MLGW Community Offices to Begin Accepting Credit Cards

Expanded Payment Offering Gives More Flexibility

MLGW will begin accepting Mastercard, Visa and Discover cards as forms of payment on Tuesday, April 29. Memphis City Councilman Myron Lowery will make the inaugural credit card payment at 10 a.m. at MLGW’s Downtown Community Office located at 245 South Main St. MLGW’s other Community Office locations will start accepting payments on Thursday, May 1.

The new payment method expands the services offered for residential customers who come into MLGW’s Community Offices to make a payment on their bills. Customers can visit MLGW’s other Community Offices located at 2935 Lamar Ave. (South Community Office) 5131 Navy Road (Millington Community Office), and 1111 East Shelby Dr. (Whitehaven Community Office). MLGW’s North Community Office located at 2424 Summer Ave. is temporarily closed for remodeling.

To learn more about MLGW service options, in-person, online or via telephone, visit mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill.

MLGW 2013 Water Quality Report Available Online

Our 2013 Water Quality Report is available online. Customers can view the 2013 Water Quality Report online at www.mlgw.com/waterquality.

Customers can also request a paper copy of the report by calling 901-320-3950 or e-mailing corpcomm@mlgw.org. Specialists in MLGW’s Water laboratory perform numerous tests throughout the year to monitor components of Memphis’ water.

The 2013 test results reveal our water is well within the designated limits, and meeting or exceeding all water-quality standards set by the EPA. All community water systems are required to prepare and distribute an annual water quality report. MLGW is proud to provide excellent drinking water for the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County.

Plus-1 Jam 3: MLGW Celebrates Memphis Music for a Third Year to Benefit MIFA’s Plus-1 Program

For the third year, we will again celebrate Memphis Music during the month of May with live music on a stage set up on Beale Street by the Elvis statue on the north side of our Administration Building, and it’s all for a good cause to help our neighbors in need.

MLGW is sponsoring its third annual Plus-1 Jam in May, an MLGW celebration of Memphis Music that showcases local musicians to raise funds for MIFA’s Plus-1 utility assistance program. On Friday nights and Saturday afternoons and nights throughout the month of May, musical acts will volunteer their talents at the MLGW tent located on Beale Street between Main Street and Second Street. Some of the acts include talented musicians who are MLGW employees or family members. MLGW is also recruiting many local musicians and bands from outside the Division and from the Mid-South area to perform.

Volunteers will pass donation buckets for visitors to the music stage to make donations to benefit Plus-1, which is administered by MIFA to help those in need of utility assistance.

The event features a wide range of music styles, reflecting the diversity that makes up Memphis and its music. Visitors from all over the world will be able to get a taste of local musical acts while in town for Memphis in May at the MLGW stage on world-famous Beale Street.

WHAT: Plus-1 Jam: MLGW Celebrates Memphis Music

WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays, May 2-24, 2014

WHERE: North Side of MLGW Administration Bldg. on Beale Street by Elvis Statue

WHO: Local Memphis musicians as well as bands including MLGW employees

WHY: To benefit Plus-1 and MIFA (administrator of the Plus-1 program)

Art Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of this year's art contest. These students and their teachers won in the elementary, middle and high school categories. The theme was “Energy Awareness and Energy Conservation.”

L--R:
The elementary student winner: "How to Save Energy" by Aeryn Clark, Kate Bond Elementary, 4th grade, Mrs. Jenkins, art teacher

The middle school student winner: "Picture Yourself Saving Energy" by Lyrikal Jenkins, Colonial Middle School, 8th grade, Jennifer Shiberou, art teacher

The high school student winner: " Conserve Energy, Save Our World" by Anna Trinh Nguyen, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, 11th grade, Meghan Watermeier, art teacher

MLGW at the top for Cybersecurity

With recent data breaches at Target and Neiman Marcus retail stores, cybersecurity is a hot topic of late. MLGW employees and customers can rest assured knowing MLGW’s systems and processes incorporate the best industry practices as recognized by Security Magazine. The publication issued its top 500 rankings and the Division was among the top 30 in the utility industry. The Security 500 survey identifies, ranks, and reports on the 500 biggest and best security organizations across 17 sectors.

