POWER UP MEMPHIS: Recent Episodes
Power Up Memphis
Power Up Memphis is Hosted by Gale Jones-Carson, Vice President of Community and External Affairs for Memphis Light, Gas, And Water. Power Up Memphis aims to take our customers on an inside tour of MLGW to share vital information on our programs and operations. The show partners representatives from local organizations and businesses to provide MLGW customers with energy-saving tips, utility assistance, and by doing so we can all better understand how we function as your utility provider.
On the latest Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson discussed gas rate savings that MLGW customers could see on their winter utility bills with Rodney Cleek, Manager of Budget, Plants and Rates. Also in this episode, Daniel Irwin, Director of Public Relations for the Better Business Bureau, tells how to avoid scams impacting the Mid-South. mlgw.com
On the latest Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson discusses the Five Year Infrastructure Plan with Alonzo Weaver, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Utility Officer. Also in this episode, Dianna Patterson,Chief Credit Officer, discusses the community offices being open. mlgw.com
On the latest Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson discusses the power supply update with President and CEO J.T. Young. Also in this episode, Cruz Iglesias, Residential Energy Service, discusses energy saving tips for the fall and winter. mlgw.com
On the latest Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson discusses upcoming major construction project impacting the Whitehaven area with Wayne Jackson, Engineering Manager. Also in this episode, Brad Gates, Electric Construction and Maintenance Manager, talked about the new L.E.D. lights Memphis is getting. Also in this episode, Frank Fletcher, Project Management Manager, talked about the free pilot light inspections happening in September. mlgw.com
On the latest Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson discusses rising electricity costs with Dana Jeanes, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary-Treasurer. Jeanes elaborates on how rising fuel costs and increased consumption are driving electricity bills higher this summer. Also in this episode, Martrice Anderson, Director of Customer Care, explains how to read and understand the charges on your bill.
In this episode of Power Up Memphis… J.T. Young, President/CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water, joins our Host Gale Jones Carson, V.P. of External and Community Affairs, to discuss the newly established Outage Improvement Advisory Team (OIAT). Following the city’s recent ice storm and the number of customers affected, the OIAT was formed. Over the next several months, the OIAT will examine power outages and ways to improve the MLGW power restoration process. The team consists of community stakeholders from MLGW, the City of Memphis, Shelby County government, neighborhood associations, non-profits, and surrounding municipalities representing MLGW’s 439,000 customers. MLGW customer are also invited to engage in the process through questions/feedback at memphistn.gov/mlgw/ regarding tree trimming, underground lines, response time, overall infrastructure, suggestions for improvement, and more. The site also has a full list of the OIAT members. Also joining this segment of Power Up Memphis is Reynold Douglas, General Service Director for the City of Germantown. As a representative for the City of Germantown, Douglas will be joining the 50 member OIAT panel as a stakeholder and a voice for the residents of his community. Are the citizens of Germantown pleased with MLGW? Are improvements needed with MLGW’s restoration process? Tune in as Douglas shares his thoughts and concerns for what he hopes the OIAT could mean for future crisis. Join us for the answers as Power Up Memphis takes a look back at the city’s first crisis of 2022. What we did right! What can we do better? How will the Outage Improvement Advisory Team help us improve? mlgw.com
In this episode of Power Up Memphis… Julie C. Meiman, who is the Community Engagement & Outreach Specialist with the Division of Community Services, Director’s Office for Shelby County Government, joins our Host Gale Jones Carson to discuss a new program available to aid those in the community who have been hard hit by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on thousands of residents throughout Shelby County and Mieman will share some very important information to viewers in the surrounding Shelby County municipalities regarding a new outreach program offered by the Shelby County Division of Community Services for mortgage and utility assistance. The funds are available to residents who reside in the outer municipalities (Bartlett, Millington, Arlington, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland) of the county and unincorporated Memphis. She will provide details on the new program and how to apply for funding along with qualifications necessary to receive the assistance. Viewers will also learn how they can access an application to apply. The funding is good through 2024 and qualified residents are encouraged to take advantage of this federally funded program while funds are still available. Also joining our host to discuss available utility assistance programs and resources offered by MLGW is Barbara Martin, Supervisor of MLGW Credit Operations. Martin will discuss the various social service agencies that MLGW partners with throughout the community to ensure our customers have knowledge of all the resources available and how to receive aid. She will also discuss some of the challenges MLGW customers face as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In addition, Martin will discuss how MLGW handles customers who rely on oxygen, resources for the homeless, MLGW’s Plus-1 and Gift of Comfort Programs, MLGW’s Winter Moratorium, partnering with CSA, and the MLGW Dashboard which provides a snapshot of social agencies throughout Shelby County where customers can utilize these services to meet their utility needs, rental assistance needs, and more. Join us for this impactful episode of Power Up Memphis to learn more about resources available to assist you and your family during these unprecedented times. Serving You is What We Do! mlgw.com
