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A resolution urging Nashville Electric Service and the Electric Power Board to implement a temporary moratorium on recently announced vegetation management changes.
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WHEREAS, the tree canopy in Nashville and Davidson County is a utility that improves ambient air quality, absorbs and filters stormwater, mitigates the heat island and greenhouse effects, provides habitat for wildlife, supports public health, provides economic benefits, and increases the quality of life for Nashville’s residents; and
WHEREAS, the city of Nashville has committed to protecting and expanding this important utility since 2021 through the Root Nashville Campaign, which committed to plant 500,000 trees by 2050; and
WHEREAS, Winter Storm Fern caused significant damage to the electric grid and the tree canopy in Nashville, Davidson County, and the surrounding areas, resulting in loss of power for 230,000 customers of Nashville Electric Service (“NES”); and
WHEREAS, an internal NES audit revealed that in recent years the utility company was behind on vegetation management and maintenance increasing risk for power outage; and
WHEREAS, recently NES has begun a new more aggressive tree trimming approach, which calls for an increased tree trimming distance and “ground-to-sky” clearance; and
WHEREAS, NES has not studied the efficacy of this program as compared to a fully implemented vegetation management program under the prior program, or other less aggressive tactics; and
WHEREAS, further, NES has not studied the costs to Nashville and Davidson County residents by permanently altering the tree canopy. Studies have shown trees in the right-of-way provide shade to pedestrians and reduce the urban heat island effect by up to 50 percent; and
WHEREAS, NES has already begun implementing the more aggressive vegetation management approach cutting back mature trees in some parts of town; and
WHEREAS, it is important to take a measured approach to ensure protection of two important utilities in NES territory, both the electric grid and the tree canopy; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council urge NES to enact a moratorium of the new more aggressive vegetation management program until a study of the efficacy of the program and the cost-benefit analysis is completed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record to urge Nashville Electric Service and the Electric Power Board to implement a temporary moratorium on recently announced vegetation management changes, until after the completion of a study to determine the necessity and increased efficacy of the new more aggressive policy and the risks.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk shall be directed to deliver copies to the Chief Executive Officer of Nashville Electric Service and each member of the Metropolitan Electric Power Board.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.