MLGW was recognized for its cybersecurity efforts. The award was presented at a recent Board of Commissioners meeting. Accepting from MLGW were Allan Long, Utility Compliance Manager; LaShell Vaughn, VP, Chief Technology Officer; Jerry Collins Jr., President and CEO; Steve Wishnia, Board Commissioner; and Alonzo Weaver, VP, Engineering Operations.

Call 811 Before You Dig!

In addition to being prepared for the dangers presented by severe weather, a little knowledge about natural gas safety is a must. When warned to evacuate the area, do so immediately. The leading cause of natural gas pipeline accidents – almost 60 percent – is damage from excavation or construction. Many of us are eager and can’t wait to break ground to start outdoor projects such as building fences or planting trees.

But do we know what’s under the ground where we plan to dig? Natural gas pipelines and other utility lines weave beneath the surface throughout our community. Major gas pipelines are marked with a yellow caution sign. But secondary lines aren’t as easily identifiable. So don’t risk hitting a gas line, disrupting neighborhood service, and facing potential fines and repair costs.

Before you begin digging, remember to contact Tennessee One Call at 811 to request that a professional locating crew mark the underground utility lines on your property. The service is free, and it’s the law!

MLGW Bowls for Junior Achievement

On Saturday, March 1, MLGW employees participated in the annual Junior Achievement “Bowlin’ On the River” Bowl-A-Thon to raise funds for Junior Achievement programs in Memphis and the Mid-South. The Bowl-A-Thon is the largest and longest running event for JA, raising nearly $300,000 each year.

MLGW Constructing $2 Million Compressed Natural Gas Facility

In this week's Flyer...

The price of conventional petroleum gas by the gallon has increased lately, but there’s an alternate route drivers can take to save a few dollars.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), made from methane stored at a high pressure, currently goes for $1.69 by the gallon locally. Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) opened its first CNG public fueling station at its North Service Center (1130 Tupelo St.) this past July.

And the utility company is currently in the construction phase of a new $2 million CNG facility.

MLGW president Jerry Collins said the facility would be located at the company’s South Service Center (2981 South Center Road). It’s slated to open this July.

“It’ll have two islands, four lanes, [and] two high-flow nozzles, which will let the trucks fill up faster than what we currently have at the other facility,” Collins said. “The other aspect of the facility on the south side, it’ll let us expand our fleet of natural gas vehicles, so that vehicles stationed at the south work center can fill up [there].”

MLGW currently has 76 natural gas vehicles and more than 20 on order.

Collins said there’s been an increase in commercial and industrial vehicles using the CNG fueling station at the MLGW North Service Center....

Communications and Public Relations Department Receives Awards for Outstanding Digital Projects

Several Communications and Public Relations team members are the recipients of the 2014 Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals AVA Digital Awards. The AVA Digital Awards is an international competition that recognizes excellence by creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design and production of digital communication.

The following entries were awarded:

• MLGW.com – Website/Government-Gold Award
• MLGW-LNG Video – Video Production/Informational-Honorable Mention
• VIP-Volunteers in Power July/August 2013 – Interactive Communication/E-Newsletter- Gold Award
• Smart Meter Townhall Meeting with President Jerry Collins Jr. – Social Media/Twitter- Platinum Award
• Smart Talk E-mail newsletter – Interactive Communication/E-mail Campaign-Honorable Mention

MLGW Named in Top Ranking for Social Media

A new national survey of the top 50 utilities in the country published by Northeast Group, LLC has ranked MLGW as one of the top three utilities in the nation for its social media efforts. These utilities on average had 11,000 twitter followers and responded to customer comments within 28 minutes. MLGW ranked tops along with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Dominion.

The survey also ranked the top utilities in the country for mobile apps in which MLGW ranks in the top three. MLGW's free mobile app, both for iPhone and Android, allows MLGW customers to access a variety of utility related information, including outage status, conservation tips and a mobile-friendly outage map. San Diego Gas and Electric and Con Edison were also selected in this category.

