, and anything we can do to improve their service level. We don’t pursue technology for technology’s sake—and as a former IT guy, I love technology—but there has to be a value to the cooperative in order to implement innovation.” Dion knows that Seven States is a helpful resource as his community’s needs continue to evolve and diversify. “We look at Seven States as a valuable partner, not only from a standpoint of doing projects together, but for expertise also—we can reach out to their team and lean on them. With our interest in battery storage and Seven States’ experience in that arena, we are confident that we’ll be able to work together in the future as we continue to explore what can best benefit our community.” With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Dion encourages fellow leaders to find what works best for their LPC and to not be afraid to bring about community change and benefits. “Don’t be afraid to implement new technologies just because it hasn’t been done; don’t let that be a deterrent. You don’t have to live on the cutting edge, but it’s okay to be first sometimes, especially if it has a tremendous value to the organization and to your members. Getting buy-in from your team, board, and community is vital, and if you have a technology that is going to bring real, tangible value to your community, and you keep that at the forefront of everything you do, everything else will fall into place.”
MATHISTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Travelers along Highway 82 and The Natchez Trace Parkway will now have a new refueling option. 4 County Electric Power Association has teamed up with the Tennessee Valley Authority and S and S Shell in Mathison to install the utility’s first Electric Vehicle Charging Station. TVA is trying to reduce “range anxiety” for EV owners across its service area by working with partners to reduce the distance between charging stations. The junction of 2 well-travelled highways made Mathiston a good location for 4 County to get into the charging market. “So, TVA came to us a couple of years ago and said, ‘Hey look, we want to fix range anxiety for electric vehicle across the Tennessee Valley’, and they offered us some grant money. We partnered with them to build this fast charger. What you see here is the most powerful fast charger in the Tennessee Valley footprint as of today, here in 4 County Electric Power Association and Mathiston, Mississippi,” said Brian Clark, CEO of 4 County EPA. The S and S site in Mathiston has 4 chargers available.
Seven States is excited to announce the addition of Dana Jeanes to the team as Senior Vice President of Financial Planning & Product Design. In this role, Jeanes will drive our commitment to deploying innovative technology in the Valley and working collaboratively with our trusted partners to connect to the grid of the future. Having earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Christian Brothers University in 1979, and an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Accounting from the University of Memphis in 1994, Jeanes went on to acquire his license as a Professional Engineer in Tennessee as well as becoming a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Municipal Finance Officer. This background prepared Jeanes for an impressive and extensive career with Memphis Light, Gas, and Water beginning in 1987. He has held numerous positions during his tenure there including the roles of Energy Engineer, Rates Engineer, Supervisor of Rates and Regulatory Affairs, Manager of Budget, Plant and Rates, Director of Analysis, and Strategy and Performance Controller, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In 2018, he assumed his current role as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer (Secretary-Treasurer). His retirement from MLGW is planned for the end of the calendar year and he intends to begin working with Seven States on January 6, 2025. His years of both academic and professional experience will be a valuable asset to advancing the mission of Seven States to empower LPC members to meet consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving utility marketplace. As a former Board member of Seven States, Jeanes steps into the role of SVP full time having also served as a Past President of Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association. He also served on the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association Government Relations Committee and Rates and Pricing Committee lending his insight and guidance on issues impacting the Valley. “This combination of expertise and collaborative experiences makes Jeanes a fantastic addition to our team and we are greatly looking forward to the work we will do together in the new year,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States President & CEO. To stay up to date on Seven States projects, announcements, and news, subscribe to our newsletter .
Innovation Champion and SPARK Awardees Announced at Seven States 2024 Annual Meeting Seven States is proud to recognize valuable contributions to innovation through honoring essential leaders working to keep up with evolving consumer demand. Two important leaders were recognized at this year’s Annual Meeting. These leaders’ dedication, vision, and commitment have made a lasting impact on the Valley. Innovation Champion Award Every year, the Innovation Champion Award is presented to an organization that exemplifies the spirit of innovation in their operations. This year we presented this award to the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) for their instrumental work in bringing innovation to so many of our LPCs including their ongoing work with the EV Fast Charge Network. These 66 Valley-wide EV charger installations span from Fort Payne, AL to Warren, KY, and Tombigbee, MS, to Bean Station, TN, and Blue Ridge, GA. Commissioner David Salyers accepted the award on behalf of his team. Commissioner Salyers was appointed by Governor Bill Lee in January 2019. As Commissioner, Salyers oversees the state’s efforts to protect and enhance Tennessee’s natural resources, including air, water, and land, while balancing economic growth and environmental stewardship. Salyers is known for his collaborative approach to environmental policy, working with local communities, industry leaders, and government agencies to promote sustainability and resilience across the state. The Seven States 2024 Annual Meeting was hosted at one of 59 State Parks under Commissioner Salyers’ oversight. We were excited to partner with Montgomery Bell State Park in the design, development, and deployment of a battery storage unit and solar charging stations at each of the six trail heads inside the park. SPARK Award This year marks the fourth presentation of the Seven States Spark Award, which went to Darrell Gillespie, General Manager of Dickson Electric System. We were proud to partner with Dickson Electric to design, develop, and deploy a battery storage solution that will provide peak shaving solutions to the utility. We are grateful for Gillespie’s leadership across the Valley and his invaluable service to Seven States as both a partner and Board Member. In his role, Gillespie leads the utility’s operations, overseeing the provision of reliable electric service to the local community. With a strong focus on customer service, infrastructure modernization, and energy efficiency, he ensures that the system meets the growing demands of both residential and commercial customers. Under Gillespie’s leadership, Dickson Electric System has continued to prioritize grid reliability, sustainability initiatives, and community engagement, contributing to the region’s development and energy resilience. Congratulations to Commissioner David Salyers and TDEC as well as Darrell Gillespie and Dickson Electric System for earning these outstanding awards!
