Ripley Energy Authority

A GREAT idea for YOU,
our customer

Ripley Power & Light is asking the Ripley Mayor and Board of Aldermen to approve the first step so that we can become Ripley Energy Authority.

Becoming Ripley Energy Authority will not affect the way we do business. However, it will preserve our ability to provide you with low cost, reliable electricity; it will limit politics in the decision-making process.

Our customers agree …

More than 1,800 of our customers have filled out cards saying they support the move.
Our industrial customers are telling us of their support..
Both Halls and Henning City Boards have passed resolutions to support the move to an Energy Authority

An Energy Authority will …

Give your electric utility the flexibility to make sound business decisions with other entities for your benefit.
Make the five-person independent board more representative of our customer base. The Board will be able to draw on its business experience to make sound decisions without the influence of politics.

An Energy Authority will not …

Affect your rates. You will still have the lowest rates that we can provide.
Affect our services. We will still have customer centers in Ripley and Halls. We will still have the same employees serving you in Ripley, Henning, Gates & Halls. We will continue to offer a variety of services, including rebates and financing on energy-efficiency purchases, surge protection, options on paying your bill and the Plus One program to help people in need.
Change the services we offer. Ripley Energy Authority has no plans to get in the gas, water, wastewater or broadband business. We provide sound electric services, and we’d like to keep it that way.

8 Key Points
for Ripley Power & Light to become an energy authority and to preserve the independent board model

1. An Energy Authority preserves our independent board, which can then operate with less political influence.
2. An independent board of businessmen and women has the experience to operate the utility like a business and maintain business-like efficiency in an increasingly complex world.
3. The Ripley Mayor and Board of Aldermen still approve board member appointments.
4. The board member representing the City of Ripley is a voting member and a liaison between the city and the utility.
5. The independent board makes decisions for customers as utility ratepayers rather than as taxpayers and voters.
6. Appointing board members to staggered terms ensures experience and stability, which is vital for long-term success.
7. A five-member independent board (instead of the current three) is more representative of the customers we serve.
8. As an Energy Authority, the utility has more flexibility to take advantage of sound business opportunities that will help us keep our rates low.

The Process

1. The Ripley Mayor and Board of Aldermen must pass a resolution with a 2/3 (super) majority that approves the creation of a Ripley Energy Authority.
2. Representative Craig Fitzhugh and Senator Mark Norris must then ask the Tennessee Legislature to pass a private act that creates Ripley Energy Authority.
3. Once passed by the Legislature, the act returns to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for final approval.

Questions?

Call us at 731-635-2323 or 731-836-7595 or email us.