Things are happening and happening fast. And we couldn’t be happier to be one of the first in line to support them. Especially since all three of these things–gigs, geeks and apps, are either a result of our 100% Fiber Optic network, or a really great benefit of it. Being a part of something bigger than us, like a Gig Tank, where young entrepreneurs and progressive thinkers are cultivating world-changing gigabit ideas, ultimately brings huge opportunities to this community. These are the things that make us proud of the fact that we laid the grid work that incredibly colossal dreams are being built on.

Collaboration that’s what. The transformed site facilitates a culture of working together with the sole purpose of maximizing efficiency like never before. We moved several teams, including Construction, Equipment Management and Operational Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, the Transformer Shop, Materials Management and Field Services to the new Operations Center to improve cost effectiveness, response times and efficiency. The move paid off for everyone. Employees find it easier than ever to work together to find solutions. We found that when people are given the tools and processes they need to make a difference, they gladly...and efficiently do just that. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to give them a pretty nice place to workout either.

We love Chattanooga. And that’s why we gladly help those within our community who are struggling to beat the heat. In collaboration with the United Way, The Chattanooga Times Free Press, Ace Hardware, Tennessee Valley Credit Union and several terrific media partners, this year like so many years before, we were able to help those who could not help themselves. Last year, 40 EPB volunteers delivered 284 fans to help many curb the dog days of summer.

This year we participated in the Corporate Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in partnership with Crabtree Farms. This pilot program gives EPB the opportunity to be a good steward within the community while providing a convenient way to pick-up and pay for locally grown fruits and vegetables. As an employer, EPB is able to offer a low-cost, low-maintenance employee benefit and health incentive. In addition, the Corporate CSA provides a reliable, year-round source of revenue for local farmers. But that’s not all. Elizabeth Hammit, Environmental Coordinator and pilot lead points out, “The program also helps us to earn a valuable point toward realizing our goal of achieving LEED for Existing Building certification.”

And we take saving our customers money the same way. This past year, more and more consumers and businesses alike are becoming keenly aware of being more energy efficient. We applaud them. That’s why we continue to offer all our customers Energy Audits. In fact, we offer more Energy Audits than any other TVA distributor. The audits are free and save both energy and cash. Nearly 2,500 customers took advantage of the service, totaling over $770,000 in reimbursements this year. And that’s what anyone would call money well spent.

It energizes our commitment to serving customers who desire renewable energy alternatives that help create a better future for our community. To date, EPB assisted 47 total customers with solar power installations, with 27 of those happening this year. That’s 4 megawatts of solar energy and a tremendous addition to TVA’s goal of purchasing up to 200 megawatts of alternative power.

We‘ve consulted and supported all the homes and businesses that have participated thus far in bringing alternative energy solutions to Chattanooga. Like Baylor School who installed an array that harnesses solar energy as well as provides a real-life laboratory setting. This “lab” helps students overcome the disconnect between textbook learning and a see it, feel it, touch it experience that students won’t soon forget. And who isn’t impressed with the wonderful success story from our own Chattanooga Airport with a 1-megawatt solar farm install. It’s merely the first part of their 3-megawatt solar farm vision!

This has been a great year for renewable energy. And we are fully committed to serving our customers by facilitating incentives as well as providing the know-how needed to ensure their desired installs go smoothly and are in compliance with national standards.