Audit Shows NES Tree-Trimming Gaps May Have Worsened Storm Outages

An internal audit shows Nashville Electric Service could have done more with tree trimming, which may have worsened outages during January's winter storm. NES says linemen worked hard as ice-laden limbs knocked down power lines, leaving tens of thousands without electricity. The audit flagged vegetation management as a high risk, while NES CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin defended the utility's efforts, saying the tree-trimming budget has actually increased over the past four years. Critics note NES still spends far less than the national average, and the utility has now made its press conferences private as the debate continues about the response.