History of TMEPA

The Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association was formed as a loosely knit organization in 1966, primarily to negotiate a state statute concerning the terms by which cities would acquire Rural Electric Cooperative distribution facilities (electric) when their owning municipalities annexed territory and expanded their city limits. Prior to this time, these cities only representation was by the Tennessee Municipal League (TML). TML represented all 350 plus incorporated cities which included 50% that were served by Rural Electric Cooperatives; hence the difficulty in annexation disputes and the need for a separate organization. As such TMEPA has expanded to represent all the legislative needs primarily in Nashville but also in Washington, D.C. which it coordinates with TML, TVPPA and other utility organizations.

TMEPA is governed by a thirteen-member Board of Directors, chosen in staggered terms; three (3) from each of the main divisions of the State and one (1) each from the four (4) largest members. The term of each director is three years. From this governing body, a President, President-Elect and Secretary-Treasurer are elected each year for a 12-month period.  The 2007/2008 President is Eddie Tramel, Electric Utility Director, Alcoa Electric Department, Alcoa, TN.

The Annual Meeting is usually held the second week of July and its location is rotated from East to West to Middle Tennessee. Our 2007 Annual Meeting was held at the Peabody Hotel, Memphis, TN.  The 2008 Annual Meeting of the Members will be at the Embassy Suites Hotel at Cool Springs, Franklin, TN located just south of Nashville, TN.  Each year in February or March we have a Legislative Rally and Reception in honor of the Members of the General Assembly.  The 2008 Rally & Reception will be at the Sheraton Downtown, February 19, 2008. 

TMEPA represents 59 municipally owned electric systems in Tennessee which serve approximately 70% of our state’s electric consumers and 75% of the power sold. The four (4) largest (Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga) serve almost 1,000,000 of the nearly 2,000,000 customers. Memphis is the largest with just under 400,000 and Somerville the smallest at just over 2,000. The Association exists to create the optimum environment in which city-owned electric systems can serve the needs of their customer/owners.

TMEPA is a member of the American Public Power Association (APPA) in Washington, D.C. and Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) in Chattanooga. The current Executive Director is Mike Vinson who was appointed on June 7, 2003.  Mr. Vinson has over 30 years experience in the electric utility industry.  The first Executive Director of TMEPA was Tommy Walker who served from the beginning year (1966) until 1988.  He was followed by Bill Moss, who served from August 1, 1988 until his retirement in August 2003. 

Walter Haynes is the Lobbyist/Legislative Affairs and the Administrative Assistant  is Susan Sherrill.