DispatchThe

Inside… JEA’s reliability,infrastructurehelp Jackson getTVA certification for data center p2

Fiscal 2015 budget has capitalimprovementsfor all systems p3

Sympathies p3

Anniversaries p4,5

Congratulations! p4

Welcome newemployees p4

Births p4

Gas crew makesimprovementsat Lane College p5

Tupelo sends letter of praise p5

Many employeesreceive trainingin gas leaks p6

EJackson Energy Authority Newsletter July/August 2014

Jackson Energy Authority’s EPlusTV 6 is set tobroadcast high school football games each Fridayduring the upcoming season. Fans enjoy it, and players love it. “It’s like Monday

Night Football for them,” said JEA TV-Media Manag-er Steve Bowers. “They get excited about the expo-sure.”

EPlusTV 6 will cover 10 games in addition to theAug. 15 jamboree that opens the season. Each gamewill be broadcast live, which is a serious undertakingfor the production crew.

Thomas Varughese, JEA’s Manager of Video Pro-ductions, said the broadcast requires a crew of 16 peo-ple. Equipment setup begins at 9 a.m. on game days.It’s a high-quality broadcast with four cameras andplay-by-play announcers who break down all the actionfor viewers at home.

“I enjoy doing live production,” Varughese said. “Ilike the tension, and there’s a certain chemistry you getbetween the production crew and the talent that youdon’t get in any other type of production.”

And it’s more challengingthan a taped broadcast becausethere is little room for error, hesaid. “If you make a mistake,there’s really no way to fix it. Wehave to be on the ball.”

EPlusTV 6 tries to cover twogames from each Jackson highschool throughout the season. Italso tries to broadcast at least onehome game for each school.

High school football is one of many programsEPlusTV 6 has brought to Jackson since JEA launchedthe channel in 2004. Bowers said it is the most exten-sive local information source available, and it is able toprovide live programming because of JEA’s fiber-opticnetwork.

“Our whole objective was to bring Jackson a localstation that it did not have and would not havethrough any other source,” Bowers said.

Because the channel has no network obligations, itcan devote an entire evening to covering local electionresults or an important school board meeting. JEA pro-duces 90 percent of the programming it airs, Bowerssaid.

Besides government meetings and special eventslike the Miss Tennessee Pageant, EPlusTV 6 offers avariety of shows. Its flagship program is “Six in theCity,” which Bowers hosts with JEA Creative ServicesCoordinator II Cassandra Fuller.

“We have several guests a week and local entertain-ers as well,” Bowers said. “We put a lot of effort into

the production of that show.”Other programs include

“Roll Call” with the JacksonPolice Department, news pro-gram “Jackson 24/7” and edu-cation program “Front Row.”

The station also broad-casts church services and car-ries St. Louis Cardinals andCincinnati Reds baseballgames.

Jackson EnergyAuthority will beclosed Monday,September 1, forLabor Day. Have a

safe holiday!

It’s live, local programming on EPlusTV

The Dispatchis the employeenewsletter for Jackson Energy

Authority, 119 E. College St.,Jackson, TN 38301.731-422-7500

www.jaxenergy.comn

Publisher: AletzaBoucher

Editor: Mary S. Reed

Contributors:Stacy ScogginsJanet Wilbanks

n

The next “Dispatch” will be in

September/October.Send items for the

issue to Aletza Boucherby August 20.

MissionOur mission is to provide

exceptional utility services that create

value for our customersand our community.

VisionJEA will continue toimprove the quality

of life in our communitythrough the delivery

of high-quality services to our customers.

• JEA will be an industryleader in providing utility

services, exceeding the expectations of our customers.

• JEA’s employees will berecognized by those weserve as the most knowl-edgeable, highly-skilledand customer-focusedworkforce available.

• JEA will be a leader in the economic

development of the community we serve.

ValuesThe values that reflect

our culture and which ouremployees must possess to ensure our mission

and vision are:Integrity • Respect Fairness • Loyalty

Innovation

Page 2

EWho knows? Some day, the pictures and

data you send to the “cloud” for storageon the Internet may just have their home

at a data center right here in Jackson.A 121-acre site in the Tiger Jones Technology Park

is the first in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s seven-state region to be designated as an Enterprise Site,which tells site consultants it is an ideal spot for a largedata storage center or technology industry.

“The Tiger Jones Technology Park is the first inTVA’s data center program to be designated as an‘Enterprise’ Site with the sufficient acreage and infra-structure required for large-scale data center develop-ment,” said TVA Senior Vice President of EconomicDevelopment John Bradley.

The Enterprise designation is the result of a col-laborative effort among Jackson Energy Authority,AT&T and TVA, said Chamber Board ChairmanJim Campbell.

