Quick answers, fewer phone trees.

How does DES manage increased calls during an outage?

• With our new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in place, DES is alerted of power outages in our system as soon as they occur.
• We still encourage customers to call and report a power outage.

To report an outage, call (615) 446-9051 and select option #1.

• Hospitals, police, fire, and safety facilities come first
• Outages ranked by the number of affected customers
• Ensuring vital services remain operational
• Efficient allocation of resources for restoration

Please be patient with us during our power restoration efforts. During outages, we are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore your electric service.

Strategic Power Restoration Approach

• Initiating restoration from the substation
• Progressing towards individual homes and businesses

Restoration Process

1. Main distribution lines restoration
2. Focus on repairing feeders or taps (Restoring power to the highest number of customers)
3. Concentrating on pockets of customers' outages
4. Addressing individual homes and businesses' issues

Check Circuit Breakers & Fuses

• Verify if the issue is isolated within your property
• Inspect circuit breakers or fuses for tripping

Assess Neighbors' Power Status

• Determine if neighbors are also experiencing outages
• Gather information on the scope of the issue

Meter Examination

• Inspect your meter and associated wires
• Look for signs of damage or issues

If you do not find any problems, call us at (615) 446-9051 to report the outage.

Professional Electrician Assistance

Call Certified Electrician if Damage is Detected if meter box or wires appear damaged. Repairs may be necessary before DES can reconnect power.

Service Line Damage

• Damage limited to your service line only.
• Does not impact your neighbor's electricity supply.

Complex DES Circuits

• DES circuits can have intricate feeds
• Neighbor's home may be on a separate circuit

Multiple Phases & Service Distribution

• Up to 3 different phases on your pole
• Neighbors might receive service from a different phase

Dickson Electric Responsibilities

• Responsible for delivering power up to your home's connection point.
• Handles service delivery from the grid to the meter.

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Responsible for repairs from the meter into your home
• Wiring repairs located in the Weatherhead.

Repairs for Disconnected Service

If service has been pulled away from your house:

• Qualified electrician required for repairs.
• Repairs must be completed before power can be restored.

No.

No. Power will not turn off.

Power Shutdown Authorization

• DES (Dickson Electric System) will not turn off power unless instructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
• In certain situations, power shutdown might also be directed by emergency management authorities.

DES prioritizes safety

• Service restoration will not be attempted until conditions improve.
• This policy ensures the safety of both personnel and customers.

• Treat any line as energized and potentially live.
• Avoid approaching or going near downed power lines.
• Electrocution is a significant danger during stormy weather.
• It's crucial to exercise caution around wires and cables.
• Teach children about the hazards of power lines.
• Instruct them to stay away from all wires and cables.
• Always assume downed power lines are live and dangerous.
• Report any downed power lines to DES at (615) 446-9051.

Notification & Documentation

• If you or a family member relies on a life-sustaining medical device, call DES at (615) 446-9051.
• Collect necessary documentation for our records.
• Collected documentation allows DES to notify you about planned power shutdowns for equipment repairs.
• Ensures preparedness for potential service interruptions.

Impact of Severe Weather on Repairs

If your life depends on electricity, it is important to have an emergency backup plan in place for such situations.

• Severe weather can cause extensive electrical system damage.
• Repairing such damage might take days to complete.

Special Medical Needs & Service Disconnection

• Documented medical needs won't prevent power disconnection for unpaid bills.
• DES's service-restoring priorities remain unchanged, as outlined above.

Yes. There are safety concerns when using a portable generator.

Generator Location & Ventilation

• Never operate a generator inside your home.
• Place the generator outside for proper ventilation.

Direct Appliance Connection

• Do not plug the generator into an electrical outlet.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator.
• Use extension cords only when necessary.

Generator Wattage & Appliance Load

• The number of appliances a generator can safely power depends on its rated wattage.
• Refer to the manufacturer's recommendations for proper use and load.

Main Electric Panel Connection

• Only a licensed electrician should connect a generator to the main electric panel of your home or business.
• Improper connection can result in "back feed" into utility lines, posing safety hazards.

If a tree or limb falls on or near a power line, do not attempt to handle it yourself.

Reporting Trees or Limbs

• To report trees or limbs near power lines, call (615) 441-6343.
• Promptly notify us to assess the situation and take appropriate action.

Reporting Outages Caused by Trees

• If trees or limbs result in a power outage, report it by calling (615) 446-9051.
• Select option #1 to report the outage and receive assistance from our team.

Freezer Storage Duration

• Fully-stocked freezer: Food remains cold for up to 48 hours (2 days) after power loss.
• Half-full freezer: Food stays frozen for around 24 hours (1 day).

