A recently released report lists Tennessee as one of the states with the highest risk of an electricity shortage and blackouts, as residents across the state prepare for decreasing temperatures and the possibility of severe winter weather.
This would not be the first time in recent history that the state has dealt with an energy crisis. Last year, just before Christmas, many homes were forced to deal with rolling blackouts as extremely cold temperatures placed too much demand on power grids.
Former U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson, who now serves as CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, says the issue is likely one that Tennesseans will deal with again.
“The problem is pretty basic: demand is growing and supply’s not keeping up, and it happened last year in Tennessee and surrounding states on Christmas Eve. Nine states had rolling blackouts. If there’s a cold snap, the risk is there again,” said Matheson.
