NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Residents in Green Hills are expressing dissatisfaction with Nashville Electric Service’s (NES) internal investigation, which cleared the utility of responsibility for widespread appliance damage following a recent winter ice storm.
Since our initial report featuring residents on Draughon Avenue, the number of reported damaged appliances has surged. One neighbor alone has incurred $17,000 in replacement costs. Residents recalled hearing two loud explosions on their street during power restoration efforts by an NES-contracted out-of-town crew. Upon power return, they discovered significant damage to HVAC systems, outlets, kitchen appliances, and more.
These accounts prompted NES to launch an investigation. However, on Friday, the utility informed residents via email that it found no fault on its part. NES has not yet responded to our inquiries for comment.
Neighbor Carl Heinemann stated that his motivation to persist stems from the underlying principle of the situation.
“It’s the principle behind it. My insurance is probably going to go up because of the claim,” Carl Heinemann noted.
Heinemann shared the utility’s attorney’s message with me, recalling an earlier promise from NES to “step up” if found responsible. We reviewed the email together in his driveway.
The attorney’s message included the following excerpt:
“Although electrical disturbances can occur during severe weather events, the evidence does not show that excess voltage was delivered to any of the customer’s homes due to any fault or improper operations on the NES system,” the email stated.
As paying customers, residents believe NES owes them a more comprehensive investigation. They argue the utility investigated itself, attributing the issue to a broken crossarm nearby, and failed to acknowledge that at least five customer meters malfunctioned upon power restoration.
“Meters don’t blow up unless something’s coming back from NES,” one neighbor asserted.
Neighbor Jill Lindner echoed this frustration.
“I think what Carl did was excellent. Reach out to NES and make them accountable for what happened, or try to make them accountable. I think that’s pretty much our only recourse at this point,” Kim said.
It was only after my first report that I realized this wasn’t an isolated incident. I received communications from individuals in other city neighborhoods, including East Nashville, Charlotte Park, and Battlemont, reporting similar problems.
So, what options are available to affected residents? Legal experts I consulted cautioned that suing public utilities is challenging due to various legal protections. The most viable paths likely involve working through personal insurance and, if necessary, escalating concerns to the Tennessee Valley Authority.
For the residents of Draughon Avenue, this struggle extends beyond their immediate street.
“We’re sticking up not just for our street, but for everyone in Davidson County,” Heinemann declared.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at [email protected].
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Tenn. mom invites son’s organ recipients to do his favorite activity, dance
This is a heartwarming account of how a mother transformed her journey of grief into an occasion for gratitude and raising awareness for organ donation.
Robb Coles highlights a special event organized by Cari Hollis, whose 26-year-old son Austin passed away two years ago. Austin’s decision to be an organ donor saved multiple lives.
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