The Nashville Electric Service (NES) has been facing scrutiny for its vegetation management practices, which have historically fallen behind schedule. Despite warnings that inadequate tree trimming increases the risk of more frequent and longer power outages, NES has been unable to keep up with the industry-standard three- to four-year trimming cycle. This has led to a situation where the utility is now playing catch-up, trying to address the issue while also dealing with the aftermath of a crippling ice storm that left thousands of Nashvillians without power for days.
The controversy lies in the question of whether NES has been prioritizing tree trimming effectively, and whether budget cuts have played a role in the delay.
According to board documents and meeting minutes, NES has traditionally struggled with vegetation management, but a shift in operations under a single contractor using 39 crews has made a significant impact, with the utility now 12% ahead of schedule. However, a risk management report from November 2025 highlighted ongoing concerns, citing inadequate vegetation management as a high-risk issue that increases the frequency and duration of outages.
Despite this, NES CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin described the utility's tree-trimming program as 'robust' and stated that they are on track for this year's tree trimming. However, the utility has not responded to a list of questions from The Tennessean, and it remains unclear how far behind NES is on its tree trimming schedule.
The budget for vegetation management has decreased by nearly 33% since 2023, but the company has attributed this to more favorable pricing from a change in vendors.
Publicly posted annual reports tell a different story, with spending on 'Contract Tree & Grass' dropping from $21.2 million in 2023 to $13.8 million in 2024 and $14.2 million in 2025. The utility has also cut its overall operating expenses by $6.7 million, or 6%, from a total of more than $112.2 million in 2023, with a $7.5 million cut to tree-trimming operating expenses. However, Broyles-Aplin emphasized that the budget itself has increased even as actual spending declined.
The question remains: has the reduction in spending on tree trimming contributed to the delay in vegetation management?
As NES continues to deal with the aftermath of the ice storm and the scrutiny from elected officials and Nashvillians, the utility must address the concerns surrounding its vegetation management practices and ensure that it is prioritizing tree trimming effectively to reduce the risk of future power outages.
