[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6317306,"mediaKeyId","2374367-591bf54a820e040f5adaed38ea06655a","parentId",2374367,"title","Electric co-op leaders brief subcommittee on grid reliability, broadband and data-center demand","audioSeconds",1109,"startMs",5137000,"endMs",6246000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374367-591bf54a820e040f5adaed38ea06655a&start=5137&end=6246","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374367-591bf54a820e040f5adaed38ea06655a/thumbnail_5137000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6317306/Tennessee/Electric-co-op-leaders-brief-subcommittee-on-grid-reliability-broadband-and-data-center-demand","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317306-f0d76f218a6a3945233872f2c79bbfd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775646943&Signature=jAxrRxRqfRU-ev6A9edk91hfgx3nGIgAder3Hk4G9jYBQS-mhPXdxHg9tUV3sPC1EhQdS~5usB~zKx8a4Me1c63XfaP-4T5o5bzkl6R6T9P9OfetfFYRzgHkCN9-gq2WPl5Mwccg6HrvcXATNqhOLXuE2qN1eLelaUzIOxrwjT~10-xsQQRl2T0855VhsOvaRBOWsjWIZGK75CTGJ8gWBEbh9qIdHKA3wq8zWbtlLiglbprZrQxdIk6shD3O5PvIH4grzJ2FNGknSikoRS8oef6pYYFhUQZRyllbs26E1csf32otkhR1dVoewZY44HoqdM0v-vSbDxBnE2aJt3hOhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tennessee House of Representatives","date","2025-02-20T10:48:33Z","article","Representatives of Tennessee electric cooperatives briefed the Business & Utilities Subcommittee on grid reliability, broadband expansion and long-term power needs at the committee’s February 2025 meeting.

Ryan King of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association told lawmakers co-ops serve roughly 72% of Tennessee’s land mass and about 3 million residents. “We represent the electric cooperatives, across the state,” King said, describing co-ops as member-owned, not-for-profit utilities governed by locally elected boards.

Chris Jones, CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric, described his cooperative’s role as a partner in economic development and broadband expansion. “Our chief strategic objective, very simply, is to drive to world class levels of member satisfaction,” Jones said, noting the co-op’s fiber broadband affiliate and investments in solar and battery storage.

Mike Parton, CEO of Sequatchie Valley Electric Cooperative and incoming national president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, told the committee that rapid growth in electricity demand from data centers is changing planning needs. Parton said data centers can consume the equivalent of multiple distribution systems: “In one of those buildings’ data centers, the load is almost twice as what my whole system is in five counties in Southeast Tennessee.” He added, “Energy security is national security,” and urged a mix of resources — including natural gas and nuclear — to provide reliable capacity while co-ops pursue renewables where feasible.

Witnesses emphasized rural-service challenges: co-ops average roughly 14 members per mile of line (compared with about 48 customers per mile in urban municipal systems), yielding lower revenue-per-mile figures for rural distribution. Speakers also highlighted the role co-ops play in storm response and public safety, noting line crews’ work through storms to restore service.

The panel asked legislators to support policies that help maintain reliability while allowing co-ops to expand broadband services in underserved areas. Committee members said they would schedule a follow-up presentation on new nuclear technologies — including small modular reactors — and other capacity options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Business & Utilities Subcommittee- February 19, 2025- House Hearing Room 1","oneSentenceSummary","Leaders from the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, Middle Tennessee Electric and Sequatchie Valley Electric Cooperatives told the Business & Utilities Subcommittee about rural coverage, broadband expansion and challenges posed by data-center load growth and changing generation mix.","taxTitle","Business & Utilities, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",78551,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6317311,"Votes at a glance: Subcommittee advances a package of business and utilities bills to full Commerce",2573,2467000,5040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374367-591bf54a820e040f5adaed38ea06655a&start=2467&end=5040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374367-591bf54a820e040f5adaed38ea06655a/thumbnail_2467000.jpg","/articles/6317311/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-Subcommittee-advances-a-package-of-business-and-utilities-bills-to-full-Commerce","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317311-2d5dfaf3d478a5079073edff0ea69596/orig.mp4?Expires=1775646943&Signature=fJkXq0P3GM1NzYmm6hNJlR~ATSw3IP46zIKyTyfmzmiQ1rA5meBK632j1-4-C75CDnj7lv6-k7YByGkK7IL4LbPtX~NlZGGCQi-JLM5QDTU7ognL9rMIaw9KYti~AzYl1E2W5drgJ3srWzEQg94W8BKZAh9ZwIOQqnk9dhDbb0adtC~KFG0WzVqIr-RtP8XHlWD70PTG3WukHfdY-3shzKtm~12RxY~KtdKxjEl-Stvio3vyn36G71lA-SaVckAE6GI-3-T6wLud7wV~fNoSAk-lrEyht3YUfo36MuQhAD9LyeoFloZcHEpkNsLklu7Uxi99mimLJhrygHUSXQVzfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a February 2025 Business & Utilities Subcommittee meeting, lawmakers advanced several bills to the full Commerce Committee. Committee members recorded votes on multiple bills; summaries and final tallies are below.