In order for communities to connect to the grid of the future, we must first build it. Through trusted partnerships, we have furthered this objective with our latest project deployments inside Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, TN. Now visitors can connect to solar power through six solar charging stations placed throughout the park. This is not only a benefit to the public, but also showcases the need for such technology and innovation to support the energy grid. We also partnered with Dickson Electric System and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to deploy a 150kW – 2hr battery storage unit constructed in the park, which stores energy and releases it back onto Dickson’s electric system. This takes the power grid one step closer to sustainability, a huge step in the right direction for our member LPCs. A key goal of this installation is to accelerate the creation and adoption of sustainable power solutions that ultimately benefit end-users. At Seven States, we believe it is important that we not only talk about innovation, but we also deploy it. These projects demonstrate how Seven States can empower LPCs to meet consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving utility marketplace. The battery storage project in particular is part of Seven States’ commitment to deploy 300MW of storage capacity across the Tennessee Valley. The solar charging stations are an excellent example of how innovation is being used to deliver solutions that not only make life more convenient for consumers but also advance the power grid forward. These projects represent another step in the right direction for building and energizing the grid of the future. To learn more about where Seven States have deployed our projects, visit https://sevenstatespower.com/where-we-work/
East Tennessee drivers and those passing through now have more electric vehicle (EV) charging options. KUB installed two public EV fast charging stations – one in Downtown Knoxville and one in Seymour. These locations fill key alternative fuel corridor gaps on I-75 and Route 441.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Like many local people, you may fill up your car at the gas pump.But some visitors to Starkville and surrounding towns are rolling in with an EV, an electric vehicle.This is the future of the pit stop. Pull in and plug in. Starkville Utilities General Manager, Edward Kemp said it’s a privilege to have these new fast-chargers for motorists who want to charge and go. “A new technology. The new advanced features as opposed to some of the older chargers. We have some of those here, but we wanted to provide more options for more people to charge their electric vehicles,” said Kemp. Starkville Utilities received a grant from Tennessee Valley Authority to help fund the two EV chargers through their Fast Charge Network program. Josh Wooten, the Customer Relations Manager for TVA in Starkville, agrees this will give residents and visitors more options on how and where they can charge their electric cars. “Just providing that optionality here in Starkville, allows those that have EV charged vehicles to come in. They’re able to do business, they’re able to have fun here in Stark Vegas,” said Wooten. One of TVA’s goals for these fast-charging stations is to be near convenience stores, restaurants, and restrooms, so that the driver can enjoy the town as they wait for their vehicle to be charged. Along with Seven States Power Corporation, TVA supports other towns in Northeast Mississippi to also gain access to these new chargers. “We’re targeting a charger like this every 50 miles along major interstates and highways,” said Wooten. Kemp sees this new addition in Starkville as a step towards a more progressive future. “It’s also just trying to be a part of and build the grid of the future. We know that electric vehicles are becoming more and more common placed in our community certainly but also in our entire economic atmosphere,” said Kemp. The fast-chargers are available 24/7 on Lampkin Street. West Point, Tupelo, and other towns in the area will also be getting new fast charging stations for electric vehicles through TVA.