Deloitte Consulting, hired by TVA to evaluate datasites, found that the Tiger Jones location exhibitedsome of the most extensive and redundant fiber infra-structure, along with available, reliable electric powerand a low risk profile. “It is fully ready to recruit largedata centers,” Bradley said.

JEA’s electric reliability and its high-speed fiber infrastructure played a large role in the site designa-tion, Chamber officials said.

“Data centers have extremely high requirementsfor electricity and data connectivity,” said Jim Ferrell,JEA President and CEO.

“The Tiger Jones Technology Park is positioned inan ideal location for a TVA Enterprise Site due to theavailability of redundant and reliable electric and fiberinfrastructure. We feel like our award-winning electricand fiber systems position our community to meet orexceed the needs of a major data center facility.”

Meanwhile, AT&T has invested more than $14.5million in the last three years to enhance and expandits wired and wireless network in the Jackson area, saidKathy Sager, AT&T Regional Director.

“Having an Enterprise data center site in Jackson,Tennessee, is a tremendous advantage for our commu-nity,” said City of Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist. “TheTVA/Deloitte data center designation allows us torecruit for and market this site in a new, growing area.Hopefully, we’ll be the first in line when that projectcomes along.”

The Tiger Jones site is located in a private campussetting a half mile from Interstate 40 (near the WestTennessee Healthcare Sportsplex).

The growth of the Internet, e-commerce and socialnetworking has increased the demand for data storage.“The need is great,” Ferrell said. “We hope this desig-nation creates the opportunity for ‘the cloud’ to be inJackson.”

JEA’s high-speed fiber, utility infrastructure, andreliability help Jackson get special designation

Jim Ferrell, JEA President and CEO, speaks at the Chamber data center announcement.

Page 3

Jackson Energy Authority began the new fiscal year that startedJuly 1 with a new budget. Approved by the Board of Directorsin May, the budget projects $244.8 million in sales revenue

and allocates $39.2 million in capital projects and $48.5 millionfor operating and maintenance. Weather and its impact on system revenues was a primary themeof budget discussions this past year, said Becky Hayes, JEA FinanceManager. “JEA also continues to deal with declining utility use percustomer by focusing on efficiencies and process improvements.” Here’s a look at the budget by each division … • The Electric Division projects about 34,950 customers thisfiscal year and plans a $10 million bond issue to help fund con-struction of two new sub-stations to serve FlexDrive and Jackson-Madi-son County General Hos-pital. With more than $6million budgeted forupgrades and improve-ments, the Electric Divi-sion plans to have its auto-mated metering infrastruc-ture completed this fiscalyear. • The Gas Divisioncontinues to focus on serv-ice replacements andgrowth in interest and usage in CNG (natural gas vehicles).Its $6.59 million capital budget includes the constructionof another CNG fueling station. The division projects aslight increase in customer growth to around 32,820 cus-tomers. • Continuing capital improvements in both the Waterand Wastewater Divisions are projected to reduce futureoperating and maintenance costs. The Water Division projects a slight customer growth toaround 36,750 customers as customer connections continueon a gradual trend in newly annexed areas. Much of its $4.76million capital budget will be used for system expansions andmaintenance improvements at the two water plants.

Grants and low-rate loans from state revolving funds will beused to fund many of the Wastewater System capital improvementsand help hold customer rates down. The division plans to spend$3.17 million on collection system rehabilitation as prioritized inits master plan. Wastewater projects a small increase to around28,700 customers. • Telecom’s challenges include ever-changing technology, esca-lating program costs and increasing competitive pressures. Nearlyhalf of its $6.58 million budgeted for capital improvements will bespent on fiber-to-the-home equipment replacement. It projects hav-ing about 15,825 customers by the end of the fiscal year. “Again, we want to recognize and applaud the level of effort and

cooperation from supervi-sors, superintendents,managers, group vice presi-dents and senior manage-ment,” said Nancy Nan-ney, Senior Vice Presidentand Chief Financial Officer. “Over several months,everyone involved cametogether to focus on quan-tifying an effective andrealistic plan of service forthe upcoming year.”

Fiscal 2015 budget includes capitalimprovements for all utility systems

Uses of FundsPurchased Power, Gas & Cost of Services $157,147.

Operating & Maintenance Expense $48,460.

Taxes & Other $7,596.

Debt Service $13,599.

Capital Expenditures $39,239.

Working Capital $6,181.

Sources of FundsSales Revenue $244,819.

Miscellaneous Operating Revenue $8,080. Other Income $2,996.

Bond & Note Proceeds $13,700.

Contributed Capital $2,627.