House Bill 683 (Leader Lambert) — Enhanced armed-guard licensing
The subcommittee approved HB 683, which would create an upper-tier armed guard license intended for more sensitive sites such as schools and churches. Leader Lambert said the measure establishes an “enhanced armed guard” level to give customers clearer differentiation when hiring private security. The committee vote was 10-1 in favor; the bill was referred to full Commerce.

House Bill 459 (Representative Martin) — Secretary of State authority on foreign-adversary-controlled entities
HB 459 would give the Tennessee Secretary of State limited administrative authority to dissolve business entities that are owned or controlled by a foreign adversary as defined by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Representative Martin said the measure mirrors actions some other states have taken after federal law-enforcement referrals. Michael Harmon, general counsel for the Secretary of State’s office, told the committee the provision is intended as “a shield, not a sword” — a limited tool to act when credible evidence of misuse of the filing system is presented by federal authorities or other reliable sources. Harmon said administrative dissolution is possible, an internal appeal to the office is available, and the attorney general’s office would handle any subsequent civil or criminal enforcement. The subcommittee voted 10-0 to send HB 459 to full Commerce.

House Bill 862 (Representative Parkinson) — TASER/TASSR study of cosmetology and barbering industry
Representative Parkinson said HB 862 directs the Tennessee Center for Appropriate Studies (TASSA/TasSar as cited in committee) to study the economic impact of the cosmetology and barbering industry within existing funds. The sponsor said the industry is “a billion-dollar-plus” sector and the study would quantify state economic activity and inform potential incentives or promotion. The committee approved the bill; vote 8-0 with one present but not voting.

House Bill 499 (Representative Jones) — Registered-agent resignation notice (technical cleanup)
HB 499 is a technical cleanup from the Secretary of State’s office clarifying the format and timing of the written notice a registered agent must provide a business before resigning. Representative Jones said the change simplifies statutory language and does not alter the fact businesses receive two notices. The committee approved the bill 10-0 and referred it to full Commerce.

House Bill 1138 (Chairman Boyd) — Pre-blast survey access at no cost
HB 1138, introduced by Chairman Boyd, would require access to a pre-blast survey at no cost to homeowners near blasting operations. Boyd said the change responds to a constituent who had been charged for a pre-blast survey and that the bill would make the survey available without fee. The committee approved the bill 10-0 and sent it to full Commerce.

House Bill 1136 (Chairman Boyd) — State telecommunication regulation and broadband
Chairman Boyd’s HB 1136 clarifies state jurisdiction after a federal reclassification of broadband services. The bill would state that certain Internet services are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission rather than the Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC), to avoid creating state-level regulatory overlap. The subcommittee voted 10-0 to advance the bill to full Commerce.