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
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With over 30 years of industry experience, Dion Cooper’s transition to President & CEO of Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) in 2022 was an opportunity to ensure their system was prepared for the future with innovative solutions. “One area that we’ve worked to improve is to get more downline controls. We’ve got fiber to our substations and are actively working to implement more smart grid technologies. VEC has been awarded a DOE grant through the MG CARED program, as well as an additional battery grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). We partnered with North Georgia EMC and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC for a multi-state award, which was the first of its kind. In total, the three cooperatives will receive $10M to go toward the installation of additional battery storage systems in our service areas, and VEC plans to install an additional 4MW of batteries in Meigs County with our portion of the award. That battery piece is probably the biggest thing that we’re chasing right now—that will help improve our reliability even more.” Dion knows his LPC is responsible for the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his members to know that he strategically evaluates new technology with a long-term vision. “I want our members to know that we always look for opportunities that are going to benefit them in terms of reliability, cost, and anything we can do to improve their service level. We don’t pursue technology for technology’s sake—and as a former IT guy, I love technology—but there has to be a value to the cooperative in order to implement innovation.” Dion knows that Seven States is a helpful resource as his community’s needs continue to evolve and diversify. “We look at Seven States as a valuable partner, not only from a standpoint of doing projects together, but for expertise also—we can reach out to their team and lean on them. With our interest in battery storage and Seven States’ experience in that arena, we are confident that we’ll be able to work together in the future as we continue to explore what can best benefit our community.” With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Dion encourages fellow leaders to find what works best for their LPC and to not be afraid to bring about community change and benefits. “Don’t be afraid to implement new technologies just because it hasn’t been done; don’t let that be a deterrent. You don’t have to live on the cutting edge, but it’s okay to be first sometimes, especially if it has a tremendous value to the organization and to your members. Getting buy-in from your team, board, and community is vital, and if you have a technology that is going to bring real, tangible value to your community, and you keep that at the forefront of everything you do, everything else will fall into place.”
MATHISTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Travelers along Highway 82 and The Natchez Trace Parkway will now have a new refueling option. 4 County Electric Power Association has teamed up with the Tennessee Valley Authority and S and S Shell in Mathison to install the utility’s first Electric Vehicle Charging Station. TVA is trying to reduce “range anxiety” for EV owners across its service area by working with partners to reduce the distance between charging stations. The junction of 2 well-travelled highways made Mathiston a good location for 4 County to get into the charging market. “So, TVA came to us a couple of years ago and said, ‘Hey look, we want to fix range anxiety for electric vehicle across the Tennessee Valley’, and they offered us some grant money. We partnered with them to build this fast charger. What you see here is the most powerful fast charger in the Tennessee Valley footprint as of today, here in 4 County Electric Power Association and Mathiston, Mississippi,” said Brian Clark, CEO of 4 County EPA. The S and S site in Mathiston has 4 chargers available.
Seven States is excited to announce the addition of Dana Jeanes to the team as Senior Vice President of Financial Planning & Product Design. In this role, Jeanes will drive our commitment to deploying innovative technology in the Valley and working collaboratively with our trusted partners to connect to the grid of the future. Having earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Christian Brothers University in 1979, and an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Accounting from the University of Memphis in 1994, Jeanes went on to acquire his license as a Professional Engineer in Tennessee as well as becoming a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Municipal Finance Officer. This background prepared Jeanes for an impressive and extensive career with Memphis Light, Gas, and Water beginning in 1987. He has held numerous positions during his tenure there including the roles of Energy Engineer, Rates Engineer, Supervisor of Rates and Regulatory Affairs, Manager of Budget, Plant and Rates, Director of Analysis, and Strategy and Performance Controller, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In 2018, he assumed his current role as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer (Secretary-Treasurer). His retirement from MLGW is planned for the end of the calendar year and he intends to begin working with Seven States on January 6, 2025. His years of both academic and professional experience will be a valuable asset to advancing the mission of Seven States to empower LPC members to meet consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving utility marketplace. As a former Board member of Seven States, Jeanes steps into the role of SVP full time having also served as a Past President of Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association. He also served on the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association Government Relations Committee and Rates and Pricing Committee lending his insight and guidance on issues impacting the Valley. “This combination of expertise and collaborative experiences makes Jeanes a fantastic addition to our team and we are greatly looking forward to the work we will do together in the new year,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States President & CEO. To stay up to date on Seven States projects, announcements, and news, subscribe to our newsletter .