Refrigerator Storage Duration

Unopened refrigerator: Food remains safely cold for about 4 hours after power outage.

Temperature Check After Power Restoration

• Check the temperature inside your fridge once power is restored.
• Fridge should be at or below 40º Fahrenheit; freezer at or below 0º Fahrenheit.

To learn more about making the right decisions to keep your family safe during an emergency, visit A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes Article

DES acknowledges inconveniences caused by power outages and strives to minimize unnecessary interruptions. However, outages are inevitable, and proactive planning is encouraged.

Create an "Emergency Kit"

• DES recommends preparing an "Emergency Kit" for potential service interruptions.
• The kit should include essential items to sustain your household during an outage.

Recommended Contents for an Emergency Kit

• Bottled water (for each family member and pets).
• Canned food for at least a 3-day supply.
• Prescription medications.
• Flashlight with batteries.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
• NOAA Weather Radio with tone alerts.
• Extra batteries.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities (gas, water lines).
• Manual can opener.
• First-aid kit.
• Baby food/formula and diapers.
• Sanitation supplies: moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties.
• Personal items: cell phone, keys.
• Comfort items: pillows, blankets, toys, games.
• Important family documents: social security cards, insurance cards/forms, etc.
• Pet supplies: food, water, medicines, crate or carrier, sanitation items.

Additional Resources

• Visit the Ready Website for more information on emergency preparedness.
• Contact 1-800-BE-READY for assistance and guidance

Call DES at (615) 446-9051.

While many members recognize the Tesla brand and its cars and SUVs, other mainstream manufacturers are also committing to more EV options by 2035. Here is a list of some of the manufacturers committed to building EVs in the next decade:

• Tesla
• Nissan
• Chevrolet
• Ford
• General Motors
• Honda
• Toyota
• Volkswagen
• BMW
• Audi
• Jaguar
• Hyundai
• Kia

With so many options to choose from, how do you know which vehicle will suit your needs and your budget?

Our friends at TVA created an interactive tool to help you search through the different makes and models.

Online EV Finder

There are many benefits to electric vehicles.

• EVs are designed for optimal efficiency because they run off power from the electric grid.
• EVs can be safer in head-on collisions because they don't have a heavy engine under the hood.
• EVs use battery-powered motors which create a smoother and stronger acceleration.
• EVs are way more environmentally friendly because they create no tailpipe emissions
• EVs costs 1/3 of the overall cost of driving a gas-powered vehicle due to reduced maintenance and fuel costs

Level 1: Chargers that plug into a regular 120-volt home outlet . Charge time: 10-20+ hours .

Level 2: 240-volt chargers (like a dryer outlet) can fully charge an empty battery-only EV (BEV) in 4-10 hours .*

DC Fast Charging: Typically found at public locations like malls or retail centers and off interstate highway exits. They’re intended for short stops on long road trips and can fill up a low battery in 15-45 minutes

Residential electricity rates in our region are among the lowest in the country, which means that EV owners in the Valley save more than $20 per refueling!

Use this formula to estimate how much fueling up with electricity will cost you:

Number of miles per day * x 30 days per month x Number of kWh kWh per mile* x 0.068331** base rate = $$ per month electricity use

Consult with a certified electrician who can take a look at your electrical panel and service. In some instances, they’ll easily identify spare electrical capacity (amperage) and breaker space. If that’s not the case, they’ll likely have a few recommendations that’ll work for you.

Possibilities may include:

• Exploring smart energy devices that can share power between existing appliances, like your clothing dryer and your EV. (Encourage your electrician to check with local code officials when they pull a permit for your EV charger installation.)

• Choosing a lower-power (lower-amperage) charger

• Upgrading your wiring and electrical panel to accommodate a higher-power (higher-amperage) charger

Charger costs can vary widely . At the time of this guide’s publication in 2024, Level 2 chargers listed on the EnergyRight Efficient Choice Marketplace ranged from $299 to $699, with an average price of $518.

According to Qmerit, an EV charging installer recommended by dozens of EV manufacturers, a typical home installation can cost anywhere from $800 to $2,000, depending on job complexity, charger power and the distance between the electrical panel and the charging station

EV batteries are charged by plugging the EV charger’s cord into the vehicle’s charging port. They can also gain charge from regenerative braking systems. “Regen” braking systems are unique to EVs. They turn a vehicle’s kinetic energy (energy that relates to motion) back into electric energy. This transformation occurs during braking, decelerating or coasting downhill. Plus, these systems also dramatically reduce wear and tear on a vehicle’s braking system

Yes! Well, your car’s manufacturer can. Although most EV car batteries on the road today aren’t ready for retirement, automotive manufacturers are already making plans for recycling and repurposing used EV batteries.

