Phil Bredesen
Mayor Freddie O’Connell has tapped former Gov. Phil Bredesen — also a previous Nashville mayor — to chair a commission investigating Nashville Electric Service’s preparation and response to Winter Storm Fern.
O’Connell announced his appointments to the commission in a press release Tuesday night. The commission will include nine members who will review and assess the power company’s response to the storm, which saw about 230,000 power outages to residences and businesses and multiple deaths.
In addition to Bredesen, the commission will include:
Vice Mayor Angie Henderson
At-Large Metro Councilmember and President Pro Tempore Delishia Porterfield
Vanderbilt University director of emergency management Johnny Vanderpool
Nashville NAACP President Timothy Hughes
LiUNA Local 386 business manager Ethan Link
Easley Communications owner Cassandra Easley
Dickson Electric general manager Darrell Gillespie
Former state House Speaker and former Tennessee Valley Authority board member Beth Harwell
O’Connell established the commission via an executive order on Feb. 2 after criticizing NES’ response to the storm, saying the utility is “unequipped to communicate” during a crisis.
O'Connell notes utility will be 'held accountable' regarding power restoration efforts, issues executive order to form storm-response commission
“Rarely in our city’s history has a weather event so thoroughly affected the entire county,” O’Connell says in the release. “That made our response unprecedented and the opportunity to review our performance highly valuable. I’m grateful for the willingness of the nine commission members to serve the city. They will look at both Metro government’s response as well as that of NES.”
The commission will have the power to investigate, hold hearings, call witnesses, request records and the enlist assistance from the Metro auditor.
“Nashville’s recent ice storm was a once-in-a-generation event,” Bredesen says in the release. “I believe that with any crisis, once things quiet down, it’s important to learn from it: what went right, and where things could use some shoring up.”
The commission’s first meeting will be held on Feb. 23, and its initial report is due to the mayor by Aug. 23.
O’Connell made a rare appearance at the Metro Council’s meeting on Feb. 17, during which he provided an overview of the city’s response to the storm and the future work of the commission.
“We’re in the process of helping as many people as we can right now and also looking to deliver the confidence that we can do better the next time we confront a historic challenge,” O'Connell said.
The council passed several pieces of storm-related legislation, including a non-binding resolution urging President Donald Trump to approve Federal Emergency Management Agency aid for individuals affected by the storm. Individual assistance differs from public assistance, which FEMA has already approved for Davidson County.
Relatedly, a separate resolution passed supporting the Davidson County General Sessions Court’s winter storm housing support docket. That initiative offers aid to those suffering financially as a result of the storm.
A resolution was also approved that allows for waivers for certain permit fees related to the repair or rebuilding of property damaged in the storm.
Resolution calls for utility's governing body to dismiss Teresa Broyles-Aplin in winter storm aftermath
Additionally, the council passed on the first of three readings an ordinance to create a one-time bill credit for water and sewer users as a result of the storm.
Also on the first of three readings, the council approved an ordinance allowing the Metro assessor of property to prorate tax year 2026 property assessments for certain properties damaged in the storm.
The council deferred by one meeting a resolution urging the firing of NES CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin.