All bills above were recorded as passed by the subcommittee and were referred to the full Commerce Committee for further consideration.","During a February 2025 Business & Utilities Subcommittee meeting, members sent several bills to the full Commerce Committee, including measures on armed-guard licensing, foreign-adversary company dissolution authority, cosmetology industry study, registered-agent notice, pre-blast surveys, and broadband regulatory language.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6317316,"Subcommittee approves bill barring community benefits agreements as condition of ECD incentives",2767,993000,3760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374367-591bf54a820e040f5adaed38ea06655a&start=993&end=3760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374367-591bf54a820e040f5adaed38ea06655a/thumbnail_993000.jpg","/articles/6317316/Tennessee/Subcommittee-approves-bill-barring-community-benefits-agreements-as-condition-of-ECD-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317316-5001d5668345b79f2a2035fce696d70a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775646943&Signature=akBcRVdxdD1Dzfrs6JJflEuZjT9Z92ib-RG5Pug0BTJaWh5JE8xe87ABR8X6TIXBpAP9xQT~Mm2XC5NR6WjHpUcntuWZkpp2Y7QUqFGoiPlxqtks-WVWnDQ41ON0Wx1bXucNmRJJbKcC1mHIl9k12LQE~VP9S~JAFnlOvZKygUp7WtgzAfFDxfhr3Mk2p0HPy1c58ULu4tEGo09gKLdoLjALjyzTNxI1W7xpfuyJLzFZwC0gESRfXaEv6xe1-bH9rm74~tQ5JJ806f~N6iogolsKw3ULZ5Km64syhJNbwUcxXznelEOqBZF0bfQmTY-8BcLCROoMXxF4vqg7wlOrwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a February 2025 Business & Utilities Subcommittee meeting, members voted 8-2 to send House Bill 1096 as amended to the full Commerce Committee. The bill, sponsored by Chairman Vaughn, would bar local governments, nongovernmental organizations and trade groups from requiring companies that accept Economic and Community Development (ECD) incentives to enter into so-called community benefits agreements (CBAs).

Supporters said the bill protects companies that accept state incentives from facing additional, negotiable requirements imposed by third parties after the state’s approval. “This bill prohibits these local governments as well as NGOs and trade organizations from entering into or forcing people who receive ECD benefits from entering into that community benefits agreements,” Chairman Vaughn said when introducing the measure and an amendment that set the bill’s effective date to apply to agreements entered into after July of this year.

The amendment (drafting code 3718) was added on a voice vote before the committee took final action. The amendment clarified the bill’s effective date: the prohibition would apply to agreements entered into, executed or modified after the effective date (July), not to preexisting contracts, and the committee adopted the amendment before considering the bill as amended.

Supporters described the measure as a protective, permissive rule: companies would remain free to enter voluntary agreements but could not be compelled to accept third-party demands as a condition of receiving ECD assistance. The sponsor noted an earlier law that required secret-ballot union elections for entities receiving ECD incentives and said this bill was intended as a further step to limit external leverage.

Opponents said the bill could discourage voluntary partnerships that yield community benefits. “These community benefit agreements…only generate goodwill,” Representative Clemons said, summarizing arguments that CBAs can include workforce development, affordable housing contributions, partnerships with schools and other community supports. Several members asked whether the bill would prevent companies from voluntarily undertaking community investments; the sponsor and other backers answered that voluntary activity not tied to accepting ECD funds would remain permitted but that contractually binding provisions tied to ECD acceptance would be barred.

Representative Hardaway raised constitutional concerns about the state regulating private contractual relationships. The subcommittee paused for the Office of Legal Services, and Leaven Middleton of that office said the amendment’s prospective effective-date language mitigates retroactivity concerns: “I’m not aware of any constitutional issues,” Middleton testified, adding the change limits the statute to agreements entered or modified after the effective date.

The committee discussion focused on three categories of prohibited provisions the bill would bar from CBAs when tied to ECD incentives: provisions that (1) contractually bind an employer to fund or provide specific services, amenities or mitigation to a community or nongovernmental entity; (2) establish employment criteria, including wage and hour requirements; or (3) require an employer to use a unionized workforce. Sponsors said those limits are intended to prevent local approval processes from escalating into additional, shifting contractual conditions beyond state land-use and zoning rules.

The committee approved the bill as amended and voted to send it to full Commerce on a recorded vote of 8 ayes and 2 nays.

The bill now goes to the full Commerce Committee, where members will decide whether to schedule further hearings or floor action.","The Business & Utilities Subcommittee voted 8-2 to send House Bill 1096, as amended, to the full Commerce Committee. The bill would prohibit community benefits agreements from being imposed on businesses that accept Economic and Community Development (ECD) incentives, while allowing voluntary agreements when state incentives are not accepted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Electric co-op leaders brief subcommittee on grid reliability, broadband and data-center demand

Votes at a glance: Subcommittee advances a package of business and utilities bills to full Commerce

Subcommittee approves bill barring community benefits agreements as condition of ECD incentives