The Monitoring Will Continue
❄️ The ice is melting as power outages continue · NES board meeting · Not much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Still monitoring the situation on the ground in Nashville... And not much more!
Things That Never Happen But Should Join us Thursday, February 19th for an evening with Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of The Federalist. This is the third installment of the Pamphleteer's new monthly event series. Paying Bard-level subscribers receive free access to this and future events. (Buy Tickets)
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Day Four: The Monitoring Will Continue Until Moral Improves
From Davis Hunt
⚡️ Power Levels As of this writing, the NES power outage map shows 108,098 customers without power. That’s 24,352 fewer people than yesterday. About 23 percent of the city remains powerless. Everything state and city government related remains closed, including public schools.
According to NES’s most recent update, approximately 900 line workers in addition to 220 vegetation workers are now in the field repairing lines and cutting up trees and limbs. As more workers pour in, NES executive Brent Baker expects repairs to accelerate.
⛏️ More On Line Burial Some more color as people think about “burying power lines.” In 2021, PG&E estimated that it would cost about $20B to bury 10,000 miles of its transmission and distribution lines.
There are ~4.5M miles of unburied local distribution lines in the US. Based on PG&E's estimate, it would cost $9T to bury every distribution line in the US.
☄️ Armageddon HCA CEO Sam Hazen commented on the snowstorm during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call yesterday. “It looks like Armageddon out here in Nashville right now,” Hazen said.
🦮 Dog Poop Downtown Rumors swirl of sidewalks covered in canine fecal matter as those seeking shelter pour into downtown hotels, furry friends in tow.
✹ THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPEN BUT SHOULD
Welcome to America in 2026. You're sitting at the End of History. Nothing will ever happen again.
The steady march toward the impossible vision of a borderless world governed by rooms full of perfectly rational leaders incapable of committing evil in thought word or deed continues apace.
Will anything–can anything happen–that shakes us from our stupor? Is "Nothing Ever Happens" the law of the land? What should happen that hasn't happened?
Join us Thursday, February 19th as we sit down with Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of The Federalist, to discuss whether anything will ever happen again and more. (Buy Ticket)
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer and free for paying, Bard-level subscribers.
HEADLINES
- ⚡️ The NES Board held a meeting this morning and gave updates on their emergency response. NES has issued a series of declarations removing some red tape to allow for expedient on-boarding of utility workers outside of its mutual aid partners. The Tennessee Valley Authority has also provided scouting crews and additional workers to clear trees and debris, allowing NES to better focus efforts on restoration.
Why did my lights go on and off? Due to Nashville’s urban grid, the city’s circuits overlap. To restore power in certain areas, NES has had to disconnect already restored power in order to work safely in a de-energized space.
NES is working to replace 300 poles that were damaged. The board also approved about $24.1 million for purchases to procure additional materials. When addressing the financial aspect of their emergency response, a member said NES's only concern is to restore power and will not put any constraints on spending. (NES Board meeting) - ❄️ Last night, the Tennessee Health Department confirmed that eight people have died due to the weather this week. Nashville’s medical examiner is investigating two deaths that could be linked to the ice storm. According to Police Chief John Drake, a 90-year-old without power was found dead inside their apartment after an apparent fall. A body of a woman was also found at Lindell and Wedgewood Avenues by a passerby. It appears the woman had slid down a hill and was declared dead at the scene.
- 🗳 Tennessee Republican senator is proposing a constitutional amendment to shift local election dates to match federal elections. If adopted, the change could have a large impact on voter turnout in local races. (Lookout)
- 📔 Two Tennessee Congressmen vote against appropriations act that would allocate tax dollars to refugee welfare. Congressmen Tim Burchett of District 2 and Andy Ogles of District 5 joined 28 other House Republicans in voting against the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148). Davidson County Representatives John Rose of District 6 and Matt Van Epps of District 7 voted for the package, which also included a strategic increase in military defense funding. The act passed the House with a 341-88 vote and awaits Senate vote. (House Appropriations)
DEVELOPMENT
- Noteworthy Hermitage property sells for $27.9M (Post)
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.