EV batteries contain valuable minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel—all of which can be recycled, repurposed and reused.

According to U.S. News & World Report, Tesla recycles batteries on its own and Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, Audi and Volvo have all partnered with Redwood Materials for battery recycling. Hyundai is working with UL Solutions to create battery energy storage systems from used EV batteries.

• Dickson Electric recognizes the inconvenience of power outages and the danger of downed power lines.
• Tree trimming aims to maintain a dependable electric system, minimize tree-related outages, and ensure public safety.
• About 80% of power outages are due to trees and limbs on power lines.
• Factors like high winds, ice, and decay can cause limbs to fall, damaging power lines and causing prolonged outages.
• Trimming trees and managing vegetation within easements helps prevent avoidable outages and supports our mission of providing safe, reliable electric service to 36,000 customers.

Yes, DES can legally trim trees.

• Court and legal system strongly support utilities’ rights to trim and remove trees or brush within and outside easements or right-of-ways for maintaining reliable electric system, reducing unnecessary outages, and ensuring public safety.
• According to DES Operating Policies and Procedures, DES must maintain proper clearance within a 15-foot radius of distribution lines.
• DES policy is in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated 65-23-106 which gives Public Utilities and Carriers the power to “use any right-of-way, easement or other similar property right necessary or convenient in connection with the acquisition, improvement, operation or maintenance of a system or systems, held by the state or any political subdivision thereof; provided, that the governing body of such political subdivision shall consent to such use [Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-23-106(8)].”

DES utilizes the following methods to achieve these goals:

• Manual trimming
• Bush hog mechanical removals

Pre-clearance Assesments

• To ensure safe, reliable, and affordable power, DES trims and removes trees, limbs, vines, and brushes under service lines.
• Certified arborist ACRT contracted for pre-clearance assessments.
• ACRT surveys DES power-line routes, identifying areas needing clearance.

We work throughout the year to remove dangerous limbs from our power lines. Tree limbs that come into contact with the lines are the most common cause of power outages and can create serious safety issues.

Routine Trimming

• Contractors remove tree limbs and make efforts to restore areas to previous conditions.
• Small debris is left behind for natural degradation.
• Customers can request ahead of time for the wood to be left for the property owner. Call (615) 441-6343 to speak with an ACRT representative.

Emergency Trimming

• Despite proactive trimming, storm-related tree damage is inevitable.
• When tree debris is caused by a storm or emergency situation, DES does not remove it.
• Our crews must work quickly to restore power to all customers.
• Crews may need to cut broken trees for line repairs.
• Property owners responsible for removing storm-caused debris.

• Trees growing too close to electric lines can't be aesthetically trimmed.
• Decaying, dying, or storm-damaged trees pose a risk of falling onto power lines.
• DES removes such trees to prevent potential hazards.

Dickson Electric System will do everything within reason to accommodate such requests.

1. Understand why tree pruning is vital for reliable power for yourself and your neighbors.
2. Plan ahead before planting trees.
3. Plant trees away from power lines, poles, and guy wires, which will ensure safe, natural growth and eliminate the need for extensive trimming.
4. Trees that are well-planted and meticulously maintained may need periodic trimming to prevent new growth from affecting overhead power lines.

You may, at your own expense, hire a private contractor of your choosing to perform the work to DES specifications. Please call (615) 441-6343 to request that such arrangements be made.

• DES aims for a complete pass of the distribution system every 4 years.
• Trimming, removals, and spraying are scheduled to ensure up to 4 years of growth without line contact.
• If necessary, DES may use these techniques more frequently to maintain line clearances.

You may call DES at (615) 446-9051 if you are aware of a tree that is interfering with a power line or is in direct contact with one. Remember, never attempt to trim limbs that are near or touching power lines.

• For any other questions regarding tree trimming, please call us at (615) 441-6343 Monday through Friday to speak with our ACRT Representatives.
• If crews are working, please don’t approach within 25 feet of a work site. This helps us to keep the work site as safe as possible.

• DES recognizes the value of trees in enhancing property value, providing shade, reducing energy costs, and supporting wildlife.
• We promote tree planting while emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate tree for its location.
• To ensure tree longevity, we recommend following The Arbor Day Foundation's Right Tree Right Place program.
• The Arbor Day Foundation's approach benefits both community trees and utility customers.
• Effective planting is illustrated in the following diagram, showcasing the significance of proper tree placement.
• Properly placed trees help lower utility line clearance expenses, minimize tree mortality, and promote healthier community forests.