Innovation Champion and SPARK Awardees Announced at Seven States 2024 Annual Meeting Seven States is proud to recognize valuable contributions to innovation through honoring essential leaders working to keep up with evolving consumer demand. Two important leaders were recognized at this year’s Annual Meeting. These leaders’ dedication, vision, and commitment have made a lasting impact on the Valley. Innovation Champion Award Every year, the Innovation Champion Award is presented to an organization that exemplifies the spirit of innovation in their operations. This year we presented this award to the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) for their instrumental work in bringing innovation to so many of our LPCs including their ongoing work with the EV Fast Charge Network. These 66 Valley-wide EV charger installations span from Fort Payne, AL to Warren, KY, and Tombigbee, MS, to Bean Station, TN, and Blue Ridge, GA. Commissioner David Salyers accepted the award on behalf of his team. Commissioner Salyers was appointed by Governor Bill Lee in January 2019. As Commissioner, Salyers oversees the state’s efforts to protect and enhance Tennessee’s natural resources, including air, water, and land, while balancing economic growth and environmental stewardship. Salyers is known for his collaborative approach to environmental policy, working with local communities, industry leaders, and government agencies to promote sustainability and resilience across the state. The Seven States 2024 Annual Meeting was hosted at one of 59 State Parks under Commissioner Salyers’ oversight. We were excited to partner with Montgomery Bell State Park in the design, development, and deployment of a battery storage unit and solar charging stations at each of the six trail heads inside the park. SPARK Award This year marks the fourth presentation of the Seven States Spark Award, which went to Darrell Gillespie, General Manager of Dickson Electric System. We were proud to partner with Dickson Electric to design, develop, and deploy a battery storage solution that will provide peak shaving solutions to the utility. We are grateful for Gillespie’s leadership across the Valley and his invaluable service to Seven States as both a partner and Board Member. In his role, Gillespie leads the utility’s operations, overseeing the provision of reliable electric service to the local community. With a strong focus on customer service, infrastructure modernization, and energy efficiency, he ensures that the system meets the growing demands of both residential and commercial customers. Under Gillespie’s leadership, Dickson Electric System has continued to prioritize grid reliability, sustainability initiatives, and community engagement, contributing to the region’s development and energy resilience. Congratulations to Commissioner David Salyers and TDEC as well as Darrell Gillespie and Dickson Electric System for earning these outstanding awards!
In order for communities to connect to the grid of the future, we must first build it. Through trusted partnerships, we have furthered this objective with our latest project deployments inside Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, TN. Now visitors can connect to solar power through six solar charging stations placed throughout the park. This is not only a benefit to the public, but also showcases the need for such technology and innovation to support the energy grid. We also partnered with Dickson Electric System and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to deploy a 150kW – 2hr battery storage unit constructed in the park, which stores energy and releases it back onto Dickson’s electric system. This takes the power grid one step closer to sustainability, a huge step in the right direction for our member LPCs. A key goal of this installation is to accelerate the creation and adoption of sustainable power solutions that ultimately benefit end-users. At Seven States, we believe it is important that we not only talk about innovation, but we also deploy it. These projects demonstrate how Seven States can empower LPCs to meet consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving utility marketplace. The battery storage project in particular is part of Seven States’ commitment to deploy 300MW of storage capacity across the Tennessee Valley. The solar charging stations are an excellent example of how innovation is being used to deliver solutions that not only make life more convenient for consumers but also advance the power grid forward. These projects represent another step in the right direction for building and energizing the grid of the future. To learn more about where Seven States have deployed our projects, visit https://sevenstatespower.com/where-we-work/
East Tennessee drivers and those passing through now have more electric vehicle (EV) charging options. KUB installed two public EV fast charging stations – one in Downtown Knoxville and one in Seymour. These locations fill key alternative fuel corridor gaps on I-75 and Route 441.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Like many local people, you may fill up your car at the gas pump.But some visitors to Starkville and surrounding towns are rolling in with an EV, an electric vehicle.This is the future of the pit stop. Pull in and plug in. Starkville Utilities General Manager, Edward Kemp said it’s a privilege to have these new fast-chargers for motorists who want to charge and go. “A new technology. The new advanced features as opposed to some of the older chargers. We have some of those here, but we wanted to provide more options for more people to charge their electric vehicles,” said Kemp. Starkville Utilities received a grant from Tennessee Valley Authority to help fund the two EV chargers through their Fast Charge Network program. Josh Wooten, the Customer Relations Manager for TVA in Starkville, agrees this will give residents and visitors more options on how and where they can charge their electric cars. “Just providing that optionality here in Starkville, allows those that have EV charged vehicles to come in. They’re able to do business, they’re able to have fun here in Stark Vegas,” said Wooten. One of TVA’s goals for these fast-charging stations is to be near convenience stores, restaurants, and restrooms, so that the driver can enjoy the town as they wait for their vehicle to be charged. Along with Seven States Power Corporation, TVA supports other towns in Northeast Mississippi to also gain access to these new chargers. “We’re targeting a charger like this every 50 miles along major interstates and highways,” said Wooten. Kemp sees this new addition in Starkville as a step towards a more progressive future. “It’s also just trying to be a part of and build the grid of the future. We know that electric vehicles are becoming more and more common placed in our community certainly but also in our entire economic atmosphere,” said Kemp. The fast-chargers are available 24/7 on Lampkin Street. West Point, Tupelo, and other towns in the area will also be getting new fast charging stations for electric vehicles through TVA.
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