MLGW has nearly 12,000 Twitter followers, 8,000 Facebook likes, an award-winning blog and website, pages on Pinterest, Youtube and Flicker.

Make Springtime a Safe Time

With the upcoming change to nicer, warmer weather, we frequently get severe weather. MLGW wants you and your family to be safe and protected during severe weather outbreaks, so here are a few tips to increase safety:

• Identify the safest place in your home in case of emergency. It might be a closet or bathroom in the middle of your home, away from exterior doors and windows. Go there if you hear severe weather warnings.

• Stock that place with emergency items such as a first aid kit, flashlights, a battery-operated radio or TV, and extra batteries.

• Store bottled water or tap water in sterile containers, enough for several days, two quarts per person per day. Store some non-spoilable food items that don’t require heating, as well as a can opener.

• Include a whistle or similar device to alert emergency personnel in case of rescue efforts.

• Store a supply of necessary prescription medicines.

Safety tips when severe weather strikes:

• Never approach or touch downed power lines. If a power line falls on your car, remain inside until help arrives.

• Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water in case the lines are damaged.

• If you smell gas, do not turn on lights or electric appliances and don’t use any phones.

• If you smell gas after severe weather, leave the building immediately. Go to a safe place and call MLGW. Do not go back into your home until MLGW says it is safe to do so.

• If you use a portable generator, do not operate it inside your home due to carbon monoxide danger. Also, do not plug it into a wall outlet to power your home; that can cause a dangerous fire hazard.

• Should you have downed wires, gas leaks or a broken water main, call MLGW’s 24-hour, emergency only hotline at 528-4465.

MLGW recognized as Outstanding Employer of the Year by TSPE

The Memphis Chapter of the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers recently presented MLGW with the Outstanding Employer of the Year award. The award is given to a firm, company or agency that employs engineers and has made outstanding contributions to the advancement and improvement of the engineering profession through its employment policies and practices.

The criteria used for consideration of this award includes procedures that promote professional licensure, number of engineers on staff and licensure status, recruitment efforts of women and minority engineers as well as employee involvement in professional organizations and the community.

At the MLGW Board of Commissioners meeting with the award are left to right Jittapong Malasri, Residential Engineering; Jerry Collins Jr., President and CEO; Philip Lim, Electric Substation Engineering and Operations and Board of Commissioners Chairman Rick Masson.

Plus-1 Push Telethon

For the second year in a row, MLGW, MIFA and News Channel 3 are teaming up to help raise funds for Plus-1, a utility assistance program for individuals and families in financial crisis. Since being established in 1982, the assistance program has provided millions of dollars in assistance to families in Memphis and Shelby County. Last year's telethon raised more than $47,000 in donations in one day.

What is it?
The Plus-1 program was created in 1982 and is a partnership between MIFA and MLGW that provides utility assistance for individuals and families in financial crisis.

Where does the money come from?
MLGW customers sign up to donate by agreeing to add at least $1 per month to their utility bill to go to the program. Anyone can also make a one-time donation for any amount.

Who decides who gets help from Plus-1?
MIFA screens clients for eligibility and priority and authorizes payments from the Plus-1 fund to their accounts. The average eligible household receives $200 in assistance, plus negotiation with MLGW to establish a payment plan for the balance.

How many families get help from Plus-1?
Customers and donors gave enough money last year to help close to 1,800 families through Plus-1. That’s 600 more families than in 2012! But if every MLGW customer gave just $1 per month, MIFA could serve more than 20,000 families per year through Plus-1.

What’s the “I Am Plus 1 Telethon”?
It’s a day long effort on Monday, April 7, sponsored by MLGW to support MIFA, to increase awareness and participation of the Plus-1 program in the metropolitan Memphis community. It will feature live reports all day on WREG News Channel 3, ending with a 30 minute program at 6:30 p.m. The show will focus on people who have been helped by Plus-1 and a phone panel to answer questions and help MLGW customers sign up to help.