With Sympathy to ... w The family of JEA’s oldest retiree,James Glenn, who died July 23 at the ageof 94. James was a Gas Foreman when heretired from Jackson Utility Division in1982 with more than 30 years of serviceto our company.

w Bubba Plemons, Gas Pipelayer inDistribution, and Cody Foster, Mechanicin Distribution, whose grandmother,Glenda June Mansfield, died July 19. w Retiree Charlotte Hunt, whose sis-ter, Nancy Staggs, died July 10.

w Storekeeper Debbie Tosh, whosefather, Elmer Allen Blankenship, diedJuly 7. w Training and Development Coordi-nator Pat Berry, whose aunt, BeatriceHurt, died June 12.

Page 4

Welcome to … w Telecom Installation Tech BlakeGreen, who previously worked at S & SAlarm Service. w Jacob Griggs, Gas Pipelayer, whojoined JEA from McCowat-Mercer. w Telecom Installation Tech Bob Nichols,who previously worked at Truck Pro. w Jason Towater, Water and WastewaterPipelayer, who joined JEA from GarrettPlumbing & Heating.

Congratulations! w Ryan Collins, Serviceman II; AlanCouch, Serviceman III; Fred Cunning-ham, Field Service Superintendent; andEric Rogers, Serviceman III, receivedcertificates for completing instructionon the “Proper-ties of NaturalGas, FirstResponse, Inci-dent Investiga-tion, Leak Classi-fication, and LeakSurvey.” w WaterPipelayer JaredGowan receivedhis Grade II Col-lection System Operator certification. w Water Pipelayer Martin Lowrance received hisGrade II Distribution System Operator certification.

w Thomas Price, Inspector, completed training inOSHA’s “Permit-Required Confined Space Opera-tions Overview.”

Alan CouchRyan Collins

Martin LowranceJared GowanEric Rogers Thomas Price

Fred Cunningham

Bob Nichols

Jacob GriggsBlake Green

Jason Towater

AnniversariesJuly John Coley 7/24/78Garey Cupples 7/21/83Michelle Albea 7/23/90Mike Diggs 7/13/92Rodney Stegall 7/27/92Paul Chapman 7/05/94Monte Cooper 7/10/96Calvin Golden 7/20/97Richard White 7/23/97Ken McCorkle 7/28/97Don Chatman 7/03/99Keith Bond 7/24/00Judy Phelps 7/24/00Clifton Love 7/30/01Steve Berkley 7/01/02Tom Exum 7/31/03Thomas Varughese 7/31/03Jason Compton 7/19/04Angie Stafford 7/26/04Sandra Mullins 7/03/05Courtney Bingham 7/10/05Charlie McCurry 7/17/05Ashley Martin 7/17/06Adam Phillips 7/17/06Karen Johnson 7/31/06Delisa Love 7/01/07James Wells 7/23/07Ryan Collins 7/25/11Wes Davis 7/01/13Jim Oakley 7/29/13

AugustBilly Maness 8/12/80Tim Faulkner 8/25/80David Middlebrooks 8/11/83Bill Taylor 8/03/87Steve Stanfill 8/17/87Mike Ward 8/13/90Larry Maness 8/25/90Vincent Hurst 8/10/92Kelley Bane 8/17/92Cheryl Rogers 8/12/93Mechele Williams 8/30/93Perry Givens, Jr. 8/30/93Steve McKinnie 8/01/94Mark Welch 8/04/97Kenny Merritt 8/05/97Amy Hollowell 8/02/98

Continued, next page …

Births w Clint and JamieNewland have a newbaby boy. Wyatt Alexan-der was born June 4. Hisbig sister is Addison.Clint is a MaintenanceLineman in Distribution.New Accounts Represen-tative Teresa Woods isWyatt’s grandmother. w Dale Justice, Pro-grammer Assistant in IT,and his wife, April, areproud parents of a babygirl. Ali Mae Elizabethwas born June 29. She hastwo big brothers: Hunterand Casen. w Senior Gas PipelayerCharlie Pequignot andhis wife, Misti, have anew baby boy. HuttonMcCoy Pequignot wasborn July 1. He has twobig sisters: Esspyn andMaisie. Systems Dispatch-er Judy Pequignot is theproud grandmother.

Wyatt Alexander Newland

Ali Mae Elizabeth Justice

Hutton McCoy Pequinot

Page 5

Anniversaries,cont …

AJEA Gas Distribution crew replaced a gasmain and installed gas services on the cam-pus of Lane College.