Due to market forces, customers could see their total winter gas costs increase by 20% to 30% With steadily rising U.S. natural gas prices, MLGW customers can expect higher than average winter heating bills this season. U.S. natural gas prices for the upcoming winter are currently projected to be significantly higher than last winter. These are some of the highest prices in the last eight years. On this segment of Power Up Memphis Jeff Sissom, Gas Portfolio Management Supervisor, will discuss these upward price trends which are being driven by growing concerns of low winter storage levels across the U.S. which could lead to MLGW customers experiencing some of the highest winter gas bills in recent years. He will also shed light on how MLGW customers will be affected and what the utility provider is doing to lessen the impact as we navigate through these unprecedented times. Also in this episode of Power Up Memphis, Rodney Cleek, Manager of Budget, Plant and Rates Department, will walk customers through a comprehensive look at how the rising prices may impact your MLGW natural gas bills during this upcoming winter season. He will also share MLGW’s overall electric, gas and water Annual Bill Comparison Survey and how MLGW compares to other utilities from highest to lowest rates, as well as the MLGW Way Forward and Service Improvement Plan. While customers cannot control the market, they can find ways to conserve and save money. To find energy conservation tips, go to mlgw.com/conserve.
On this segment of Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson speaks to Derrick Dones, Supervisor Residential Energy Services, who will update on on MLGW’s Share the Pennies Program as well as provide our viewers with some energy tips for the summer. Find out what you can do to conserve your energy and control your usage during these unprecedented times to save on your utility bill.
Also in this segment of Power Up Memphis, Tamara Pate, Coordinator Supplier Diversity, will share with us how MLGW’s Supplier Diversity works and the challenges for some small minority owned businesses during COVID-19. Joining her will be Adrena and Wendell Jackson, owners of a small minority home company. The couple has worked with MLGW’s supplier diversity program and will share how the program has helped them pre-pandemic and how they’ve managed to stay afloat.
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In this segment of Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson is joined by MLGW CEO, J.T. Young
In this segment of Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson is joined by Rory Thomas, Executive Director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, and William Richardson, Associate Director for the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, who will discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on the small businesses community throughout Shelby County and how they can access COVID Relief assistance. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) network has been empowering small business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals with a business idea to innovate new products and services that compete in the global marketplace for more than 30-years.
Also, MLGW’s James West, who is the V.P. Customer Care, discusses the various assistance programs offered by the utility provider to assist both residential and commercial customers. MLGW also partners with a number of local agencies to provide assistance (Deferred Billing, Gift of Comfort Program, On-Track Program, Plus-1 Program). MLGW customers who are experiencing any hardships due to COVID-19, loss of income, medical issues are encouraged to reach out to MLGW at 901.544.6549
On this edition of Power Up Memphis, Lead Energy Technician Will Williams provide some useful energy tips to help keep your family warm and safe this winter, and save you money! Also, Heath McCallen, Supervisor Water Metering, demonstrates how to accurately determine if your water smart meter has a leak and determine the number of gallons leaking per minute.
On this episode of Power Up Memphis, MLGW President/ CEO J.T. Young discusses the recent vote by the Memphis City Council to approve MLGW‘s Proposed 2020 budget, and what this will mean in terms of upgrading MLGW’s aging infrastructure.
On the latest Power Up Memphis, Gale Jones Carson speaks to Yolanda Shegog-Wright, Field Management Director III with the Shelby County Department of Human Services. Wright provides information on programs to assist families experiencing difficulty with meeting their financial obligations. Some of their resources include utility assistance, SNAP( Supplemental Nutrition Application Process), temporary cash assistance and childcare for those who qualify. Also in this episode, Eliza King, Director of Customer Care for MLGW, discusses MLGW’s deferred payment plan for customers who are experiencing financial difficulties during the Covid- 19 pandemic. She also covers MLGW’S PrePay program and authorized pay locations for customer convenience.