MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
An MLGW advocacy group is celebrating two years of pushing for upgrades and transparency from the utility.
Ray Bauer, co-founder of 21st Century Memphis or Bust!, said she helped start the organization in 2022 as a way to hold MLGW accountable.
"Part of the big motivation was just knowing that the rest of this great country does not face these same problems,” said Bauer.
21st Century Memphis or Bust! started as a small group on the Nextdoor app after the February 2022 ice storm that left over 100,000 MLGW customers without power. Their goal was to push MLGW to provide reliable power and better customer service.
"MLGW really is the heart of Memphis," Bauer said. "When it's functioning well, our businesses flourish.”
Two years later, president and CEO Doug McGowen said MLGW has winterized the system and is doubling down on water well installations. Glenda Hicks, co-founder of 21st Century Memphis or Bust!, said McGowen has also been more transparent than previous leaders but said there is still more work to be done.
"The delayed billing situation," Hicks said. "We know that there are yet customers that are dealing with estimations, which is an absolute unacceptable situation. And we know that the smart meter issue has not been totally resolved.”
21st Century Memphis or Bust! also wants to hold the Memphis City Council accountable since council members confirm MLGW’s board members and vote on changes like the 12% rate hike that was approved in December 2023.
"Instead of city council extending them carte blanche, the MLGW leadership, we'd like them to pause on some items and say, 'We need more data. Where's the money we already approved for this,'” Bauer said.
Overall, the group is hopeful that 2024 will be the year Memphians see significant changes from the utility.
"We are hopeful that we will see an absolute identifiable change," Hicks said. "That's what we're looking for.”
McGowen said MLGW put out significantly more energy and gas in 2023 and said that’s how the power stayed on through the January 2024 winter storm.