The crew — Foreman Chad Harris, CharliePequignot, Richard Watson, Ronnie Maness, DrewFerguson and John Amos Coley — installed morethan 1,550 feet of gas pipe. They also installed ninegas services and set meters at each new service riserafter removing a large master meter. The work was similar to what JEA has done forthe campuses of Lambuth and Union University in

previous years. The Lane project featured a quickturnaround for engineering design and a fast instal-lation under a tight schedule to finish the workbefore school starts this fall. “Chad and his crew have done an outstandingjob working diligently to complete the project in atimely manner,” said Joe Baumgardner. “I would like to personally say ‘thank you’ tothe men that made this happen and recognize howwell they represented JEA in such a professionalmanner.”

Charlie Pequignot, above, left to right, Richard Watson andDrew Ferguson work at Lane while Ronnie Maness supportsthem in the backhoe. At right, Drew Ferguson and RonnieManess support John Amos Coley as he works on the main.

JEA received the following letter from themanager of the Tupelo Water and LightDepartment …

“I want to take the opportunity to personallythank each and every one of you for your help inaiding us in the tornado restoration thatoccurred in Tupelo. It has been an honor to work with each ofyou, and we are thankful for all your hard work,team effort and the safe working practices thatwere taken in restoring the power in our city. The employees that were sent to help werehighly trained and very safety conscious, whichallowed for a quick and safe restoration of utili-

ties in our community. I would also like to commend Bill Gordonand crew on a superior job done on the JacksonStreet portion of the tornado destruction. Jack-son Street is a main thoroughfare in Tupelo andhad major damage. Mr. Gordon mastermindedthis project and took 14 80-foot poles with 46circuit in top and two 13 circuits underbill andrestored the damage with outstanding leadershipand communication skills. You have an excep-tional employee in Mr. Gordon. Again, I say thank you!”

— Johnny TimmonsManager, Tupelo Water and Light Department

Gas crew makes improvements at Lane

Tupelo utility praises electric employees Cannon Price, thegrandson of

Inspector ThomasPrice, was selectedfrom all 9 and underbaseball players in thecountry to be on theUSSSA All-AmericanTeam. He is one ofonly three playersfrom Tennessee. To be selected,players had to com-plete a five-hour try-out where professionalscouts evaluated theirskills.

Wes Autry 8/03/99Kelly Jones 8/09/99Chrissy Vandiver 8/19/99Holly Parham 8/07/00Richard Clark 8/14/00Tom Price 8/06/01Khayyan Henning 8/27/01Brock Wilson 8/19/02Deborah Tosh 8/12/03Jared Gowan 8/23/04Linda Waynick 8/03/05Pat Berry 8/23/05James Prescott 8/06/07Lori Phillips 8/21/09Beth Wilson 8/08/11Aletza Boucher 8/30/11Dustin Alexander 8/26/12Tiffany Collins 8/27/12

Congrats to our All-American

Cannon Price

Page 6

Gas leak training

JEA employees underwent extensivetraining to properly detect and repairgas leaks.

Heath Consultants provided two daysof training and one day of classes foremployees in Gas Distribution, CustomerService and Field Service, as well as theGas Supervisor Call Group and CP Tech-nicians. The firm also provided one dayof field training for Gas DistributionForemen, Senior Pipelayers, the GasSupervisor Call Group and CP Techni-cians. The program included natural gasproperties and characteristics, response toemergency situations, incident investiga-tion, survey procedures, instruments forleak detection, leak classification, respon-sibilities of employees and procedures forthe Customer Service Department. At the end of the training sessions,employees knew the proper use and tech-niques of the leak-detection and gradingequipment. Beginning July 1, Gas Fore-man, Senior Pipe Layers and CP Techni-cians have been on a call rotation for gasemergency leaks.

Receiving training on how to detect and repair gas leaks are Jared Smith, above, left to right, MonteCooper, Rick Webb, Terry Franklin, Mark Welch, Jason Compton, Jason Gable, Chad Harris, Char-lie Pequignot, Ryan Collins, Brian Seaton and Heath Instructor Roy Montemarano; and, below,Brian, Charlie, Montemarano, Terry, Steve McKinnie, Jason and Ryan.

Relay For LifeGas and Electric crews shared the duty of making cotton candy for this year’s Relay For Life inMay at the Jackson Fairgrounds. JEA supplied a free hotdog bar for all of the employees who hadlots of fun “Hot Doggin’ for a cure.” Pictured, from left, are Gas Pipelayer Jacob Myracle, GasPipelayer Drew Ferguson, Warehouse Supervisor Eddie Chumney, Gas Pipelayer John AmosColey, Groundsman Josh Gabert and Journey Lineman Brandon Fesmire.

Member of the Month

JEA’s Scott Murray was the LIFT WellnessCenter Member of the Month in June.

Joey White took the picture.