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