Ripley Energy Authority

A GREAT idea for YOU,
our customer

Ripley Power & Light wants to become an Energy Authority to protect our customers, our low rates and our services.

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.

Read the Legislative Act that created the Energy Authority …

Rumors versus The Truth…

Many agree about the need for an Energy Authority …

• Our employees support the move because it will help preserve their ability to provide customers with the best electric service possible. 
• Industry leaders support it because they know it will help bring jobs to the community. 
• The Halls and Henning boards passed resolutions supporting the move. 
• More than 1,700 of our customers signed their names in support because they know it is in their best interest.

An Energy Authority WILL …

• Open doors to joint ventures that will make our services more affordable to all customers.
• Help keep politics out of decisions made about your electric utility.
• Help attract and retain industry so our customers have jobs.
• 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 voted to allow Ripley residents to vote on a referendum about the Energy Authority in the August 5, 2010 election.
  
• 2. The Tennessee Legislature voted to allow a referendum.
• 3. Ripley residents will decide in the August 5 election about the Energy Authority.
  

Read the Legislative Act to create the Energy Authority...(click here)


Questions?

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