MLGW chief talks reducing future power outages
At an Arlington luncheon, MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen discussed plans to modernize and upgrade infrastructure to lower the number of homes and businesses that lose power during storms.
Topic: Memphis Light Gas and Water Division
RSSThere are 155 article(s) tagged Memphis Light Gas and Water Division:
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March 2024
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MLGW board weighs push for suburban voting members
An MLGW board member is coming with a resolution urging the Memphis City Council to put a city charter change on the ballot later this year that would expand the board to seven voting members. The two suburban appointees now on the board do not have voting power. The issue is a volatile one.
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City Council takes first step toward closer financial oversight of MLGW
Council chairman JB Smiley Jr. is proposing lower dollar figures for contracts and pay contracts that must be voted on by the council after they are approved by MLGW’s board.
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City Council mulls oversight of MLGW salaries
The new dollar thresholds for council oversight of contracts and pay come as the council considers a $200,000 annual salary for the utility’s new vice president of corporate communications.
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February 2024
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January MLGW bills up 11%, on average
The utility expects the average customer will end up paying about $90 less this year as compared with last year, but January’s bills aren’t yet trending in that direction.
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January 2024
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Police chief faces critical City Council vote
MPD Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis was one vote short in a council test vote two weeks ago. The council also expects an update on winter storm recovery effort by MLGW during Tuesday, Jan. 23, committee sessions.
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December 2023
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If you smell rotten eggs Thursday, don’t worry
MLGW is planning to do routine gas maintenance Dec. 7 near the Mississippi state line.
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City Council to vote on 12% MLGW rate hike
The Memphis City Council will also tackle moving state funding for the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovations and a resolution to give Mayor-elect Paul Young a raise.
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August 2023
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Paul Young says MLGW plan needs time. (And maybe more money.)
Memphis Mayoral contender Paul Young also talked on “Behind The Headlines” about “stopping the bleeding” from violent crime as the next mayor’s top priority of the next mayor.
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July 2023
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Power’s out. Better check on the water.
In the past, threats to the area’s water supply were rare. But, in recent years, local power problems have been the driving force behind water crises.
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800K outages in 18 months: MLGW years behind on upkeep and upgrades
“In some cases, we’re seven, eight, nine years behind. We have got to get back on schedule, and we will. The City Council has already approved this. My board has already approved this,” MLGW’s CEO said.
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Power outages the eighth-worst in MLGW’s history
Historical data from MLGW shows the worst storms in its history, based on the number of customers who lost power. More than a third of those happened in the past year and half.
Related story:
Power outages spike Tuesday during severe thunderstorms, heat advisory
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June 2023
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MLGW CEO: Performance ‘not where you need it to be’
Doug McGowen said he is working to improve the service Memphis Light Gas and Water Division provides to residents as if the company has to earn their service.
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April 2023
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More blackouts unlikely, MLGW says; 226,000 users have been without electricity
“The risk of additional forced blackouts is low for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,” said MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen.
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March 2023
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Citywide LED streetlight replacement program begins
Memphis will spend $42 million to replace all 77,000 of its high-pressure sodium streetlights by the end of the year — a move that is equivalent to taking about 10,000 cars off the road.
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February 2023
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MLGW leaving TVA could save $49 million annually, consultant says
While there are real savings if MLGW buys power outside of TVA, according to EnerVision, it’s not a figure that will transform MLGW or the City of Memphis’ budget, but ratepayers would feel its impact.
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Smart Meters breaking faster than MLGW can replace them
In the meantime, MLGW is replacing some of the broken water registers with analog ones.
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January 2023
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MLGW CEO McGowen: Priority is infrastructure overhaul
MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen says his priority is finding ways to accelerate the $1.2 billion, five-year plan to upgrade the utility’s infrastructure.
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MLGW looks to bolster water lines
During Tuesday city council committee sessions, officials are expected to have more to say about MLGW’s five-year, $1.2 billion infrastructure upgrade that is now expected to be completed by 2027, two years later than the original 2025 target date.
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Crime and power grid define 2022 and beyond
Crime and the city’s power grid were among the major issues and stories of 2022 as discussed on a “Behind The Headlines” reporters roundtable.
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November 2022
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City Council Scorecard: Changes at the top and pulling MLGW closer to City Hall
Thecouncil scorecard looks at the moves of city chief operating officer Doug McGowen to head Memphis Light Gas and Water Division and Chandell Ryan to the number two post at City Hall as well as a primer on both positions.
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With Doug McGowen at helm, MLGW to be included in city administration
Before his confirmation by the Memphis City Council this week, Doug McGowen indicated MLGW will move closer to Memphis’ day-to-day operations. He also said the city-owned utility could expand to include broadband and has to improve its responsiveness to Memphians.
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Doug McGowen confirmed as head of MLGW
The council also confirmed Chandell Ryan as the city’s new chief operating officer — the first woman to hold the No. 2 post in city government.
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October 2022
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MLGW board questions progress on $1B infrastructure overhaul
An MLGW board member questioned the $299 million capital spend in the utility’s budget. Utility officials say the five-year, $1 billion plan was slowed by supply chain problems and labor problems.
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Compromise on MLGW leadership fails in City Council vote
Council member JB Smiley Jr. proposed that Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland appoint his pick, Doug McGowen, as interim leader of MLGW while a national search is conducted.
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City Council sends curfew enforcement proposal goes back to committee
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