For more information on Plus-1 or to sign up, you can visit:
plus1memphis.org
IamPlus1.org
mlgw.com
wreg.com/plus1/
mifa.org/plus-1

North Community Office Closes Temporarily For Remodeling

MLGW's North (Summer) Community Office located at 2424 Summer Ave. will close temporarily for remodeling, starting after the close of business today, Thursday, April 3. The project is expected to last for 45 days.

The South (Lamar) Community Office located at 2935 Lamar Ave. will re-open for business on April 7. All MLGW offices will be closed Friday, April 4 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Day.

In addition to the Lamar office, customers can visit MLGW’s other Community offices: Main Community Office, 245 South Main Street; Millington Community Office, 5131 Navy Road; and the Whitehaven Community Office, 1111 East Shelby Dr.

MLGW Customer Care is also available at 544-6549.

To learn more about MLGW service options, in-person, online or via telephone, visit mlgw.com/residential/payingyourbill.

Fun Facts about MLGW through the years

• In the 1940s, many of the Division’s employees temporarily left their jobs to serve their country during World War II.

• In 1950, MLGW crews responded to a crippling ice storm on Jan. 5 and 6, which interrupted power and caused $567,000 in property damage. Permanent repair continued for nine months.

• Work began in 1967 on the new MLGW Administration Building at 220 South Main Street. With the move in 1969 to a new location came a new logo as well, symbolizing MLGW’s advances as a modern utility.

• Energy efficient homes and homes with alternative energy sources were key concerns during the 1970s. MLGW promoted the Gold Medallion all-electric houses as the homes of the future.

• The 1980s brought change to the Division and the city. In 1986, MLGW joined forces with the University of Memphis to create a community-based consortium known as Energy Vision. Programming was also completed for the computer network known as RISE (Resource Information Systems for Efficiency).

• MLGW’s electric distribution system sustained nearly $15 million in damages when the city was hit with a devastating ice storm in 1994. MLGW employees worked around the clock to restore power to 250,000 customers.

MLGW celebrates Diamond Anniversary; 75 Years of Service

This year, Memphis Light, Gas and Water is proud to celebrate a significant milestone – 75 years as a leading utility provider to the residents of Memphis and Shelby County.

MLGW began operating as the city’s first utility company in 1939. Seventy-five years later, MLGW is the nation’s largest three-service municipal utility with some of the lowest combined bills of any utility in the country.

MLGW began on a dream of prominent Memphians, such as the legendary Shelby County political leader and former Memphis Mayor E.H. Crump, to have all the utilities in the city owned and operated by the city government and free of interface from far-off companies and non-local interests.

When the Tennessee Valley Authority was formed in 1933, many felt the opportunity had arrived for Memphis to obtain cheap electric power. The unified Memphis Light and Water Division was formed in 1935 to oversee power and water systems and a contract with TVA was also signed that year. After three years of litigations and negotiations, a sale agreement for purchase of Memphis Power and Light was reached. On March 9, 1939, the governor of Tennessee signed an amendment to the Memphis charter creating Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division.

Prior to the signing, organized utility service was available for 87 years before MLGW was formed. MLGW’s parent companies provided services not long after the Civil War.

Since 1939, the Division has strived to meet its mission to improve the quality of life of Memphis and Shelby County customers through efficient and safe delivery of electricity, natural gas and water. The slogan found on the first MLGW logo still resonates with the Division today: “Public Service—Publicly Owned.”

“I attribute this achievement of reaching our 75th anniversary to the tremendous wealth of talent and knowledge our 2,700 employees bring to work with them every day,” said Jerry Collins Jr., President and CEO of MLGW. “The employees of MLGW are dedicated—to their jobs, to their co-workers, and to their customers. This dedication brought us through many milestones. Not only will we celebrate the achievements of our 75-year history this year, we will keep this as a reminder of how much we can accomplish and allow it to motivate us to do even more in the future.”

#Iamplus1

Join the Iamplus1 campaign! Samuel L. Jackson has!